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Going to San Francisco and Monterey?

Travel Info
Going to San Francisco and Monterey California on vacation. Where is the best place to stay in San Fran...near the wharf or downtown...also any great restaurants in Monterey? We are renting a car and it seems the hotels charge for parking..any that don't charge...thanks!

Travel Tips

Oh my gosh I lived in Monterey for 2 years while in the military and I miss it so much! The best food ever! Don't know much about San Francisco... I spent a week there, but we kind of went with the flow. I would definitely recommend signing up for a city tour... they will tell you some really great restaurants to go to that they'll drive past. We did a city tour/Alcatrez Island tour package that was only $100/person. Lots of good information they give you. Be sure to take a pen and paper for notes and names of restaurants. We stayed in a hotel in Union Square (I believe it's called) and were within minutes of walking to all areas of San Francisco. I wouldn't recommend driving... too crowded. Take the bus or trolly. Much faster. As for Monterey, I'm an expert!

Indian Summer
220 Olivier St, Monterey, 93940 - (831) 372-4744

VERY good Indian food. Get the lamb with rice and bread. The evenings around 6 o'clock tend to be cool in Monterey, and they have seating outside next to fireplaces. Very, very lovely. My most favorite restaurant to go to. Be sure you get a hooka (sp?) after dinner, especially if you're with a crowd.

If you like Sushi/Japanese:
Sapporo Restaurant
3 Fishermans Wharf 2, Monterey, CA
Tel: (831) 333-1616

BEAUTIFUL views of the bay and excellent food.

Go to Cannery Row... lots of good restaurants there as well.

Fish Hopper
700 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940-1063
+1 831 372 8543

Delicious steaks and seafood. My favorite dish from here was the spinach stuff veal and grilled crab legs served with potatoes. They have an outdoor HEATED patio directly over the water and every table is candlelit. It's beautiful and you can see the lights of the city across the bay and hear the waves of the water while you eat.

And be sure to check out Old Fisherman's Wharf while in Monterey. You can sample the most delicious clam chowder you'll ever have, and they serve it in hot bread bowls... my mouth is watering just thinking about it! They also offer whale watching, some unique gift shops, and more. Seven mile drive is gorgeous. Look into that... and go down to Carmel and get a glimpse of Pebble Beach and the beautiful white sand. You're going to love it. I miss living there. Best food and most beautiful country I've seen in a long time. You'll have fun! Hope this helps! Definitely check out the restaurants I mentioned above though! Expect to pay about $20/person at least at each restaurant... it is well worth it though!

Others
I like Tarpys Restaurant in Monterey. Their early bird special is a real bargain and the food is wonderful. There's a nice little winery right next door. For more info go to: http://www.cheers2wine.com/monterey-rest...

In San Francisco, consider taking the ferry from downtown to Sausilito. It's nice seeing San Francisco from the water. It's also fun to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. I'm not real familiar with hotels because I live close to San Francisco...parking is a pain in San Francisco so I'd park closest to what you want to do. If you will be shopping, get a hotel around Union Square. The area around the Ferry Building is nice, but not sure about hotels there. I know there's a Hyatt Regency that has a revolving restaurant at the top.