SF stay

Question

Planning to visit SF for 4 days in late may for a convocation in berkely. Will be with my 2 older daughters. I'd like to rent a car for the whole trip. What is the best place to stay - i'll stay anywhere in SF, near airport, oakland or berkeley since i will have a car.

Plan is to visit to the touristry stuff for a couple of days(fishermans, golden gate etc), university one day, may be alcatraz muir woods..

What hotel would be better with free parking? i have some great deals in fisherman's but with parking its almost another $70+ a day which i dont want to pay.

Answer

For a 4-day trip to San Francisco with your daughters and a convocation in Berkeley, having a rental car gives you flexibility, but parking in SF can be expensive. Considering your priorities—tourist sites, University visit, Alcatraz/Muir Woods, and minimizing parking costs—there are several good options for where to stay.

Best Areas to Consider:

Berkeley / Emeryville: Closest to the university and convocation. Parking is generally easier and less expensive. From here, SF is about 20–30 minutes away by car without heavy traffic.
Oakland / Jack London Square area: Convenient if you want access to the Bay Bridge and less expensive hotels with free or cheaper parking. SF is about 20–30 minutes away depending on traffic.
San Francisco outskirts (Richmond, Sunset, or near Golden Gate Park): Some hotels offer free parking and are within 15–25 minutes of main tourist spots, but you’ll need to drive or use public transport for sightseeing.

Hotel Recommendations with Free or Affordable Parking:

Berkeley: Graduate Berkeley, Claremont Club & Spa (more upscale), both have parking options; convenient for the university.
Oakland: Waterfront hotels near Jack London Square like Waterfront Hotel Oakland have free or included parking and easy Bay Bridge access to SF.
San Francisco outskirts: Hotels along Lincoln Way/Sunset district like Beach House Hotel or Golden Gate area motels may offer free parking; close to Golden Gate Park and ocean views.

Considerations:

If you stay in central SF (Fisherman’s Wharf / Union Square), you’ll be close to most tourist sites but pay $50–$70/day for parking, plus difficulty finding street spots.
Staying outside SF in Berkeley or Oakland may save parking costs and reduce stress, but you’ll have daily drives into SF and need to plan for traffic, especially during morning/evening commutes.
Plan Alcatraz visits early as tickets sell out. Muir Woods requires timed entry—arrive early to avoid crowds.

Suggested Strategy:

Stay 2–3 nights near Berkeley for convocation and easy access to free or cheaper parking.
Use one day to drive into SF for main tourist spots—Golden Gate, Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard Street, etc.
Consider a second night in SF outskirts if you want to reduce commute for sightseeing, or do a day trip from Berkeley with early start.

In short, if parking cost is a key factor, prioritize hotels in Berkeley or Oakland. You sacrifice some convenience for sightseeing in SF but gain financial and logistical ease. Renting a car allows you to visit Muir Woods, Alcatraz ferry departure points, and other day trips without relying on SF parking.

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