San Francisco will always be a place filled with haughty types who can’t believe their own good fortune. Yes, living in the City by the Bay does take a sizable bank account. In fact, outside of Manhattan, you would be hard-pressed to find a more expensive place to live. Personally, I love the City, as its called by all Bay Area residents. No, I don’t enjoy the privilege of living in it, though. No, my time in the City is spent in any number of affordable San Francisco boutique hotels.
Of course, when I step out of my cozy hotel, I tend to find myself, sooner or later, in Union Square. The Square is where all the action is. Of course, I mean all the shopping, eating, and people watching action. I suppose the Square has always facilitated those three things in its 160 year history. From the pro-Union rallies that gave it its name to the new shopping mecca it has become, the Square is essentially there to help people come together and spend a little money.
What Times Square is to New York, Union Square is to San Francisco. As such, it is the once place to come celebrate or hear breaking national news. Of course, if you have ever experienced the NYC ball drop, you will be disappointed. The point is to be in a European-styled city, in a square, together, celebrating. Aside from San Francisco, you’re not going to have many West Coast contenders — sorry LA — for that kind of intimacy.
In my experience, what I’ve found a boutique hotel in the City provides me is proximity. Being in the City is being in the middle of the proverbial action. Of course, if can’t afford the luxury of a City-based hotel, there is always public transit. If you’re taking the BART or a Muni bus, Union Square has its own stop. Whether by road or rail, all things pass through the Square.
Judging by some of the suggestions on assorted advisory sites and forums, I see the common advice is to book a room somewhere in the Financial District or even across the Bay in Oakland or Berkeley. That might make financial sense, but I can tell you it doesn’t make much more sense than that. The time and effort it takes to get into the City, even if you BART in, is significant. Everyone wants to come into the City on the weekends. All you have to do is attempt to cross the Bay Bridge to see just how many people want it.
Some of the finest San Francisco boutique hotels can be found online. If you are looking for a great hotel room, be sure you look into the Abri.
