Where should I stay in San Francisco?

I always suggest staying in Union Square because it is centrally located, with lots of dining, shopping and cultural options [museums, art galleries, theatre] with convenient public transportation. I happen to be partial to the Joie de Vivre chain of boutique hotels two of my favorites in the Union Square are are the Hotel Rex and the Galleria Park.

http://www.jdvhotels.com/

You can get info on hotels in your budget and book through trip advisor. This web site allows guests to write reviews and share their experiences. I use it every time I travel. http://www.tripadvisor.com/ is the best way to check out a hotel before you check in.

If you are wanting to visit Alcatraz in the summer book your tickets NOW because the are usually sold out at high tour season as far as a month in advance.

http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/

I have never met anyone as passionate about his life’s work than Jacob Des Voignes. Jake’s menu at Local Mission Eatery is a celebration of local purveyors and local ingredients. His culinary talents and passion, combined with the best ingredients (hand-selected with great care during DesVoignes three weekly trips to the farmer’s Market) result in an unforgettable dining experience, worth every penny and every calorie. His menu is simple, approachable and affordable. The nightly menu has the option of small and large plates, which is nice because you can create your own chef’s tasting menu (I suggest bringing a friend or two and a big appetite and working your way through the entire menu). It would be hard to identify one signature dish. It seems like everything Chef Des Voignes touches turns into a masterpiece blessed by the culinary gods. Jake has a way of taking the simplest ingredients and making them into something absolutely unforgettable. And you will definitely want to save room for dessert, as Jake’s wife Shauna creates some of the best desserts around, at Knead Patisserie, which shares a space with the Local Mission Eatery. For the ultimate San Francisco dining experience, which absolutely defines the trends of 2011, there is no place that can top the Local Mission Eatery.

I think San Francisco Bay area will be best for living

Stay at the Embarcadero or Union Square.