Information for Our Guests

Getting Here

The two airports which are proximal to San Francisco are the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and the Oakland International Airport (OAK). Obviously, SFO is the more convenient of the two, but sometimes airfares to OAK are cheaper -- it's worth checking. Also, there's the San Jose airport (SJC), but that's an hour's drive away.

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Local Transportation

Parking a car in San Francisco is an expensive nightmare. We're recommending that you avoid driving at all costs. Taxis and SuperShuttle are your best options to get to/from the San Francisco Airport (SFO). A taxi ride from the airport direct to your hotel should run around $40, while a ride in a SuperShuttle van will cost $17 per person. Although this is cheaper than a taxi, note that a van does not go directly from the airport to your hotel -- the van will ferry multiple passengers to multiple destinations, meaning you'll often ride around the city whilst each passenger gets dropped off, and you might get dropped off first or last. This might be a fun way to see some of the city, but if you're tired from your flight, we'd recommend the taxi ride! Also, if two people share the cost of a taxi, it's roughly the same as the cost of a SuperShuttle fare.

For transportation around the city, MUNI (public transport: busses, trains, streetcars, etc.), taxis, and BART (subway) are your best bets -- as well as walking!

Other San Francisco transportation information can be found at the Official San Francisco City website.

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Hotels

Here you'll find some information on places to stay in San Francisco, whether you are coming just for the weekend or you want to extend your stay longer.We highly recommend that you make your accommodation arrangements sooner than later! There is a Physicians' convention the same weekend as our wedding and a lot of the bigger hotels in Union Square are already sold out.

We've reserved blocks of rooms at the following hotels in the medium price range (Gordon/Gourgoutis wedding). They are all a few blocks from Union Square and they are all a few blocks from one another. You must reserve your room by August 28, 2005 in order to get this rate! I must admit I've chosen really funky fun hotels. If you're interested in something more conservative and would like recommendations, email me at

Commodore Hotel http://www.jdvhospitality.com/hotels/hotel/4 800.338.6848 $119.00/night 825 Sutter Street (between Leavenworth and Jones): Medium sized hotel (110 rooms total) known for it's Neo-Deco stylings and luxury liner details. It's very bright, cheery, and fun. The rooms are a decent size and have all the basics -- but this isn't a luxury hotel. I believe the rooms have either one queen bed or two double beds. They're only holding 5 rooms for Thursday night (9/29/05) and 10 rooms each for Friday and Saturday nights so book early if you're interested in the Commodore Hotel. Breakfast and lunch is served daily in the Titanic Cafe on the left side of the hotel. The Red Room cocktail lounge serves cocktails nightly. It's on the right side of the hotel and was one of my favorite hangouts at one point in my life.
Hotel Diva http://www.hoteldiva.com/index.html 800.553.1900 $119.00/night 440 Geary Street (between Taylor and Mason): Medium sized hotel with very stylish, nice sized rooms. They don't have much of a lobby but there is a Starbucks next door if you're looking for somewhere to hang out. They're holding 5 rooms for Wednesday and Thursday nights and 20 rooms for Friday and Saturday nights. The Diva is across from the street from the A.C.T. theatre (if you can squeeze in a play I'd recommend it -- I get season tickets -- it's a local theatre group) and the Curran theatre (they do more mainstream plays). The Clift hotel is next to the theatres -- this is Ian Schrager's (designed by Phillipe Starck) luxury San Francisco hotel -- I've never been inside but heard it's beautiful.
Kensington Park http://www.kensingtonparkhotel.com/ 800.553.1900 $119.00/night 450 Post Street (between Mason and Powell): This hotel is run by the same group as the Diva. They were pretty close to being booked due to the convention but they said they'd try and hold a very few rooms for those older folks who didn't want to stay at the Diva =) So, please don't book a room here if you're comfortable staying at the Commodore or the Diva.
If you'd prefer luxury accommodations my company gets a special rate at the Palomar Hotel! http://hotelpalomar.com/index.html 866.373.4941 $165.00/night for a King Deluxe room -- ask for the BabyCenter rate 12 Fourth Street (between Market and Mission): This is a luxury boutique hotel. I've never been inside but it looks really nice. Fifth Floor -- the restaurant in the hotel is supposed to be amazing. It's across from the Marriott hotel (which is booked I believe) close to the Metreon Shopping Plaza and next door to the Container Store!

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Vacation Rentals

If you're planning a week long stay I would recommend checking out Vacation Rentals By Owner and rent a house if you have enough people in your party. Check out the site and email us if you have any questions about locations. I've pulled out a few that looked like they would be a good deal and are in great locations. If you're interested in any and want us to check them out we'd be happy to -- just let us know.

http://www.vrbo.com/39696 -- Lower Haight (Jim's neighborhood) -- $1200/week -- sleeps 4-5
http://www.vrbo.com/52146 -- Lower Pacific Heights -- $1500/week -- sleeps 6
http://www.vrbo.com/23882 -- Lower Pacific Heights -- $1350/week -- sleeps 4
http://www.vrbo.com/25532 -- Lower Haight -- $800/week -- says sleeps 2-4 but I think one bed is a futon -- looks eclectic -- probably not for everybody
http://www.vrbo.com/36582 -- Lower Haight -- $1050/week -- sleeps 4 -- this is my pick if anyone cares!
http://www.vrbo.com/12818 -- North Beach -- $1325/week (this building has 3 flats for rent -- each has 2 bedrooms but can sleep 6 if you wanted to use the sofabed)
http://www.vrbo.com/52678 -- $1350/week -- sleeps 6-8
http://www.vrbo.com/56681 -- North Beach -- $1300/week -- sleeps 6-8

Good Luck! --Dawn

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Things to Do in San Francisco

Check out the Visitor Information at the Official San Francisco City website.

If you're going to visit some of our major attractions you may want to consider a City Pass

SBC Park - San Francisco Giants Baseball Stadium - I must admit this is one gorgeous ball park. It's set right on the bay and has great views. It looks like the last game of the season is Sunday, October 2 at 1:00 PM against the Arizona Diamondbacks. If you want to go you can order tickets online. But get them early on - I'm sure it will sell out.

Califonia Acadamey of Sciences houses the aquarium, planetarium, and the natural history museum. It's fun for adults too! Located near Yerba Buena Gardens - a quick walk from Union Square. Free the first Wednesday of the month so if you're staying for the week after our wedding that following Wednesday will be the first one of the month.

The Exploratorium: So much fun for kids and adults - you are actually supposed to touch everything! If you've never been you must go. And it's housed behind the Palace of Fine Arts which is a site to see. http://www.exploratorium.edu Also free the first Wedensday of the month (by the way this means it's really, really crowded). If you're not afraid of the dark check out their Tactile Dome - you usually need to make an appointment to play in it though. And don't miss the Wave Organ!

Zeum is also located in Yerba Buena. I've never been - it's fairly new but it sounds super fun! On the same property in Yerba Buena is a playground, an indoor iceskating rink, a bowling alley, and a carousel. Lots to do here!

The San Francisco Zoo is way out at Ocean Beach - it's probably about an hour MUNI ride.

Pier 39 (Fisherman's Wharf) - I'm putting this in here since you'll probably go there anyway but if you're short on time I'd say skip this. It's 'tourist central' and you won't find much here except overpriced souveniers and not very good expensive restaurants. I believe there is an arcade and some rides. And there are the sea lions camped out too. If you're taking a ferry boat to Alcatraz or Sausalito or Angel Island you can visit Pier 39 when you go to the wharf to get on your boat (or when you come back).

It looks like Fleet Week will be October 5 - 8. The Blue Angels will be practicing during the week - if you're interested check out their site for details.

The Maritime Museum is also down near Fisherman's Wharf. Also Musee Mechanique is fun to visit.

Angel Island State Park is a great island with miles of hiking, biking, etc trails. Gorgeous views of the surrounding areas. I would highly recommend going - take me with you if you go - I've only been once! You need to take the Blue & Gold Fleet ferry from Fisherman's Wharf to get there and back. The ferry only runs 2 times a day in the morning during the week and 3 times on weekends. If you want to go you probably want to plan this early on.

Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

Coit Tower

California Palace of the Legion of Honor

Sutro Bath Ruins - Lands End Trail

Lots to see in Golden Gate Park (which is a short walk from our apartment!): Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Gardens, Botanical Gardens, Stowe Lake,

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