San Francisco

Union Square puts you in the thick of things — shopping, theaters, and cable car lines right outside your door. The St. Francis and Grand Hyatt anchor this tourist-heavy zone, but you'll pay downtown prices for the convenience. North Beach feels more like a real neighborhood. Stay near Washington Square Park and you're walking distance to Saints Peter and Paul Church, plus all the Italian joints on Grant Avenue. The fog burns off earlier here too. Mission District gives you the best food scene and nightlife, but pick your blocks carefully. Valencia Street between 16th and 24th is your sweet spot — close to Dolores Park but far enough from the grittier stretches. Pacific Heights and Nob Hill offer old-money elegance and killer views. The Fairmont on Nob Hill has that classic SF grandeur, while Pacific Heights B&Bs put you near Fillmore Street's boutiques. Skip Fisherman's Wharf for sleeping — it's all tourist traps and overpriced hotels. But do avoid the Tenderloin entirely unless you're very street-smart.