We are very, very fortunate. Our son and family relocated a few years ago and live in S SF. A family B& B in one of the world's most gorgeous cities!

We've gone to San Francisco at least once a year since our first trip in '93. We like to take the BART to town (admittedly the parking is a challenge at the BART stations) and putter around. Before son moved, we stayed at the LaQuinta out by SFO, have stayed in Sausilto (you can take the ferry to SF)and at the Best Western in Corte Madera (both Sausalito and Corte Madera are north of San Francisco). That said, and keeping in mind that I am directionally challenged (and, alas, I do the navigating when we travel) we have and probably will again get lost in San Francisco when driving (parking in town is probably worse than the Bart station, so that would be a benefit of staying in town). Since we don't spend tons of time in the city, we like staying outside SF. The northern bay area (Berkeley, Sausalito, Tiburon, Corte Madera, Marin Headlands, Stinson Beach, Point Reyes, etc.) is lovely. Also, Half Moon Bay which is south. If you just want to visit the city, downtown would probably be an excellent place to stay, but if you want to enjoy some of the outstanding natural beauty in the area, too, either should work nicely.

Happy traveling, Peggy