Hello out there in blogland. Since I last posted, I disappeared because I was on a train for several days to reach San Francisco and then have been in the RWA board meeting the past three days. Ruth Kaufman, another board member, and I are going to do a team blog for those of you out there wondering about the hotel and environs for next summer’s RWA conference in San Francisco. Ruth will be posting by Monday evening about the hotel and its amenities. I’m tackling the area surrounding the hotel.
I know in the past, particularly in Dallas, the hotel’s location didn’t make it easy to walk anywhere for food or shopping. Not so in San Francisco! The San Francisco Marriott is in a fabulous location. There are tons and tons of restaurants within easy walking distance in every direction. Three I’ve been to for dinner since being here are:
The Fly Trap (4 blocks away)
Lori’s Diner (few blocks, didn’t count)
Chevy’s (2 blocks)
In addition, there’s a very good food court inside the Westfield Centre shopping mall directly across the street from the hotel. We’re not talking McDonald’s and Burger King here. There’s also a Bristol Farms grocery next to the food court.
And speaking of Westfield Centre, you’re going to adore it if you love to shop. It has five floors with a total of more than 400 stores like Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom’s, Borders, and much more.
Across a different street from the hotel is the Metreon Center, which houses more eateries and a movie theater. Also across the street is the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and Yerba Buena Gardens. You’re also just a short distance from busy Market Street, which also is home to more eateries and shopping. Trust me — you won’t feel captive to the hotel restaurant.
So be sure to start saving now. While San Francisco is one of the more expensive cities in the U.S., it has SO much to do and see. If you can, come early so you can play tourist for a day or two before the conference. I really thing RWA members are going to love this hotel and conference location.
Be sure to check out Ruth’s blog tomorrow night for the scoop on the Marriott.
November 19th, 2007 at 8:51 am
Trish, thanks so much for this info! I’m saving this post, & will be sure to check out Ruth’s as well. Can’t wait for San Francisco!
November 20th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
I’ve heard incredible things about the area surrounding the hotel; unfortunately, I was in a lot of after-meeting meetings, so I didn’t get a chance to check for myself. Thanks Trish and Ruth for doing some investigating! What I saw of the area as I rode through before Board meeting looked really fun.
November 22nd, 2007 at 10:55 am
Thanks for all the info
Alas, all that shopping so nearby is actually a bad thing for me, as I’ll have to be very economical while at National, if I make it at all. Let’s hope the Canadian $ stays high until then!!
November 25th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Tess, maybe it can just be some fun window shopping. Seriously, I doubt I’ll be buying anything at Nordie’s either.
November 25th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Great preview of the SF, Trish. I haven’t been into the City in quite a while, so I’m really looking forward to the conference being here on the west coast.
Thanks for checking out the eateries and shopping, Trish. I’m thinking new shoes are on the horizon.