Seal Rock Inn

Stay here August through October, Maybe

I haven't stayed here, but I'm familiar with this location and the hotel's reputation. This recently updated but otherwise old fashioned and cramped hotel is remote from the usual tourist haunts--except for access to the Pacific coast, The Presidio National Park, Cliff House, Sutro Baths, Golden Gate Bridge, etc.

Unique Quality: Most folks would find the weather here foggy, blustery, and otherwise simply dreary except during August through October when "Indian Summer" makes San Francisco a welcome escape from 90F plus days further inland. During this time, the fog tends to clear out mid-morning and return at night. Even so, neighborhoods on the Bay side of the city are more likely to provide the cool and pleasant late summer weather tourist expect from San Francisco. In winter, the bay side is similarly more protected from coastal winds and fog. One big advantage of staying here would be relatively easy access to the fine dining of the Outer and Inner Richmond Neighborhoods, which have some of the best kept secrets in the city. The Outer and Inner Richmond are real SF neighborhoods with authentic Asian and other ethnic California style restaurants, often highly rated by SF Gate.com. This hotel is also within flat no hills walking distance, albeit a long walking distance, from Golden Gate Park. The residential architecture of this city is mostly late 1920's, and of less interest to some other parts of the city. Some of MUNI's worst public transport is in this part of the city, where there are as yet no MUNI trains or trolley cars, and even the bus service has been a source of complaint for residents.