BudgetTravel

Nick Edwards: Of course, this depends on personal tastes and how much energy you have for cramming a lot in. I would say the "must-see" areas are The Haight and Golden Gate Park (including the renovated de Young Museum), the GG Bridge, The Presidio, Palace of Fine Arts, Chinatown and Coit Tower. I find the Fisherman's Wharf/Embarkadero waterfront and Alcatraz overly touristic and think time is best spent elsewhere on a short visit. If you want some real local atmosphere and great Mexican food, the Mission can't be beaten.

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Washington, D.C.: I want to take my husband to San Francisco and Napa Valley for our 36th anniversary. Should I stay in San Francisco and drive to Napa? Which hotels would you suggest?

Nick Edwards: It rather depends how long you have. If you've got four nights or more, I'd say divide them equally between the city and Wine Country. Hotel recommendations really depends on budget. Both areas have plenty of range, though not too much at the lower end. The Golden Gate Hotel is a nice inexpensive (by SF standards) European-style place quite near Union Square. Napa is full of B&Bs but they can be pricey ($120 plus)—check out the lodging link on napavalley.com. A more modest, albeit chain option is the Comfort Inn in Calistoga (which I think is the nicest of the Napa towns).

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Tucson, Ariz.: I am attending a conference at the Hyatt Embarcadero this summer and am disappointed at the location. Usually, large groups go out to dinner and bars within walking distance of the hotel (its hard to transport everyone otherwise). Any suggestions for cool, San Francisco-y places to go in that area. My searches and local friends haven't turned up a lot of suggestions. Thanks!

Nick Edwards: As previously stated, anything on or immediately around the Embarcadero is pretty touristic and/or corporate but the good news is that you're really not far by foot from North Beach, which is one of the city's most bohemian and best eating/drinking areas. Check out sfnorthbeach.org/dining/index.html

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Orlando, Fla.: I am visiting San Francisco in May. We would like to see the redwoods as well as wine country during our visit. I have seen combination tours to Muir woods and 3 wineriess in 1 day. Can you recommend a certain tour?

Nick Edwards: Gray Line does this by bus and Blue & Gold by ferry and bus. Both have good reputations and similar prices. It's in the nature of such tours to be a little rushed though.

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Grayslake, Ill.: Can you recommend a day trip from San Francisco that's both budget friendly and appealing to teenagers?