San Francisco hotels

Travelodge Hotel at Fisherman's Wharf. Location, location, location. It's why you'd stay here, steps from the bay cruise tour boats, the sailing vessels at Hyde Street Pier, and Pier 39. The hotel is standard Travelodge: clean, quiet, fairly spacious rooms with coffeemakers and cable television. Splurge a little and you'll even get a bay view. 250 Beach St.; (415) 392-6700 or (800) 578-7878. 250 rooms from $89. Parking $6.

OTHER GOOD BETS

Columbus Motor Inn. Rooms are spacious but furnishings show wear. Suite at $120 is a great deal for a family of four. 1075 Columbus Ave.,' (415) 885-1492. 45 rooms from $82. Free parking.

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

* Ferry to Alcatraz

* National Maritime Museum

* Ghirardelli Square

* City Lights Books

* Colt Tower

* Beach Blanket Babylon at Club Fugazi

* Classic meal: Opera and espresso at Caffe Trieste

* Civic Center

The real reasons to hang your hat in this neighborhood of Beaux Arts landmarks are the elegantly restored opera house, the symphony hall, and the new Main Library. Although most lodgings are in the seedy Tenderloin District - not recommended for an after-dinner stroll - this area is handy to the Van Ness Avenue/U.S. Highway 101 traffic corridor.

Atherton Hotel. First, the warts: noisy street-facing rooms, a surly night clerk the evening we visited, some bathrooms so small you can't change in them, and inconvenient parking. But this restored 1927 period piece can also be quite charming, with more spacious deluxe king-bed rooms still less than $100 and an English pub just off the comfortable lobby. 685 Ellis St.; (415) 474-5720 or (800) 4745720. 75 rooms from $69. Parking $12.

Phoenix Hotel. We might not recommend this wildly redecorated 1950s motel to an elderly aunt. Anyone else would probably love the place. Our neo-Googie tropical fantasy room boasted yellow walls and purple carpet; outside, a fauvist swimming pool dominates the motel courtyard. Weekend noise levels from live music at the Backflip restaurant can be pretty high. 601 Eddy St.; (415) 776-1380 or (800) 2489466. 44 rooms from $89. Continental breakfast; free parking.

Ramada Plaza Hotel International. Chandeliers sparkle in the plushly carpeted lobby, and upstairs, airy rooms have tall ceilings, lace curtains, and simple, up-to-date necessities. Alas, step outside and this gritty stretch of Market Street offers convenience but not charm. 1231 Market; (415) 626-8000 or (800) 227-4747. 458 rooms from $89. Parking $10.

OTHER GOOD BETS

Abigail Hotel, Aging elegance; small rooms decorated with antiques and bright linens. 246 McAllister St.; (415) 861-9728 or (800) 243-6510. 61 rooms from $89. Street parking.

Albion House Inn. Very attractive rooms in spite of narrow halls and stairs; lovely dining-living room area for relaxing. 135 Gough St.; (415) 621-0896 or (800) 625-2466. 8 rooms from $95 midweek. Full breakfast; parking $8.

Best Western Americania. Inviting Southwestern feel to nice motel in rough-edged neighborhood; exercise room and heated pool. 121 Seventh St.; (415) 626-0200 or (800) 4445816. 143 rooms from $94. Free parking.