San Francisco hotels

Hill Point Bed & Breakfast (inner Sunset), Tucked alongside UCSF on a brick-paved cul-de-sac, the Hill Point offers a retreat from city din - or more accurately five retreats, since the inn comprises several converted houses. Some rooms have stunning views of Golden Gate Park. Though clean, the carpeting and furniture in our room were ready for replacement. Street parking can be difficult; ask about space in the owner's driveway one block over. 15 Hill Point Ave.; (415) 753-0393. 20 rooms from $50 with shared bath, $75 with private bath, $95 for suites with full kitchens. Continental breakfast.

Inn San Francisco (Mission). The inn's hosts boast that this gracious 1872 Victorian is the oldest building in the city now being used for lodging. While the rooms in two adjacent houses range from tiny to grand, all are comfortably furnished with antiques. Toward sunset, we climbed a shaky spiral staircase to the rooftop deck for a stunning 360 [degrees] view of the city; the next morning we sipped our coffee in the English garden next to the hot tub. The only drawback is needing to watch where you walk in this neighborhood after dark. 943 S. Van Ness Ave.; (41.5) 641-0188 or (800) 359-0913. 21 rooms from $85 with shared bath, $115 with private bath; ask for a 15 percent Sunset discount. Continental breakfast; parking $10.

Ocean Park Motel (outer Sunset). A 1930s streamline moderne motor court sleek enough to sail into the nearby Pacific, the Ocean Park features simple, shipshape rooms grouped around a lush interior courtyard. Drawbacks? Way out west in the outer Sunset District, you're far from the major tourist attractions, save for the beach (two blocks west) and the zoo (just across the street). And the rooms lack telephones. (There are two pay phones.) 2690 46th Ave.; (415) 5667020. 24 rooms from $50, rooms with kitchenettes from $60. Free parking.

Seal Rock Inn (outer Richmond). The Seal Rock clings to a hill above Lands End, peering out over Sutro Heights Park to the crashing Pacific. The inn itself is a scrupulously maintained '70s-style motel with spacious rooms done in soothing beiges. Rooms with full ocean views are pricier but in wintertime still come in under $100. 545 Point Lobos Ave.; (415) 752-8000. 27 rooms from $86. Free parking.

Stanyan Park Hotel (Haight). Built in 1904 on the southeastern edge of Golden Gate Park, this Victorian-style hotel lies within easy walking distance of restaurants, shops, museums, and 1,000-plus acres of green space. The period decor is tasteful, and the standard rooms, though small, are comfortable and quiet. 750 Stanyan St.; (415) 7511000. 36 rooms from $89. Continental breakfast; parking $5.

OTHER GOOD BETS

Alamo Square Inn (Alamo Square), Only one guest room falls under our $100 limit, but this inn - which joins Queen Anne and Tudor homes in wedded bliss - is beautiful. 719 Scott St.; (415) 922-2055. 15 rooms from $85. Full breakfast,' free parking.

Andora Inn (Mission). Very pleasant Spanish feel to small standard rooms. Rooms with private baths are spacious, though some face a noisy street. 2434 Miss/on St.; (415) 282-0337 or (800) 9679219. 12 rooms from $69 with shared bath, $99 with private bath. Continental breakfast; overnight parking $5.