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Traveling With The Cougs
The Zen Hotel, (Distance to Stadium: 3.1 miles)
Don't let the look of a converted motel fool you because for one thing, it is. Once you get by that which will take all of 3 seconds, you'll see the complimentary wifi and hot breakfast every morning along with the well appointed rooms. Special 'zen' bonus: each parking space's barrier is a zen garden. I kid you not.
Expedia Average Nightly Rate: $95/night
Creekside Inn, (Distance to Stadium: 2.3 miles)
No false advertising here: there's actually a creek onsite. It's not the biggest thing in the world but hey, it's a creek! There's also complimentary afternoon wine available which might be the most Palo Alto thing I've ever heard of. There is a restaurant in house that also provides room service which is a nice perk in addition to the customary free wifi. The hotel also provides free shuttles to the area shopping centers just in case you decide to blow through your credit limit.
Expedia Average Nightly Rate: $119/night
Clift, (Distance to Stadium: 35.6 miles)
Just steps from Union Square, Market Street and Chinatown, Clift is an old world hotel with all the modern furnishings you need. It's distance from Stanford is negated by the Caltrain I mentioned earlier although it'll be a quick cab ride to the station. But the gorgeous setting of this hotel will more than make up for it. This is far and away the nicest hotel we've reviewed so far and it shows. The rooms are appointed for that Nigerian prince who keeps writing you for some bank account information. Room service will allow you to stuff your face around the clock in addition to the gorgeous bar downstairs. The biggest drawback here is you need to pay for internet but in the center of one of the largest cities in the country you should have plenty to do. Side note: the room comes with a sewing kit. So there's that.
Expedia Average Nightly Rate: $319/night
Places To Eat
Driftwood Deli and Market
This one is right next door to our second hotel suggestion. I'm a sucker for a good sandwich and the Bay Bridge Club with chicken, bacon, avocado and cheese sounds like it could hit the spot. They've got 39 sandwiches on the menu in addition to just putting all of their deli meats on a sandwich. They also possess the incredibly delicious dutch crunch bread which should be served with every meal. Seriously, even with ice cream.
Anchor Brewing Company
In the heart of an up and coming district south of AT&T Park, Anchor Brewing Company makes some of the most delicious brews known to man. You can schedule a private tour and sample every last beer they're brewing after a 45 minute walk through the ancient building. I say ancient because by American standards something built in the 1930s is on the old side.
My Mom's House
Finally, we get to the greatest place to eat grub we've talked about yet. Inside my mama's humble abode in Redwood City, she whips up the finest food this side of, well, anywhere. Swedish meatballs, 24-hour marinaded flank steak, chicken piccata, French onion soup, pork chop, lamb shanks, chili that cooks for hours on end, spinach salad and countless other mouth watering dishes. Just knock on her door, get a shopping list and bring her all the ingredients she needs and you'll never leave my mom's dining room table.
Things To Do
Half Moon Bay
On the Pacific coast about 25 miles south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is a picturesque piece of land with beautiful beaches and plenty of touristy type places to fill an entire afternoon. Additionally, make your way to the Ritz Carlton for the best Manhatten you'll ever have.
Alcatraz
Yes, it's an overly touristy thing to do but it's really cool. Other than the incredibly corny, good Lord do I hate my job way the guy docking the boat says "Welcome to the Rock." The tour takes a few hours and there's an inordinate amount of history even though the prison was only open for a few decades.
Chinatown
Just walking around this district will give your nose the greatest culinary adventure its ever had. There are dozens of fresh fruit and vegetable markets in addition to some of the more, em, out there stands. Please try and ignore the live turtles and fish for sale to take home for....pets! Yeah, that's it, pets! As you'd expect, there are tons of delicious restaurants featuring great Chinese cuisine at a great price.