The business traveler will have to tote his/her garment bag all the way downtown, about an hour's drive from the airport (traffic depending). If you're here to meet with clients, they're probably in the Financial
District or South of Market (SoMa). And if you're here for a large-scale conference at the Moscone
Center or its surrounding smaller event halls, that's also in SoMa, formerly called the Multimedia Gulch area because of its resident large number of computing companies that resided here during the dotcom boom.
If you're on a short trip, it might be worth it to stay near the airport.
The big chain hotels like the Hyatt Regency tower over the Embarcadero Center at the end of Market
street, and in its shadow are many other business hotels offering clean luxury rooms, full-service
amenities, and a convenient location. Slightly more affordable and not too far away is the Ramada on Market on 6th Streets or the Best Western on 7th at Mission.
If you're not on a corporate expense account, there are smaller, slightly less luxurious hotels
downtown, SoMa, or in the Civic Center where you can catch a quick bus ride directly down Market
Street. Try the Pickwick Hotel in a great location in SoMa near Market, or the Renoir Hotel as affordable, but not opulent, options. This area of town, as well as nearby Hayes Valley, offers some outstanding upscale dining
for client dinners, convenient transportation, and waterfront shopping of top market goods.
