Where to stay in San Francisco before JMT hike

[Two of a Kind]

Hello,
I am preparing to hike the JMT this August...I am using Elizabeth Wenk's book which pretty much explains how to get from San Fran to Yosemite.
She suggests taking the BART from the airport to Richmond, AMTRAK from Richmond to Merced and the YARTS bus to Yosemite.

..just wondering if anyone else has anything to add, and most importantly, where is a good place to stay either near the airport or near the BART.

We fly in and arrive early evening and want to leave for Yosemite the next morning. Our hike officially starts the day after that. So any advice about where to stay prior to our hike or getting to Yosemite is appreciated.

thanks,
Lisa and John
(Two of a Kind)

[Bloomer]

Are you flying into San Fran or Oakland? Either way you can catch the train and arrive into the city. Since you not staying in SF for any time, I wouldn't stay in or around the misson district or any other tourist traps around Fisherman's Warf. There are plenty of places to crash around the airport and easy access to train stations.

[Two of a Kind]

We are flying into San Fran.

[fiddlehead]

Chance to see some of the city and maybe the best Chinese food in the USA.
I would check out: Haight/Ashbury, Golden Gate, and definitely China town (which has cheap hotels comparably)

I would've flown into Reno to get to Yosemite instead of San Fran, but, while you are there, there's a LOT to see in that city.

[schnikel]

My wife and I stayed close to the financial district. It was pricey but we could walk 4 blocks to pick up the Amtrack that left at like 4:30am. Everywhere is expensive in San Fran, I would think about that will make it easy for you getting into YOS, because you will be pumped to get there and any delay would suck.
Schnikel

[SassyWindsor]

South of SFO.