Hotel parking in San Francisco is exhorbitant. Whenever I need to park in that area I use the huge city-owned parking lot at Fifth and Mission (it’s actually called the “Fifth and Mission Garage”). It’s right across the street from the Marriott, actually. That is $32 for overnight parking. Sounds expensive, but it’s actually quite reasonable compared to the hotels, which all charge about $50 or $60.
Those of us who live here know some of the secret places where cars can be parked for free. We are used to walking six or eight or ten blocks or take public transportation.
That’s what I do most of the time, but once in a while it’s actually cheaper to drive and park. For example, recently my sister’s family was visiting us. For the five of us to go by BART round trip to S.F. would have cost over $50. Gas plus parking was less than that.
Probably compared to the mid-west (I imagine). But being California born-and-raised, I suppose I have grown accustomed to it and have learned where to get great $10 meals that are fairly spectacular.
I did get free parking at one of the hotels once with a little white lie. I pulled in and the valet asked if I was checking in, and I answered “I’m not sure, I’d like to take a look at the hotel first.” He took the keys and parked the car no problem.
How is that a “little white lie”? That term means a harmless lie told for [what is perceived to be] someone else’s benefit. Yours was a big, fat, black, self-centred, conscious falsehood, and you should be ashamed of yourself.
I’ll admit it’s high but Marriott is a for-profit company and thus can charge what they want…while it may seem high to you, others are paying it otherwise the hotel would have adjusted their pricing by now (disclaimer - I work for Marriott :D)
Gosh, well, I was meeting a friend nearby, and because of the handy free parking I wasn’t late. And this particular friend just hates it when I’m late. So I was just trying to keep my friend happy, yeah, yeah that’s it.
