I'm not sure why you wouldn't want to stay in SF. It's a great city IMO..........and I've been in almost every metro area over 3MIL people. I'm well traveled in the US and SF is a really fun place.
Agreed Les. I love the city, particularly the downtown and wharf areas. Some of the best bars around tbh, just a great time and a lot of amazing memories. Been there for all manner of reasons to include fleet week when I lost much of my uniform (cover, dress blue buttons, tie, etc) items to ladies in the bars and had to literally drag some shipmates back to the ship thanks to free drinks flowing courtesy of SF folks. For a town that has always been on the cutting edge of the hippy and liberal movement type stuff, they are always really good to us (Navy) when we come to town.
I lived in Mountain View for a couple years, too, early in my career when I was stationed there. Can't say enough good things about the area. Oh and there's a joint called "Harry's Hofbrau" where you can get a ridiculous roast beef sandwich and choice of hundreds of beers hic!
Still can't believe those tards built the new stadium where they did though. Effin maroons I tell you.