Question:  I know I'm asking for the world, but is there a decent, medium-priced hotel in San Francisco downtown? They run from cheap and dirty to mildly clean and expensive. I will be there for the Folsom Street Fair and hate shelling out $180-$200 a night for a room.  Am I out of my mind?

Answer:  There are lodging deals to be had in San Francisco, if you know where to look. (I was a local there for a few years, which definitely helps.)

There are a handful of reasonably-priced gay B&Bs in the Castro area and cheap hotels by the airport and sprinkled around the city itself. But you’re correct that lodging in San Francisco – one of the priciest cities on Earth – is not cheap. One good thing is that public transportation is easy and reliable, so even if you’re not right around Folsom Street itself, you’re never really that far.

Don’t bother renting a car since parking is atrocious in the City By The Bay. (Don’t call it “Frisco” or the locals will kill you!)

You asked specifically about downtown hotels, and “downtown” for San Franciscans usually means the Financial District in the northeastern part of the city. You’ll be wanting to stay around the South of Market area instead, where the Folsom Street Fair takes place.

Luckily for you, there are some good lodging options within walking distance of the leather-laden debauchery.

Your first point of reference should be the Joie de Vivre Hotels. This San Francisco-based chain is known for taking old hotels and making them over to be cool and hip, while keeping the prices low. They are extremely gay-friendly and offer gay-specific packages. This pioneering boutique chain launched in 1987 when then 27-year-old Chip Conley bought the decrepit Phoenix Hotel near the Civic Center. He turned it into an artsy, funky magnet that attracted guests like David Bowie and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. You’re within an easy 15-20-minute walk to Folsom. Rates are under $150 and include complimentary poolside continental breakfast, free parking, and complimentary passes for the Kabuki Springs & Spa on weekdays.

Another gay-popular hotel near Folsom is The Renoir Hotel overlooking the main artery of Market Street. Situated in a skinny, Flatiron-like building, this 133-room hotel is housed in a 1909 historical landmark building. Although the clean, adequate rooms are nothing to write home about, the rates are also under $150.

The hotel is popular with Europeans (the staff is multilingual) and it boasts unbeatable views of the Gay Pride Parade on Market below. During some gay events, like Pride and Folsom, the hotel can become nearly all gay, and has been known to host gay parties from time to time.

[caption id="attachment_21521" align="aligncenter" width="352" caption="Photo courtesy of davidgarnick.com"][/caption]

And finally, if you’re looking for something under $100 (for a shared bath), try the Mosser Victorian Hotel near the Moscone Convention Center. This 166-room hotel had a multimillion dollar makeover in 2003, but still charges reasonable rates. Prices are around $150 a night for a room with private bath and rates start at just $315 for a week. The Mossner attracts artsy types since it’s affiliated with the professional recording studio next door. Again, you’re within walking distance of Folsom.

Whatever you do, book early, as many San Francisco hotels book up well before Folsom!

Matthew Link, a writer for Orbitz,  is the founding editor of two travel magazines, The Out Traveler and Sherman’s Travel, and he was also guidebook pioneer Arthur Frommer’s right hand man at Budget Travel magazine.