I will be going to a conference in San Fran in december at the Moscone West Convention centre and at the Marriott. The conference organizers list some hotels in the area and their rates, but I am trying to see if I can save a few buckazoids.

Are there any cheap, but decent (chains are predictable and that is all I have for now) hotels in that area or within a good bus ride.

I've never been to san fran before, so an area where I can walk and see stuff would be nice. And on that note, are there any places that I should put high on my list of things to see?