Hotels and restaurants in the Bay Area.

Hotels: I have stayed at Campton Place and enjoyed the service and location (right off Union Sq). Check for deals, they are often available.

East Bay:
Cesar- tapas and bar, Shattuck Ave. Berkeley
Chez Panisse- The cafe is a nice option, Shattuck Ave. Berkeley

i'll second chez panisse cafe and cesar. also had a nice meal recently at cafe rouge, in the fourth street shopping area in Berkeley. In SF, I always make time for at least one meal at Zuni. Had a nice meal recently at Foreign Cinema, too. And for more casual dining, there isn't a better meal than lunch at Hog Island Oysters in the Ferry Building. For several years I've stayed at the Hotel Adagio, which is very SF-approvable. Last time I was there, though, it was starting to look a little shopworn. still, a great location off union square and usually good rates available. the last time we were in SF, I stayed at a little place called Artist's Inn off Fillmore and it was really quirky, but good. also very convenient to the thrifts!

I don't find Tartine as laudatory as others would have you think.

Slanted Door at the Ferry Building. Beautiful view, excellent food and handmade cocktails. Can get a little noisy but the bar is always fun and they have an extensive menu.

Pulcinella-authentic food from Naples including pizza. 641 Vallejo St off Columbus in North Beach

Danko
La Folie
Luce
Ton Kiang

Wood Tavern - Oakland Flavors of India - Oakland (Indian food worth crossing the Bay Bridge) Sushi Sho - Northern Berkeley (it may be closed; if not, it's the best sushi you'll find in the East, if not entire, Bay)

I'll stop in at Pulcinella on a weekday after a particularly exhausting day of work. Dario and Luigi are always very hospitable (esp. with the homemade limoncello) and...to steal a turn-of-phrase from heismatt...their food makes me happy.

Everybody I know likes Foreign Cinema. I've had only bad meals there. The others you mention are great, and very much represent the way I like to eat around here.

I ate at Wood Tavern in the east bay and really enjoyed it. Great value for money. edit.... did not see that it had previously been mentioned. +1

For hotels, what types of hotels are you looking for?

Botique, 5 star, ultra luxury, posh, traditional, affordable? I can give a few suggestions but it depends what you prefer.

In no particular order ...

Berkeley:

1) Rivoli (one of my favorite restaurants in the East Bay)
2) Chez Panisse (cafe upstairs, restaurant downstairs ... both still fresh ... restaurant offers smaller, less expensive dinner on Monday)
3) Lalimes (very nice Cal/Med ... real dining)
4) Ajanta (although I prefer the chic setting of Mint Leaf for Indian)
5) Cheese Board (for pizza ... but be ready to wait in line ... often a long one)
6) Grégoire (take out ... but at sit down prices)
7) Café Fanny (great breafast food, tiny digs, sitting in a parking lot makes for a less than ideal atmosphere)
8) Bistro Liason (good food ... but I'm not fond of the space ... although I do like sketching on the table cloth -- uhh ... I mean paper -- while wating for my food)
9) César (tapas)
10) La Note (breakfast ... indoors or on the patio ... the service, however, can be very French)
11) Fonda (actually in Albany ... good bar ... good food ... tapas style)
12) Digs Bistro (very "in")

Oakland:

1) Bay Wolf (still there ... still good)
2) Oliveto (cafe downstairs; restaurant upstairs)
3) Uzen (best Japanese in East Bay according to a nephew of Akihito)
4) À Côté (I prefer the "tent" out back)
5) Soi4 (Thai gone chic)
6) Citron (personally I don't care for the setting/atmosphere ... but it should be on the list)

Emeryville:

1) Townhouse Bar & Grill (very comfortable rustic yet urban setting ... decent food)

I should add:

Incanto - Noe Valley, San Francisco

If you like meat, offal, or wine, this place is a must visit. I went here in October for my birthday with four others. No one really held back (3 courses and 2-3 flights of wine each). The bill was quite reasonable at around 450 total.

A side note: Anthony Bourdain came here on his SF episode. Take it as you will.

I've heard so many good things about this place, and so many bad things. Everyone I know says for sausages and charcuterie it's the best place in the Bay Area. But they also say that as a restaurant, it is just mediocre.
Obviously YMMV,and it is wildly popular so they must be doing something right.