Affordable accommodation in LA/San Fran?

[siimo]

I will be in LA and San Fran for 2-3 days in Feb 2010. Can anyone suggest a good place to stay at that is cheap but close to City? I have never been there so would like to look around a bit. I wouldn't mind a backpacking kind of place either but would like to stay in a safe place even if I had to pay a little bit more.

[earthpigg]

i'd offer you a couch, but don't have a spare one :\

the town of Berkley is mass-transit-accessible to SF, and has a lot of student-priced accommodations.

and Berkley is a rad town anyways - carries on the torch of the uberliberal counterculture that formerly existed in SF in the 60s.

[alphaniner]

Have you looked into hostels?