Searching for hotels in San Francisco and short on time? Discover travelers’ favorite hotels in San Francisco on Booking.com by clicking here!
Pro tip: Book quickly, they go fast!
And for an extensive guide on where to stay in San Francisco, including my top hotel picks, read my detailed article.
Where to Stay in San Francisco: My Selection of the Best Accommodations
Wondering where to stay in San Francisco? Looking for the best areas and districts?
You’re at the right place!
As I know San Francisco very well, I have created this guide of:
- San Francisco’s best areas for your stay (with details about the best places to visit and nearby attractions)
- For each area and district, the best hotels depending on your budget
Let’s find your dream hotel now!
My favorite hotels in San Francisco
Here’s a quick summary of my favorite hotels in San Francisco, in case you don’t have time to read my detailed article.
Simply click on the hotel names in orange to access details and rates:
- Where to stay in San Francisco for sightseeing: Handlery Union Square Hotel or Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf, both offering an excellent value for money!
- Best hotel in San Francisco near the bay: Argonaut Hotel, with the best views
- The Best 5-star hotel in San Francisco: Hotel Nikko San Francisco, for its great service and pool.
- Where to stay in San Francisco on a budget: Green Tortoise Hostel, with a lots of activities to do
- Best family-friendly hotel in San Francisco: The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco, large rooms and very central!
- My favorite hotel in San Francisco for a romantic stay: Beacon Grand and its elegant atmosphere.
In Union Square District
Union Square district is the most central neighborhood of San Francisco.
It’s both a cultural, commercial, and financial downtown area with large modern buildings.
It’s lively and bustling at any time of day and night, with numerous shops, malls, bars, and plenty of restaurants.
If you’re wondering where to stay in San Francisco city center, this is the perfect place! And you can easily get around by public transport or on foot to visit the other districts during your stay.
You should stay in this neighborhood:
- Because it’s an excellent starting point to see the main tourist sights
- To go shopping
- If you want a lively atmosphere.
This district is the perfect place to discover:
- The cable cars: these small tramways are the icons of downtown San Francisco
- Macy’s department store and its upscale shops (Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana)
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, to discover its large collection of contemporary art
- Chinatown: the oldest and one of the largest Chinatowns in North America, where you can also find plenty of souvenir shops.
- The Beat Museum: to learn more about a significant literary movement. If you are familiar with the names Jack Kerouac or Allen Ginsberg, this is a must-visit place.
- Ferry Building Marketplace: this historic building houses a large number of artisan shops, cafes, and restaurants.
- Asian Art Museum: a renowned institution presenting a vast collection of Asian art spanning 6,000 years of history.
Here are my favorite hotels in Union Square
- Petite Auberge: Bed & Breakfast 10 minutes from Chinatown. Cozy rooms from 200$ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: enjoy free wine and cheese in the evening, charming French-retro decor, warm welcome.
- Handlery Union Square Hotel: Located in Union Square. Very spacious and comfortable double room with large windows from 210$. Strong points: outdoor pool, perfect location to explore San Francisco, comfortable beds. A great choice for its excellent value for money!
- Marines’ Memorial Club & Hotel Union Square: Located in a historic building a 15-minute walk from the Museum of Modern Art. Room from 230$ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: Free access to the Living Memorial Museum, indoor pool, very comfortable beds.
- Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel: Elegant hotel located next to Union Square. Sober double rooms from 390$ per night. Strong points: private parking, super central location, excellent rooftop.
- Hotel Nikko San Francisco: A 5-star hotel located in Union Square offering tastefully decorated rooms from 500$. Strong points: indoor pool, spa, attentive staff, design and valet service. My favorite hotel for a luxury stay in San Francisco!
In Fisherman’s Wharf District
Located on the waterfront, just opposite Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf is San Francisco’s most touristic district.
It’s very lively, with plenty of seafood restaurants and nice little souvenir shops along the pier.
But Fisherman’s Wharf is mostly known as the starting point for boat tours that take you to Alcatraz or right below the Golden Gate Bridge. These are must-do activities in San Francisco!
This neighborhood is ideal for staying in San Francisco:
- For a family stay
- To take a stroll by the waterfront
- To easily get around the city, thanks to trams and buses.
Best things to do and see in Fisherman’s Wharf:
- Take the ferry to visit the famous Alcatraz prison, located in the middle of San Francisco Bay.
- A cruise in San Francisco Bay:
- Watch the sea lions lounge around at Pier 39
- Taste a clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl, San Francisco’s traditional dish!
- Visit the Aquarium of the Bay. Kids can marvel at over 20,000 marine animals.
- Madame Tussauds museum, with its lifelike celebrity wax figures
- Stop by the Ghirardelli chocolate shop, a city institution!
- Take the cable car to Lombard Street, nicknamed “the world’s most crooked street”.
- Climb to the top of Coit Tower, for a 360° view of the bay and San Francisco.
Where to Stay in Fisherman’s Wharf
- Caza Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel: Located 10 minutes walk from Pier 39. Double room with modern decor from 220$ per night, breakfast 13$. Strong points: Free bicycles and private parking, close to the docks. Perfect to stay at Fisherman’s Wharf with your family.
- Kimpton Alton Fisherman’s Wharf, an IHG Hotel: Located 10 minutes from Ghirardelli’s chocolate shop. Spacious and stylish rooms from $240 per night. Strong points: Spa, award-winning James Beard restaurant, happy hour and location.
- Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel: Located near San Francisco’s waterfront. Comfortable and well-appointed rooms from 270$ per night. Strong points: free parking, delicious Italian restaurant, close to the waterfront. A great hotel to explore the city!
- Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf: Located in the heart of the district. Modern and comfortable double room from $270, breakfast included. Strong points: outdoor pool, location, good breakfast, very helpful staff.
- Argonaut Hotel, a Noble House Hotel: Wonderful eco-luxury hotel overlooking the bay, close to Hyde Street Pier. Fabulous nautical-themed rooms from $300 per night. Strong points: in-room spa, valet parking, very nice restaurant. My recommendation for a high-end stay in San Francisco!
In Marina District
Marina District is located between Fisherman’s Wharf and the famous Presidio Park.
The ambiance is quite similar to Fisherman’s Wharf, since the district also borders San Francisco Bay, but a bit quieter and less touristic
In Marina District and its surroundings, you shouldn’t miss:
- Presidio Park, to discover the numerous viewpoints over the Golden Gate Bridge
- The beaches of San Francisco: Crissy Field, Golden Gate Beach, Marshall’s Beach, Baker Beach…
- Walt Disney Family Museum, which recounts Disney’s journey from the beginning to the creation of the global phenomenon
- The Palace of Fine Arts, reminiscent of Roman and Greek ruins. It’s a nice spot, with its rotunda reflecting in the calm waters, making it the perfect place to relax and snap a few beautiful pictures!
The Most Beautiful Hotels in Marina District
- Chelsea Inn: Located a few minutes from Marina Blvd. Double room from $140 per night. Strong points: parking included, overlooking the Golden Gate, well connected. This hotel offers an excellent value for money.
- Greenwich Inn: Located between Presidio Park and Fisherman’s Wharf. Double room from 150$ per night. Strong points: free parking, warm welcome, spacious rooms, many restaurants in the district. It’s the perfect place to stay in Marina district for a reasonable price!
- Travelodge by Wyndham Presidio San Francisco: Located on Lombard Street. Room from 200$ per night, continental breakfast included. Strong points: attentive staff, good breakfast, on-site parking.
- Infinity Hotel San Francisco, Tapestry Collection by Hilton: Located 5 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge. Modern double rooms from 220$ per night, breakfast 16$. Strong points: newly renovated, clean, close to transportation.
Where to Stay in San Francisco on a Budget
If you’re on a tighter budget, here’s a selection of some affordable hotels in San Francisco:
- Green Tortoise Hostel: Hostel located a few minutes from the Exploratorium. Bed in shared dormitory from 45$ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: good common areas, hall with live music, great atmosphere, spaces for digital nomads.
- HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel: Hostel located in Union Square. Shared beds from 50$. Strong points: location, warm reception, friendly atmosphere. A great option for an affordable stay in San Francisco!
- Grant Hotel: Located 5 minutes walk from Union Square. Rooms are decorated in a somewhat old-fashioned style, but are spacious and clean, starting at 105$ per night. Strong points: location, free coffee and cookies, friendly staff.
- Francisco Bay Inn: Located in Marina, 15 minutes from the docks. Bright rooms from 115$ per night, continental breakfast included. Strong points: well-connected, relaxed neighborhood, neat and newly renovated.
- Signature Inn San Francisco Marina District: Located in the Marina District. Modern rooms from $120 per night. Strong points: quiet neighborhood, comfortable beds, clean, private parking.
Where to stay in San Francisco with Family
- La Casa Inn: Located in Marina district. Nice deluxe room with 2 double beds from 220$ per night. Strong points: big beds, very comfortable, good location and free parking. I highly recommend this hotel for a family stay in San Francisco without breaking the bank!
- Kimpton Alton Fisherman’s Wharf, an IHG Hotel: I’ve mentioned it before, it’s only 5 minutes from Ghirardelli Square. Stylish rooms (and two double beds) from 240$ per night. Strong points: good breakfast, relaxed atmosphere and good location.
- Hotel Emblem San Francisco: boutique hotel in Union Square. Quadruple room with a fun literary theme from 330$ per night. breakfast 16$. Strong points: bicycles, very comfortable beds, in the center of the district.
- The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco: Located in Union Square. Spacious family room from 460$ per night, breakfast 31$. Strong points: private parking, nice views of the city, close to the cable car. One of the best places to stay in San Francisco with your family!
- Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA: Located 2 blocks from the Museum of Modern Art. Spacious family rooms with city views from $560, breakfast $35. Strong points: Delicious breakfast, simple and elegant decor, very central, great service.
What is the best hotel in San Francisco?
If you are looking for the best hotel in San Francisco, I recommend you the Hotel Nikko San Francisco.
And if you’re looking for something a little more affordable but still luxurious, you shoud book a night or more at the Argonaut Hotel and enjoy its superb view over the bay.
Where to stay in San Francisco: The best hotels
To give you a better overview of the best hotels in San Francisco, whether in the city center or elsewhere, I’ve prepared a table summarizing all the ones I talk about in this article.
You can sort them by price or by district!
🚗 Rent a car
🗽 Book entrance tickets and guided visits
🏄 Book your sports activities
🚤 Book your rental boat
🌍 Take a travel insurance
🙎 Book a tour
🚅 Book your train tickets
✈️ Book your flight
You’re traveling in the US? These articles will help you!
Discover all my articles about USA: All my articles to help you plan your trip to USA are listed there.
- Itinerary: 10 days USA West coast – How to visit Western USA in 9, 10 or 11 days
- Itinerary: 2 weeks USA West coast – The perfect 14-15 days road trip!
- Itinerary: 3 weeks USA West coast – An epic 20-21 days road trip!
- Las Vegas: Top 30 Best things to do and must-see attractions
- Los Angeles: The 45 best places to visit
- New York: The 57 best things to do
- San Francisco: The 27 epic must-see attractions
- 2 Days in Los Angeles – How to visit L.A in 48h
- 3 Days in Los Angeles – The perfect itinerary to discover the city
- 4 Days in Los Angeles – Epic itinerary with all the best things to do
- 5 Days in Los Angeles – Itinerary + All the best places to visit + Tips
- One Week in Los Angeles – The perfect 7-day itinerary
- 2 Days in New York – The best itinerary to visit the Big Apple in 48h
- 3 Days in New York – All the best places to visit + Detailed itinerary
- 4 Days in New York – The perfect itinerary for your visit
- 5 Days in New York – Itinerary + Best things to do + My Tips
- One Week in New York – The perfect 7-day itinerary
- Where to stay in New York ? My guide of the best hotels for an EPIC stay!
You’re using Pinterest? Here is the picture to pin!
