Where to Stay in San Francisco: Recommended Neighborhoods and Areas

San Francisco is rightly considered one of the liveliest cities in the United States, thanks to its wealth of attractions and places to visit. If you already have an idea of the main things to do, it’s time to decide where to stay. As in any city, some neighborhoods are better suited than others when it comes to choosing a hotel, and there are essentially two factors to consider: the safety of the area and its connections to the city’s main attractions.

Below, you’ll find my selection of the best areas to stay, along with recommended accommodations—including hotels, B&Bs, and hostels that I’ve either stayed at myself or selected based on their location, guest reviews, and access to public transportation. I’ve also included some money-saving tips, since San Francisco isn’t exactly cheap (finding a decent place for less than $120–140 a night can be a challenge). So, let’s take a look at the best neighborhoods and areas to stay in San Francisco.

My Recommended Accommodations by Type

• Standard 3-star hotel: SW Hotel (Chinatown)
• Upscale 4-star hotel: Beacon Grand (Union Square)
• 5-star luxury hotel: Hyatt Regency San Francisco (Ferry Building)
• 2-star motel/hotel: Lombard Plaza Motel (Marina District)
• B&B: Noe’s Nest Bed and Breakfast (Mission)
• Apartment: Private Studio in an Edwardian Town Home (Mission)
• Hostels: HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel (Union Square)

Tourist Districts: Fisherman’s Wharf, Ferry Building, and Union Square

The heart of San Francisco beats in three different places: Fisherman’s Wharf, a neighborhood with a fun, contagious atmosphere; the Ferry Building, ideal for waterfront strolls and culinary experiences; Union Square, the nerve center of Downtown.

For those looking to have fun in San Francisco, Fisherman’s Wharf is the ideal choice: a docking point for fishing boats (and home to the famous Pier 39), it’s the perfect area to stay for anyone who wants to be just steps away from shops, restaurants, and all kinds of entertainment venues.

As a particularly commercial neighborhood, it is home to some of the most unusual and unique shops. Staying here means being constantly immersed in San Francisco’s liveliest and most festive side, as you can read in our article for those planning to visit Fisherman’s Wharf.

If you choose to stay in this area, you’ll have the chance to spot the many sea lions that come to rest on the pier, you’ll be close to the departure point for Alcatraz Island, you’ll easily find good fresh seafood, and the best restaurants in North Beach will be within easy reach.

It is also one of the best areas for easy access to the famous Golden Gate Bridge, an essential stop on any visit to San Francisco. You can even get there by bike by renting one right in Fisherman’s Wharf.

Looking for a few hotel recommendations? Here they are:

• Hotel Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf: let’s start with the hotel that we at Travel in USA chose when we decided to stay in this neighborhood during one of our many trips to San Francisco. Objectively, of all the hotels we’ve chosen for our trips to the area, it proved to be one of the best in terms of value for money. Despite being a 4-star hotel, it offers competitive rates that are often even lower than those of 3-star hotels in the same area. The rooms are good: simple and functional. The downside would have been the parking (it’s really expensive!), but in our case it wasn’t an issue because San Francisco was the first stop on our trip, and we stayed there without a car, renting one on the day we left to begin our road trip.
• Argonaut Hotel: forget the legendary Golden Fleece… here, you’ll truly enter an upscale nautical world! The blue-and-white decor draws inspiration from maritime tradition, reimagined with a luxurious twist. The rooms and restaurant offer everything guests need to feel at home.
• The Wharf Inn: besides its price, which is slightly below San Francisco’s high average, this motel’s greatest advantage is its location just steps from Pier 39. Oh, wait—there’s another, even more enticing perk: parking is included in the price!
• Marriott Vacation Club Pulse: beautiful rooms in a modern property with a unique… I’d even say brilliant design. Close to Lombard Street, a cable car stop, and, of course, Fisherman’s Wharf.

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When choosing a hotel or B&B in a city as diverse as San Francisco, it’s best to stay as close to the city center as possible so you can quickly reach the main attractions.

A great area to stay in San Francisco is the area near the Ferry Building: this is where you’ll find the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, with all kinds of stalls where you can pick out whatever you like for breakfast.

After leaving the building, step outside to admire the breathtaking San Francisco Bay while enjoying a leisurely breakfast in a unique and inviting atmosphere (which is why I recommended it in my article on where to have breakfast in San Francisco).

Its unique location makes this area a very pleasant place not only to stay, but also to take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront while admiring the bay. If you enjoy walking, you can continue along the Embarcadero to Fisherman’s Wharf.

Here are some recommended accommodations:

• 1 Hotel San Francisco: just steps from the Ferry Building, this truly beautiful 5-star hotel features an on-site bar and restaurant, a gym, and a spa. Of course, for such a high-end experience, keep in mind that the prices are also fairly high.
• Hyatt Regency San Francisco: very high standards at this luxury hotel, ideally located near the Ferry Building. The rooms overlooking the bay have everything you need—and more!
• Harbor Court Hotel: another excellent 4-star hotel, this one overlooking the waterfront across from Pier 14. It has a bar and restaurant, as well as a gym and a heated indoor pool.
• Hotel Griffon: this hotel next door to the previous one has one fewer star, but you’ll need a slightly bigger budget. It’s on the Embarcadero, just steps from the main attractions, and has a traditional style, with small, functional rooms. Its main selling point is its location.

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The heart of the city is undoubtedly Union Square. Home to luxury hotels (but fortunately, not only those), shops, theaters, and beautiful landmarks, it is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a comfortable stay. In fact, this area gives you access to a wide range of services, as well as the city’s main transportation options for reaching nearby attractions (Muni and the iconic cable cars) and the airport, which is about 30 minutes away via BART. Its convenient airport connections make it one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods for accommodations.

It’s certainly pleasant to stroll through the neighborhood, and if you have the opportunity to stay in this vibrant city center, you can also easily reach the Financial District, where you can admire the Transamerica Pyramid, an iconic building that seems to evoke the atmosphere of the best Blade Runner-style action movies.

Take a look at these accommodations:

• Beacon Grand: renovated and renamed in 2022 after being closed for two years, this 4-star hotel was the first hotel I stayed at in San Francisco, way back in 2012 during my honeymoon. At the time, the hotel was still called the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, and it is one of the city’s most historic and beautiful hotels, built in 1928 in the Italian Renaissance style. If you’re looking for a high-quality hotel, I definitely recommend it because it offers excellent value for money (it costs less than other 4-star hotels, but is truly beautiful and well maintained), and its location is extremely central.
• Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown: what are the highlights of this beautiful hotel near Union Square? Its location, close to all the downtown attractions and public transportation; the stunning views of the Financial District through the rooms’ floor-to-ceiling windows; and the beautiful modern lobby and common areas.
• Golden Gate Hotel: here’s another excellent 3-star hotel, with fairly affordable rates, good amenities, and an ideal location for exploring downtown on foot.
• HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel: for those looking for basic yet comfortable accommodations, this is one of the best hostels in all of San Francisco. It offers both beds in shared dorms (with just 4 or 6 beds, so they are not as large as those at other hostels) and private rooms for those seeking more privacy without giving up the hostel atmosphere, where you can meet people, use the communal kitchen, and so on.

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Leaving Union Square and finding yourself standing before the Dragon Gate just 5 minutes later is a somewhat surreal experience: Chinatown is not merely San Francisco’s Chinese American neighborhood, but rather a world unto itself.

You’ll notice it as you stroll down Grant Avenue or immerse yourself in colorful Waverly Place: the streets are lined with buildings featuring Eastern architecture, Taoist and Buddhist temples, markets, shops, Asian restaurants, and cultural centers where you can learn more about Chinese culture, with a particular focus on its integration into San Francisco.

Not everyone may like the idea of staying near an ethnic neighborhood with such a distinctive character, but there are 3 advantages: first and foremost, the location. Chinatown is strategically located for exploring central San Francisco on foot: Union Square and the Financial District are a 5–10-minute walk away, while the Ferry Building, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Pier 33 (the departure point for Alcatraz) are just over 20 minutes away.

Safety: the neighborhood is quiet both during the day and at night. Affordability: especially on weekends, hotel rates in Chinatown tend to be slightly lower than in the city’s other central neighborhoods.

Here are some good hotels in this neighborhood.

• Omni San Francisco: an upscale property offering elegant accommodations with an air of refined luxury. This historic hotel dates back to 1926 and is housed in a beautiful building that was originally a bank. The hotel is a 4-star property located on California Street, a distinctly “American” street just steps from the colorful streets of Chinatown.
• SW Hotel: on the northern edge of the neighborhood, not far from the Embarcadero, you’ll find the SW Hotel. If you’re a fan of the Beat Generation, you’ll be pleased to know that the famous City Lights Bookstore is just a stone’s throw away. It offers good value for the money: on a weekend in December, rates are just over $183 per night, including breakfast. That may sound like a lot, but hey—you’re in San Francisco!
• ITH San Francisco Pacific Tradewinds Backpacker Hostel: Let’s also take a look at a hostel where you can stay in a dorm or book a double room (though it will obviously cost a little more). If you’re considering staying in a hostel—which obviously isn’t for everyone—this is a very good option.

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Not all of Lombard Street is lined with flowers and winding curves: the street extends east toward Telegraph Hill and west toward the Presidio. Along this latter stretch (the less famous one), you’ll find several motels that are ideal for anyone looking to stay in a residential area of San Francisco, perhaps save a little money, and take advantage of free parking, which is worth its weight in gold around here. Lombard Street marks the boundary between two small, quiet neighborhoods: Cow Hollow and the Marina District.

We discussed Cow Hollow, named for its history as a cattle-grazing area, in our article on shopping in San Francisco. The neighborhood is now residential, and Union Street is home to several interesting shops and boutiques for those who enjoy shopping or simply browsing the window displays. The neighborhood also has a good selection of restaurants, cafés, and bars, particularly along Union Street.

Walking from Lombard Street toward the bay, you’ll come to the Marina District, which offers several points of interest: Mediterranean Revival-style homes, pleasant walks along Marina Green, views of the bay, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate, the unusual Wave Organ, and the grandeur of the Palace of Fine Arts, built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. The neighborhood also borders the Presidio, with its beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge, making it the ideal area to rent a bike (there are several bike rental shops nearby), ride along the waterfront, and cross the bridge.

Here are the accommodations I recommend:

• Cow Hollow Inn & Suites: surrounded by plenty of shops and restaurants, this is where I stayed during my most recent trip to San Francisco. I needed to keep my car in the city due to specific itinerary requirements, and this hotel proved extremely convenient, especially thanks to the underground parking included in the price. The rooms are decorated in what I would call a “classic” style (the bedspreads featuring the neighborhoods of San Francisco are a nice touch), and the beds are very comfortable (below are some photos we took of the hotel). I recommend this hotel for its convenience and value for money. It may also be useful to know that there are suites with kitchen facilities and rooms with views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
• Lombard Plaza Motel: sure, American motels in just about any other city would cost half as much, but the Lombard Plaza Motel offers all the amenities you could ask for from this type of accommodation, including free parking, which is extremely rare in other parts of San Francisco. The rooms are also spacious and equipped with a refrigerator and microwave, while the bus stop is right outside the property, making it much easier to get around (you’ll be at Fisherman’s Wharf in 10 minutes).
• Marina Motel: one of the best 3-star options in the area, this motel is a little dated but charming, and offers excellent value for money. It stands out from other hotels thanks to its cozy, intimate atmosphere, with rooms overlooking a flower-filled courtyard featuring plants, climbing vines, and cobblestone paths. The property dates back to 1939 and is still run by the same family. Finally, you’ll be glad to know that this accommodation also offers free parking!

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Frisco, as it is affectionately known by locals, has always been considered the quintessential city of panoramic views, thanks especially to a few particularly scenic vantage points, such as Coit Tower, the observation tower on Telegraph Hill, and Russian Hill, home to Lombard Street, one of the most distinctive streets in the world, with beautiful floral displays lining its steep, winding roadway.

If someone asked me what to see in San Francisco, this unique street would certainly rank among the top 10 attractions. As one of the most scenic spots in the entire city, staying near Lombard Street is undoubtedly an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind vacation.

In this case, however, I’m not referring to a specific neighborhood, but to the area near the most famous stretch of Lombard Street, the one with the dramatic curves. I recommend two nearby hotels:

• Columbus Inn: this 3-star hotel is just a 7-minute walk from the bottom of Lombard Street’s famous winding section. It’s a fairly standard, no-frills hotel, but it’s in an excellent location.
• Travelodge by Wyndham San Francisco Bay: this 2-star hotel is located an 8-minute walk from the top of the street. It is a very standard, no-frills motel.

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Definitely one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in San Francisco, it is characterized by beautiful Victorian homes with a retro flair and a prime hilltop location offering wonderful views. There aren’t many hotels in this area, but if you manage to snag a room, you can say you stayed in one of San Francisco’s most exclusive and chic neighborhoods. There’s no shortage of upscale restaurants here, and the proximity to other attractions is also quite good (a 15-minute walk from Lombard Street and 20 minutes from Union Square).

To reach Fisherman’s Wharf and the Ferry Building, however, it’s best to take public transportation (the cable cars run right through the heart of Nob Hill and connect with other transit lines that take you downtown, to Chinatown, the waterfront, and other areas).

Since this is a residential area, there are very few hotels, and nearly all of them are 4-star properties.

• Stanford Court San Francisco: conveniently served by the cable car as well, the Stanford Court (4 stars) has the feel of a traditional yet modern hotel, with impeccable service. Bike rentals are available (for the brave souls willing to tackle the hills), but the real highlight is the magnificent view of the bay from the room.
• InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco by IHG: another 4-star hotel, just steps from the previous one and with similar rates. It offers elegant rooms and plenty of amenities, but above all, a top-floor restaurant with spectacular views of the city.

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There are no attractions in the strict sense of the word in Pacific Heights, yet visiting the neighborhood is far from a bad idea—and neither is staying there. Why? Because Pacific Heights is known as San Francisco’s most exclusive neighborhood. With its Victorian homes, Baroque-style mansions, Italianate villas, and lavish gardens, Pacific Heights showcases the city’s most opulent and elite side.

In a sense, it can be considered Nob Hill’s rival, and indeed, staying here is just as difficult and expensive due to the limited number of accommodations. If you’ve decided to spend the night here, take the opportunity to experience the neighborhood by dining at one of the restaurants on Fillmore Street or enjoying the views from the top of the Lyon Street Steps and the heights of Alta Plaza Park.

Here are a few examples of accommodations in this area.

• Hotel Drisco: staying at the luxurious and comfortable Drisco is not within everyone’s budget. In addition to its charming location near the neighborhood’s best green spaces and most beautiful streets, it is worth highlighting the exceptionally high standard of service at this elegant 5-star hotel, well above the city average.
• Queen Anne: this 3-star hotel is one of the best in the area and stands out for its period furnishings. It feels like staying in a historic English home, and the continental breakfast is excellent as well.
• Hotel Majestic: here’s another excellent 3-star hotel that can easily hold its own against many 4-star properties. The location is excellent, the rooms are well furnished, and the staff is welcoming. A truly great place to stay.
• Laurel Inn: a fairly good 3-star hotel, although its quality may be slightly lower than that of other hotels in the area. It is located near the edge of the neighborhood, but transportation to downtown by bus is excellent: the bus stop is right in front of the hotel.
• Chapter San Francisco: finally, this is a hostel for those looking for no-frills accommodations, with a bed in a dormitory, to save a little on their stay.

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These are two neighboring districts, each with a clearly recognizable character. While Castro is a parade of rainbow flags and a favorite destination for civil rights activists and LGBTQIA+ organizations, Mission is the city’s Latin American neighborhood, dotted with more than 400 historic murals largely inspired by the work of artist Diego Rivera.

Both districts boast several points of interest and a decent selection of accommodations, although availability is obviously more limited than in the central areas, so you’ll need to start looking well in advance and book early.

As for transportation, although the area is a bit removed from the city center, it does have its advantages: it can be reached via the MUNI light rail from the Ferry Building area and the Financial District, and directly from the airport via BART.

From a safety standpoint, however, you need to be careful: the Mission District is generally not one of the safest neighborhoods. The western side, toward Castro, is considered the safest area, while venturing too far east is not recommended. Locals also generally advise exercising caution on the streets around Valencia Street and Guerrero Street, where thefts and robberies have been reported.

In this area, it is easier to find less expensive accommodations than downtown. However, the lower price often goes hand in hand with lower quality, both in terms of amenities and cleanliness. I recommend reading the reviews carefully before booking a budget property.

Here are some good places to stay if you want to play it safe:

• 1906 Mission: A clean, no-frills B&B in the Mission District, designed with the utmost care for the environment and featuring energy-efficient lighting, recycled materials, and organic products. What really sets it apart is its proximity to the BART station (just a 2-minute walk away), which means you can get directly to the airport in just 25 minutes.
• Parker Guest House San Francisco: also in the Mission, this is an excellent B&B housed in a truly beautiful, well-furnished historic home.
• Noe’s Nest Bed and Breakfast: this B&B is also worth considering. The rooms offer lovely views, and the property stands out for its good breakfast and charming outdoor space.
• Private Studio in an Edwardian Town Home: at the southern end of the Mission District, this charming apartment is ideal for couples.
• Parker Guest House: located in the Castro, these lovely apartments are near Mission San Francisco de Asís and Mission Dolores Park. The MUNI stop is just steps away, and there are plenty of restaurants and places to grab a bite nearby.

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No article on the best neighborhoods in San Francisco would be complete without mentioning eclectic Haight-Ashbury, a delight for anyone nostalgic for the 1960s. While there are plenty of things to see in Haight-Ashbury, accommodation options are fairly limited: just a few B&Bs or rental apartments in the residential areas. If you’d like to learn more, read our in-depth guide at the link below.

Available accommodations in Haight-Ashbury

Of course, hotel deals are always available. Here are the hotels currently offering special rates in San Francisco. Enjoy your stay!

List of budget hotels on Booking.com

Hotel deals on Hotels.com

Getting Around the City: Bikes and Streetcars

No matter where you stay, San Francisco offers an excellent public transportation system: its historic cable cars give you the chance to fully experience the city’s beauty while immersing yourself in its fascinating past. Renting a bike is also a great option, although the city’s constant hills may eventually wear you out a little. Here’s an article that can help you understand how to get around San Francisco.