San Francisco is the largest city in Northern California and a popular vacation spot in the US! It’s normal, there’s so much to do in San Francisco (also called SF!). Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf… I didn’t even mention the gastronomy, the beautiful parks, the rich culture and the museums.
However, figuring out where to stay in San Francisco can be confusing. Which is why I wrote this guide listing where to stay in San Francisco, list the best hotels in San Francisco and the best neighborhoods in San Francisco!
Table of Contents
Union Square
This is where you’ll find most of San Francisco’s hotels. It’s in the heart of the city, so you’ll also find numerous restaurants, bars, boutiques and even galleries. And you can’t miss the famous cable car that leaves from Powell Street. Moreover, since Union Square is centrally located, you’ll be very well connected to the rest of San Francisco via public transportation. However, Union Square doesn’t have the San Francisco character and charm you will find in other neighborhoods.
Where to stay in Union Square
- Luxury: Hotel Nikko. This hotel offers nicely decorated rooms in modern blues and whites. The hotel includes a fitness center, an indoor swimming pool, a spa and an on-site restaurant. They even offer pet-friendly rooms on the VIP (Very Important Pet) floor. It’s one of the most luxurious hotels of the city! Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Mid-range: Hotel Zeppelin. This hotel is located in a historic building with funky interior design, in-room spa services and a great ambiance. The rooms are dedicated to the city’s bold and creative residents: musicians, authors, poets, etc. There’s a fitness center in the hotel. Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Budget: HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel. A really nice hostel well-located offering female-only dorms, mixed dorms but also private rooms. A budget-friendly hostel, quiet, clean with a friendly staff always ready to help out. You can easily socialize in the common area. Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Find all the Union Square hotels
North Beach
North Beach offers a true mix of cultures. This is where you’ll find Little Italy and Chinatown. It’s a charming neighborhood where you’ll find great Italian food, and it’s also home to some gorgeous San Francisco views. Although it’s a great area by day, it can get a little weird at night. You’ll realize there are numerous strip clubs. Still, it’s a really nice place to stay.
Where to stay in North Beach
- Luxury: Washington Square Inn. Located next to Washington Square Park, the Washington Square Inn is a charming place offering great views and a great breakfast. The atmosphere is cozy in this Victorian-style inn. The staff is helpful and the rooms are comfortable. Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Mid-range: Hotel Boheme. This hotel is in a building that dates back to the 1880s, which means the atmosphere is a bit special! The decor is European-influenced, bohemian style and some historic photos decorate the walls. It really takes you back in time! The rooms are comfortable and clean, you really feel at home there! Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Budget: HI San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel. This nice hostel is close to bars, restaurants, attractions and public transport. There’s an onsite café, a bar, a terrace and breakfast is included! It’s very easy to socialize there thanks to the common area. Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Find all the North Beach hotels
The Mission
This district of San Francisco has deep Latino roots and is mostly known for its Mexican community. If you’re a foodie, stay in the Mission. You’ll find the best food and drinks there, and numerous taquerias. Moreover it’s a lively area and as you walk the streets, you’ll see some of the street art that makes the Mission so special.
Where to stay in the Mission
- Luxury: Noe’s Nest. It’s a charming B&B in a Victorian house with a lovely outdoor garden and well-designed rooms. The B&B offers a buffet breakfast and it features a spa. The rooms feature a flat-screen TV, a private marble bathroom with free toiletries and a hairdryer. Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Mid-range: Inn San Francisco. Another Victorian style hotel! Everything in this hotel is vintage, from the furnishings to the decor. Rooms include a TV, Wi-Fi, hairdryer, fridge, and wardrobe. Some rooms have spa baths and others have a terrace. There’s even a garden in the hotel to relax in! Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Budget: 1906 Mission. A budget place for San Francisco standards! It’s a nice and cozy bed & breakfast, Victorian-style, designed with the environment in mind: organic toiletries, re-purposed building materials, energy efficient lighting, etc. A very clean hotel, well-located! Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Find all The Mission hotels
Haight-Ashbury
Haight-Ashbury is home of the hippie movement in San Francisco. It’s a residential, charming and walkable area. This is where you’ll find the famous Victorian homes on tree-lined streets. Haight-Ashbury is home to hipsters, tattoo parlors, store selling weed accessories, alternative vibes, etc. It’s a very pleasant place to stay, but options are limited here regarding accommodation.
Where to stay in Haight-Ashbury
- Luxury: Hotel Kabuki. It’s no exactly in Haight-Hasbury but Hotel Kabuki is a great option! It’s a nice luxury hotel where the traditional Japanese style decor meets modernity, and the result is amazing! The hotel features an indoor garden with a fishpond, but also onsite dining! The rooms are clean, the beds are comfortable, and the staff is great! Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Mid-range: Stanyan Park Hotel. It’s next to Golden Gate Park, and the rooms are decorated in charming Victorian style. The hotel offers a delicious expanded continental breakfast but also evening tea service! The hotel also features an outdoor rooftop terrace, a spa and a restaurant. Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Find all the Haight-Ashbury hotels
Nob Hill
You’ll find tree-lined streets, great restaurants, bars and many things to do in Nob Hill. Moreover it’s centrally located and you can enjoy stunning views of San Francisco around every corner. It’s a great place to stay in you want to go on a shopping spree. However the hills are steep to get there, there aren’t many places to stay and the hotels are quite expensive (Nob Hill is sometimes called Snob Hill).
Where to stay in Nob Hill
- Luxury: Fairmont San Francisco. It’s the most famous upscale hotel in Nob Hill. It’s beautiful and perfectly located. Each room has a marble bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe. The hotel is very quiet, the staff is great and the beds are very comfortable. On-site, there are several bars and restaurants to choose from. Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Mid-range: Intercontinental Mark Hopkins. This hotel is set in a hotel that dates back to 1926. The hotel features a casual restaurant, a 19th-floor bar featuring live music and a fitness center. The rooms are large, clean and comfortable. Plus you have easy access to the cable car from the hotel! Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Find all the Nob Hill hotels
The Castro
The Castro is San Francisco’s foremost LGBT neighborhood. All over the area you’ll see the rainbow flag and gay-friendly restaurants. It’s a lovely area with good restaurants and bars, and it’s home to some of the best nightlife in the city.
Where to stay in The Castro
- Luxury: Beck’s Motor Lodge. From the outside, it looks like a classic American motel, but it’s been renovated to be slick and modern on the inside. It’s centrally located, clean and super quiet. Plus its nice to have free parking. The rooms are large and the beds are comfortable. Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Mid-range: Parker Guest House. This part boutique hotel, part B&B is inside an Edwardian mansion that was built in 1909. The rooms are spacious, the location is great and the beds are comfortable. Free breakfast is included but also free wine in the afternoons! Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Find all The Castro hotels
South of Market (SoMa)
It’s actually a very large area which encompasses sub-districts such as Rincon Hill, South Park and East Cut. It used to be a warehouse district but it’s now home to tech companies. There are numerous restaurants, bars, pubs and cafés, and it’s surprisingly the most budget-friendly area of the city (compared to San Francisco prices, of course, everything is relative!). You have to go to Oracle Park to watch the SF Giants!
Where to stay in South of Market (SoMa)
- Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. An amazing 5-star hotel in one of the best areas for sightseeing! The service is flawless, the rooms are spacious and clean with excellent furnishings and decor and you’ll find all the amenities of a luxury hotel. Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Mid-range: San Francisco Marriott Marquis Union Square. This hotel offers a spa, a bar, and a fitness center as well as a cocktail lounge on the 39th floor with an amazing view! The rooms are stylish and have air-conditioning, a minibar and tea and coffee making facilities. Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Budget: Orange Village Hostel. This hostel offers dorms as well as private rooms. The rooms are clean, the staff is friendly and helpful and it’s near public transport. They also provide coffee and tea in the morning. Click here to check the reviews, photos and availability.
- Find all the SoMa hotels
Now you know all the best places to stay in San Francisco! Feel free to check out my San Francisco post! It’s one of the most beautiful cities in the US!
- Traveling soon? Check out my travel resources page! This list of travel accessories can also be useful!
- Don’t travel without travel insurance! It will protect you against illness, injury, theft and cancellations. Click here to get one. Here’s why get travel insurance!
- Want a tailor-made trip to the US? Get a free quote here!
- Always use a VPN when traveling. I use ExpressVPN and I love it! Here’s why use a VPN when traveling.
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