🏨Where to Stay in San Francisco (and where not to) [Areas + Map + Hotels]

How to find the best hotels to stay in San Francisco

Finding the perfect accommodation in San Francisco isn't going to be an easy task, as it's one of the most expensive cities to stay in the United States (along with New York). Moreover, something that happens all over the country, is that the accommodations doesn't have a great value for money.

For these reasons we recommend you to follow these tips when looking for a hotel in San Francisco:

• Focus on the areas we recommend below and avoid staying in the ones we tell you NOT to stay..
• Try to book hotels whose rating is above 7.5.
• Always read the guest reviews and sort them by the most recent ones to see the real pros and cons of each hotel. On Booking.com, which is the platform we always use, you can filter by language or even use the option to translate the review.
• Unless the hotel includes breakfast in the price, don't add it. They're usually overpriced and for sure you're going to find cheaper options for breakfast on the street.
• Confirm that taxes are included in your reservation to avoid surprises. Booking.com always indicates this at the beginning of the reservation as well as at the end. The accommodations in San Francisco have the following taxes:
  
  • Transient Occupacy Tax: 14%
  • California Tourism Fee: 0,2%
  • Tourist Improvement District Tax: 2% for hotels in zone 2 and 2.25% for hotels in zone 1
  • Moscone Expansion District Tax: 0.3125% for hotels in zone 2 and 1.25% for hotels in zone 1
  • Some hotels may include the Resort Fee, an additional tax for the use of their facilities, the amount of which is chosen by the hotel itself.
  • The great majority of hotels in San Francisco (and in the USA in general) keep a deposit of variable amount that they return to you once you have left the room without damages. Keep this in mind to have enough money on your credit card.

What are the best neighborhoods to stay in San Francisco

If you're looking for the best area to stay in San Francisco, you should know there're several. In our opinion, 5 are the best and the ones you should focus on to find your accommodation.

In this table, we provide a quick overview of which neighborhood in San Francisco you should choose for your stay based on the type of trip you’re taking to the city. Later on we’ll go into more detail about each one, including their pros and cons, nearby tourist attractions, and recommended hotels:

BEST AREAS TO STAY IN SAN FRANCISCO
IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR...	CHOOSE THIS AREA
Central area	Union Square
Best atmosphere	Fisherman's Wharf
Upscale area	Nob Hill
Foodie area	North Beach or Fisherman's Wharf
Budget-friendly area	Marina District
Traveling to SF by car	Marina District
Local vibe	North Beach or Marina District
LGBTQI+ scene	El Castro
Nightlife	North Beach or El Castro
Luxury hotels	Nob Hill

1. Union Square, the most central area to stay in San Francisco

If you want to be in the most central area of the city, that would be Union Square. This is the shopping district par excellence and where you can find popular stores such as Macy's. It has many restaurants and has both day and night life. In addition, the BART (the train that connects to the San Francisco's airport) has 2 stops in Union Square.

Of course, you should focus on a specific area when looking for accommodation in Union Square. This area is surrounded by some of the neighborhoods where we don't recommend staying (we will talk about them later).

In case you're visiting San Francisco with a car, this wouldn't be the ideal area to stay, as all is paid parking (minimum $40 per day) and hotels don't usually offer parking options.

STAYING IN UNION SQUARE
PROS	CONS	NEARBY POINTS OF INTEREST
Central area	High prices	Chinatown
Safe area	It can be noisy	Grace Cathedral
Well connected by public transprot	Proximity to areas that should be avoided	Yerba Buena Gardens
Nearby BART stops, ideal to connect with the airport	Paid parking	Distrito Financiero

Best hotels in Union Square

You'll find all hotels in Union Square here, but we recommend the following:

Grant Hotel

A hotel that offers great value for the money. Although it's a bit old, it's very well maintained and clean, and it has an unbeatable location. The rate includes 24-hour coffee and tea, and a delicious breakfast of pastries in the morning. ➡️ Book it here.

Chancellor Hotel

This hotel stands out for its location, its family-friendly atmosphere, the friendliness of the staff, and its beautiful common areas. The rooms aren't very spacious, but they've been renovated and are well-appointed. It also features a bar and offers free coffee and cookies. A minimum stay of 2 nights is required. ➡️ Book it here.

Hotel 32One

This hotel is very centrally located and close to Chinatown. Its facilities and rooms are modern and have been recently renovated; some even offer nice views from the window. They provide tea and coffee in the room, and the staff is particularly friendly. ➡️ Book it here.

Palihotel San Francisco

Although it's located in an old building, the interior of this hotel is beautiful, and the decor is exquisite and modern. There are rooms of various sizes, and it has a bar and restaurant with excellent reviews, in case you don't feel like eating out. ➡️ Book it here.

2. Marina District, the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge

It's true that Marina District isn't so charming from a tourist point of view, as it's a rather residential area. However, is one of the safest areas to stay in San Francisco, quiet and has lots of restaurants, bars and supermarkets. Moreover, it's one of the cheapest places in the center! We've stayed here and we don't regret it.

In addition, it is the neighborhood that offers the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge, especially from the waterfront areas, and you can walk to points like Lombard Street and Fisherman's Wharf. It's also next to Presidio, the huge park full of scenic spots.

This is an ideal area if you're visiting the city with a car and are looking for hotels in San Francisco with parking, as many of the accommodations here offer free parking. One thing to keep in mind is that public transportation options are more limited, since buses run there but the tram does not.

STAYING IN MARINA DISTRICT
PROS	CONS	NEARBY POINTS OF INTEREST
Residential and safe area	It lacks of tourist spots	Lombard Street
Less expensive area	The tram doesn't arrives here	Fisherman's Wharf
Hotels with free parking		Presidio
Views of the Golden Gate Bridge		Palace of Fine Arts

Best hotels in Marina District

You'll find all hotels in the Marina District here, but our favorites are:

Cow Hollow Inn and Suites

A comfortable hotel that stands out for its spacious rooms (which are not all that common in San Francisco), its location, and its free on-site parking with plenty of spaces. The decor is a bit traditional, but it's clean and comfortable. ➡️ Book it here.

Signature Inn

A modern hotel, very well located, with spacious rooms that have everything you could need—they even come with a refrigerator and a coffee maker. It has a very pleasant communal terrace and free parking, but spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. ➡️ Book it here.

Chelsea Inn

A somewhat old but well-maintained hotel with large rooms (some of which offer a distant view of the Golden Gate Bridge) and free parking. They offer discounts at nearby bars and restaurants, which is ideal for breakfast or a meal. ➡️ Book it here.

3. Fisherman's Wharf, the most vibrant area of San Francisco

Located next to the Marina District, Fisherman's Wharf is the most lively and touristic area of San Francisco. This means that here you'll find everything: bars, restaurants, supermarkets, vibrant atmosphere and some of the most emblematic tourist attractions of the city. Here begins the Cable Car line and is where the boats depart to Alcatraz, so you can make lots of plans on foot.

This in turn makes it an expensive area to stay in, with prices very similar to Union Square, besides can be noisy at night depending on where you choose your hotel.

If you're passionate about gastronomy, in Fisherman's Wharf you can eat the best seafood in town and one of the most popular dishes: the Clam Chowder inside a bun.

STAYING IN FISHERMAN'S WHARF
PROS	CONS	NEARBY POINTS OF INTEREST
Safe area	High priced hotels	Pier 39
Lively and picturesque area	Somewhat noisy at night	Cable Car stop
Many restaurants		USS Pampanito
Cable Car stop		Pier 33 (starting point for tours to Alcatraz)

Best hotels in Fisherman's Wharf

Check out all hotels in Fisherman's Wharf here, but here you have our recommendations:

Holiday Inn Express Fisherman's Wharf

A modern American hotel chain with spacious rooms, a gym, a coffee station, and a fairly extensive breakfast included in the rate. It has on-site parking, although there is a fee. ➡️ Book it here.

The Suites

If you're traveling with your family or a group, this is the perfect option, as these modern apartments offer all the amenities you need, including a living room and a fully equipped kitchen. The cleanliness stands out, as does the option to do laundry (they provide free detergent), and there is on-site parking, although it requires a fee. ➡️ Book it here.

Kimpton Alton

A modern and beautiful hotel, located next to the tram stop and very close to the Cable Car. The rooms are spacious (some offer ocean views), and the hotel has a gym, a bar, and a restaurant. They offer complimentary tea and coffee, and there is sometimes live music in the lobby. ➡️ Book it here.

4. North Beach, the best area for foodies in San Francisco

North Beach is the district between Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown and one of the best locations to stay in San Francisco. It's home to Little Italy, the city's Italian neighborhood, and is a relatively quiet yet centrally located area with a variety of dining options - the best pizza and coffee in San Francisco is in North Beach!

From here you can visit lots of places on foot and you have streetcar stops very close by, which will make it easier to get around San Francisco.

On the downside, it wouldn't be the ideal option if you're visiting San Francisco by car, as the hotels don't usually offer parking or if they do it's paid (just like on the street). In our recommendations we've left you an option with free parking!

STAYING IN NORTH BEACH
PROS	CONS	NEARBY POINTS OF INTEREST
Safe and central area	Parking is generally paid	St Peter and Paul Church
You can reach many tourist attractions on foot	Some parts can be noisy at night	Little Italy
Many gastronomic options	Great nightlife options	Washington Square
		Chinatown
		Fisherman's Wharf

Best hotels in North Beach

You can find all hotels in North Beach here, but we suggest you the following for its good value for money:

Columbus Inn

Located very close to Fisherman's Wharf, this hotel is ideal if you want to stay in a central location and have a car, since it offers free parking included in the rate. Although it's a bit old and the decor is rather classic, the rooms are very spacious and the hotel is exceptionally clean. ➡️ Book it here.

San Remo Hotel

This hotel is located in a beautiful historic building, which stands out because of the classic car parked at the entrance. It offers a mix of older rooms and newer, recently renovated ones, as well as the option of sharing a bathroom if you want to save money. ➡️ Book it here.

Hotel Boheme

A beautiful historic building that houses a charming and cozy boutique-style hotel. The rooms are small, but the hotel stands out for its location in the heart of North Beach and the friendliness of the staff. ➡️ Book it here.

SW Hotel

A somewhat more affordable hotel located between Little Italy and Chinatown. Although it's simple, it has everything you need for a pleasant stay—though we recommend requesting an interior room to avoid noise. There is parking in the same building, but it requires a fee. ➡️ Book it here.

5. Nob Hill, the exclusive neighborhood of San Francisco

Nob Hill is an elegant and quite exclusive neighborhood of San Francisco located next to Union Square. It's located on a hill, so it has those slopes so typical of San Francisco. This, although it may not seem like it, is also an advantage since several streetcar lines pass through here, so it's very well connected to San Francisco's public transportation system.

Here live mostly wealthy families and you can find some of the best hotels in San Francisco, such as the Fairmont San Francisco, but you can also find more economical options (like the ones we show you in our recommendations).

STAYING IN NOB HILL
PROS	CONS	NEARBY POINTS OF INTEREST
Safe and central area	Area with many slopes	Union Square
High quality hotels	Prices are quite high	Grace Cathedral
Good communication by public transport		Chinatown
Good views		Japantown

Best hotels in Nob Hill

Take a look to all hotels in Nob Hill here to know all lodging options, but we recommend the following:

Nob Hill Motor Inn

The best value for money in this neighborhood. This hotel has been recently renovated, so its rooms have that modern feel that many other accommodations in the same category lack, plus a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. The rate includes a parking space, in case you're traveling to San Francisco by car. ➡️ Book it here.

Stanford Court

An elegant and modern hotel located on a hilltop. The rooms are huge and feature every amenity, and some offer beautiful views of the city. It has a gym, breakfast available for an additional fee, and parking (for a fee). ➡️ Book it here.

University Club

A small hotel located in an old but well-preserved building, with very nice common areas that retain their historic charm. The rooms, while not very spacious, are adequate and feature renovated bathrooms. It has a restaurant, and breakfast is included. ➡️ Book it here.

Where not to stay in San Francisco: areas to avoid

And now we go to the ugliest part of the city: the areas to avoid in San Francisco to stay. It's no secret that San Francisco (actually several cities in the United States) has a very serious problem of people living on the streets. Not only homeless as such, but also drug addicts (we've seen people getting high on the streets) and people with very serious mental problems. Some even look like zombies crawling on the streets.

In fact, there're an estimated 8,300 homeless people in San Francisco (half of them living directly on the street or in their cars) and this number has increased by 7% since 2022. In other words, it's not getting any better.

Our opinion after having visited both San Francisco and other cities in the country and Canada (where there is the same problem), is that homeless people aren't dangerous for tourists. They don't try to rob you nor do they pose a security problem as such for you, but it's true that it's a very unpleasant environment to see (and smell) and it creates a feeling of insecurity that nobody wants to live during their vacations.

💡Recommended: 3-Day San Francisco Itinerary

So, to make your stay in the city as good as possible, here are the areas you should avoid in San Francisco to stay. Take into account that anywhere in the city you can find some homeless, but in these areas is where most of them are concentrated:

• Tenderloin: it's located next to Union Square, so it's easy to cross here while walking downtown.
• Civic Center: here are some of San Francisco's tourist sites, such as the City Hall and the Public Library. We went and, although we saw quite a few homeless people, the atmosphere didn't seem too bad (but this may have changed).
• SoMa: mainly on Market Street, between 5th and 10th (known as Mid Market).
• Mission District and Potrero Hill: especially around the BART stations between 18th and 24th streets is where the most trouble is concentrated. Mission has some interesting tourist spots, so you can decide for yourself if you feel like checking them out depending on the atmosphere you see.

San Francisco Accommodation Map

In this map you can see marked by colors all the zones and the hotels we recommend. The areas in black are the ones you should avoid to stay in:

FAQs about staying in San Francisco

How much does it cost to stay in San Francisco?

Although the cost of accommodation in San Francisco depends on the area you choose, how far in advance you book, and your travel dates, it’s difficult to find double rooms for less than $150 per night.

How far in advance should you book accommodation in San Francisco?

The sooner the better, though ideally you should book 6–8 months in advance to get the best prices.

Where should you stay in San Francisco if you have a car?

The best area is the Marina District, as most hotels in this neighborhood offer free parking.

Is it safe to stay in San Francisco?

Yes, San Francisco is a safe city for tourists, and you can stay there without any problems. As in any big city, it’s important to keep an eye on your belongings in areas with heavy tourist traffic, choose your accommodation wisely, and avoid walking at night through neighborhoods that are best avoided.

Where not to stay in San Francisco?

You should avoid staying in Tenderloin, Civic Center, SoMa (especially on Market Street between 5th and 10th), the Mission District, and Potrero Hill (particularly around the BART stations between 18th and 24th Streets).

What taxes are charged at hotels in San Francisco?

In San Francisco, there are several taxes: Transient Occupancy Tax (14%), California Tourism Fee (0.2%), Tourist Improvement District Tax (between 2% and 2.25% depending on the hotel’s location), and Moscone Expansion District Tax (between 0.3125% and 1.25% depending on the area). Some hotels may add a “resort fee.”

Is tipping expected at hotels in San Francisco?

Yes, it's customary to tip hotel staff such as bellhops and housekeeping, although it isn't mandatory as it is in restaurants.

We hope this article has been helpful to you in choosing your accommodation in San Francisco!