Today I want to share my guide to the best area to stay in San Francisco. Given I’ve lived here, worked here, and traveled here, I have a lot of experience with accommodation in the City by the Bay. If you’re wondering where to stay when you’re visiting San Francisco, my guide will help you find the perfect neighborhood for your style and preferences. I’ve included a map, too.
Best Area to Stay in San Francisco
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of where to stay in the city. Each person’s circumstances and travel budget lend themselves to different areas. As such, my guide aims to show you a range of options and let you choose the one that fits best.
Regardless of your individual situation, there are plenty of fun neighborhoods to base yourself in when you visit San Francisco. From the busy Financial District to the hipster Mission and upscale Nob Hill, this place has something for every style.
Whether you’re into big attractions, want to live like a local, enjoy experiencing California culture, or love discovering under-the-radar places, there’s an ideal area to stay in San Francisco for you.
No matter how much time you have in the city, there will be a neighborhood that checks all your boxes.
Before I start my list, it’s worth mentioning that San Francisco is not cheap. Accommodation here tends to be on the expensive side, even when it comes to apartment rentals.
If you’re on a strict budget, it’s worth looking into alternative options. Places like Oakland are just across the bay and often offer better value. You’ll be a quick train ride away on BART, so you won’t have to compromise too much.
That said, if you do want to stay in San Francisco (and most people do), read on for my list.
1. Downtown San Francisco and the Financial District
Situated right in the thick of things and full of good shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars, downtown San Francisco is one of the most popular places to stay in the City by the Bay. This area and the adjacent Financial District are some of the best areas for first-time visitors to base themselves.
There’s a great mix of heritage architecture here, plus the buzzing atmosphere in Union Square, the busy shopping streets, and the classic cable cars running through the area.
Additionally, downtown is the perfect spot to base yourself in if you’re a food lover. That’s because there are great restaurants in the area and it’s close to the famous Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market, one of the best food markets in California.
This is also the top area to stay in San Francisco without a car, as public transport serves the area well and parking can be expensive and hard to come by.
When it comes to specific accommodation, my favorite place in downtown San Francisco is Hotel Triton. It’s in an ideal location near Union Square and it has great contemporary decor. I’ve stayed here before, so I can personally recommend it from experience. You can book a room here.
2. North Beach
Another of the best areas to stay in San Francisco is North Beach. This historic Italian neighborhood was popular with the Beat Generation, and today it’s a great place to dine, shop, go out, and soak up the local culture.
Additionally, North Beach is centrally located between the Finiancial District, the Embarcadero waterfront, Fisherman’s Wharf, Coit Tower, Chinatown, and other popular areas in the city.
North Beach is a fun place to explore in San Francisco. It has iconic bookstores like City Lights and fun shops, restaurants, and watering holes on Grant Avenue. Add to that famous Beat-era bars like Vesuvio Cafe, and there are a lot of exciting things to do in the neighborhood. Washington Square Park is a nice green space, too.
When it comes to places to stay, my top pick in North Beach is Hotel Boheme. Located right in the center of the action on Columbus Avenue, this one-of-a-kind boutique hotel is in an ideal place for getting the most out of the area.
Renowned for its bohemian flair, Hotel Boheme honors the neighborhood’s beatnik past while featuring a distinctly contemporary style. You can book a room here.
3. The Embarcadero
Next on my list of places to stay in San Francisco is the Embarcadero. This waterfront area used to sport an ugly double-decker expressway, but it was leveled in the 1989 earthquake. Today the Embarcadero is a wide-open expanse on the bay that features long piers, the Ferry Building, waterfront restaurants and bars, and expansive sidewalks.
The Embarcadero is a great place to stay for business and leisure travelers alike. Its proximity to SoMa, downtown, and the Financial District make it popular with those traveling for work. Its location near the ferry terminals, museums like The Exploratorium, the baseball park, and Jackson Square makes it appealing for those traveling on vacation.
When it comes to places to stay, my top pick in the area is 1 Hotel. This place is in a great location on the waterfront and its rooms feature amazing views across the bay. You can book a room here.
4. Nob Hill
If historic mansions with views are your cup of tea, Nob Hill is a great neighborhood to stay in San Francisco. This hilly area next to downtown is brimming with eye-catching streets, the stunning form of Grace Cathedral, and local cafes, restaurants, and bars. Cable cars run through here, too.
Nob Hill is ideal if you like walking down pretty streets, absorbing classic San Francisco atmosphere, and enjoying views of the city. There are lots of well-known heritage hotels here, too, so it’s an ideal location if you’re looking stay at a landmark property.
Speaking of which, my top pick for a hotel in Nob Hill is The Fairmont San Francisco. This beloved luxury hotel is set in a stunning historic building, and it’s in an ideal location on Mason Street. It’s also been used as a filming location for The Rock and other movies set in San Francisco. You can book a room here.
5. The Mission
If you’re a hipster (or an aspiring one), you’ll want to stay in the Mission. This cool part of San Francisco is not only full of new restaurants and trendy shops, but also home to colorful street art, the historic Mission Dolores, and some of the best Mexican food in the Bay Area.
The Mission is also the top area to base yourself in San Francisco because of its nightlife scene. It’s home to everything from long-standing dive bars to cocktail bars and live music venues. Whatever your preference, you’ll find a place to go out here.
As far as accommodation goes, my top recommendation for a place to stay in the Mission is the Inn San Francisco. This unique B&B is set in a Victorian house that dates back to 1872.
Staying here is a good way to experience one of the city’s iconic Painted Ladies while living like a local. It’s one of my top picks for cool places to stay in California. You can book a room here.
6. Pacific Heights
If your idea of a good place to stay involves hills, views, pretty streets, and lots of good shops and restaurants, Pacific Heights (or Pac Heights if you’re a local) is the best area to stay in when you come to San Francisco.
This upscale neighborhood is in a great location between downtown, the bay, and areas like Hayes Valley, Alamo Square, Golden Gate Park, and Haight-Ashbury.
Fillmore Street is at the heart of the neighborhood. It’s packed with coffee shops, bars, boutiques, and places to eat. Beyond it lie Lafayette Park, Alta Plaza Park, and the Presidio, all of which are good for taking in the views of the city.
And that’s to say nothing of the houses (er, mansions) on streets like Broadway and Pacific. They’re impressive even by San Francisco standards.
When it comes to where to stay, my top suggestion for Pac Heights is Hotel Drisco. Set in a discreet building on a residential stretch of Pacific Avenue, this elegant hotel offers a mix of local and luxurious. You can book a room here.
7. The Marina and Cow Hollow
Right on the waterfront, the Marina and Cow Hollow make for the best area to stay in San Francisco if you love being by the beach and staying in a residential neighborhood.
The Marina is in the north of the city and it has a wide-open waterfront area on the bay. It’s right by the sand at Crissy Field and the huge expanse of the Presidio. Add to that the stunning Palace of Fine Arts, Art Deco architecture, and great shopping and dining on Chestnut Street, and it’s an all-around great place to stay.
Just south of the Marina, Cow Hollow is known for its restaurants, shops, and colorful Victorian houses. Union Street is the main shopping and dining thoroughfare in this neighborhood, and it’s packed with restaurants, shops, bars, and more.
These neighboring areas are popular places for locals to live and in-the-know visitors to stay. I should know. I lived in the Marina for years.
These are some of the easiest places to stay in San Francisco if you have a car, as there’s a lot of street parking (although you’ll want to pay attention to signs on the street to avoid getting ticketed if you park for too long or on street cleaning days).
You can also get around these neighborhoods on foot. One of my favorite walks in the city is the path from the Marina to the Golden Gate Bridge along Crissy Field.
Given these areas are in the north of the city, they’re great places to base yourself if you plan on taking a day trip to Napa or Sonoma, or taking other day trips from San Francisco to the North Bay.
When it comes to places to stay, my top pick is the Infinity Hotel SF. Located right between the Marina and Cow Hollow, it features contemporary decor and a roof terrace. It rises above some of the less-exciting options on Lombard Street, too. You can book a room here.
8. Russian Hill
If hills, views, and crooked streets are your idea of a good time, Russian Hill a great neighborhood to stay in when you travel to San Francisco. This area is ideally located near Nob Hill, North Beach, Ghirardelli Square, and Pacific Heights.
Russian Hill is home to independent shops, restaurants, and bars on Polk Street and Hyde Street. The views of the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, Coit Tower, and other San Francisco landmarks are breathtaking, too.
The neighborhood is also home to Lombard Street, the famous crooked road that attracts visitors both in cars and on foot. Cable cars run through here, too. You can see the best of the area on my self-guided Russian Hill walking tour.
Places to stay are few and far between in Russian Hill, so I recommend The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square. Located on the northern border of the neighborhood, it’s in one of San Francisco’s most famous plazas and it features an ideal waterfront location by the Aquatic Park. You can book a room here.
9. Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is the best area to stay in San Francisco with family, particularly if you’re traveling with young children. I loved this touristy part of the city when I was a kid, and even though I’m rarely here now, I still have fun memories of it.
Fisherman’s Wharf is packed full of everything from a wax museum to souvenir shops. It’s also on the waterfront, which means it has views of Angel Island, Alcatraz, and the North Bay. Pier 39 is popular for its shops and seafood restaurants, and the resident sea lions are a treat to see.
If you’re after clam chowder in a bread bowl, there’s plenty of it here. And that’s to say nothing of In-N-Out Burger, which has a location on Jefferson Street.
When it comes to places to stay in this part of San Francisco, my top pick is the Argonaut Hotel. Set in the historic Haslett Warehouse, it’s in an ideal location on the Aquatic Park and it features views across the bay. You can book a room here.
10. SoMa
If you’re in town for a convention or trade show, chances are you’ll be staying in SoMa. This area south of Market Street is known for its urban ambiance, and it’s conveniently located near downtown San Francisco, Chase Center, and the ballpark.
SoMa is known for its contemporary skyscrapers, parks like Yerba Buena Gardens, and art museums like the SFMOMA. All the big hotel chains have properties here, so it’s a great place to stay if you want to earn or use loyalty program points.
Make sure to do some research before choosing a hotel in SoMa, though. Some people feel it’s not the safest place to stay in San Francisco, and there are parts that are less appealing than others.
I recommend avoiding Market Street and the part of SoMa that borders the Tenderloin. The areas near Union Square and the waterfront are usually a better bet.
My favorite place to stay in SoMa is the St. Regis San Francisco. This upscale hotel is in a great location next to the SFMOMA and across the street from the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
I’ve stayed here and I love the elegant decor and panoramic views of the city skyline from the rooms. If you want to follow in my footsteps, you can book a room here.
11. The Presidio
If you want to stay somewhere that feels like it’s a million miles from the city (but’s still in it), the Presidio is a good choice. This huge green space is right near the Golden Gate Bridge, and it’s a great place to stay if you want to be close to the beach.
The Presidio is a park and former U.S. Army post in the northern part of San Francisco. It’s known for its miles of hiking trails, stunning views of the bay, military history, and waterfront areas.
There’s culture and entertainment here, too. The Presidio is home to a number of restaurants, the Walt Disney Family Museum, a theater, a bowling alley, and more. Add to that parks like Tunnel Tops and cafes with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and it’s a great area to call home-away-from-home.
If that appeals, my top pick for accommodation is the Lodge at the Presidio. The hotel invited me for a stay, and I can recommend it from personal experience. Right next to the Walt Disney Family Museum and Tunnel Tops, it has everything from spacious guest rooms with views of the bridge to a nightly wine-and-cheese happy hour.
Set in a building that was once home to U.S. Army officers, the Lodge at the Presidio offers a great mix of historic-meets-modern decor. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and there’s everything from green space to sandy beaches right at your fingertips.
Map
I’ve created an interactive Google map of all the areas I’ve included in my list. You can view it here. If you click on the blue pins you’ll see more information about each one.
Best Areas to Stay in San Francisco
I hope my guide to how to pick the best area to stay in San Francisco has helped you choose a place that fits your style and preferences. Wherever you end up, I’m sure you’ll have a great trip to the City by the Bay. Happy travels!
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