Best hotels in San Francisco: where to stay

San Francisco is a city of hills, fog and bay views, with the Golden Gate, the cable cars and neighbourhoods of powerful character, and the area where you sleep completely changes the trip: central Union Square, the Fisherman's Wharf waterfront, elegant Nob Hill, the lively Mission, bohemian Haight-Ashbury. The centre is walkable but steep, and between Muni, BART and the cable cars you do not need a car. Here are the best areas to stay, the prices to reckon with and, at the end, a selection of real hotels with live rates.

Where to stay in San Francisco, area by area

Union Square and Downtown

The heart of shopping and theatres, with the cable car lines and nearby Chinatown. It is the right call for a first-timer who wants everything within reach, bearing in mind that the edges towards the Tenderloin call for care.

• Union Square and the department stores
• The cable cars of Powell Street
• Chinatown, the oldest in the US
• The Ferry Building on the waterfront

For centrality and shopping, look for hotels in Union Square.

Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach

The touristy waterfront with Pier 39, the sea lions and the Alcatraz ferries, beside the Little Italy of North Beach. It is the choice for families and anyone who loves the sea, historic cafes and neighbourhood life.

• Pier 39 and the sea lions
• The ferries to Alcatraz
• Coit Tower and the cafes of North Beach
• The winding Lombard Street

For the waterfront and families, see hotels in Fisherman's Wharf.

Nob Hill and Russian Hill

The elegant hills of grand historic hotels and bay views, crossed by the cable cars. It is the choice for anyone after refinement, romance and a calm, scenic base.

• Grace Cathedral and the grand hotels of Nob Hill
• The bay views from the hills
• The cable cars and steep streets
• Close to North Beach and Chinatown

For elegance and views, look for hotels in Nob Hill.

The Mission and the Castro

The sunniest, liveliest San Francisco: the Latino Mission with murals, taquerias and Dolores Park, and the historic Castro. It is the choice for anyone who loves food, nightlife and a creative atmosphere.

• The murals of Clarion Alley in the Mission
• The taquerias and Dolores Park
• The historic Castro district
• Bars, bistros and late-night venues

For food and nightlife, see hotels in the Mission.

Haight-Ashbury and Golden Gate Park

The counterculture district of the Sixties beside the vast Golden Gate Park. It is the choice for anyone after a local, green side, vintage shops and a calm base away from the centre.

• The Victorian houses of Haight-Ashbury
• The vast Golden Gate Park
• The Painted Ladies of Alamo Square
• Vintage shops, cafes and local life

For greenery and atmosphere, look for hotels in Haight-Ashbury.

What it costs

Indicative figures: the US uses the dollar (USD, around 1.08 to a euro) and San Francisco is an expensive city.

• A double room in a mid-range 3-4 star: roughly 200-450 USD a night (about 185-415 euros), plus taxes and any facility fees.
• A dinner for two: about 90-180 USD (about 85-165 euros); a coffee 4-6 USD, a cocktail 16-20 USD; you tip 18-20 percent.
• Transport: a Muni ticket around 2.75 USD, the cable car about 8 USD a ride; BART links the airport. A car is not needed.
• Tourist tax: San Francisco applies a combined city hotel tax of around 16 percent (the 14 percent Transient Occupancy Tax plus about 2-2.25 percent Tourism Improvement District), on top of any hotel facility fee. These are usually not in the headline rate: verify the total at booking.

For a real sense before you choose, compare current prices in San Francisco.

Getting there and around

The main airport is San Francisco International (SFO), about 20 km south, linked to the centre by the BART metro in around half an hour; there is also Oakland (OAK) across the bay. In town Muni, BART, the cable cars and your feet are enough; the hills are steep, so comfortable shoes.

A car in the city is a nuisance between hills and expensive parking. With a good location, almost everything is on foot or a few stops away.

When to go

San Francisco has a peculiar microclimate, with cool, foggy summers.

• June-August: cool and often foggy (the famous Karl the Fog), around 15-20 degrees: bring layers even in July.
• September-October: the warmest, sunniest and clearest, the best window.
• April-May: a mild, pleasant spring.
• November-February: mild, with some rain, quieter and cheaper.

Good to know

Which area is best on a first visit? Union Square for centrality, or Nob Hill for elegance; Fisherman's Wharf for families.

Do I need a car in San Francisco? No, Muni, BART and the cable cars are enough; hills and parking make a car awkward. Uber is common.

How much are the taxes? About 16 percent city hotel tax plus any facility fee: always check the total.

How do I visit Alcatraz? Book the ferry tickets weeks ahead: they sell out fast.

How do I dress for the fog? In layers: summer is cool and foggy, September and October are best for sun.

Are there areas to avoid? Be aware around the Tenderloin and parts of SoMa, especially in the evening.

How many days do I need? Three or four nights for the Golden Gate, the cable cars, Alcatraz and a couple of neighbourhoods.

The best hotels in San Francisco

Below is a selection of real hotels in San Francisco among the highest rated by guests, with live rates to compare right now. Choose the area first, then compare prices and book at the right moment.