Going to San Francisco this year? You’ll surely have a lot of fun there, but, do you already know where to stay? Here’s a guide to the best neighborhood recommendations for you!
Picture by Jessica Bryant on Pexels
You’ve finally decided you want to travel to one of the most iconic cities in the United States. You can picture yourself already hopping into the old cable cars and visiting the famous bridge, but, have you chosen your hotel yet?
Don’t worry if you have no idea where to stay in San Francisco. That’s why this article exists! Here you’ll get a general idea about the most popular neighborhoods in San Francisco, with both the advantages and downsides each one has. You’ll also find excellent suggestions for activities and of course, accommodations.
Where to Stay in San Francisco
Best Neighborhoods
Union Square
If you want the exhilarating thrill of the big cities then this is the best place for you. Union Square is known for its shopping, dining, and entertainment, and no matter at what time of the day you walk its streets, you’ll find people going around. Is excellent if you are looking for late cocktails and theaters. On the negative side, it’s an expensive neighborhood, and some businesses closed permanently since the pandemic hit.
If you’re planning to do some high-end shopping or just window shopping then head to Union Square Shops, where you can find retailers like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Gucci. If you prefer more unique experiences, you can head to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the SFMOMA, close to Yerba Buena, and for some food don’t miss the famous John’s Grill!
Where to Stay in Union Square, San Francisco:
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The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco: A classic option if you want a luxurious stay, and it’s even close to Union Square!
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Hotel Nikko: An interesting mid-range hotel that takes a lot of inspiration from traditional Japanese architecture and style.
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The Mosser: A historic and affordable hotel ideal for a bigger group. Just keep in mind that you won’t have a private bathroom.
Nob Hill
Welcome to the most elegant and historic neighborhood of San Francisco, and you can tell. There’s a vibe of old money, a certain sophistication that’s hard to miss. If you like architecture then you’ll have a blast walking around and admiring the old buildings. As a plus, you won’t find many tourists there, so it’s really peaceful. As a downside, you’ll be walking very steep hills and the nightlife is not the best.
If you want to experience the best of this neighborhood, you can start by visiting its heart, Huntington Park. It might seem a bit small, but it’s charming nonetheless, and it’s surrounded by historic landmarks. Other places are the Grace Cathedral, with its Neo-Gothic church and stained glass, the photogenic Painted Ladies, and the Cable Car Museum.
Where to Stay in Nob Hill, San Francisco:
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Fairmont San Francisco: A famous hotel, mainly for its grand architecture. It offers a luxurious stay with stunning city views.
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Petit Auberge: A great option for more modest travelers. In this cozy French-style boutique hotel, you’ll even get wine tastings!
Photo by Ross Joyner on Unsplash
Fisherman’s Wharf
If you want a lively place great for tourists then you’ve found your neighborhood! In Fisherman’s Wharf, you have an interesting mix of historic waterfront charm and family-friendly attractions, so it’s great whether you travel alone or with children. As a downside, you’ll find that few locals choose to visit it, since there are a lot of tourist traps and it can get crowded.
The very first place you should visit in this neighborhood is its heart, Pier 39. There you can visit lovely restaurants, and arcades and see the famous colony of sea lions lounging in the floating docks. From there, only 10-15 minutes on foot, you have many other attractions like Ghirardelli Square, a historic chocolate factory turned a dining area, and the Musee Mecanique, where you can admire lots of vintage-operated machines.
Where to Stay in Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco:
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Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf: If you want the best location, upscale option and modern amenities. Don’t forget to visit the spa there!
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Hotel Zephyr: If you are more of themed hotels, then this nautical hotel is perfect for you. For more coziness, it has a game room and fire pits.
Marina District
For the young and adventurous who enjoy the outdoors by the day but like to spend their night with friends at trendy bars. Is incredibly popular, but unlike Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf, the area doesn’t attract as many tourists. Which is great if you prefer a more calm experience, without the crowds and the hustle. But not everything is that good. The area is one of the priciest in San Francisco, and it’s easy to feel out of place with the luxury cars and designer yoga outfits going around the lovely streets.
You can start by visiting the Palace of Fine Arts, which is one of the most well-known landmarks in San Francisco. From there you can take a nice stroll along the waterfront and go up to Chestnut Street to peruse the stores and maybe find dinner. If you want to enjoy the local views and the sea breeze, visit Crissy Field, and if you want to see something unique, go near the Wave Organ, so you can hear the eerie sounds of the sea.
Where to Stay in the Marina District, San Francisco:
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Hotel del Sol: It’s a good option if you’re traveling with kids but want a nice stay. It’s colorful and it’s family-friendly!
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Infinity Hotel San Francisco: A nice, stylish, and yet affordable option close to the Golden Bridge.
Photo by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash
The Mission District
Did you know that San Francisco had a neighborhood with a strong Latino heritage? Probably not, so welcome to the Mission District, a vibrant and eclectic neighborhood where you’ll find a rich culture and an incredible hipster energy. It’s a unique visit, that’s for sure. You can find a very old taqueria right next to a trendy cafe, as well as regular old residents mixed with young artists and tech workers. Good qualities aside, the area does have a few problems. Like how the streets with popular bars can get a bit rowdy at night, or how hard it is to park there.
The best place to start your visit is at Mission Dolores Park, the very center of the neighborhood. From there you’ll have a great view of all the colorful murals, the lively markets, and the historic sites. You can visit the oldest building in all of San Francisco, the Mission San Francisco de Asis, also called Mission Dolores, built in 1776. If you feel hungry afterward, you should visit El Farolito to eat the famous, massive burritos or Dandelion Chocolate for a nice hot chocolate with desserts.
Where to Stay in The Mission District, San Francisco:
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Nineteen 06 Mission: If you’re worried about the ecosystem, then you’ll love this eco-friendly hotel and its minimalist décor.
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Hotel Tropica: A great option for those who have a tight budget but want a vibrant location.
Best Neighborhoods based on your needs
Best neighborhoods for first-time visitors
If this is your very first time in this lovely city, then you have a great selection of neighborhoods to stay in. The main one is Union Square, being by far the most touristic of all. But if you prefer a bit less commercial then there’s Fisherman’s Warf, Chinatown, and North Beach.
Photo by Daniel Abadia on Unsplash
Best area for families
Maybe you’re not a youngster looking for some adventures and crazy nights out, and that’s perfectly fine. San Francisco has great areas with family-friendly activities and lots of outdoors, like Sunset District, Marina District, and the outer parts of Richmond.
Best areas if you have a car
If you rented a car then you might wonder where would be easier to stay and move around. For this, you want less crowded neighborhoods like Outer Richmond, Outer Sunset, and Marina.
Best areas if you do not have a car
Don’t worry if you’re on foot. Actually, for the most popular areas, this is the easiest way to traverse, since parking can be difficult. On foot or bike, you can explore better Mission District, Union Square, and Castro.
Safest areas to stay in San Francisco
Like any big city, San Francisco has some problematic neighborhoods. There’s mostly petty crime like pickpocketing and car breaking, but you are on vacation and deserve to relax. The best neighborhoods to avoid any trouble are Sunset District, Nob Hill, and the Marina District.
Most affordable areas in SF
As you already saw, some areas are more expensive than others. Residential areas like the Marina District can feel a bit over the top for modest travelers. So, if you’re looking to stay within your budget then better stay in Fisherman’s Wharf or Sunset District, especially the outer parts.
Tips for Booking Accommodation in San Francisco
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Public Transport and Accessibility: Parking in San Francisco is not only hard, but it can be quite expensive. For that reason, it’s cheaper and more efficient to use public transport. You can rely on the Muni system, which employs buses, trolleys, and cable cars. For getting to your hotel from the airport, however, the BART system is better. For both those systems, you can get a Muni Passport or Clipper Card, for unlimited rides.
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Safety Tips: San Francisco is generally safe, but keeping in mind a few tips can save you some trouble. Stay alert all the time, especially at night and especially if you’re visiting neighborhoods like Tenderloin or parts of South of Market. Just stay in populated areas and keep an eye on your belongings.
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