San Francisco, California, and cheap hotels may not be something you expect to see in the same sentence, but there are actually a ton of affordable options throughout the city!
These hotels are all within walking distance of some of the best attractions, neighborhoods, beaches, eclectic bookstores, sunset spots, bakeries, and breweries in downtown San Francisco.
Most importantly: they’re less expensive but don’t suck.
Here are the best hotels to stay at for cheap in San Francisco:
What is the Cheapest Month to Visit San Francisco?
The cheapest months to visit San Francisco are November through January (provided you avoid the holiday week). San Francisco’s high season for airfare and hotels is from June through September. Plan to visit San Francisco in the spring for the best combination of low rates, low crowds, and good weather.
Why are Hotels so Expensive in San Francisco Right Now?
If you’re wondering why hotels in San Francisco are so cheap right now, ask yourself: ‘Am I visiting during peak tourist season? Am I staying extremely close to an attraction?’
If the answer to these is ‘no,’ then the reason hotels are so expensive in San Francisco may be simple supply and demand. High demand for hotel accommodations means existing hotels have less availability and can increase rates.
Europa Hotel & Hostel
North Beach District
The Europa Hotel is conveniently located in the historic North Beach area, between Little Italy and Chinatown.
If you’re looking for a fun area with parties and chances to meet other travelers, you’ve found it. Walk outside in either direction, and you’ll see many restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. At night, stop by North Beach’s many bars and clubs. I would 100% recommend a walking food tour of Little Italy if you have the time.
Tip: If it’s important to have your own bathroom, call to confirm ahead of time. Otherwise, you’ll be sharing with other guests.
Popular Attractions near Europa Hotel
- Coit Tower 0.3 miles
- Cable Car Museum 0.3 miles
- Embarcadero Plaza 0.6 miles
- Lombard Street 0.7 miles
- Union Square 0.7 miles
- Pier 39 0.8 miles
- Ghirardelli Square 1 miles
- Oracle Park 1.7 miles
- Alcatraz 2.1 miles
- Golden Gate Bridge 4 miles
Winsor Hotel
Downtown San Francisco
The Winsor Hotel, built in 1960, is my top pick for cheap hotels in San Francisco downtown. The hotel is close to the famous San Francisco city train and central to many other attractions.
Winsor is also one of the best cheap hotels in San Francisco’s downtown for walkable, affordable food: check out Lori’s Diner, Pinecrest Diner, and Mel’s Drive-In – Lombard.
Tip: The area can get a little shady in the evenings, so avoid late nights; however, the front desk does buzz you in to keep the building secure.
Popular Attractions near Winsor Hotel
- Golden Gate Theater 0.1 miles
- San Francisco Cable Car 0.2 miles
- 1015 Folsom 0.3 miles
- Union Square 0.4 miles
- San Francisco City Hall 0.5 miles
- Coit Tower 1.4 miles
- Lombard Street 1.5 miles
- Ghirardelli Square 1.8 miles
- Pier 39 1.9 miles
- Alcatraz 3.1 miles
- Golden Gate Bridge 4.2 miles
Cable Car Hotel
Nob Hill District
Built in 1907, the Cable Car Hotel gives off the vibe of staying in the original San Francisco and has been family-operated for more than 35 years. Hop on a cable car from the stop directly in front of the hotel and easily cross that off your bucket list.
Tip: Check the cable car website, as they occasionally offer free rides!
Popular Attractions near Cable Car Hotel
- Cable Car Museum 0.4 miles
- Union Square 0.6 miles
- St. Mary’s Cathedral 0.6 miles
- San Francisco Cable Car 0.7 miles
- Lombard Street 0.8 miles
- San Francisco City Hall 0.8 miles
- Coit Tower 1 miles
- Ghirardelli Square 1 miles
- Pier 39 1.3 miles
- Alcatraz 2.4 miles
- Golden Gate Bridge 3.6 miles
Perramont Hotel
Castro District
The Perramont Hotel is family-owned and surrounded by the vibrant Castro District (San Francisco’s gayborhood).
For stretching your budget even further, the hotel is within walking distance of Muni Station, an affordable way to get around San Francisco.
Thanks to its location, the Perramont is close to many attractions and feels safer, quieter, and cleaner outside than many of the other cheap hotels in San Francisco.
Popular Attractions near Perramont Hotel
- Mission Dolores 0.2 miles
- Mission Dolores Park 0.6 miles
- Castro District 0.7 miles
- Painted Ladies 0.7 miles
- William Westerfeld House 0.8 miles
- Grateful Dead House 0.9 miles
- Union Square 1.9 miles
- Oracle Park 2.4 miles
- Lombard Street 2.5 miles
- Ghirardelli Square 2.7 miles
- Coit Tower 2.8 miles
- Pier 39 3.1 miles
- Golden Gate Bridge 4 miles
Grant Hotel
Union Square
The Grant Hotel is within walking distance to many of SF’s most iconic attractions, including Union Square, and is one of the nicer cheap hotels in San Francisco, with a unique old-time flare about it.
One of my favorite areas of San Francisco, Chinatown, is only a few minutes walk away. This is also a great location to buy local souvenirs for cheap, take a food tour of Chinatown, snap photos of the Dragon Gate, or make a personalized fortune cookie at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory!
Tip: Check out my full list of hotels near San Francisco’s Union Square.
Popular Attractions near Grant Hotel
- Union Square 0.2 miles
- Cable Car Museum 0.3 miles
- San Francisco Cable Car 0.4 miles
- Coit Tower 0.9 miles
- Lombard Street 1 mile
- Ghirardelli Square 1.3 miles
- Pier 39 1.3 miles
- Alcatraz 2.6 miles
- Golden Gate Bridge 4 miles
Green Tortoise Hostel
Little Italy
The Green Tortoise Hostel offers some money-saving amenities that aren’t typically seen, like complimentary breakfast, a sauna, a pool, and weekly dinners!
The Tortoise also has a calendar full of social events, making it an easy place to meet fellow travelers.
Fun Fact: The Green Tortoise company has been helping travelers explore cheaply since 1974, starting with a bus that took riders to see the sights. At night travelers could sleep on the bus or pitch a tent and sleep under the stars.
Popular Attractions near Green Tortoise Hotel
- Coit Tower 0.3 miles
- Cable Car Museum 0.4 miles
- Embarcadero Plaza 0.5 miles
- Union Square 0.7 miles
- Lombard Street 0.8 miles
- Pier 39 0.8 miles
- Ghirardelli Square 1 miles
- San Francisco City Hall 1.5 miles
- Alcatraz 2.1 miles
- Golden Gate Bridge 4 miles
What are Some Good Cheap Hotels in San Francisco near Pier 39?
If you’re looking for cheap hotels near the iconic Pier 39, I recommend the Wharf Inn. The hotel is a 5-minute walk from Pier 39, only 10 minutes from Ghirardelli Square, and 20 from Lombard Street. If you’re visiting in good weather, I recommend renting a bike for the day.
Which Cheap Hotels in San Francisco Have Free Parking?
There are a few quality yet affordable hotels for cheap in San Francisco, but not many have free parking(or like.. any parking). My top pick for a budget hotel with free parking is Travelodge by Wyndham, Presidio San Francisco. As a budget bonus, the hotel also has a free breakfast.
Extra Tips for Staying Cheaply in San Francisco
Staying cheaply in San Francisco is far from impossible. Here are a few tips for staying on a budget in SF:
- Use booking websites: Sites like Expedia let you filter search results based on various criteria, including price and free parking.
- Look for certain amenities. Perks like free breakfast, airport shuttles, or parking can help you stay in San Francisco more cheaply.
- Stay flexible. To find hotels for cheap in San Francisco, keep your dates flexible if possible.
- Visit During Off-Peak Seasons. Traveling during the off-peak season is the best way to find lower hotel rates. The cheapest month to visit San Francisco is November-Janaury, but visiting in early spring also works.
- Get the master list. Use my ulitmate guide to finding cheap hotels to get all my tips from years of travel!
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