San Francisco is known for many things: some of the best hotels in California, epic sunsets, the original anchor breweries, colorful neighborhoods, badass bookstores, cable cars, the hairpin turns of Lombard Street, every imaginable genre of food and sweets, and giant redwood trees.
With all that going on, you might wonder, “Where TF should I stay when I go to SF?” Been there, done that, found the best.
Note: There are plenty of excellent hotels close to the San Francisco Airport, but this list focuses on those closer to the heart of the city.
Here are the best hotels in San Francisco:
Best Budget Hotel: The Winsor
Downtown
SF has some killer budget hotels, but The Winsor, built in 1960, is close to the famous San Francisco city train and central to most popular attractions.
There are many pubs and restaurants within walking distance; check out Lori’s Diner, Pinecrest Diner, and Mel’s Drive-In – Lombard to eat at some of the local’s favorite restaurants.
Stop by the reception desk for shuttle service info!
Tip: The area can get a little shady in the evenings, so avoid late nights and stay strapped.
Popular Attractions near The Winsor
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art 2,900 feet
- Coit Tower 1.4 miles
- Pier 39 1.9 miles
- Alcatraz 3.1 miles
- San Francisco Botanical Garden 3.3 miles
- Golden Gate Bridge 4.2 miles
- Morcom Amphitheater of Roses 9 miles
Best Luxury Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
Union Square
The Ritz-Carlton name has long been synonymous with luxury, and the San Francisco location is no exception.
Constructed in 1890, the building housed the San Francisco Chronicle. Onsite lounges include wine tastings, small plates, and what’s rumored to be the best martinis in California.
Popular Attractions near The Ritz-Carlton
- Union Square 0.3 miles
- Cable Car Museum 0.3 miles
- Grace Cathedral 0.3 miles
- SF Masonic Auditorium 0.3 miles
- Transamerica Building 0.3 miles
- Lotta’s Fountain 0.3 miles
- American Conservatory Theater 0.3 miles
- Coit Tower 0.7 miles
- Lombard Street 1 miles
- Pier 39 1.2 miles
- Ghirardelli Square 1.2 miles
- Oracle Park 1.3 miles
- Anchor Brewing Company 2 miles
- Alcatraz 2.5 miles
- Golden Gate Bridge 4.1 miles
Best Historic Hotel: The Fairmont San Francisco
Ghirardelli Square Area
The Fairmont San Francisco is a landmark all on its own. Built in 1907, the iconic hotel was known for glittering balls and presidential visits.
Rich with authentic European charm and decor, walking into the hotel feels like walking into a castle. Breathe in the views of Nob Hill from the rooftop garden, then head to the basement to grab a cocktail and Polynesian food tiki-themed Tonga Room.
Tip: Don’t leave The Fairmont without trying the onion soup.
Popular Attractions near Fairmont San Francisco
- Grace Cathedral 0.1 miles
- SF Masonic Auditorium 0.1 miles
- Cable Car Museum 0.2 miles
- San Francisco Playhouse 0.3 miles
- Curran Theatre 0.4 miles
- Geary Theatre 0.4 miles
- Union Square 0.4 miles
- Wells Fargo History Museum 0.4 miles
- Caffe Trieste 0.5 miles
- Coit Tower 0.7 miles
- Lombard Street 0.8 miles
- Ghirardelli Square 1.1 miles
- Pier 39 1.1 miles
- Oracle Park 1.5 miles
- Anchor Brewing Company 2.1 miles
- Alcatraz 2.4 miles
- Crissy Field Beach 2.6 miles
- Golden Gate Bridge 3.9 miles
Best Views: St. Regis San Francisco
SoMa District
The St. Regis San Francisco is one of the best of the many 5-star hotels in the SoMa district.
You’ll want to pack your tripod for this one- the views from St. Regis are the best in San Francisco. The hotel is in the same building as the Museum of the African Diaspora, while the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is next door.
When you aren’t exploring or touring the breweries of SoMa, you can disappear in the comfy rooms with giant soaking tubs and rainforest showers.
Tip: The on-property St. Regis bar has kickass cocktails (order the Golden Gate Mary) and delicious small plates!
Popular Attractions near St. Regis San Francisco
- Yerba Buena Center For The Arts 0 miles
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art 0 miles
- Cartoon Art Museum 0.1 miles
- Contemporary Jewish Museum 0.1 miles
- St. Patrick’s Catholic Church 0.1 miles
- Lotta’s Fountain 0.2 miles
- Metreon 0.2 miles
- Union Square 0.3 miles
- Oracle Park 0.8 miles
- Coit Tower 1.2 miles
- Lombard Street 1.5 miles
- Anchor Brewing Company 1.5 miles
- Pier 39 1.7 miles
- Ghirardelli Square 1.8 miles
- Alcatraz 3 miles
- Golden Gate Bridge 4.5 miles
Best Hotel for Digital Nomads: Hotel Zetta
SoMa District
Hands down, Hotel Zetta is my top pick for digital nomads. Here’s why:
The hotel is steps from everything in Francisco’s hip SoMa District, near the Moscone Center.
The hotel restaurant, The Cavalier, serves British comfort food in a moody pub environment. The communal Playroom is a workspace with video games, pool tables, and shuffleboards. Rooms at Hotel Zetta have everything a digital nomad needs, like Smart TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi, and customizable workspaces.
Popular Attractions near Hotel Zetta
- Boeddeker Park 1,400 feet
- Contemporary Jewish Museum 1,500 feet
- Union Square 1,600 feet
- Gene Friend Recreation Center 1,700 feet
- Yerba Buena Center For The Arts 1,850 feet
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art 1,950 feet
- Lotta’s Fountain 2,000 feet
- Annie St Plaza 2,150 feet
- Cartoon Art Museum 2,200 feet
- Asian Art Museum 3,050 feet
- Transamerica Building 4,550 feet
- Coit Tower 1.3 miles
- San Francisco Botanical Garden 3.5 miles
- Golden Gate Bridge 4.3 miles
The Most Exclusive Hotel in the City: The Battery
Jackson Square
The Battery is a millennial oasis with a historic industrial vibe and one catch- its members only.
This members-only social club is dedicated to creating an elite networking space. The hotel is in the heart of Jackson Square and has six craft cocktail bars, over 1,000 wine options, and a luxury gym and spa.
A hefty price tag and strict, no-photos policy keep The Battery exclusive.
Popular Attractions near The Battery
- Transamerica Pyramid 0.3 miles
- Embarcadero Plaza 0.4 miles
- Pier 7 0.3 miles
- Exploratorium 0.3 miles
- Vesuvio Cafe 0.3 miles
Best Hotel near the Embarcadero: Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco
Embarcadero
Exclusively located on the top 11 stories of a 48-story building, The Four Seasons Hotel at Embarcadero is the ultimate San Francisco experience.
Bring your binoculars to explore SF’s most iconic sights, the bay or The Golden Gate Bridge, directly from your window.
Around the corner from the Four Seasons is the Embarcadero, with its unlimited supplies of fresh oysters, warm, freshly baked pastries, and possibly a few sea lions.
Popular Attractions near Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero
- Wells Fargo History Museum 0.1 miles
- Embarcadero Plaza 0.3 miles
- Lotta’s Fountain 0.3 miles
- Cartoon Art Museum 0.4 miles
- San Francisco Railway Museum 0.4 miles
- Union Square 0.5 miles
- Coit Tower 0.7 miles
- Oracle Park 1.1 miles
- Lombard Street 1.2 miles
- Pier 39 1.2 miles
- Ghirardelli Square 1.5 miles
- Anchor Brewing Company 2 miles
- Golden Gate Bridge 4.4 miles
The Trendiest Hotel in SF: The San Francisco Proper Hotel
Twin Peaks
The San Francisco Proper Hotel is one of the newer hotels in the city, and everyone seems to love it.
You’ll be able to pick your hotel out of the skyline, thanks to its unique flatiron-shaped building.
Charmaine’s, the hotel’s trendy rooftop bar, complete with fire pits and panoramic city views, is a place to see and be seen. Take an art tour of Union Square or sample Dim Sum in Chinatown right around the corner.
Popular Attractions near The San Francisco Proper Hotel
- Golden Gate Theatre 0.1 miles
- Orpheum Theatre 0.2 miles
- Monarch 0.2 miles
- Asian Art Museum 0.3 miles
- Bill Graham Civic Auditorium 0.3 miles
- Westfield San Francisco Centre 0.4 miles
- San Francisco Cable Car 0.4 miles
- Union Square 0.6 miles
- Oracle Park 1.3 miles
- Anchor Brewing Company 1.3 miles
- Lombard Street 1.5 miles
- Coit Tower 1.5 miles
- Ghirardelli Square 1.8 miles
- Pier 39 2 miles
- Golden Gate Bridge 4.1 miles
Most Conveniently Located Hotel: Argonaut Hotel
Fisherman’s Wharf Area
The Argonaut Hotel is a ridiculously well-located boutique stay on the historic Fisherman’s Wharf.
You can enjoy your favorite seafood dishes without venturing too far with an onsite restaurant and a patio directly on the wharf. For those feeling adventurous, the Argonaut offers complimentary bikes to guests who want to cycle around.
Bike over the Golden Gate Bridge and pack your best hiking shoes (and maybe a light raincoat) for a foggy trek through Golden Gate Park.
Popular Attractions near Argonaut Hotel
- San Francisco Duck Tours 0.1 miles
- Ghirardelli Square 0.2 miles
- Musée Mécanique 0.3 miles
- Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Museum 0.3 miles
- Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf 0.3 miles
- Red & White Fleet 0.3 miles
- Lombard Street 0.4 miles
- Fort Mason 0.5 miles
- Pier 39 0.6 miles
- Beach Blanket Babylon 0.8 miles
- Coit Tower 0.9 miles
- Alcatraz 1.3 miles
- Union Square 1.5 miles
- Crissy Field Beach 1.8 miles
- Oracle Park 2.6 miles
- Golden Gate Bridge 3.1 miles
- Anchor Brewing Company 3.2 miles
- Lands End 5.1 miles
- Fox Theater Oakland 8.2 miles
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