San Francisco is one of my favorite cities. I’ve lived here, worked here, and traveled here, and every trip makes me fall more in love with the City by the Bay. Because I grew up here, I often get asked where the best area to stay in San Francisco is. Today I want to share my guide and help you find the perfect neighborhood for you.
Best Area to Stay in San Francisco
While there’s no right or wrong answer, there’s an ideal place for each person’s individual tastes and preferences. To help you figure out which one is right for you, my guide to where to stay in San Francisco will show you a range of options.
The good news is that there are a lot of great neighborhoods to base yourself in the city. From the bustling downtown to the hipster Mission and the upscale Nob Hill, San Francisco has something for everyone.
Whether you want to visit the big attractions, live like a local, immerse yourself in California culture, or explore secret spots, there’s a best area to stay in San Francisco for you.
No matter if you have 1 night or 1 week, you’ll find a place that fits what you’re looking for.
1. Downtown San Francisco
Centrally located and packed with good shopping, bars, restaurants, and cafes, downtown San Francisco is one of the most exciting places to stay in the city. It’s also the best area to stay in San Francisco for first-time visitors.
There’s a great mix of historic architecture, the city’s most important square, exciting streets, and iconic cable cars to add to the mix.
Additionally, downtown is a great place to base yourself if you love food, as it’s close to the famous Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market.
It’s also the best 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.
My favorite hotel in downtown San Francisco is Hotel Triton. This place features bright, bold decor and a great location near Union Square. I’ve stayed here before and can personally recommend it. You can book a room here.
2. Nob Hill
If you love historic mansions with a view, Nob Hill is the best area to stay in San Francisco.
This hilly neighborhood next to the downtown area has picturesque streets, a stunning cathedral, and lots of cafes and restaurants. And that’s to say nothing of the cable cars.
This area is perfect if you love exploring pretty streets, soaking up classic San Francisco atmosphere, and taking in views of the city. There are lots of famous hotels here, too, so it’s ideal if you want to stay at a landmark property.
My top pick for a place to stay in Nob Hill is The Fairmont San Francisco. This classic luxury hotel is set in a beautiful historic building, and it’s in an ideal location at the top of the hill. You can book it here.
3. Pacific Heights
If you love hills, views, beautiful streets, and want to live like a local, Pacific Heights is the best area to stay in San Francisco when visiting.
I stayed here on my most recent trip home, and I loved going to the shops and restaurants on Fillmore Street, walking in the parks and the Presidio, taking in the views of the San Francisco Bay, and admiring the houses on Broadway and Pacific Street.
My top pick for a hotel in Pac Heights is Hotel Drisco. Set on an elegant residential street, it offers the perfect blend of local and luxurious. You can book a room here.
4. North Beach, San Francisco
A historic Italian neighborhood that was popular with the Beat Generation, North Beach is another of the best areas to stay in San Francisco.
It’s centrally located between downtown, the Embarcadero waterfront, Fisherman’s Wharf, Coit Tower, Chinatown, and other popular areas of the city.
North Beach itself is perfect for shopping, eating, drinking, and exploring. With famous bookstores like City Lights, great shops and restaurants on Grant Avenue, and iconic Beat-era bars like Vesuvio Cafe, there’s no shortage of things to do in the area.
My favorite hotel in North Beach is Hotel Boheme. Right in the thick of things on Columbus Avenue, this unique boutique hotel is in an ideal location for discovering the area.
Known for its bohemian flair, Hotel Boheme stays true to the area’s beatnik past while maintaining a distinctly contemporary style. You can book a room here.
5. The Marina and Cow Hollow
Right on the bay, the Marina and Cow Hollow make for the best area to stay in San Francisco if you love being by the beach and living like a local. The Marina has a big waterfront area and is right by the sand at Crissy Field.
Cow Hollow is known for its restaurants, shops, and pretty Victorian houses.
These neighboring areas are packed with bars, cafes, and boutiques, and they’re popular places for locals to live. I should know. I lived in the Marina for years.
Chestnut Street and Union Street are the main shopping and dining thoroughfares in these neighborhoods. The side streets are full of pretty Victorian and Art Deco buildings, and the stunning Palace of Fine Arts is here, too.
This is one of the best areas to stay in San Francisco with a car, as there’s a lot of street parking. You can also get around 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 going to Napa and Sonoma or taking day trips from San Francisco to the North Bay.
My top pick for a place to stay in this part of San Francisco is the Infinity Hotel SF. With contemporary decor and a roof terrace, this property in the heart of the Marina rises above some of the less-exciting options on Lombard Street. You can book a room here.
6. The Mission
If hipster is what you’re looking for, the best area to stay in San Francisco is the Mission.
This trendy neighborhood is not only packed with hot restaurants and cool shops, but also home to vibrant street art, a historic California mission, and great Mexican food.
This is the best area to stay in San Francisco for nightlife, as it’s home to a lot of great bars. From classic dives to hip cocktail bars and live music venues, there’s no shortage of places to go out here.
My top pick for a place to stay in the Mission is the Inn San Francisco. This B&B is uniquely set in a Victorian house built in 1872. It’s a great way to get a glimpse into one of San Francisco’s iconic Painted Ladies and live like a local. You can book it here.
7. 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 atmosphere, and it’s conveniently located near the downtown area and the ballpark.
SoMa is full of contemporary skyscrapers, parks like Yerba Buena Gardens, and art museums like the SFMOMA. A lot of big hotel brands have properties here, so it’s a good 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. Some people feel it’s not the safest place to stay in San Francisco.
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 elegant hotel is in a great location next to the SFMOMA and across the street from the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
I stayed here once and I loved the elegant decor and panoramic views of the city skyline from my room. You can book here.
8. Russian Hill
If you love hills, views, and crooked streets, Russian Hill is the best area to stay in San Francisco.
This local neighborhood is in an ideal location near Nob Hill, North Beach, Ghirardelli Square, and Pacific Heights.
It has independent shops, restaurants, and bars on Polk Street and Hyde Street, and the views of the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, and other San Francisco landmarks are amazing.
Russian Hill is also home to Lombard Street, the famous curving road that attracts visitors both in cars and on foot. Cable cars run through the neighborhood, too.
Hotels are few and far between here, so I recommend staying at The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square.
On the northern border of Russian Hill, it’s in one of San Francisco’s most iconic plazas and its waterfront location is hard to beat. You can book a room here.
9. Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
Fisherman’s Wharf is the best area to stay in San Francisco with family, particularly kids. I loved this touristy part of the city as a child, and even though I rarely visit now, I still have good memories of it.
Fisherman’s Wharf is packed with everything from a wax museum to souvenir shops. It’s right on the waterfront, so it has good views of Angel Island and the North Bay. There’s plenty of clam chowder in a bread bowl if that’s what you’re after, too.
My top pick for a hotel in this part of San Francisco is the Argonaut Hotel. Set in the historic Haslett Warehouse, it’s in a great location on the Aquatic Park and has views across the bay. You can book a room here.
Best Areas to Stay in San Francisco
I hope this guide to how to choose the best area to stay in San Francisco has helped you find a place that fits your style. Wherever you end up, I’m sure you’ll have an amazing trip to the City by the Bay.
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