The Mission district, home to the city’s Latin community and a great hub for affordable, quality eating and bar-hopping, might be a great place to start. Hotels are cheaper in this area. Try the San Francisco Inn, a cozy and historic bed and breakfast in a Victorian building in the heart of the Mission.

If you would like to visit high-end areas like Union Square and Nob Hill, or other landmark neighborhoods like Haight-Ashbury and Chinatown, consider staying in the surrounding areas and passing by on a cable car or bus. Accommodation prices can drop significantly just half mile away from the center. Try the reasonably priced and comfortable SW hotel, which is located in the Jackson Square neighborhood and within walking distance of Union Square.

Staying a bit off-grid will not stop you from making the most of the city. San Francisco is compact enough that its sprawling public transportation system keeps it well connected.

The Bay Area can get busy, and if you are traveling by car, finding free parking can be tricky. Consider looking for a hotel that offers free parking. For example, the elegant Hotel Drisco in Pacific Heights offers free parking for hotel guests. Castle Inn, which is within walking distance of Nob Hill, is a good choice for budget travelers.

FAQs when booking a Hotel in San Francisco

KAYAK users have found double rooms in San Francisco for as cheap as $29 in the last 3 days. The average price is $264.

In the last 72 hours, users have found San Francisco hotels for tonight for as low as $58. Users have also found 3-star hotels from $63 and 4-star hotels from $132.

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Hotels in South of Market, Tenderloin and Marina have the most searches on KAYAK. For more information about San Francisco's different neighborhoods, check out our San Francisco's City Guide.

Take a look at our extensive hotel Heatmaps to find the best hotels near you.

Embarcadero, the Marina District and North Beach are all great options. You will be right next to the Presidio park and just a short bike ride away from the ferry to Alcatraz. Presidio is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and offers remarkable views of the bridge from the extensive green field on West Buff.

San Francisco has several celebrated 5-star hotels. Depending on your budget and preference, the Bay Area offers household-name hospitality options, like the Ritz-Carlton on the southern fringe of Chinatown and the Fairmont in Nob Hill, as well as boutique hotels like the Argonaut in Fisherman’s Wharf.

It’s possible to find inexpensive hotel options in the center of San Francisco, for example, in the Union Square area. The Herbert Hotel is an excellent budget choice in the Lower Nob Hill area, within walking distance of Union Square. You can also find several budget hotels nearby in the Marina District and in the neighboring Cow Hollow.

If you are looking for a cheap and family-friendly hotel in San Francisco, consider staying in the Marina district, which is near Fisherman’s Wharf, one of the city’s most treasured neighborhoods. Several good hotel choices are in the area, including the colorful Hotel Zephyr.