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Best Places to Stay in San Francisco: Union Square vs. Fisherman's Wharf
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: January 6, 2025 • Published: November 3, 2016
What are the best places to stay in San Francisco? This question comes up often for those visiting for the first time.
The two most popular districts are Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf. Both have plenty of brand-name and local options. They're also where the largest concentrations of hotels are located.
So, how do you decide which is best? Read on to learn more about selecting the right district as well as some specific hotel recommendations for each. I've also included a few options in some of my favorite, more local areas.
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Best Places to Stay in San Francisco: Union Square
One of the best places to stay in San Francisco is in Union Square. It's the perfect choice for those visiting for the first time or those that have visited already.
The reason this is such a great choice is that it's centrally located, you can easily access public transportation, and there are a wide range of options from budget accommodations to five-star gems.
In Union Square, you are walking distance to high-end and budget-friendly shopping, a variety of restaurants, and fun areas to enjoy our nightlife. You are also just a quick walk or cab ride away from Oracle Park where you can catch an SF Giants game, the theater district where you can see a traveling Broadway show, or unique neighborhoods such as Chinatown, North Beach, and Nob Hill.
You can also easily get to the attractions and activities in Fisherman's Wharf. It's about a 20 to 25-minute ride by bus, cable car, or historic streetcar.
When I'm asked about the best places to stay in San Francisco, Union Square is my answer most of the time.
Here are a few of the top-rated hotels in this district.
- Westin St. Francis: 335 Powell Street, directly across the street from Union Square, 4-star historic hotel right on the cable car line
- The Orchard Hotel: 665 Bush Street, a couple of blocks from the square and near the cable car lines, 4-star eco-friendly boutique hotel
- Chancellor Hotel: 433 Powell Street, one of SF's tallest hotels, close to restaurants, shops, and public transit, right on the cable car line, 3-star
- The Inn at Union Square: 440 Post Street, smaller boutique hotel with just 30 rooms, friendly staff, 3.5 stars
Click here to find recent guest reviews and more details for these hotels and others.
You will also find some additional recommendations on my Union Square hotels page.
Additional Information on Union Square
Things to Do in Union Square: Find tips and ideas on what there is to see and do here. It also includes information on places close by. Discover more here.
Theater Calendar: If you would love to see a show during your stay, this is where you will find a calendar of upcoming performances. The largest productions are usually booked about a year in advance, while smaller theaters add new performances all of the time. Check back often to find new listings for your stay.
SF Museum of Modern Art: Just a short walk away, the SF MOMA is another reason why Union Square one of the best places to stay in San Francisco. This modern arts museum offers thousands of pieces from well-known artists from around the world. Find visiting tips here.
SFO to Union Square: Use my comprehensive guide to help you get from the San Francisco International Airport to Union Square.
Downtown SF Hotels: You will find some other great hotels in Union Square and all around the area on my Downtown SF Hotels page. View them here.
Fun Tours and Activities Around Union Square
Fisherman's Wharf
If you are a first-time visitor and only staying for a few days, another one of the best places to stay in San Francisco for you is Fisherman's Wharf. This busy district is along the waterfront, where you will find Pier 39, the ferries to Alcatraz, and the departure point for many of our SF Bay tours.
In addition, it's home to other popular attractions such as Ripley's Believe It or Not, and Ghirardelli Square. You will also find some great seafood restaurants here.
Fisherman's Wharf is also a great option if you are traveling with kids. You will find kid-friendly lodging all around SF (find my list of the best ones here), but a large concentration of them are in Fisherman's Wharf. Even if you are staying for several days, you will find plenty to do here with the entire family.
These are a few of the best places to stay in San Francisco in this district:
- Argonaut Hotel: 495 Jefferson Street, nautical themed hotel across the street from the waterfront, western side of Fisherman's Wharf, 4.5-star
- Hotel Zoe: 425 North Point Street, two blocks from the waterfront and all of the action, 4-star
- Hotel Zephyr: 250 Beach Street, funky hotel near the waterfront, fun games and activities in the courtyard, 3.5 stars
- Courtyard Fisherman's Wharf: 580 Beach Street, two blocks from water, nice and clean, easy to get around the district, 3-star
Read additional recommendations and recent guest reviews
Find additional lodging recommendations in Fisherman's Wharf
More Planning Tips for Staying in Fisherman's Wharf
Things to Do in Fisherman's Wharf: You can also use this page to plan your visit. It's a list of the 50 best things to do in this district by the water.
Where to Eat: My guide offers information on the best places to eat around Fisherman's Wharf. You'll find ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as some options for seafood. Check it out here.
SF Bay Cruises: Find a list of the best options and book your tickets before you arrive. Details here.
Tips to Visit Alcatraz: Millions of people visit Alcatraz every year. If it's your first visit to San Francisco, make sure to check out the tours to Alcatraz to learn more about this infamous federal prison. More info here.
Pier 39: This popular spot is home to dozens of shops, restaurants and activities. Some of the best include the 7D Experience and the Aquarium of the Bay. Learn more about Pier 39.
SF Airport to Fisherman's Wharf: Use my guide to help you plan your transit from SFO to Fisherman's Wharf.
Getting Around SF: This guide offers my tips on how to get from this district to other top districts and attractions around San Francisco. Find out more here.
More Fun Ideas for Fisherman's Wharf
Where to Find Hotel Deals
Now that you have an idea on the best places to stay in San Francisco, I recommend checking out these two sites for deals. SF hotels can be very expensive, so make sure to shop around for some deals before booking.
Booking: Find great deals all around San Francisco for your upcoming stay!
TripAdvisor: What's the #1 hotel in San Francisco? Read reviews & find hotel deals on TripAdvisor!
VRBO: Besides hotels, you'll also find some great places to stay locally through VRBO. Book an apartment or a room and feel more like a local. Find some great places to stay on VRBO here.
Other Places to Consider
In addition to these two best places to stay in San Francisco, you will find smaller hotels in other districts around town. These are great for those looking for more of a local feel or those wanting to try something different.
Here are a few other places to look:
- Civic Center & Hayes Valley: This district is close to City Hall and SF Opera, Ballet, & Symphony shows. If you are a foodie, you will also find many of the best new restaurants in Hayes Valley. Find details here.
- Haight-Ashbury: This district was home to the "Summer of Love" and other famous 60s events. Today, you will find local shops, vintage clothing, and a funky, colorful vibe. Tips to visit.
- Nob Hill: Head up the steep hills from Union Square and you will find the Nob Hill district. This area offers both high-end hotels and some great local gems. Get tips to visit this district and my recommendations on where to stay.
I've also created some recommendations based on type of hotel. These are great if you are on a tight budget, traveling with pets, or want a quaint boutique hotel.
- Cheap Hotels: My list includes clean, comfortable, inexpensive options. Find my recommendations.
- Pet-Friendly: If you decided to bring along your four-legged friend, then you will find plenty of places that allow dogs all around town. Discover my list here.
- Boutique Options: Boutique hotels typically offer a more personalized experience. They offer fewer rooms, so you feel more at home. Here are some of my recommendations.
Hi, I'm Jill!
Dreaming of a San Francisco vacation? As a proud local, I'm here to share my insider tips and personal experiences to help you make the most of this iconic city!
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