Where to Stay in Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

Good for

• First-time visitors
• Couples

Travelers who want a design-forward stay right on the waterfront, with real maritime history in the building itself.

Why we like it

• Set inside a converted 1907 cannery warehouse, with original brick and timber details throughout
• Many rooms have views of the bay, Alcatraz, or the Golden Gate Bridge
• Steps from the historic ships at Hyde Street Pier and the Maritime Museum

What to know

• At the western edge of the Wharf, a longer walk to Pier 39 and the cable car turnaround than some other Wharf hotels
• Interior-facing rooms lack the water views the hotel is known for
• Parking is valet-only, priced like most hotels in this part of the city

Good for

• Families
• Budget travelers

Families and budget-conscious travelers who want a fun, casual stay a short walk from Pier 39 and the piers.

Why we like it

• Outdoor courtyard with fire pits, giant games, and communal seating — unusual for a hotel this central
• One block from Pier 39 and the Wharf's main restaurants
• Many rooms offer partial bay views toward the Golden Gate Bridge

What to know

• Rooms are compact and simply furnished — the courtyard and public spaces are the draw, more than the rooms themselves
• Courtyard-facing rooms can pick up noise from guests using the fire pits and games in the evening
• Parking is valet-only and priced at a premium, typical for this part of the city

Good for

• Couples
• First-time visitors

Couples and first-time visitors who want a boutique feel and a bit more quiet than the hotels right on the piers.

Why we like it

• Boutique scale with contemporary rooms, a step up in style from the Wharf's larger chain hotels
• Set back from the busiest pier-front blocks, so it's a calmer base at night
• Italian restaurant on site, and an easy walk to Ghirardelli Square and the cable car turnaround

What to know

• Two blocks inland from the water — no bay views from the rooms
• Smaller property than the Wharf's big chain hotels, so amenities like the pool or gym are more limited
• Parking is valet-only