Recommended Hotel: Washington Inn
Why: Best Rates, Free Breakfast, Restaurant with Full Bar

The Washington Inn is the cheapest hotel ($122/night) in Downtown Oakland and it also has good amenities like free breakfast and inexpensive parking. The Clarion, Marriott, and Courtyard Marriott are all fine hotels, but nothing special for the increased price tag starting at $179 a night and going up well over $250 per night. Some guests at The Washington Inn complained that the rooms are small, but it seemed to be a minor complaint when location and price are factored in. Guests like the bar in the lobby as a place to relax in the evenings. We recommend The Washington Inn to couples and solo travelers.

Getting Around: Three BART stations are located beneath downtown; 12th Street/Oakland City Center and 19th Street are under Broadway, while Lake Merritt is in the eastern part of Chinatown. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is roughly 50 minutes away from these BART stations, while Oakland Airport is only 10 minutes away. AC Transit offers bus service throughout the city, too.

Recommended Hotel: Courtyard Marriott
Why: Best Rates, Cleanliness

There are numerous hotels near the Oakland Airport and nearby BART station. We recommend staying at the cheapest hotel, which is the Courtyard Oakland Airport. It’s also the closest hotel to the BART station for easy access to points throughout San Francisco. You can also expect a high standard of cleanliness from the Marriott brand. Breakfast is available for purchase and there’s also a seasonal outdoor pool. The La Quinta Inn is also a nice choice because it’s almost as cheap as the Courtyard Oakland Airport, but offers free parking and free breakfast. The Hilton Oakland Airport and Holiday Inn Express are also nice, however, they are much more expensive.

Getting Around: The BART doesn’t service Oakland Airport directly, but there is a shuttle bus from the Airport to the BART. From the Oakland Airport/Coliseum BART station it takes about 30 minutes to reach downtown San Francisco.

Recommended Hotel: Travelers Inn
Why: Friendly and Helpful Staff, Fridge, Microwave and Coffee Pot In All Rooms

There are two cheap motels near the South San Francisco BART: Royal Inn and Travelers Inn. While the Royal Inn is the cheapest at an average of $89/night, you’re getting what you pay for here. Over hundreds of online reviews, guests consistently complain that the hotel is dirty and the staff are unhelpful. That’s why we recommend spending a bit more (about $149-169/night) to stay at the Travelers Inn. Guest compliment the Travelers Inn on cleanliness and friendly staff. The rooms at Travelers Inn also have microwaves, mini fridges, and coffee pots with complimentary coffee and tea. If you’re willing to take a risk on cleanliness to save money, go with the Royal Inn. Otherwise, we recommend Travelers Inn.

Getting Around: The access to BART allows you to be in the heart of San Francisco in just 20 minutes. Or you could take the CalTrain from another nearby station and end up in Redwood City in 35 minutes.

Recommended Hotel: Holiday Inn
Why: Best Rates, Closest to BART, Free Parking

Of the four hotels near the West Dublin BART we recommend the Holiday Inn. It offers the best combination of good rates and walkability to the BART station (just four blocks away). The Pleasanton Marriott and Residence Inn are both nice hotels, but much more expensive and much farther from the BART. The Sheraton has reasonable rates and is also near the BART, but breakfast is an added charge whereas it’s a free buffet at the Holiday Inn. Guests note that the age of the Holiday Inn is noticeable in the decor, but it has been updated with an ample amount of plugs for charging devices and it is clean. We recommend looking at the Holiday Inn before any of the other hotels in this area.

Getting Around: Travelers coming up I-5 or I-80 will appreciate this location for affordable rates, free parking, and easy access to the BART for commuting into San Francisco or Oakland. This location might be ideal for visitors who are on their way to wine country, Yosemite, or Tahoe and want to take a day to see San Francisco by utilizing the BART. It also might be an option for those who want to visit Oakland by day, but stay in a more affluent area during the evening.

Recommended Hotel: Best Western
Why: Best Rates, Free Parking, Free Breakfast includes Hot Items

Of the eight hotels in the Dublin/Pleasanton area, La Quinta Inn and Best Western are closest to the BART station. Of these, the Best Western is cheaper, but doesn’t have a gym. Otherwise, the amenities at both hotels are comparable: free breakfast, free self parking, free wireless in all rooms, and an outdoor swimming pool. Across hundreds of online reviews, guests had very few complaints about the Best Western and primarily complimented the clean rooms and friendly staff. The case is similar at the La Quinta, guests particularly appreciate the microwave and fridge in each room. Both the Best Western and La Quinta are good choices, but we recommend the Best Western because of the better rates.

Getting Around: A ride into downtown San Francisco will cost $6.15 for adults, $2.30 for children, and take about 50 minutes; you will not need to transfer lines. Oakland airport is a 20-minute BART ride, and will cost $9.95 for adults. Expect to spend about 45 minutes in transit getting from the Oakland airport.

Recommended Hotel: Staybridge Suites
Why: Walking Distance to BART, Complimentary Breakfast and Social Hours, Outdoor Pool, Pets Allowed

If you’d like to be easy walking distance to the San Bruno BART station, then the best hotel for you in this area is the Staybridge Suites. It’s expensive with rates ranging from $170-$280/night depending on the season and day of the week, but it is a beautiful hotel with suites available. Guests also note that the complimentary breakfast is delicious and the complimentary social hours some evenings serve hearty appetizers. The fitness center has a pool as well as a basketball court. If you don’t mind a bit of a longer walk to the BART station and would rather save money, then the Bayhill Inn is much cheaper with rates hovering around $115/night and over hundreds of online reviews guests have no major complaints about it. But we still prefer the Staybridge Suites because of their great amenities and proximity to public transit.

Getting Around: From San Bruno, you’ll spend about 25 minutes on the BART to reach downtown. But, you’re just five minutes from the San Francisco International Airport on the BART so it’s a great area to stay in right before a flight out of SFO.

Recommended Hotel: Hampton Inn
Why: Free Covered Parking, Free Hot Breakfast

Both hotels near the Colma BART station are good choices in their own way. The Camino Inn is very cheap at $88, it’s basic with no restaurant, gym, or shuttle. But we recommend the Hampton Inn even though it’s an average of $206 per night on weekends and $242 per night on weekdays. The Hampton Inn offers free breakfast, WiFi in each room, and parking. Guests like the little extra touches at the Hampton Inn like complimentary cookies at check-in and on-site laundry facilities. In addition to easy access to BART, it’s also easy to get on the freeway from this area. Overall, the Hampton Inn is the best choice in Colma.

Getting Around: From Colma, it’s about 20 minutes on the BART to Powell St. in the heart of downtown San Francisco or to the San Francisco International Airport, which are in opposite directions. Allow 90 minutes to get to the Oakland Airport via the BART and airport shuttle bus.

Recommended Hotel: Harbor Court Hotel
Why: Outdoor Pool, Complimentary Wine Hour, On-Site Restaurant

The Embarcadero area is an excellent area for sightseeing in San Francisco. Because it’s so close to the Bay and Ferry Plaza, the room rates in this area are all expensive. The best value you will find is at the Harbor Court. The $205/night average weekend rate is a steal in this area; on weekdays you’ll pay closer to $342/night. The outdoor seasonal pool is great for kids to enjoy while parents relax. The on-site restaurant, Ozumo, serves Japanese cuisine and is known for sushi and seasonal cocktails. The complimentary wine hour is a fun way to socialize in the evenings. Some guests do complain that the rooms are small, but that’s to be expected in this area. Overall, we recommend Harbor Court to mature couples who wish to be right in the heart of the sightseeing action.

Recommended Hotel: Holiday Inn
Why: Best Rates, Heated Outdoor Pool, Breakfast Available

There are five hotels near the Civic Center BART station, but we prefer The Good Hotel or the Holiday Inn Civic Center. These hotels have comparable rates that are the best in the area. Both have free wireless internet in all rooms, outdoor swimming pools, and parking available for a daily fee. But we give our final preference to Holiday Inn because they have an on-site restaurant that serves breakfast. There’s no food service at The Good Hotel. However, guests at The Good Hotel also love that there are free bicycles available for guests to borrow. We recommend the Holiday Inn Civic Center to travelers visiting San Francisco for concerts at nearby venues who want a standard hotel with all the amenities.

Recommended Hotel: Dylan Hotel
Why: Best Rates, Complimentary Airport Shuttle, Free Parking

There are two hotels near the Millbrae BART station that are great for overnights near the airport: The Dylan and Fairfield Inn & Suites. We recommend The Dylan because the prices are slightly cheaper and the hundreds of online reviews are slightly better than Fairfield Inn & Suites. Both hotels offer shuttle service to SFO Airport. The Dylan also has the benefit of free parking. As The Dylan is just two blocks from the BART, you can hear some train noise, but most guests said it wasn’t enough to be bothersome. Overall, either hotel would be fine, but The Dylan has a slight edge in our view.

Recommended Hotel: The Moser
Why: Best Rates, Complimentary Airport Shuttle

There are sixteen hotels near the Powell Street BART station in the heart of San Francisco, but we’d start by looking at just three, Hotel Fusion, Hotel Zetta, and The Mosser. All three are boutique hotels with rates averaging $200 or below. The brand name hotels in the area like the Marriott and Hilton average well over $200 per night. The Mosser is the cheapest at just $130 per night and offers a complimentary shuttle to the airport. The main drawback to The Mosser is the small rooms, but if you’re mostly planning to sightsee and just sleep in the hotel, this shouldn’t be a problem. All three hotels have an on-site restaurant and valet parking for a daily fee. The Mosser and Hotel Zetta both offer breakfast for purchase, while the Hotel Fusion does not have a breakfast option. The Marriott and Westin also have on-site restaurants, breakfast for purchase, and valet parking, but parking is more expensive and you’ll have to pay for WiFi in your room whereas it’s free at all three boutique choices. Given the boutique options are less expensive and all the options are clean and located near BART, we recommend The Mosser.

Recommended Hotel: Hampton Inn
Why: Spacious, Comfortable Rooms, Outdoor Pool, Friendly Staff

If you wish to be walking distance from the Hayward BART station, you can choose from the Days Inn or Hampton Inn. While the Days Inn is the cheaper option, guests consistently complain about this hotel across hundreds of online reviews. The Hampton Inn, on the other hand, gets consistently good ratings, so it’s worth paying the average $170/night on weekends and $226/night on weekdays. Parking, breakfast, and WiFi are all free. Guests speak highly about the spacious, clean rooms and the perk of having an outdoor pool. So even though the Days Inn is cheaper, we prefer the Hampton Inn for stays in the Hayward area.

Recommended Hotel: Berkeley City Club
Why: Best Rates, Parking Available, Indoor Pool

For the best value in Downtown Berkeley we recommend the Berkeley City Club over Hotel Shattuck Plaza. The Berkeley City Club has an average rate of $180/night. They also offer parking, which the Hotel Shattuck Plaza does not. Some guests think the Berkeley City Club (designed by Julia Morgan) is really charming and historic, while others find it dated. A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning in the second floor breakfast room. The indoor pool is one of the most beautiful hotel pools in San Francisco. We recommend the Berkeley City Club to travelers looking for great amenities and affordable rates.

Recommended Hotel: Extended Stay America
Why: Best Rates, Free Parking, Kitchenettes in Rooms

Of the four hotel choices in the Contra Costa Centre/Pleasant Hill area, we recommend the Extended Stay America over the Embassy Suites, Holiday Inn, and Renaissance. Extended Stay America is by far the cheapest hotel in the area with rates below $130/night and parking is free. The rooms have kitchenettes and you can request dishes from reception, which guests like so they can do their own cooking or heat up leftovers from restaurants. However, some guests do note that from time to time dishes are not available. The main drawback of Extended Stay America is the lack of free breakfast and a fitness center. If you would like these amenities, then you could try the Holiday Inn where rates range from $150-$210/night. Guests also noted that the staff at the Holiday Inn go above and beyond to make your stay special. Overall, we recommend Extended Stay America to travelers who would like an inexpensive room with kitchen facilities.

Recommended Hotel: 1906 Mission
Why: Cozy Atmosphere, Complimentary Snacks Daily, Affordable Rates

You’ll find the 1906 Mission right next to the 16th Street BART station. It’s the only hotel in walking distance of the BART station, but it would be a great choice even if it had competition. The average nightly rate is just $116 on weekdays and $170 on weekends. Guests appreciate the cozy decor and availability of complimentary tea, coffee, water, cookies, and fruit throughout the day. Bathrooms are shared, which we know can be a dealbreaker for some, but the bathrooms received very few complaints and many compliments on cleanliness in online reviews. Guests have expressed appreciation for the bathrobes available in each room. All in all, the 1906 Mission seems like a relaxing place to stay.

Recommended Hotel: Rodeway Inn
Why: Best Rates, Reviews, Free WiFi

None of the four hotels near the North Berkeley BART station are very exciting, so we recommend the Rodeway Inn because it has the best rates and least complaints across hundreds of online reviews. All four hotels have free internet in guest rooms, free parking, and free breakfast. Even though smoking rooms are available at the Rodeway Inn, there are very few complaints about a smoking smell and most guests think it is very clean. Guests also like that the rooms have microwaves and mini fridges.

Recommended Hotel: Palace Hotel
Why: Restaurant On-Site, Luxury Hotel, Indoor Pool

Both hotels in the Montgomery area are expensive at over $300 per night on weekdays and around $250/night on weekends. Plus, both the Palace Hotel and Galleria Park Hotel only offer expensive valet parking. But they are very nice hotels. Of the two, we recommend the Palace Hotel because they have a restaurant that serves breakfast and an indoor pool. Guests at the Palace Hotel are also generally impressed with the cleanliness and elegance of the hotel. Guests generally compliment the cleanliness of the Galleria Park as well, but complain about the small size of the rooms. At this price point, we prefer the hotel that gets almost no complaints among hundreds of reviews and that’s the Palace.

BART Basics

This system was built to act as a regional commuter train. Its strength is providing quick access to San Francisco and Oakland airports into the downtown hubs of San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley. The biggest pitfall with the BART is that it does not connect visitors to popular tourist destinations like Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Park, or areas along the coast line. The Muni helps in this area. The BART is also handy for those driving in from I-5 or I-80 and desire a hotel east of the bay where rates are affordable and parking is free.

Caltrain Basics

This system runs from San Francisco to San Jose connecting Silicon Valley and Stanford in its path. It will provide access to the San Jose Airport. The Caltrain has express routes helping make travel between San Jose and SF quicker. The major pitfall of this system is that it does not connect riders into the heart of San Francisco. The last station is at AT&T park leaving riders 13 blocks short of Union Square in downtown. There is a Muni bus which will connect riders into the city called the 81X Caltrain Express. Generally speaking the Caltrain is completely useless for tourist and mainly used for business travelers who need access to Silicon Valley.

Muni Basics

The Muni is the name for San Francisco’s network of buses, cable cars, and light rail trains. MUNI rail helps pick up where the BART leaves off. It helps riders’ access destinations west of the city toward the coast and will get you to AT&T Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, and move riders along the bay front piers via its street car F line. Muni buses help connect visitors with Presidio, The Golden Gate Bridge, and Lombardy Street.

Cable Car Basics

A staple of San Francisco. These iconic street cars are more useful for tourist. There are three lines, the Powell-Mason, Powell-Hyde and California line. The Powell connects the major hotel hub near Union Square to the major tourist hub Fisherman’s Wharf.

SFO Access

The BART connects directly with the terminal. Ride time into downtown San Francisco is about 30 minutes along the yellow line and will cost adults $8.35 one way. The Caltrain does connect directly with the terminal, but it can be accessed by taking the BART to the Millbrae station. This station is one stop south away from downtown SF.

OAK Access

The BART does not connect directly with the terminal; you must use the AirBart shuttle which costs $3. The Amtrak station is next to the BART station that connects with the Airport. The BART ride time into downtown SF is about 20 minutes and costs $3.85 for adult riders.

San Jose Airport

The Caltrain does not connect directly with the terminal, riders will need to use the FREE shuttle provided at the Santa Clara station. Ride time to SF is about an hour depending on the train. The fare is $8.75. The shuttle will also connect riders with the VTA which is San Jose’s light rail system that can connect riders with downtown San Jose.

Fisherman’s Wharf , Pier 39, Alcatraz

The Muni street car F line (Market & Wharves) is the closest connection. This line will connect you will all of the major peers along the bay front. The BART Embarcadero station connects with this line. The cable car Powel-Mason or Powell Hyde lines will connect within a few blocks of Fisherman’s Wharf. These are easily accessed from downtown near union square.

Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Gardens

The Muni N line stop of 9th Ave. & Irving will place you within a 10 minute walk of the Japanese Tea Gardens inside Golden Gate Park. The N line connects with the BART at all of the major downtown stations.

Golden Gate Bridge

There are no rail routes that connect with the Golden Gate Bridge, but there is a bus line. Use the 28th-29th Avenue line to travel between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge. The bus line Marin Headlines Express will pick riders up downtown, and take them all the way across the bridge, but this line falls short of giving riders access to the best bridge lookout areas.