Where to Stay in San Francisco

How to Determine Where to Stay in San Francisco

San Francisco is blessed with excellent public transportation, so choosing where to stay in San Francisco can often start by asking what areas have both access to the BART and a hotel. The BART is San Francisco’s subway it connects to Oakland, Berkeley, South SF, 2 airports and reaches deep into the southern and eastern suburbs. It can move travelers in and out of downtown quickly, and considering is often a solution to find affordable places to stay outside San Francisco. Below are brief descriptions about several neighborhoods that have both hotels and access to public transit.

SF Map – Hotels Near BART Stations

Best Places to Stay in San Francisco

A list of the best places to stay in neighborhoods with a BART.

Where	Station	Commute	Hotel	Why	Avg. WK	Avg. WKD	Parking
Berkeley	North Berkeley	30 mins	Rodeway Inn	Best Value	$161	$182	Free
Berkeley	Downtown Berkeley	30 mins	Berkeley City Club	Historic	$172	$195	Paid
Downtown SF	Powell	0 mins	Moser	Rates, SFO Shuttle	$131	$125	Paid
Downtown SF	Civic Center	5 mins	Holiday Inn	Rates, Pool	$139	$186	Paid
Downtown SF	Montgomery	0 mins	Palace	Luxury	$320	$263	Paid
Downtown SF	Embarcadero	5 mins	Harbor	Best for Tourist	$343	$206	Paid
East Bay Area	Dubline / Pleasanton	45 mins	Best Western	Best Value	$143	$129	Free
East Bay Area	West Dublin	45 mins	Holiday Inn	For Families	$169	$110	Free
East Bay Area	Hayward	35 mins	Hampton	Good Reviews	$227	$170	Free
Hip Urban SF	16th Street	10 mins	1906 Mission	Boutique	$170	$116	Paid
OAK Airport	Oakland Airport	30 mins	Courtyard	Rates	$99	$122	Paid
Oakland	Downtown Oakland	10 mins	Washington	Best Value	$123	$123	Paid
SFO Ariport	Millbrae / SFO	30 mins	Dylan	Rates & Reviews	$172	$137	Free
SFO Ariport	San Bruno	30 mins	Stay Bridge Suites	Good Reviews	$278	$171	Free
South SF	South SF	30 mins	Traverls Inn	Best Value	$149	$169	Free
South SF	Colma	30 mins	Hampton Inn	Free Parking	$241	$206	Free
Suburbs NE Bay Area	Pleasant Hill / Contra	40 mins	Extended Stay	For Families	$130	$112	Free

Where	Hotel	Why
Berkeley	Rodeway Inn	Best Value
Berkeley	Berkeley City Club	Historic
Downtown SF	Moser	Rates, SFO Shuttle
Downtown SF	Holiday Inn	Rates, Pool
Downtown SF	Palace	Luxury
Downtown SF	Harbor	Best for Tourist
East Bay Area	Best Western	Best Value
East Bay Area	Holiday Inn	For Families
East Bay Area	Hampton	Good Reviews
Hip Urban SF	1906 Mission	Boutique
OAK Airport	Courtyard	Rates
Oakland	Washington	Best Value
SFO Ariport	Dylan	Rates & Reviews
SFO Ariport	Stay Bridge Suites	Good Reviews
South SF	Traverls Inn	Best Value
South SF	Hampton Inn	Free Parking
Suburbs NE Bay Area	Extended Stay	For Families

Where to Stay in Downtown San Francisco

Quick access to all major tourist destinations.

Stay in Mission District

The 16th Street BART station is in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District. It’s a vibrant city neighborhood that changes dramatically block by block. Some areas are full of hipsters, others are marked by corner bodegas and taquerias, and others should be avoided at night. It’s a great place to stay if you want to stray off the beaten path, but not too far. Learn more.

Stay in Union Square

Powell Street is a North-South thoroughfare taking you from Market Street through to Fisherman’s Wharf in the heart of San Francisco. This area is filled with young professionals and singles with dogs. It’s very expensive to live in this area and nearby areas in downtown San Francisco, so many people live in small apartments with roommates. Families tend to move into the suburbs. However, tourists with families love this part of San Francisco. Learn more.

Stay Along the Bay in Downtown San Francisco

The BART Embarcadero Station is located where vibrant Market Street meets the picturesque eastern waterfront of the San Francisco Bay. High-rise residential and commercial buildings tower over the neighborhood. By day, this area is bustling with an eclectic mixture of business people, shoppers, tourists, and street performers. Local eateries and bars cater to the business crowd and tourists alike. Although vibrant during business hours, the district becomes abruptly quiet during evening hours. Learn more.

Stay Across the Bay in Oakland & Berkeley

Staying across the Bay can bring about saving, and offer up more sites.

Stay In Berkeley

Downtown Berkeley sits just north of Oakland near both the city and preserved natural areas. The name Berkeley historically conjures up images of hippies, tie-dye, college students, progressive politics, and protests. While that culture and social change remain a constant part of the area’s heritage, the area is home to all types of people and activities. Learn More.

Stay in Downtown Oakland

Known as the grittier “other city on the bay,” Oakland is home to a vibrant arts culture, incredible food scene, and has a strong sense of community and history. It’s a bit warmer, less foggy, and less expensive than San Francisco and has garnered loyal residents from these qualities. Learn More.

South SF, Near SFO Airport

Quick commute into the city while close to SFO, save on hotels.

Stay in South SF

South San Francisco is a suburban, partially industrial neighborhood not far from San Francisco Airport. There’s not much to do close to the station, but it is a safe neighborhood where many families live. If you venture further from the station in South San Francisco you can find some fun things to do. Learn More.

Stay Next to SFO Airport

Millbrae is close to the San Francisco airport, it’s just 15 minutes away on the BART. Many families live in this area that’s known mostly as a transit hub, even historically. A streetcar linking San Francisco and San Mateo went through Millbrae around the turn of the Twentieth century and the area has continued to flourish as a great place to pass through or base yourself to visit many nearby areas. Learn More.

Where to Stay for Families

Staying in the comfortable east bay suburbs offers up savings.

Stay in Dublin / Pleasanton

Dublin/Pleasanton is a small town meets suburban neighborhood outside of San Francisco that is home to several large corporations. Oracle headquarters is right next to the BART. Families and young professionals who work at Oracle or other nearby corporations call Dublin/Pleasanton home. Learn More.

Stay in Pleasant Hill

Families might consider this a good option because California Water World is only a 10-minute drive from the station. The larger surrounding area is known as Walnut Creek and also is home to a Butterfly Garden. Learn More.