What is Downtown San Rafael like?

Travellers to San Rafael's Downtown San Rafael neighbourhood will be sure to enjoy a stay here. Are you looking for Downtown San Rafael travel tips? Make sure that you visit Mission San Rafael Arcangel and San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park while you're in the neighbourhood.

What's a favourite place to stay in Downtown San Rafael?

Based on Expedia customer reviews, AC Hotel San Rafael Downtown is the highest ranked property in Downtown San Rafael. This hotel offers 2 restaurants and a bar.

How many hotels can I expect to find in Downtown San Rafael?

Expedia has 7 Downtown San Rafael hotels and other accommodation options, and one might make a good home base for venturing out into the greater San Rafael area.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Downtown San Rafael, will I receive a refund?

Yes! The majority of room reservations are refundable if you cancel before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which in most cases is within 24 or 48 hours of your check-in date. If you have a non-refundable reservation, it might still be possible to cancel it and receive a refund within 24 hours of booking. Put your dates in and click on "Search", then use the "fully refundable" filter to get the best options available in Downtown San Rafael.

What is there to do around this San Rafael neighbourhood?

Landmarks in Downtown San Rafael that you won't want to miss include Mission San Rafael Arcangel and Marin History Museum. You could also plan a visit to San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park or Rebound Bookstore while you're in the neighbourhood. A few places to visit in the area around Downtown San Rafael include Marin Bocce Federation, Falkirk Cultural Center and Barn Theatre. When you're sightseeing in San Rafael, Marin County Civic Center and Marin County Civic Center Farmers' Market are also worth a stop.

Downtown San Rafael Hotels: Cheap Accommodation in Downtown San Rafael

An aerial view of a city with a mix of modern and historic buildings, a prominent clock tower, and a hilly backdrop.

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Our top choices for Downtown San Rafael hotels

A rooftop terrace with outdoor seating, fire pits, and a bar area.

1. AC Hotel San Rafael Downtown

Downtown San Rafael

Courtney

includes taxes & fees

4 Dec - 5 Dec

A multi-level atrium with a central open space, seating areas, and a bar/lounge with a view of the surrounding floors.

2. Embassy Suites by Hilton San Rafael at Marin Center

3.6 km from Downtown San Rafael

Shrleen

includes taxes & fees

7 Dec - 8 Dec

A circular fire pit with seating around it, surrounded by lush greenery and a pergola overhead.

3. Best Western Corte Madera Inn

4.7 km from Downtown San Rafael

Travis

includes taxes & fees

23 Nov - 24 Nov

A sign for Marin Lodge with a 'No Vacancy' message.

4. Marin Lodge

Lincoln, 1.5 km from Downtown San Rafael

James

includes taxes & fees

8 Nov - 9 Nov

A modern hotel with a palm tree in the foreground, a parking lot, and a sunset sky.

5. Best Western Plus Novato Oaks Inn

8.7 km from Downtown San Rafael

Trenton

includes taxes & fees

6 Dec - 7 Dec

A modern outdoor living area with a stone wall, wooden deck, and outdoor furniture.

6. The Evergreen

5.4 km from Downtown San Rafael

Cynthia

includes taxes & fees

9 Nov - 10 Nov

A reception area with a wooden reception desk, a red carpet, a comfortable armchair, and a potted plant.

7. Villa Inn

Lincoln, 1.4 km from Downtown San Rafael

Jack

includes taxes & fees

8 Nov - 9 Nov

An outdoor patio with a round table, sofas, and a stone wall with a fireplace.

8. Marin Suites Hotel

4.4 km from Downtown San Rafael

Nicole

includes taxes & fees

15 Nov - 16 Nov

A fire feature with a view of mountains, a table with a plate of snacks and two glasses of wine, and wicker chairs.

9. Acqua Hotel

9.4 km from Downtown San Rafael

Sam

includes taxes & fees

23 Nov - 24 Nov

A covered outdoor seating area with stone walls, wooden furniture, and a large barrel.

10. The Lodge at Tiburon

12.4 km from Downtown San Rafael

Tom

includes taxes & fees

8 Nov - 9 Nov

A modern outdoor seating area with a pergola, glass railings, and a pathway leading to a covered deck.

11. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina

22 km from Downtown San Rafael

Rajadurai

includes taxes & fees

22 Nov - 23 Nov

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, a chair, a TV, and a large window with a city view.

12. Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

22.3 km from Downtown San Rafael

Sebastian Pablo

includes taxes & fees

29 Nov - 30 Nov

An outdoor seating area with wicker furniture, fire feature, and umbrellas.

13. Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge

25 km from Downtown San Rafael

Yan

includes taxes & fees

23 Nov - 24 Nov

A white car parked in a modern indoor space with a circular ceiling, large windows, and potted plants.

14. Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf by IHG

20.8 km from Downtown San Rafael

Angelo

includes taxes & fees

24 Nov - 25 Nov

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, a chair, a TV, and a bathroom visible through an open door.

15. La Casa Inn

20.9 km from Downtown San Rafael

Kim

includes taxes & fees

30 Nov - 1 Dec

A hotel room with a large bed, a desk with a chair, a TV, and a view of the city.

16. Comfort Inn by the Bay

21 km from Downtown San Rafael

Crystal

includes taxes & fees

1 Dec - 2 Dec

A tall hotel with a modern design, a prominent entrance, and a view of the city skyline.

17. Hilton San Francisco Financial District

22.4 km from Downtown San Rafael

Huy

includes taxes & fees

29 Nov - 30 Nov

A spacious indoor area with tables and chairs arranged around a pool, large windows offering views of the outside.

18. Four Points by Sheraton San Francisco Bay Bridge

25.3 km from Downtown San Rafael

Nurkyz

includes taxes & fees

22 Nov - 23 Nov

A spacious lobby with modern seating, a large abstract sculpture, and a high ceiling with linear lighting.

19. Hyatt Regency San Francisco

22.9 km from Downtown San Rafael

Christian

includes taxes & fees

14 Nov - 15 Nov

An outdoor seating area with wicker furniture and a fire feature, adjacent to a bar and dining area with modern decor.

20. Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown

24.5 km from Downtown San Rafael

Shea

includes taxes & fees

24 Nov - 25 Nov

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Compare popular hotels in Downtown San Rafael

Property	Property class	Guest rating
AC Hotel San Rafael Downtown	4.0 star property	9.2 Wonderful 365 reviews	View
Embassy Suites by Hilton San Rafael at Marin Center	3.5 star property	8.8 Excellent 1,006 reviews	View
Marin Lodge	2.0 star property	9.6 Exceptional 1,003 reviews	View
Best Western Plus Novato Oaks Inn	3.0 star property	9.6 Exceptional 1,003 reviews	View
Best Western Corte Madera Inn	2.5 star property	9.0 Wonderful 1,002 reviews	View

Our guide on where to stay in Downtown San Rafael

Find the best Downtown San Rafael areas for the activities you enjoy most.

Southeast San Rafael

While there might not be top attractions in Southeast San Rafael, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Larkspur Ferry Terminal and Marin Country Mart.

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Lucas Valley-Marinwood

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Lucas Valley-Marinwood and surrounding area, you can visit Marin County Civic Center and Mission San Rafael Arcangel.

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Rolling green hills with a mountain range in the background.

Terra Linda

Terra Linda might not have many top sights, but Marin County Civic Center and American Legion Log Cabin are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

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Dominican

While Dominican isn't home to many top sights, Mission San Rafael Arcangel and Marin County Civic Center are some notable places to visit nearby.

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A coastal town at sunset with a bridge in the background and fog over the water.

Canal

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Canal and surrounding area, you can visit Larkspur Ferry Terminal and Mission San Rafael Arcangel.

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Top Downtown San Rafael Hotel Reviews

Recent Reviews in Downtown San Rafael

Handlery Union Square Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"I loved the black out curtains! I was traveling the first day and I have trouble sleeping if it's too bright and those curtains were a god send. I also really enjoyed the scent of the soap and lotion they offered."

FOUND Hotel Carlton, Nob Hill

8/10 Good

"For a comfortable stay that's affordable, this is a good choice. There's an excellent restaurant Eastern European, Dacha, for a little more elevated dining than the fried food places that were more common, and it's a few steps from the hotel front door. Delicious but more expensive than I would have preferred even for a business trip. But it was the only choice for a quick and decent meal. There is no business room, per se, for teleconferencing or printing materials, so every hour or so there is someone in the lobby doing a Zoom call. But the staff were courteous and helpful. They printed a few sheets when I needed them. The area is around the hotel is gentrifying. It's about a 30 minute walk to the heart of downtown. Plenty of coffee/sandwich shops nearby. Bring ear plugs and a white noise machine if you're a sensitive sleeper. The doors to other rooms on my floor could be heard opening and closing in the late afternoon through late night; overnight, though, it was fairly quiet. Most businesses diligently washed down their stoops and sidewalks, but you have to be careful where you step, especially if you're going for a run!"

Downtown San Rafael Hotels, San Rafael

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Our top choices for Downtown San Rafael hotels

1. AC Hotel San Rafael Downtown

2. Embassy Suites by Hilton San Rafael at Marin Center

3. Best Western Corte Madera Inn

4. Marin Lodge

5. Best Western Plus Novato Oaks Inn

6. The Evergreen

7. Villa Inn

8. Marin Suites Hotel

9. Acqua Hotel

10. The Lodge at Tiburon

11. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina

12. Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

13. Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge

14. Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf by IHG

15. La Casa Inn

16. Comfort Inn by the Bay

17. Hilton San Francisco Financial District

18. Four Points by Sheraton San Francisco Bay Bridge

19. Hyatt Regency San Francisco

20. Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown

Compare popular hotels in Downtown San Rafael

Our guide on where to stay in Downtown San Rafael

Southeast San Rafael

Lucas Valley-Marinwood

Terra Linda

Dominican

Canal

Top Downtown San Rafael Hotel Reviews

Recent Reviews in Downtown San Rafael

Handlery Union Square Hotel

Frequently asked questions