Cow Hollow Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Cow Hollow showing signage and street scenes
Cow Hollow showing signage, a city and central business district
Cow Hollow featuring markets, food and street scenes
Cow Hollow featuring signage, street scenes and a city
Cow Hollow showing signage and street scenes

Take in picturesque views of the Golden Gate Bridge and visit other well-known San Francisco attractions in this affluent neighbourhood.

Cow Hollow is a youthful, lively district with exceptional restaurants and cosy wine bars. Enjoy delicious French and Italian food and shop for specialty coffee and teas. Inspect local sights and walk to many nearby attractions, including a museum that celebrates the life of American entrepreneur and animator Walt Disney.

Wander around Cow Hollow to come across a few of the neighbourhood’s most notable buildings. Among them is the sky-blue McElroy Octagon House, a prime example of the octagon-shaped residences that became popular in the 1850s. Don’t miss the Vedanta Society Old Temple, an exuberant Hindu temple with red onion domes.

Go shopping along the main commercial stretch of Union Street, which is lined with clothing stores and restaurants. Return to Cow Hollow after dark to experience its animated nightlife scene. Bars and nightclubs can be found on Filmore Street as well as nearby Union Street.

Crissy Park is less than 2 miles (3 kilometres) from the centre of Cow Hollow. This wide grassy area is known for its sandy beaches, picnic areas and great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Pick a walking trail to trek along and spend a day outside in this pretty recreational zone.

Find the Walt Disney Family MuseumOpens in a new window next to Crissy Park. This remarkable museum features exhibits on the life of the famous animator. See original illustrations from Walt Disney’s early career and learn more about Disney’s feature-length animated films. This museum also has a gift shop and runs educational programmes for children.

The classical-style Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, which hosts music, dance and other performances, is also less than 15 minutes from Cow Hollow on foot.

Cow Hollow is located between the Marina DistrictOpens in a new window and Pacific Heights. Revel in the vibrant atmosphere of this neighbourhood. Its proximity to top city attractions make it a great jumping-off point for exploring the city.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Cow Hollow Hotel Deals

Cow Hollow Inn & Suites

Cow Hollow Inn & Suites

3.5 out of 5
2190 Lombard Street San Francisco CA
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient parking ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,434 reviews)
Was nicely appreciative of the room. It was a clean and recent remodel, did not feel old and dated. Will be my spot when a do a SF stay over.

Reviewed on 11 Dec 2025

Cow Hollow Inn & Suites
Comfort Inn by the Bay

Comfort Inn by the Bay

2.5 out of 5
2775 Van Ness Ave San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$219 per night from 18 Dec to 19 Dec
NZ$219
18 Dec - 19 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,213 reviews)
Awesome staff… very helpful. Convenient parking. Very comfortable beds.

Reviewed on 13 Dec 2025

Comfort Inn by the Bay
Star Motel

Star Motel

2 out of 5
1727 lombard street San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$143 per night from 17 Dec to 18 Dec
NZ$143
17 Dec - 18 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Pier 39 and Golden Gate Bridge are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (294 reviews)
This motel is a great deal $ for SF. Our room (and presumably all others) are newly renovated and super clean. The bathroom is especially nice with a giant walk in shower. The beds were great. If I were to stay here again, I would ask for a room at the back as the rooms facing Lombard are very noisy. ...

Reviewed on 5 Dec 2025

Star Motel
SureStay by Best Western San Francisco Marina District

SureStay by Best Western San Francisco Marina District

2.5 out of 5
1940 Lombard St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$166 per night from 23 Dec to 24 Dec
NZ$166
23 Dec - 24 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (514 reviews)
Excellent customer service! Honestly the smartest move for a comfortable and affordable stay in San Francisco. Night shift and morning shift both very welcoming and friendly.

Reviewed on 6 Dec 2025

SureStay by Best Western San Francisco Marina District
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
2500 Mason St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$319 per night from 17 Dec to 18 Dec
NZ$319
17 Dec - 18 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (7,179 reviews)
Clean room in a very nice hotel. Hotel itself outside of the rooms was quite cool in temperature.

Reviewed on 11 Dec 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Fairmont San Francisco

Fairmont San Francisco

5 out of 5
950 Mason Street Atop Nob Hill San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$527 per night from 21 Dec to 22 Dec
NZ$527
21 Dec - 22 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,426 reviews)
Wonderful

Reviewed on 9 Dec 2025

Fairmont San Francisco
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Cow Hollow

Pacific Heights showing a park

Pacific Heights

4/5(8 area reviews)

Take time in Pacific Heights to visit attractions like Van Ness Avenue and Mrs. Doubtfire House. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at California St & Van Ness Ave Stop to see more of the city.

Pacific Heights
Marina District featuring heritage architecture as well as a small group of people

Marina District

4/5(76 area reviews)

The beautiful waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Marina District. Make a stop by San Francisco Bay or Chestnut Street while you're exploring the area.

Marina District
Default Image

Russian Hill

4/5(1 area review)

Travellers choose Russian Hill for its pristine beaches. Hop aboard the metro at Hyde St & Filbert St Stop or Hyde St & Union St Stop and check out top sights like Van Ness Avenue.

Russian Hill
Nob Hill which includes a city and street scenes

Nob Hill

4/5(59 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from SF Masonic Auditorium to Cable Car Museum – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nob Hill
Default Image

Western Addition

4.5/5(20 area reviews)

Alamo Square and Painted Ladies are top sights in Western Addition, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Duboce Avenue & Noe Street Station or Duboce Ave & Church St Stop to see more sights in the area.

Western Addition
Fisherman\'s Wharf showing a bay or harbour

Fisherman's Wharf

4.5/5(7 area reviews)

Travellers love Fisherman's Wharf for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Jones St and Beach St Stop or Jefferson St & Taylor St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay.

Fisherman's Wharf


Cow Hollow Travel Guide

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