Cow Hollow Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Cow Hollow showing signage and street scenes
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

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

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$199 per night from 9 Feb to 10 Feb
NZ$199
9 Feb - 10 Feb
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! (1,286 reviews)
Had an amazing stay! My group of 4 got 1 room for 1 night, parking is simple and much cheaper than surrounding hotels. There’s a lot of coffee spots and restaurants within walking distance. The free breakfast is a huge plus, it was yummy and I loved the window seating with street view. Staff was ...

Reviewed on 23 Jan 2026

Comfort Inn by the Bay
Star Motel

Star Motel

2 out of 5
1727 lombard street San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$173 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
NZ$173
1 Feb - 2 Feb
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (353 reviews)
Room was clean, comfortable and quiet. So glad I chose to stay here and really liked the location. Staff was nice as well. Top notch stay!

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026

Star Motel
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$239 per night from 16 Feb to 17 Feb
NZ$239
16 Feb - 17 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (5,190 reviews)
Nice s

Reviewed on 28 Jan 2026

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
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$298 per night from 10 Feb to 11 Feb
NZ$298
10 Feb - 11 Feb
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! (7,323 reviews)
Very convenient/great location

Reviewed on 27 Jan 2026

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$213 per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
NZ$213
15 Feb - 16 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and Wi-Fi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,342 reviews)
Such a nice and clean area! The elevators didn’t work well but other that it was a wonderful experience!

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown

Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown

3 out of 5
701 3rd St San Francisco CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$295 per night from 20 Feb to 21 Feb
NZ$295
20 Feb - 21 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,955 reviews)
Very clean, nice staff, beautiful hotel and comfortable accomodations. We'll stay here again. 1 block from giants

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown
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 Mrs. Doubtfire House and Van Ness Avenue. 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 Chestnut Street or Bay Area Theatresports while you're exploring the area.

Marina District
Lombard Street featuring flowers, a sunset and a house

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
Alamo Square showing heritage architecture, a house and a coastal town

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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