Downtown San Francisco Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A trolley on a street with buildings and a clock tower.
A busy urban street with tall buildings, including a red brick building and a modern skyscraper.
A street lined with shops and restaurants, including a seafood restaurant and a Canton Bazaar.
A city street with tall buildings, a clear sky, and a distant mountain range.
A city street lined with buildings, trees, and outdoor seating areas.

Stay near popular Downtown San Francisco attractions

A pedestrian bridge over a river with a stadium and a boat dock in the background.

Oracle Park

8.8/10 (7,978 reviews)
Whether or not you’re a baseball fan, this charming ballpark with outstanding views should be on your San Francisco sightseeing list.
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Activities

Golden Gate Bay Cruise Service: sail around Alcatraz!

Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Sail Around Alcatraz! (1-hour)

NZ$67
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Sail Around Alcatraz! (1-hour)
Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 25+ Attractions

Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 30+ Attractions

NZ$189
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 30+ Attractions
California Academy of Sciences General Admission

California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission

NZ$95
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission
Golden Gate Bridge at night

San Francisco Night Tour

NZ$92
per adult
78% of travellers recommend
San Francisco Night Tour
City Sightseeing San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

City Sightseeing San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

NZ$95
per adult
City Sightseeing San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
San Francisco: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoia Tour

San Francisco: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Tour

NZ$356
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
San Francisco: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Tour
See all activities in San Francisco

Our pick of the best Downtown San Francisco Hotel Deals

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$294 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
NZ$294
7 Sept - 8 Sept
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (6,227 reviews)
"The staff is always excellent and polite and helpful housekeeping staff"

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2026

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Handlery Union Square Hotel

Handlery Union Square Hotel

3.5 out of 5
351 Geary St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$323 per night from 10 Sept to 11 Sept
NZ$323
10 Sept - 11 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,482 reviews)
"Great location in union square and easy transportation to anywhere. Kids loved the small outdoor pool. Easy in and out parking although pricey."

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2026

Handlery Union Square Hotel
Hilton San Francisco Union Square

Hilton San Francisco Union Square

4 out of 5
333 O'Farrell St. San Francisco CA
Fully refundable
The price is NZ$325 per night from 3 Sept to 4 Sept
NZ$325
3 Sept - 4 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy 2 bars/lounges, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,621 reviews)
"Great experience"

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2026

Hilton San Francisco Union Square
Chancellor Hotel on Union Square

Chancellor Hotel on Union Square

3.5 out of 5
433 Powell St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$172 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
NZ$172
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
Parc 55 San Francisco - A Hilton Hotel

Parc 55 San Francisco - A Hilton Hotel

4 out of 5
55 Cyril Magnin St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$300 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
NZ$300
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,649 reviews)
"Great hotel - super clean, but felt like the room was a little outdated. Housekeeping was wonderful and thorough. This is only personal preference, but the pillows were extremely uncomfortable as well. And just one last minor request - include paper and pens in your rooms please. :)"

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2026

Parc 55 San Francisco - A Hilton Hotel
Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero, San Francisco

Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero, San Francisco

4 out of 5
424 Clay St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$280 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
NZ$280
30 Aug - 31 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero, San Francisco
See all 855 properties in Downtown 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.

Our guide on where to stay in Downtown San Francisco

Find the best Downtown San Francisco areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Downtown San Francisco
Learn more about Downtown San Francisco
A street with shops, including a crystal shop and a crepes cafe.

Fisherman's Wharf

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.

A cityscape with tall buildings, a central plaza with palm trees, and a flag on one of the buildings.

Union Square

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Union Square. Check out top attractions like Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators and Union Square, and jump on the metro at Powell St & Geary Blvd Stop or Powell St & Post St Stop to see more of the city.

A cityscape with modern skyscrapers, a central park with pathways, and a few people walking.

South of Market

Gourmet restaurants great entertainment and top sights from Oracle Park to San Francisco Bay – discover South of Market, a destination also famous for its shopping.

A street lined with historic buildings, parked cars, and a clear blue sky.

Nob Hill

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

A yellow scooter with a driver and passenger, a palm tree, and a cityscape with multi-story buildings.

Russian Hill

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.

Downtown San Francisco Travel Guide

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