Marina District Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Marina District featuring heritage architecture as well as a small group of people
Marina District featuring heritage architecture as well as a small group of people
Marina District featuring heritage architecture
Marina District which includes heritage architecture
Marina District

Visit the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre and marvel at views of the Golden Gate Bridge at this popular waterfront neighbourhood.

San Francisco’s Marina District is a stunning neighborhood next to the bay with green spaces, waterfront vistas and chic shops, restaurants and bars. Take photographs of the exquisite Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, a replica of a faux-classical structure originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition.

The Palace of Fine Arts Theatre is the only surviving structure from a collection of pieces made for the 1915 expo, a world’s fair designed to celebrate the city’s recovery from the 1906 earthquake and fire. Though it was originally made of wood, burlap and plaster, the palace was later recast in concrete and surrounds a small man-made lagoon lined with Australian eucalyptus trees. Attend an art exhibit or music performance here.

Join a guided tour of the neighborhood to find out more about its history. Admire art deco-style buildings and learn about the devastating impact of the 1906 earthquake on the city.

Enjoy picturesque views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the grass of Marina Green. This small park overlooks an acoustic sculpture known as the Wave Organ, which is located at the end of a jetty that juts out into the bay. Listen to the various sounds produced by the waves that roll in. The sculpture produces the most sound around high tide.

Discover Crissy Field to the west of the jetty. This pretty grassland and marshland area is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and offers great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The park contains an environmental education center, a restored shoreline with native wildlife and walking trails.

The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park borders the Marina District to the east. Study a collection of floating historic ships at the park’s Hyde Street Pier. Investigate the range of fascinating exhibits at the Maritime Museum in the Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building. This museum features a range of fascinating artworks inspired by San Francisco’s maritime history.

Find the Marina District east of Crissy Field and the Golden Gate Bridge. Bus services connect it to other parts of the city.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Marina District 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$247 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
NZ$247
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,065 reviews)
AWESOME
"For a hotel in San Francisco close to Fishermans wharf, which was only a mile away it was easily in walking distance was super affordable. My sister and I spent a whole week in San Francisco, and the hotel staff was extremely nice, and also helpful. The room was nice. I do wish they had a microwave ..."

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

Comfort Inn by the Bay
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$271 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
NZ$271
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,338 reviews)
"Our room was situated next door to the elevators. Could hear their constant background whir. The room itself was small. Super low ceiling hallway to enter sleeping area with more normal height ceiling one entered. Room itself was adequately clean—not impeccable. Had requested view—was on 22nd floor ..."

Reviewed on 21 Jul. 2025

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$288 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
NZ$288
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,613 reviews)
"Friendly and professional staff"

Reviewed on 23 Jul. 2025

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 24 Aug to 25 Aug
NZ$213
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,509 reviews)
"Room was a good size, the AC worked well, decent view, quiet, comfy bed. I wish hotels would ramp up coffee creamer selection in the room. Most are very blah. Overall a very nice hotel located well. Bellhop held on to our luggage and was extremely helpful. All other staff was as well."

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

4 out of 5
5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$409 per night from 25 July to 26 July
NZ$409
25 July - 26 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,769 reviews)
"great location, awesome views."

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

Hyatt Regency San Francisco
InterContinental Mark Hopkins by IHG

InterContinental Mark Hopkins by IHG

4 out of 5
999 California Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$343 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$343
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,052 reviews)
"I always stay there in SF."

Reviewed on 21 Jul. 2025

InterContinental Mark Hopkins by IHG
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 Marina District

Cow Hollow showing signage and street scenes

Cow Hollow

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants a bustling marina and top sights from Union Street to Van Ness Avenue – discover Cow Hollow, a destination also famous for its shopping.

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
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 Macondray Lane.

Russian Hill
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
Nob Hill which includes a city and street scenes

Nob Hill

4/5(59 area reviews)

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

Nob Hill
North Beach showing skyline and a city

North Beach

4.5/5(124 area reviews)

Travellers love North Beach for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Columbus Ave & Lombard St Stop or Columbus Ave & Chestnut St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay.

North Beach

Marina District Travel Guide

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