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

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$243 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
NZ$243
1 Dec - 2 Dec
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! (1,193 reviews)
The room was clean but very old. The front desk staff was wonderful, very kind and able to answer all of our questions. The location was good, pretty centrally located, easy to get to many attractions

Reviewed on 3 Nov 2025

Comfort Inn by the Bay
Cow Hollow Inn & Suites

Cow Hollow Inn & Suites

3.5 out of 5
2190 Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,422 reviews)
Kind staff, clean and so convenient

Reviewed on 5 Nov 2025

Cow Hollow Inn & Suites
Star Motel

Star Motel

2 out of 5
1727 lombard street, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$197 per night from 13 Nov to 14 Nov
NZ$197
13 Nov - 14 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Pier 39 and Alcatraz Island are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (248 reviews)
Great option for an inexpensive room and free (!) parking in San Francisco. My room was basic but newly redone, very clean, and comfortable, with nice bath products. The building itself has fairly thin walls, so I could hear nearby doors open and close, but it wasn't too bad. Would definitely ...

Reviewed on 5 Nov 2025

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$248 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
NZ$248
23 Nov - 24 Nov
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! (4,761 reviews)
Great location, very clean, professional staff! I would definitely go back there

Reviewed on 2 Nov 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$194 per night from 30 Nov to 1 Dec
NZ$194
30 Nov - 1 Dec
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! (1,956 reviews)
We chose the Hilton in the Financial District because of its proximity to the theatre we were going to. We were in for a pleasant surprise as we explored the China Town. Nice area to walk around and experience San Francisco’s Chinatown culture. Walking distance to some great food options and ...

Reviewed on 3 Nov 2025

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina

4 out of 5
200 Marina Blvd, Berkeley, CA
The price is NZ$285 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
NZ$285
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Berkeley. Enjoy free WiFi, a marina, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (3,675 reviews)
Room was older, yet clean and the bed was wonderful. Food was excellent and restaurant staff amazing. Oh, the cookies were amazing!

Reviewed on 7 Nov 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina
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 Macondray Lane.

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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