There’s a reason San Francisco's Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the most famous destinations in the United States, if not the world. Make that several reasons: On a clear day, and from the right location in the neighborhood, you can feast your eyes on panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and sprawling San Francisco Bay. That’s just the eye candy. The district is also chock full of museums, parks, shops, historic family-owned seafood restaurants, and entertainment options.
The best part about visiting this iconic area is that you can stay right in the heart of it. Booking a hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf is a win-win: It puts you within walking distance of the area’s biggest draws, such as Pier 39 and Ghirardelli Square, and it allows easy access to public transit that can zip you around to other parts of the city.
Best San Francisco Hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf for: Chic Travelers
Hotel Zoe
Stylish and offbeat at the same time, Hotel Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf provides an extremely inviting base for excursions into the neighborhood, and the city at large. Rooms are sleek and comfortable, cast in muted tones and outfitted with up-to-date technology.
Top Perk: Enjoy complimentary bicycle rentals, an elegant courtyard with fire pits, lounge seating, and free s’mores(!) from 5 to 7 p.m. daily. Plus, it’s a pet-friendly space.
Need to Know: Zoe’s many amenities include complimentary morning coffee, credit at hotel restaurant Pescatore Trattoria, concierge service, and discounts at SF restaurants, among others.
Best San Francisco Hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf for: Families with Young Kids
Hotel Caza
Hotel Caza Fisherman’s Wharf is a crisply designed, family-friendly hotel that combines terrific access to the iconic neighborhood with in-house options to entertain youngsters. Adults can enjoy Caza’s blue-brick backsplash and sleek design, as well as the in-house watering hole, Cazbar, which is ideal for meeting friends and enjoying California wines, craft beer on tap, or inventive cocktails. Book through AAA and get up to 25 percent off your room rate.
Top Perk: Kids will love the Game Zone, where they can play foosball, pool, jumbo Jenga, and video and arcade games.
Need to Know: Visit during the holidays and explore the VIP Kids Holiday Experience, which treats little ones to a serious swag bag and a cookies-and-milk social hour.
Best San Francisco Hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf for: Affordability
Holiday Inn Express San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf
Holiday Inn Express Fisherman’s Wharf is within easy walking distance of Pier 39, where visitors can watch street performers, tour the Aquarium of the Bay, or check out the herd of California sea lions who’ve made the pier’s K-Dock their home since 1989. Also: Kids eat free, and full breakfast is included with your room rate.
Top Perk: Pet-friendly and smoke-free, the Holiday Inn Express Fisherman’s Wharf is a budget option that sits just two blocks from the cable car lines, offering convenient access to city attractions beyond the Wharf.
Need to Know: With daily housekeeping, concierge services, and language interpretation—the hotel has staffers who speak English, Spanish, French, Chinese, and Tagalog—this spot will surprise with its level of service at an unbeatable price.
Best San Francisco Hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf for: Luxury
Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square
The Fairmont is a combination luxury hotel and private residence club offering furnished one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments with fireplaces and full kitchens. It also provides pamper-yourself services. If you’re going all-out, this gem built into the historic Ghirardelli Chocolate factory is the place for you.
Top Perk: The Fairmont Heritage Place is a 5-star hotel with pull-out-all-the-stops amenities—including pre-arrival itinerary-planning and grocery shopping, in-suite massage, and personal chefs and waiters. But the No. 1 perk here may just be the jaw-dropping views of San Francisco Bay.
Need to Know: If your unit doesn’t happen to be blessed with a spectacular view, don’t worry: Just head for the spacious rooftop terrace, which has two fire pits and overlooks the majestic waterfront.
Best San Francisco Hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf for: Playful Couples
Hotel Zephyr
You’ll hear the word “funky” a lot in any discussion of Hotel Zephyr, and the place does march to the beat of its own (syncopated) drummer; Walls are made of repurposed shipping containers and chairs are fashioned from vintage waterfront signage. But it’s supremely functional too, with comfortable, stylish rooms and of course, an ideal location within walking distance of ferries, cable cars, and wharf attractions.
Top Perk: The main attraction of this fun-forward, maritime-themed establishment is The Yard, an 8,000-square-foot outdoor play area replete with fire pits, an enormous periscope, eye-catching sculptures, a gigantic Connect 4 game, shuffleboard, and other games.
Need to Know: Book a two-night weekend stay and get 20 percent off. There’s also a 10 percent discount for booking early.
Best San Francisco Hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf for: Families
San Francisco Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf
The San Francisco Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf is a solid, reliable option in a world-class location. It’s just three blocks from the wharf and Ghirardelli Square, two blocks away from cable cars that can transport you to Union Square or Nob Hill, and a 10-minute stroll from North Beach, San Francisco’s Little Italy neighborhood.
Top Perk: The large rooms with bright, modern design and quality service at a competitive price are the primary perks of this waterfront Marriott. The comparatively large and well-equipped fitness center is also a plus.
Need to Know: Given the proximity to local attractions, you could avoid bringing a car. But if you do, check the website for parking discount packages.
Best San Francisco Hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf for: Local History
Argonaut Hotel
Housed in a former canning factory built in 1907, the Argonaut is loaded with atmosphere, charm, and a deep sense of local history. The nautical design accents perfectly complement the Argonaut’s Fisherman’s Wharf surroundings and proximity to both Aquatic Park Cove and the National Maritime Visitor Center.
Top Perk: Its stately brick building and tasteful maritime decor are huge draws on their own. Onsite seafood restaurant Blue Mermaid extends the nautical ambience while serving up three kinds of chowder, steamed mussels, and a fish of the day.
Need to Know: Argonaut provides various discounts and offers throughout the year. Ask which ones are available, and you could score free valet parking, food and beverage credits, or a discounted continental breakfast at the Blue Mermaid.
Best San Francisco Hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf for: Lounging Poolside
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf
This recently renovated property boasts hyper-stylish rooms, a comfy courtyard, a sun terrace, and an above-average fitness center. It’s also just five blocks from the vibrant attractions at Pier 39 and only three blocks from cable cars that can whisk you to other parts of San Francisco. There’s also a complimentary breakfast buffet.
Top Perk: The Riu has a beautiful outdoor pool, conveniently heated for those occasionally brisk San Francisco summers.
Need to Know: For the best night’s sleep, request a room away from the hotel’s street side, which is closer to neighborhood nightlife. Explore the Riu Class program for 10 percent discounts and other offers.
Best San Francisco Hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf for: Business Travelers
Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf
Top Perk: In-house restaurant Brick & Beam serves seasonal, locally sourced dishes in a building constructed in 1868 to house a marble works and stone-cutting company. Think exposed brick, plenty of warm wood, and leather.
Need to Know: The 319-room hotel lies within blocks of a streetcar line that connects to the Embarcadero and a cable car route that runs through Nob Hill and Union Square.
The Hyatt Centric was renovated in 2015 and the current look is contemporary, fresh, and clean. With a variety of 24-hour services—including a business center, meeting facilities, fitness center, mini-mart, and room service—it’s an ideal spot for business travelers in the heart of the wharf. And there’s a sleek, heated outdoor pool in the courtyard.
Best San Francisco Hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf for: Sophisticated Bohemians
Kimpton Alton Hotel
Top Perk: ABACA, the Kimpton Alton’s onsite restaurant and bar, was nominated for a James Beard award and made the New York Times’ Best Restaurants list in 2022. The menu skillfully blends Filipino cuisine with California fare.
Need to Know: Amenities include loaner bicycles, pet-friendly services, and a 20 percent discount on in-room spa services. Join the IHG One Rewards program and get complimentary high-speed WiFi, extended 2 p.m. late checkout, and various credits and discount offers.
This upscale, casually stylish boutique hotel, inspired by the city’s countercultural movement, is an atypical and welcoming option for the popular tourist area. Rooms and suites have oodles of laid-back charm, along with views of San Francisco Bay. There’s a hosted “social hour” every evening, as well as a vinyl lending library for the in-room Victrola record players.
With dozens of attractions—how many other neighborhoods can claim both sea lions and former chocolate factories?—as well as easy access to the rest of San Francisco, Fisherman’s Wharf makes for an ideal vacation destination. But if you’re looking to stay somewhere else, perhaps you should consider these hotels for any type of traveler. And if you’re heading to San Francisco with kids in tow, why not make it a family-friendly trip? So much to do in the City by the Bay, so little time. A good problem to have.