In which neighborhood house in San Francisco?

You don't know where to stay in San Francisco? Here are the best areas to stay in San Francisco, known as The City by the Bay!

If there is a city in the United States as unique as fascinating, it is San Francisco! Some call it Frisco, the intimate S.F and others it is the City by the Bay. Situated in California, San Francisco has approximately 890 000 inhabitants. The third favorite French tourist destination in the United States, it welcomes about 25 million visitors every year. Bouillonnante, exciting and amazing, it is the most European of American cities.

Famous for his Golden Gate his hills, Alcatraz , its Victorian houses, or its "cable-cars", you will soon realize that your stay will be intense. And to make it more enjoyable, it is important to choose the area where you will stay in San Francisco. However, we warn you: San Francisco is the third most expensive city in the United States for housing, and the offer can be very varied in terms of "quality". We advise you to check out the accommodation before you leave, not to have a bad surprise. And also to plan a budget accordingly.

Thanks to this guide, you will already be able to get an idea of the neighborhood that will please you most to find your accommodation in Sans Francisco.

Downtown and Union Square

We can't do more central than Downtown and Union Square in San Francisco. This is one of the most convenient areas to sleep in San Francisco. Especially if you're on foot. There you will find high skyscrapers, many shops and restaurants, and the accommodation offer is important.

The area is ideal if you want to go shopping. Extremely well served by transport, it is also the terminus of two cable car lines. An opportunity to see them turn around... Hand! And if you’re looking for a rental car, you’ll be spoiled for choice. A large number of rental agencies are concentrated here.

Fisherman’s Wharf

The Fisherman’s Wharf district is certainly a tourist, but is not devoid of charm. Its particular port atmosphere makes it one of the must-sees of San Francisco. It is a neighborhood that can lend itself perfectly to families, and to those who want to get out of the "grass" atmosphere of Dowtown.

Start your day by heading to the lively Pier 39 (before the crowd arrives). Then enjoy a crab sandwich along the pier, watching sea lions. No worries to find them, you will only have to follow their particular cry. Then join the Golden Gate on foot following the shore (count 1h15), or prefer to rent a bike to get there.

It is also in the neighborhood that you will take the boat, if you want to go to Alcatraz to visit this famous prison.

However, finding accommodation along the bay will be expensive, but you will nevertheless benefit from a fabulous setting and a particularly attractive view.

Nob Hill and Russian Hill

If you are looking to sleep in San Francisco, far from the hustle, Nob Hill and Russian Hill are, therefore, good alternatives. More residential neighborhoods, they could be described as real clichés. Here, the streets climb and go down (you can remember that "Hill" means " Hill"), the houses are victorian and the cable car passes there. A real postcard from the city!

So you can work your calves in this quiet area, and in the end quite central. Indeed, you will easily reach the tourist places of San Francisco such as Lombard St, Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 or the Coit Tower.

However, the hotel offer is poor enough here. We recommend you try to find a small Airbnb in this really nice neighborhood where to stay in San Francisco.

South of Market

SoMa, as it is nicknamed, is a neighborhood located south of Downtown. No very good reputation at the time, however, the neighbourhood is becoming increasingly popular over the years. It is far from being qualified as a tourist area, and it is precisely what makes its charm. Ideal if you want to leave some of the beaten paths during your stay.

If you choose to stay in San Francisco in the South of Market district, you will be close to a lot of interest centers such as discovering the charming Yerba Buena Park, the Morderne Art Museum and the Giants Stadium and its exceptional atmosphere on a match night. Union Square and Chinatown are less than 2km away, and Castro and Haight-Ashbury are less than 5km away.

Castro

If you want to discover the heart of the gay community of San Francisco and LGBT culture, it is here. Former fief of the famous activist Harvey Milk , this district, rich in history, is now full of charm, and offers a choice of endless restaurant and bar.

Loging to Castro is discovering the particular atmosphere that emerges from it. The ultra friendly atmosphere will certainly please you!

Corona Heights Park is the perfect place to take a nice picture of the city of San Francisco. Also to be seen, the Castro Theater, symbolic cinema of the neighbourhood. Every good Frenchman will make an obligatory passage to 3841 on 18th Street. Why? It is here that there is “this blue house adorned to the hill”, sung by Maxime Le Forestier. Finally, you can easily reach the centre of San Francisco by taking the tram to the corner of Market and Castro.

Have fun going to Hot Cookie. He says it would be the best cookies in the country!

Haight Ashbury

Not far from Castro, discover a lively and colourful second quarter, but another style: Haight Ashbury. It is the hippie district of the city, it is also a must. You will enjoy its village airs, its more delirious and vintage boutiques, as well as its inhabitants with long hair and broad smiles. Here, a single word order: "peace and love".

In terms of attractions, the neighbourhood itself is one. Fans of music will travel to the area looking for Janis Joplin’s house or Jimi Hendrix’s house (located respectively at 635 Ashbury Street and 142 Central Street).

Located not far from there, you can easily go to the Twin Peaks, the Castro district, the Golden Gate Park, or go and admire the Painted Ladies.

If you're looking for accommodation in San Francisco and you've thrown your devotee over Haight Ashbury, hurry up. There are quite few accommodations and they tend to leave quickly.

Mission

San Francisco First District, Mission District is historic. It was here that in 1776 the foundation of the mission Dolores , first Spanish mission of the city. Since then, the Latin atmosphere and the Hispanic side are omnipresent in this neighborhood of San Francisco. And that’s all that makes its charm, of course!

Staying in Mission is therefore a good alternative to stay in San Francisco. Its popular side and its bad reputation as an old make it – for our greatest pleasure – a neighborhood with more reasonable prices than elsewhere.

Take a walk in Mission, and admire street art in the streets while enjoying a delicious tacos. Let yourself be drunk by this Latin atmosphere that warms the hearts.

The other quarters

• Pacific Heights and Lower Pacific Heights: residential and quiet, few accommodations but the view is superb. Budget: €€€€
• Sunset / Ocean Beach : facing the ocean, it is the surfer district. Budget: €€
• Marina and North Beach: very convenient if you have a car, because many small hotels (motels) offer parking. Budget: €€