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Where to Stay in the Bay Area: San Francisco, San Jose & Beyond
- Elijah
- 11 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Choosing where to stay in the Bay Area can be one of the most confusing parts of planning a trip, especially since San Francisco, San Jose, and nearby cities all offer very different experiences. This guide is meant to help narrow down which areas make the most sense to stay in, rather than review individual hotels in detail.
While we haven’t stayed at every hotel mentioned here, the recommendations below are based on location, walkability, transportation access, and how practical each area is for getting around the Bay Area. The goal is to give you a clearer starting point, whether you’re deciding between San Francisco and San Jose, looking to stay near Levi’s Stadium, or considering something in between. If you’re looking for firsthand hotel reviews, we link out to those where available. Otherwise, this guide focuses on helping you choose the right location so the rest of your trip planning is easier.
Choosing Where to Stay in San Francisco
San Francisco has the largest collection of hotels in the Bay Area, but the best neighborhood for you depends on what you plan to do. If your focus is exploring the city’s major attractions, you’ll want to stay closer to the waterfront.
Union Square
The heart of San Francisco’s hotel scene and the closest you’ll get to Moscone Center. Union Square offers everything from boutique spots to big-name brands, all within walking distance of shopping, theaters, and nightlife. It’s also well connected to BART and Muni, making it one of the easiest areas to navigate if you’re relying on public transit to reach Caltrain for game day.
Hotels in Union Square
Westin St. Francis – Historic luxury right on Union Square. 6 minutes by car or 15 minutes by foot to Moscone Center (4.3★).
Hilton San Francisco Union Square – Large, full-service hotel with plenty of rooms for big events. 7 minutes by car or 18 minutes by foot to Moscone Center (4.0★).
Hotel Nikko – Contemporary option just 10 minutes on foot to Union Square; 15 minutes to Moscone Center (4.4★).
Embarcadero & Fisherman’s Wharf
This waterfront stretch is packed with ferries, Pier 39, seafood restaurants, and postcard views of the Bay. Hotels here put you steps away from Alcatraz tours and classic San Francisco sights, though you’ll trade a slightly longer walk or ride to Moscone Center.
Hotels near Embarcadero & Fisherman’s Wharf
Hyatt Regency Embarcadero – Spacious rooms and bay views, right next to the Ferry Building. 20 minutes on foot to Moscone Center (4.4★).
Hotel Zephyr – Fun boutique property just steps from Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf. 2-minute walk to Wharf, 5 minutes to Pier 39 (4.2★).
Argonaut Hotel – Nautical charm inside a historic building at Fisherman’s Wharf. 10 minutes to Wharf, 13 minutes to Pier 39 (4.5★).
Mission Bay & Dogpatch
A convenient choice for football fans heading down to Levi’s Stadium. Mission Bay and Dogpatch are home to newer, modern hotels, with easy access to Caltrain and Chase Center. It’s less touristy than Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf, but you’ll find great breweries, coffee shops, and waterfront walks nearby.
Mission Bay / Dogpatch
LUMA Hotel San Francisco – Sleek, modern hotel just an 8-minute walk to Caltrain; 23 minutes to Moscone (4.6★).
Hyatt Place San Francisco/Dogpatch – Budget-friendly and close to both Caltrain and Chase Center. 5 minutes to Caltrain, 16 minutes to Moscone (4.1★).
Marina District
Scenic and laid-back, the Marina is a favorite for travelers who want charm over convenience. You’ll be close to the Golden Gate Bridge, Presidio, and Palace of Fine Arts, with plenty of restaurants and bars along Chestnut Street. Hotels here are smaller, more boutique-style, and often come with perks like free parking.
Marina District
Hotel del Sol – Bright, quirky boutique option with a relaxed vibe. Walkable to the Marina’s dining strip (4.1★).
Coventry Motor Inn – Budget-friendly, free parking, and close to the Presidio and Palace of Fine Arts (4.0★).
Nob Hill
Classic San Francisco elegance with sweeping views and historic charm. Nob Hill is home to some of the city’s most iconic hotels, like the Fairmont and InterContinental Mark Hopkins, where old-world luxury meets city landmarks. Just know you’ll be climbing a few hills if you’re exploring on foot.
Nob Hill
Fairmont San Francisco – Iconic, luxury landmark with sweeping views and a storied history. 4 minutes to the Cable Car Museum, 3 minutes to Grace Cathedral (4.6★).
InterContinental Mark Hopkins – Another SF classic, with the famous Top of the Mark lounge for skyline views (4.5★).
North Beach
A foodie hub with deep Italian roots, famous for its trattorias, cafés, and nightlife. Staying here puts you close to Chinatown and the nightlife along Columbus Avenue, though it’s a longer walk to Moscone Center compared to other neighborhoods. It’s a great choice if you want a lively evening scene built into your stay.
North Beach
Columbus Inn – Budget-friendly with an unbeatable location near North Beach restaurants and nightlife (4.0★).
Where not to stay in San Francisco:
Tenderloin. While there are hotels here, the area still struggles with high crime and homelessness. We’ve stayed nearby before and dealt with broken amenities and safety concerns; it's better to avoid staying in this neighborhood.
Where to Stay in San Jose and Near Levi’s Stadium
If you want to minimize your travel time on game day, staying in San Jose or Santa Clara is the best move. San Jose will host most of the official fan festivities, while Santa Clara puts you right next to Levi’s Stadium.
Downtown San Jose
Staying here means you can walk straight out of your hotel and into the buzz of Santa Clara Street, with restaurants, bars, and coffee shops at every turn. You’ll also have the easiest access to VTA Light Rail and Caltrain, making it simple to get to Levi’s Stadium or connect to other parts of the Bay Area.
Downtown San Jose (Near Santa Clara Street)
Hotel De Anza – 13-minute walk to Santa Clara Street events; 9-minute drive or 40 minutes via transit to Levi’s Stadium. Stylish Art Deco design and highly rated (4.4★).
Signia by Hilton San Jose – A central, full-service option just 14 minutes from downtown events; 12-minute drive or 36 minutes via transit to the stadium (4.0★).
San Jose Marriott – Connected to the Convention Center, 18 minutes on foot to downtown events; 13 minutes by car, 36 minutes by transit to Levi’s Stadium (4.3★).
Santana Row
A polished luxury shopping and dining district about 5 miles from downtown San Jose and 7 miles from Levi’s Stadium. Santana Row has a built-in nightlife scene with wine bars, restaurants, and live music on weekends, so you can keep busy without leaving the neighborhood. For accommodations, Hotel Valencia Santana Row puts you right in the middle of the action, while The Row Hotel San Jose nearby offers a more affordable but still stylish stay.
Santana Row
Hotel Valencia Santana Row – Luxury boutique stay in the heart of Santana Row; 15 minutes by car to downtown, 16 minutes to Levi’s Stadium (4.3★).
The Row San Jose (BW Signature Collection) – Solid mid-range option; 12 minutes by car or 45 minutes via transit to Levi’s Stadium (4.1★).
Near Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara)
If your top priority is walking to the game, hotels around Levi’s Stadium are the ultimate convenience. Options like the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, Hilton Santa Clara, and Santa Clara Marriott are all within a 5–25 minute walk to the gates. The area itself is quiet and more business-oriented, so you won’t find much nightlife or dining beyond hotel restaurants, but nothing beats rolling out of bed and heading straight to Super Bowl Sunday without worrying about traffic.
Near Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara)
Hyatt Regency Santa Clara – Just a 5-minute walk to Levi’s Stadium; about 18 minutes to downtown SJ (4.3★).
Hilton Santa Clara – Less than a 5-minute walk to Levi’s; 17 minutes to downtown SJ (4.2★).
Staying Between Outside San Francisco and San Jose
If you’re traveling on a tighter budget, staying outside of San Francisco or San Jose can be much more affordable. The best way to cut costs without sacrificing convenience is to book a hotel near a Caltrain station. Caltrain runs directly between San Francisco and San Jose, with stops near Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, making it an easy option for game day.
Here are a few good midway cities to consider:
San Mateo
One of the larger cities along the Peninsula, San Mateo offers a lively downtown with plenty of dining and shopping options. It’s also one of the most convenient Caltrain hubs, giving you quick access north to San Francisco and south to San Jose. If you’re flying into SFO Airport, San Mateo is just a short drive away, making it a practical and budget-friendly base.
Hotels near San Mateo Caltrain:
San Mateo Marriott San Francisco Airport – 15-minute walk
Hilton Garden Inn San Mateo – 6-minute drive
Stone Villa Inn – 15-min walk
San Carlos
A quieter, centrally located city on the Peninsula, San Carlos is a great choice if you want an affordable stay between San Francisco and San Jose. With a Caltrain station right in town, you can reach either city in under an hour, making it a convenient, budget-friendly option.
Hotels near San Carlos Caltrain:
Hyatt Place San Carlos – 13-min walk
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Belmont – 14-min walk
LiA Hotel – 12-min walk
Redwood City
Redwood City has one of the liveliest downtowns on the Peninsula, filled with restaurants, nightlife, and a central Caltrain station that makes it easy to reach both San Francisco and San Jose. It’s a good choice if you want affordability without giving up things to do nearby.
Hotels near Redwood City Caltrain:
Redwood Creek Inn – 6-min walk
Kasa Niche Hotel Redwood City – 7-min walk
Best Western Inn – 16-minute walk
Belmont
Belmont is a small, mostly residential town just south of San Mateo. While it doesn’t have a busy downtown, it’s quiet, safe, and offers quick access to Caltrain for easy trips north or south.
Hotels near Belmont Caltrain:
Silicon Valley Inn – 6-min walk
Homewood Suites Belmont– 8-minute walk
Final Thoughts
Where you stay in the Bay Area can shape how easy and enjoyable the rest of your trip feels. Rather than focusing on individual hotel reviews, this guide is meant to help you understand which locations make the most sense based on how you plan to spend your time and move around the region.
As travel patterns change and new areas become more appealing, this guide is updated to reflect practical considerations around location and access. If you’re continuing to plan your trip, our full Bay Area travel guide brings together where to stay, how to get around, and what else to do in one place.
Planning more of your trip? Our complete Bay Area travel guide pulls together where to stay, how to get around, and what else to do, all in one place.
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