The real guide on where to stay

Fisherman’s Wharf to FiDi to SoMa from the bay

The real, honest guide on neighborhood lodging.

Most of the hotels in San Francisco are concentrated in a few areas – Fisherman’s Wharf (the Wharf), Union Square, Financial District (FiDi), and eastern South of Market (SoMa). This list is not exhaustive, and it doesn’t mean you should only stay in these areas, they are just the most common. The number one question I get from people visiting is “is this area good and safe to stay in?” Honestly, it depends on what “good” means for you…

I’ll first say, that statistically San Francisco is a very safe city. We had more traffic-related deaths in 2024 than homicides and have a lower per capita violent crime rate than other major US cities (much less than similarly-sized Austin, for example). Like any city, we have property crime like pick-pocketing and, with good year-round weather, we have a homeless population (which is more upsetting than dangerous). Now, for the neighborhoods to stay in…

Fisherman’s Wharf is great for families and people looking for affordable hotels of all different types. It’s primarily flat ground, which some people are really looking for in a city full of hills. If you wanna shop for something that says “San Francisco” on it and have easy access to Hop On Hop Off buses, this is your jam. You’re really close to Pier 39 which has all of the magnet shops and chain restaurants and is often conflated with the Wharf. There are a couple of convenient transit lines to some tourist-friendly areas – the 28 bus takes you to the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park and the F Streetcar takes you to the Ferry Building along Market St all the way to the Castro. This is – by far – the most touristy part of the city and the least like true San Francisco, but it’s a safe option with lots of hotel choices.

I’ll define The Wharf as the bay on the North, Bay St on the South, Van Ness Ave on the West, and the bay/Embarcadero on the East.

Union Square has a central location on its side with higher end chain and boutique hotels with larger capacity. The current vibe is luxury shopping paired with empty storefronts and lots of city-sponsored events, so there’s an abundance of activity. Union Square has been at the center of the “doom loop” narrative that has spread nationwide about the decline of San Francisco. I assure you, it’s not desolate, and it’s not unsafe. It’s connected to the city via lots of public transit options including BART from the San Francisco International Airport or Oakland Airport. It’s very convenient as a launching point.

There is an interesting juxtaposition to keep in mind when choosing a hotel, however – there’s a fine line between Union Square and the Tenderloin, and one is much nicer for visitors than the other. I’ll define Union Square as Bush St on the North, Market St on the South, Mason St on the West, Grant St on the East. I would advise against staying between Mason St and Van Ness Ave (the immediate west of Union Square) unless you have an adventurous spirit. Any area north or east of Union Square is also a lovely and safe area to stay.

The Financial District (FiDi) is exactly as you would expect with office buildings, less residential, and not as much open on weekends. Think tall buildings, corporate vibes. The city has launched several programs with nighttime street parties in the area, so don’t expect pure peace and quiet. “Fridays on Front St” has live outdoor music, and there are other popup events nearby on certain days. Lots of good hotels exist in this area, you’ll likely just need to leave the immediate few blocks to go out and do things. Like Union Square, it’s connected to the city via lots of public transit options including BART from the San Francisco International Airport or Oakland Airport. 

When defining FiDi, I’m going to roll a touch of Chinatown into the mix as that borders with The Ritz-Carlton’s location. FiDi, as I’ve described it here, is defined as Clay St on the North, Market St on the South, Grant St on the West, and the Embarcadero on the East.

South of Market (SoMa) is a great big neighborhood, though you could debate nuances like where “Midmarket” and “South Park” fall and whether they’re their own thing. This area contains an interesting mix of Moscone Convention Center, “tech downtown” such as Salesforce Tower, newer luxury highrises, and former warehouses in all different states. It has wide, busy streets and whole stretches of long blocks without a lot of change in scenery. If you’re looking for a place to stay, the area from 5th St east to the Embarcadero is a decent option with a range of hotels. If you want an old San Francisco feel, you’ll need to go elsewhere, unless you want to experience a bit of tech culture. 

I’ll define SoMa as Market St on the North, King St on the South, Van Ness Ave on the West, and the Embarcadero on the East. I know, I know, there are other smaller, more newly defined neighborhoods swallowed up in that, but the general character of the area remains the same. When choosing a place to stay, I would avoid staying anywhere in SoMa between 5th St and 9th St unless you’re a gambler.

There are a sprinkling of hotels in upscale and old-school San Francisco Nob Hill (near Grace Cathedral and the Masonic), brand shiny and new Mission Bay (towards Chase Center and Oracle Park), and even in the Presidio surrounded by the National Park. If you have a question about a specific hotel’s location, give me a shout!