The Best Bed and Breakfasts in San Francisco, California

Built in 1882, Chateau Tivoli Bed and Breakfast is located in the Alamo Square district, just blocks away from San Francisco’s famous Painted Ladies. Ornate Victorian fixtures and antiques abound, and there are no TVs here, so plan on unplugging during your stay. Weekend champagne breakfast is served in the dining room and a wine-and-cheese reception is held daily in the parlor. If a traditional B&B experience is what you’re looking for, this is your spot.

Petite Auberge is a charming bed and breakfast tucked into Nob Hill, complete with large French country-style bedrooms, gas fireplaces and traditional B&B decor such as floral wallpapers and wood furniture. Complimentary daily breakfast is served in the dining room, as are baked goods and tea in the afternoon and local wines for evening happy hours. Discounted rates for an offsite fitness center are provided upon request, and the knowledgeable staff is armed with recommendations for the area.

Budget travelers need not sacrifice location to save on cost at this homey European-style B&B just a 15-minute stroll from the Painted Ladies Victorian houses. The inn is spread across two buildings, and each room is decorated with vibrant quilts, colorful walls with individual touches, from a four-poster bed to a carved wooden headboard. The street outside is bustling, so parking can be difficult. Bathroom facilities are shared. Continental breakfast is included and the friendly staff leave out cookies and tea for guests.

This richly decorated boutique B&B has an intriguing history. Dating back to 1872, it was initially a bordello and saloon. After the 1906 earthquake, it became a refuge for the homeless and, in the 1920s, was transformed into a speakeasy. Today, it’s a shopper’s haven, just two blocks from Sacramento Street. The rooms have marble bathrooms, rain showers and heated toilet seats. Some rooms feature chandeliers, period wallpaper and Persian rugs. Breakfast includes hot and cold offerings such as eggs, bacon, pastries and yoghurt, and gluten-free is available.

Built in 1900 and entered via an archway is the brownstone mansion Jackson Court, steps from trendy Fillmore Street. Antique-style guest rooms have TVs, private baths and sitting areas, and some have fireplaces, garden views and window seats. Relax in the wood-paneled games room or warm up in front of the hand-carved fireplace with complimentary afternoon tea and cookie service in the parlor. The light continental breakfast can be taken either in the breakfast room or in the privacy of your own room.

The Inn on Folsom is a budget-friendly option that’s in a great location downtown, near the Dart, and above the blue exterior of the Cat Club. The rooms sport a modern design, with dark wood and neutral colors with rich accents; some even have a stylish brick accent wall. Beds are twin or queen-size, and each room has a TV and a private sink. Being a European style B&B means that there are shared bathroom facilities and a continental breakfast.

Right on the Marina District’s main drag, Union Street Inn is an ideal location for access to this neighborhood’s variety of bars, restaurants and shops as well as the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Mason. Large windows in each room open out onto Union Street or the garden area below (which is always open to guests). Coffee, tea and fresh-baked goods are available 24 hours a day and breakfast is served daily.

Dubbing itself an urban inn, the Parsonage was built in 1883 and its rooms feature fireplaces, tastefully traditional decor and private marble bathrooms complete with claw-foot tubs and towel warmers. The B&B is located in Hayes Valley, a charming neighborhood within walking distance of Haight-Ashbury, the Castro and the Mission District. Complimentary full breakfast is served every morning, as are evening nightcaps and chocolates.

Despite being a boutique hotel, the Inn at the Presidio (a former army base turned 22-room inn) provides the same comforts as a traditional B&B. Located in the heart of San Francisco’s lush park at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Presidio gives easy access to 24mi (39km) of hiking trails and is only a short walk from the Marina district, making it a great option for those who want to be centrally located in the city but a bit off the grid. The inn features fireplaces in most suites plus daily continental breakfast, a wine and cheese spread and black and white photos that line the walls – an ode to this building’s storied past.

With an inviting front parlor complete with a log fireplace, library and private city garden perfect for sipping morning coffee, the Parker Guest House is a modern yet charming B&B. It’s located in the Castro, a historic LGBTQ neighborhood, and within close proximity to the Mission. The Parker Guest House combines thoughtful amenities, elegant decor and a prime location for a stylish stay in one of San Francisco’s most colorful neighborhoods.

The views and intimate walled garden set this B&B apart from its peers. A daily cold breakfast buffet offers choices such as fresh fruit, cheeses and smoked salmon, which can be enjoyed outside in the garden or in the ornately decorated dining room, where you can sip your coffee while admiring views from the balcony. The eight rooms have entertaining names such as Sheila’s Chapeau Room or the aptly named View Room. The captivating owner, Sheila, likes to encourage guests to borrow her hats.