While many accommodations in San Francisco are grand luxury hotels or hip, modern boutiques, there is a host of options for those looking for a more intimate stay. Whether you’re looking for a traditional room in a Victorian mansion or modern touches on sprawling grounds at the Presidio, we’ve got the best bed and breakfasts in San Francisco.
The Chateau Tivoli
Bed and Breakfast
The Chateau Tivoli | Courtesy of The Chateau Tivoli/Hotels.com
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 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.
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 originally 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.
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. Free 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.
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.
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, easily accessible to the Presidio’s 24 miles of hiking trails and a short walk to the Marina district, this B&B is a great option for those who want to be both 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.
