San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood is known for being the center and origin of the 1960s counterculture hippie movement. Vintage shops, small music venues and record stores have lined Haight Street for half a century. Nestled between the large Victorian houses in Ashbury Heights and one of the most popular entrances to Golden Gate Park, it’s a popular tourist destination for people looking to explore the strange and wonderful aspects of the city. Here’s our pick of the five best hotels in Haight-Ashbury.
The Metro Hotel
Boutique Hotel
In true Haight-Ashbury fashion, the neon-lit Metro Hotel on Divisadero Street is a business that practices eco-friendly policies. With only 24 guest rooms, the hotel retains a charming nature. Complimentary Wi-Fi and affordable rates make it a great place for travelers looking to save a buck. A perfect escape from the bustle of Haight Street, The Metro Hotel also features a backyard area perfect for gaining some solace.
Housed in a restored Beaux-Arts building, Haight-Ashbury’s Stanyan Park Hotel – built as a boarding house in 1883 – predates the neighborhood’s hippie movement. An homage to a bygone San Francisco era, the hotel’s antique decor and luxury amenities make it a relaxing home away from home. Across from the grassy knolls of Golden Gate Park, the grandiose hotel remains a testament to the historical significance of the area.
The Red Victorian, Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco | Courtesy of Zarinah / Airbnb
Located in the center of Haight-Ashbury, The Red Victorian has a storied past as a place for artists and travelers. Housed in a red-painted building from 1904, the “Red Vic” has been through many iterations, with it supposedly being a brothel at the beginning, before it became what it is today. The hotel was a popular meeting space for environmentalists, social activists and artists in the 1970s. Currently repurposed into a co-living intentional community, the unique space still offers guests short- or long-term stays.
Bordering on the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, the budget-friendly Casa Loma Hotel is surrounded by the eclectic array of cafés, restaurants and bars of Lower Haight. The hotel is also within walking distance to Alamo Square, popular for its views of the famed Painted Ladies, a row of Victorian-style homes. Casa Loma offers guests private rooms with shared bathrooms or private rooms with private bathrooms and city views. The multilingual staff at the front desk makes for an easier check-in for many international guests.
East of Haight-Ashbury, surrounded by century-old buildings in the Western Addition neighborhood, The Grove Inn is a historic guesthouse built in the 1800s. Receiving in an extensive renovation in 2015, the hotel features modern comforts including cable TV and high-speed Wi-Fi. Offering rooms with private bathrooms and bay windows, the amenities – including cozy bedding and luxury towels – make The Grove Inn an ideal place to relax on a stay in the city.
