It isn’t our first time here in San Francisco, but we have different reasons to visit this beautiful city every time. Sometimes we wanted the nearest stays to the airport, other times we were looking for hotels near Golden Gate Park San Francisco or other famous districts there. The Golden Gate Park is the most famous national park there and the largest. It includes several small parks where tourists can find different things to do. Moreover, the neighborhood is tourist-friendly. While staying there, we didn’t struggle to find any restaurants, malls, pharmacies, and other spots. Transportation was the easiest from there too. For such reasons, we decided to stay in this area a couple of times to access the park at any time. We could enjoy the captivating nature of the park and the vivid nature of the neighborhood. These are our top recommended hotels near the park when visiting San Francisco.
Table of contents
- Geary Parkway Motel
- Presidio Parkway Inn
- Casa Loma Hotel
- Beck’s Motor Lodge
- La Luna Inn
- The Hotel Castro
- The Metro Hotel
- The Laurel Inn
- Travelodge by Wyndham
- Stanyan Park Hotel
- Parker Guest House
- Our Verdict!
- Where to Stay in San Francisco?
- Is San Francisco a safe city?
- Is San Francisco an expensive city?
- What is there to do in Golden Gate Park?
Geary Parkway Motel
11
Geary Parkway Motel is one of the affordable options near the park. Thus, it was a first choice whenever we wanted to cut the budget. The hotel is motel-like style with free parking outside. The parking isn’t large but suitable for the number of guests there. We had a room with two beds. It was good-sized with good quality amenities. The bathroom was clean and the toiletries were of good quality as well.
We had a refrigerator, a microwave, and a TV in our room. We also enjoyed the speedy free WiFi in our room. The hotel offered a light grab-and-go breakfast. It was more of snacks and coffee but we liked it a lot. We were a short distance from the park, thus, we had our full breakfast there on the last day of our trip. We were a bit late for the check out but the staff were friendly and helped us get through the process quickly to catch our flight. They made our trip much more enjoyable with their friendly attitude.
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Presidio Parkway Inn
10
Another budget-friendly option not far from Golden Gate Park is the Presidio Parkway Inn. The hotel is closer to the Presidio, however, we could reach the Golden Gate Park in minutes. Further, Marina District, one of our favorite neighborhoods in San Francisco, was a few minutes away. We loved the location as it provided us with easy access to popular spots in the city. We have a list of the best hotels near the Presidio if you’re more interested in this area.
The hotel offered good rooms considering its rates. The beds were comfortable and the room was clean all the time. We had basic amenities such as a microwave, a refrigerator, a coffee maker, and other similar amenities. We also had breakfast in the hotel. The choices weren’t too many but enough to start the day. We love free offerings, and the hotel offered us a couple of free things aside from the complimentary breakfast. We could park our car in the free parking and we used the free WiFi every day.
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Casa Loma Hotel
9
Best price. Conveniently located near Japan Town, the Casa Loma Hotel is our next great stay in San Francisco. This hotel has a premium location less than two miles from Golden Gate Park. In addition, it’s close to other popular spots such as Union Square. Apart from that, we found many restaurants scattered in the area. They were within walking distance, so, we didn’t need public transportation though it was easy to reach.
The hotel is on a main road, thus, expect some traffic noise during the rush hour. At night, it became quieter, we didn’t find it hard to sleep. We paid the lowest rate in San Francisco while staying in this hotel. Yet, it wasn’t a bad stay at all. Our room was comfy and all the basic amenities were there. If you’re willing to save more money, perhaps you can book a room with a shared bathroom. Otherwise, choose a Queen Room with a view like what we did. The landscape from the window is worth those extra bucks.
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Beck’s Motor Lodge
8
Beck’s Motor Lodge is suitable for those who want to spend their nights in an affordable hotel without sacrificing a lot. It isn’t the cheapest, yet, it’s one of the best hotels near Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. We loved the style of the rooms a lot. They were very simple with modern furnishing and large clean bathrooms. They do offer toiletries and towels. We also had a coffee machine in our room.
The hotel is relatively small with a limited number of rooms. They also offer free parking that is first-come-first-served. The parking is similarly small but enough for the number of guests the hotel can accommodate. We could find a suitable spot every night. If you usually travel with your car, you have to check this list of the best hotels with free parking in San Francisco. What we also loved about the motel was the rooftop seating area. It was a simple cozy area to have our morning coffee every day.
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La Luna Inn
7
Next, we stayed in La Luna Inn, one of the best hotels near the Presidio and Golden Gate Park. The best thing about such a location is that we were just a short stroll away from both parks. We could enjoy tranquil mornings at Golden Gate Park to unwind from the vibrant life of San Francisco. We could also easily access public transportation. Plus, the hotel offers private rides, including Uber and taxis. How convenient the location was!
Apart from the location, we had complimentary breakfast on-site. It was a continental breakfast pretty similar to what we normally eat at pricey hotels. Moreover, there was free parking though we didn’t need it on this trip as we didn’t have a car. Speaking about the room, it was spacious with comfy furniture. We had a large working desk and a very comfortable chair. You can check some real reviews on the official website here.
“Our room overlooked the Golden Gate Bridge which was a big plus. We seldom find affordable hotels with breathtaking views in this area.”
WOW Travel
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The Hotel Castro
6
Most convenient. Most hotels around Golden Gate Park are on the lower end of the price spectrum. If you’re more into mid-range hotels, The Hotel Castro is what you’re looking for. This hotel has more spacious rooms and studio options for a fully furnished stay. Even if you choose to stay in a standard room, you’ll enjoy some amenities such as a fridge, a private bathroom, and a flat-screen. These might seem like basic amenities found at any hotel. What was different for us was the balcony. The park view from the balcony was jaw-dropping.
We enjoyed a few moments of tranquility with our hot coffee on this balcony every morning. At night, the balcony, again, was the perfect place to have some chit-chat. Overall, our experience in this hotel was very convenient. The self-check-in process was quick and smooth which enhanced our experience as well.
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The Metro Hotel
5
The Metro Hotel is a hidden gem. It isn’t very common among San Francisco tourists but we’re sure it’ll soon gain popularity thanks to its location and provided amenities. The hotel is very close to the park. Moreover, it’s located in Haight-Ashbury, this lovely district with lots of interesting spots around. Our stay there was enjoyable and the owner of the place made it more interesting. He was so helpful that he provided us with a list of attractions in the city and how to reach them. He also recommended eateries and shops that sell everything we needed.
Our room was unique compared to other hotel rooms in the city. It had a vintage style with black accents that leveraged some modern touches to create a magnificent blend of retro-modern design. Make sure to book a room with a garden view. The greenery view is worth those extra bucks. It boosts positive energy in the morning to get ready to explore more of San Francisco. Want to see some photos? Check the gallery on their official website here.
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The Laurel Inn
4
Best amenities. The Laurel Inn was the perfect accommodation we were looking for. Apart from the location, which was a great selling point, the hotel had all the amenities we needed during our stay. We stayed in a room equipped with a kitchenette. The appliances were modern and easy to use. Hence, we could prepare delightful small meals during the day. When we felt like eating on a view, we visited The Laureate, the on-site bar & lounge to enjoy mouth-watering snacks.
The vibes in the place were very intimate. Similarly, the staff were friendly. We loved the people working there, especially at the bar. They were cheerful encouraging us to spend the whole night at the bar. Aside from the bar, we could grab some tea and coffee any time from the lounge. 24-hour free coffee and tea was one of the lovely offerings by the hotel as well.
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Travelodge by Wyndham
3
Travelodge by Wyndham is minutes away from Marina District which means breathtaking views. This is one of our favorite hotels close to Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. It’s an ideal option for budget travelers who don’t want to compensate for anything. The rates are reasonable considering the amenities and facilities offered by the hotel. On top of them all was the wonderful view of the Golden Gate Bridge from our room. Check out the official website to know more about the offered amenities.
The hotel offers many more perks to enjoy your trip to San Francisco. We had a professional coffee machine in our room, so we enjoyed freshly brewed coffee in the comfort of our room every morning. Moreover, the hotel is business-oriented. If you’re on a business trip, you’ll find everything needed, from a fully equipped business center to speedy free Wi-Fi at the hotel. Plus, parking in front of the hotel is free, but the spots are limited.
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Stanyan Park Hotel
2
Best location. Figuring out the best location in San Francisco is a matter of preference. Yet, the Stanyan Park Hotel is our favorite venue when we think of staying near Golden Gate Park. Sitting right next to the park, the hotel offers an offbeat location. We could walk to the park from where we were staying. The neighborhood was vibrant and inviting to wander around. It was full of shops and restaurants where we spent most of the time.
This time, we stayed in a suite with two bedrooms and a living room. The rooms have very cozy furniture and lighting. The suite was spacious but the bathroom wasn’t. However, everything was spotless. If we’re to describe the style, it’s more of Victorian-style furniture with some modern touches. The place looks historic and this is what makes it unique. Above all, the continental breakfast offered every morning was beyond perfect. The food selection was more than what we expected.
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Parker Guest House
1
Look at this great hotel with spacious clean rooms. It’s the Parker Guest House, our favorite option near the park. We loved this venue the most for several reasons. Number one, of course, was the location. Yet, other reasons include the vast rooms with comfy beds and sofas, the friendly staff, and the cozy garden and shared lounge areas where we could chill out without leaving the hotel.
Apart from all the reasons mentioned above, our stay there was memorable. From the moment we arrived, everything went smoothly. The check-in process took minutes and we received our room keys. We found our room as described and the view was similar to what we saw in the pictures. The staff welcomed us with complimentary tea and coffee available for free 24 hours. They also have a cheese and wine hour by the fire every evening. The hotel is small, so, it’s better to book early during high seasons. You’ll be lucky if you find a room with a view there.
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Our Verdict!
Here is the creme de la creme of the previous list. These four hotels are our favorites based on certain criteria.
- Best location: Stanyan Park Hotel
- Best amenities: The Laurel Inn
- Most convenient: The Hotel Castro
- Best price: Casa Loma Hotel
Where to Stay in San Francisco?
San Francisco includes different areas where we enjoyed staying. It depends on your priorities, however, we have some favorites.
Nothing is better than Union Square if you want a central location close to everything. It’s the center of the city. There are many hotels at different, eateries, shops, and malls there. Moreover, getting around is easy as public transportation is available all the time.
Another option is near Golden Gate Park. It isn’t far from Union Square, so, the area has the same perks. We loved this location more as we could visit the park whenever we wanted and spend the morning there.
If you’re visiting San Francisco for a short period, we recommend choosing a stay near the airport. There are a couple of options, you’ll find our top hotels near San Francisco’s international hotel here. Grand Hyatt is located inside the airport, so, it’s always a great option to consider.
Finally, we love The Marina area. It’s kind of escaping the busy lifestyle of San Francisco. The best thing there is that most of the hotels overlook a great view. We also have a list of the best hotels in Marina District San Francisco
Is San Francisco a safe city?
Like most USA large cities, this city is always busy and live. It’s pedestrian-friendly, so, you can walk around in most neighborhoods.
Is San Francisco an expensive city?
Relatively yes. San Francisco is one of the most-visited cities, so, it’s expensive. Yet, there are affordable stays, especially in the low season. Check this list of the best cheap hotels in San Francisco to know more.
What is there to do in Golden Gate Park?
The park has many attractions for sightseeing such as the Japanese Tea Garden, the botanical garden, and many other small parks. There are playgrounds, swimming pools, and courts to do sports. In addition, the park offers more than 1,000 acres of natural beauty.