Connect with us

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco’s 5 Best Affordable Places To Stay On A Tight Budget, According To Guests – Islands

Published

on

San Francisco’s 5 Best Affordable Places To Stay On A Tight Budget, According To Guests – Islands






As one of the most expensive tourist destinations in the U.S., according to a GoBankingRates study, San Francisco, California, turns “affordable” into a relative term. While you might be able to nab a roadside hotel for under $50 in the middle of nowhere, San Francisco hotels are considerably more expensive.

I’m from the Bay Area and often travel to San Francisco for work. I usually stay outside the touristy neighborhoods — I prefer the area near San Francisco International Airport (SFO) — because I drive my own car. The following suggestions are based on guest feedback from Reddit, Tripadvisor, Google Reviews, and Booking.com, supplemented by my knowledge of different parts of the city. These aren’t the absolute cheapest places in San Francisco, but accommodations I’d feel comfortable recommending to visiting friends or family on a budget.

Advertisement

Although rates vary significantly based on demand, location, and a myriad of other factors, most relatively comfortable, affordable stays start from $150 per night for a private room, including taxes and fees. However, most hotels initially display rates online without taxes and fees. These hidden costs can easily bump up displayed room rates by $30 to $50, so make sure the final price includes everything, such as the “guest amenities fee” in some hotels. To keep the price somewhat low, you’ll likely need to sacrifice something, be that location, cleanliness, ambiance, amenities, space, or privacy. I’ve included estimated rates for the cheapest room at each accommodation (including fees and taxes), but you should take these numbers as rough guidance.

Chancellor Hotel on Union Square

Frequently mentioned among the top affordable hotels in San Francisco on Tripadvisor forums, Reddit, and area-specific Facebook groups, the Chancellor Hotel on Union Square makes guests feel at home in the heart of the city. Among the tallest buildings in San Francisco in its heyday, this 3-star stay dates back to 1914 and offers a taste of the past at an accessible price point. 

Advertisement

Featuring over 130 rooms, most of which fit two adults max, this family-run hotel earns 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor, in part due to small touches. “I loved the free homemade cookies, fresh apples, and high-end coffee in the cozy lobby,” enthused a guest on Google Reviews. “They truly went above and beyond and made me feel like an old friend.” The location is also a draw for visitors. Union Square sits one block over, and the Powell Street Cable Car passes directly in front of the hotel. 

Those who didn’t enjoy their stay usually found issues with the small room sizes, lack of air conditioning, or staying in a loud room. For reference, the only time I’ve ever used air conditioning in San Francisco is during an unusually hot stretch in California’s “Indian Summer,” usually a few days in September or October. However, the price point is reason enough to sacrifice a few comforts. Expect room rates from $130 for a queen bed with a private bathroom, a bathtub with a bright yellow rubber duck (yes, you can take the duck home), and a mini-fridge. 

Advertisement

Handlery Union Square Hotel

To secure a hotel with a heated pool, sauna, and gym in Union Square, you usually have to pay through the nose, but the 3-star Handlery Union Square Hotel is an exception. Cocooned in a courtyard, the swimming pool offers sun loungers and a place to relax after dark. The small gym features just enough equipment to maintain your fitness routine—treadmills, ellipticals, and free weights —while the sauna is private and must be reserved in advance. 

Built in 1908, the historic rooms (the most affordable option) feature Victorian architecture, as well as modern amenities like a mini-fridge, coffee maker, and flat-screen TV. A block from Union Square, the location is incredibly walkable and near Chinatown, shopping centers like Macy’s, and many restaurants. In the historic wing, guests report the problems you’d expect from an old building. For instance, some guests found the soundproofing insufficient, or stayed in rooms that felt dated rather than vintage.

However, for the price, most guests feel like they’re getting their money’s worth. “It was great, especially for the very reasonable price I paid. Very classy reception, and clean on the parking garage side too – felt very safe,” per a guest via Google Reviews. Rates hover between $150 and $250 for the most affordable rooms. However, the hotel offers discounts for guests attending events like a Giants’ game at Oracle Park or a concert at Civic Auditorium. There’s also a 20% discount for California residents. 

Advertisement

HI San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel

Showcasing views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, HI San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel is a step above your average backpacker experience. While the hostel offers traditional dorms, ranging in size from four to 20 beds, guests can also book private rooms with views across the bay. “I got the private room and if you stood on the far side of it you could see part of the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s one of the best views you’ll get for this price in the entire city,” shared a traveler on Google Reviews. 

Occupying a cypress-covered hill in Fort Mason Park, the location is one-of-a-kind. It’s one of the only places in the city where you can stay in an urban national park; although campers can pitch a tent at Angel Island State Park in San Francisco Bay. Here, visitors can stroll along paths or sunbathe in the grass before exploring the city on foot or with public transportation. Lombard Street, the city’s famous winding road, is only a 20-minute walk away, and you can reach Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 in 15 minutes. The hostel offers weekly free events, such as the Mission Walking Tour on Wednesdays or the Yoga at Grace Cathedral on Saturdays. Check the schedule here.

Dorm beds start from $36, while private rooms with shared bathrooms go for $110 and up. Guests use the common areas to work remotely or meet other travelers, while the hostel also offers laundry facilities and a kitchen.

Advertisement

Golden Gate Hotel, San Francisco

Situated on the border of the Nob Hill and Union Square neighborhoods, the Golden Gate Hotel, San Francisco, maintains its old-world charm without falling into disrepair. It’s just around the corner from the California Street cable car and a 10-minute walk to the Cable Car Museum. A favorite among visitors on travel communities like San Francisco Travel Tips, this 4-story bed and breakfast was built in 1913, earning a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Although the facade displays the Edwardian architecture typical of San Francisco, the interior reminds guests of compact flats in France or Italy.

With only 23 rooms, each one slightly different from the next, the hotel earns a 4.6-star rating on Tripadvisor. Afternoon tea and breakfast are complimentary, and guests appreciate the homey feel and resident cat, Skittles. “You could stay in the St. Francis for 3 times the price but you probably would NOT feel the sincere welcome of the decades-long established Golden Gate Hotel,” praised a guest on Tripadvisor. “This very clean, and gently cared for ‘nest’ in a wonderful location will soothe your frazzled senses when coming back from the tiring excitement of touristy jaunts.” 

Small rooms with a shared bathroom start from around $110, and come with Wi-Fi, a TV, bathrobes, and toiletries. Rooms with a private bathroom (plus an antique claw-foot tub) offer slightly more space and start from around $150 per night.  

Advertisement

Marina Motel

Situated in the Marina District, just off Highway 101, the 3-star Marina Motel is a top choice among families visiting San Francisco. Many of the rooms come with kitchens and multiple bed configurations, which makes traveling with children easier. In addition, the room rate includes free parking, a rarity in San Francisco. 

Dating back to 1939, the hotel originally provided overnight accommodation (with parking) for people driving over the brand new Golden Gate Bridge. Still run by the founder’s grandchildren, the motel offers rooms perched over small garages, nestled in a courtyard with bougainvillea vines and window boxes filled with flowers. Every room comes with a microwave, coffee maker, and mini-fridge, but the kitchen accommodations also have a gas oven and stove top, a freezer, and kitchenware. “My fiance and I took our teenage daughter and her friend to San Francisco as a spring break getaway. This hotel gave the girls their own room and their own beds, while my fiancé and I got a nice quiet space to ourselves! The price was unbeatable for having 2 rooms,” praised a visitor on Google Reviews, where the motel earns 4.4 stars.

Advertisement

From the motel, guests can easily reach San Francisco’s most iconic sites, but having a car is useful. However, the Palace of Fine Arts is a 10-minute walk away, and the motel serves as a starting point for exploring the nature trails at the Presidio. Rooms start around $140 per night with discounts for longer stays.

Methodology

To find the best affordable stays in San Francisco, I used my experience visiting as a Bay Area local and living in the city short-term as a jumping-off point. I scoured Facebook groups like San Francisco Travel Tips, and Reddit threads like r/AskSF and r/TravelHacks for affordable hotels I hadn’t heard of or potential hidden gems. 

Next, I dug through thousands of guest reviews on Tripadvisor, Google Reviews, and Booking.com, searching for hotels with convenient locations, clean rooms, helpful staff, amenities, and, of course, low prices. Then, I double-checked the prices using the hotel’s official website. I only included hotels where guests felt safe, and prioritized walkable locations. Finally, all the hotels have at least a 4.0 rating on Google Reviews or Tripadvisor. When booking your stay, consider using travel guru Rick Steves’ expert tip to find the most affordable hotels online.

Advertisement





Source link

Advertisement

San Francisco, CA

S.F. police arrest 20 at 300-person SoMa block party during Pride

Published

on

S.F. police arrest 20 at 300-person SoMa block party during Pride


San Francisco police officers arrested 20 people late Saturday night in SoMa after breaking up an unauthorized “Stud Alley” block party with hundreds of participants, according to the police department. It marked the second round of arrests of Pride attendees this weekend after police arrested five people at the tail end of the Trans March on Friday. 

Police officers arrived near Kissling and 11th streets at 10:58 p.m. and “encountered an unsanctioned and unpermitted block party” that had about 300 participants and a D.J., according to a statement from the San Francisco Police Department. The following details are based on the department statement and social media videos; two participants reached by Mission Local declined to comment. 

The department said that the large crowd “prompted the response of additional SFPD resources.” Social media footage shows dozens of officers marching through SoMa streets armed with batons, wearing riot helmets and carrying plastic zip-ties.

Officers then gave an order to disperse, the department said, and told the D.J. to leave the area. The D.J. left but the partygoers did not, the department said, and officers tried to “disperse the crowd.” Two people “resisted,” the department said, and officers arrested them.

Several people also “vandalized two vehicles passing through the area,” the department said, and made them “inoperable.” The two vehicles may have been Waymos: One online video shows two Waymos in the street blinking hazard lights, and appears to show one officer telling others that the Waymos had been vandalized. 

The party then reformed a few blocks later at Washburn Street about two blocks away, the department said, with about 200 people; the police shut that gathering down as well.

Footage from the scene shows a line of officers in tactical gear advancing rapidly on the crowd, shoving people out of the alleyway before forming a cordon line to block the street. In total, 18 people were arrested on Washburn Street, the department said, for “obstructing or delaying a peace officer and unlawful assembly.” 

The department said that “makeshift barricades” had been set up to keep officers at bay; at one point in a video, an officer moves several large rocks that were placed in the street. Two officers sustained minor injuries, the department said.

Advertisement

SoMa has been the site of unsanctioned “Stud Alley” parties on the Saturday evenings of Pride weekend for at least the past six years. The parties have made headlines in past years for graffiti, broken windshields and outraged neighbors. 

The organizers of Stud Alley posted an announcement this year that they would not host a party, saying that the party had recently “outgrown itself,” but reminded past party-goers of the unofficial slogan that is frequently graffitied onto walls around the party: Every alley is Stud Alley. 

Jesse, a bartender at the nearby bar the Willow, reported seeing cops “everywhere” after the Saturday incident, when people “fled” to the bar to escape. He did not report hearing of any incidents of violence between party-goers and police. 

The arrests mark the second encounter between Pride-goers and police this weekend. On Friday, at the end of the Trans March, police officers arrested five marchers for alleged vandalism and assault after march-goers allegedly spray-painted several statues and a person.

On Sunday afternoon, Washburn and Kissling streets still bore signs of the party. Spray painted on the walls of buildings were “Fuck SFPD,” “No Cops at Pride,” and “Every Alley Stud Alley.”

Advertisement





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

San Francisco, CA

6/28 Gamethread: Giants vs. Braves

Published

on

6/28 Gamethread: Giants vs. Braves


It’s series finale time, and it’s rubber match time, as the San Francisco Giants host the Atlanta Braves.

It’s a battle of Cy Young southpaws. For the Giants, it’s Robbie Ray, who won the award in 2021 in the American League. Ray, a 34-year old two-time All-Star, is making his 17th appearance of the year, and is 6-6 with a 3.70 ERA, a 4.80 FIP, and 80 strikeouts to 42 walks in 87.2 innings. After a rough patch, he’s been exceptional in his last two games, including allowing just an unearned run in eight innings against the Athletics his last time out.

For the Braves, it’s Chris Sale, who won the prestigious pitching award in 2024. Sale, a 37-year old nine-time All-Star, has made 14 starts, and is 8-5 with a 2.14 ERA, a 2.71 FIP, and 99 strikeouts to 21 walks in 84 innings. He allowed two unearned runs in 5.2 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers in his last start.

Enjoy the game, everyone.

Advertisement

Who: San Francisco Giants (34-48) vs. Atlanta Braves (49-32)

Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California

Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area

Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

San Francisco, CA

People’s Budget Coalition Claims Victory After San Francisco Budget Restores Most Proposed Service Cuts – Davis Vanguard

Published

on

People’s Budget Coalition Claims Victory After San Francisco Budget Restores Most Proposed Service Cuts – Davis Vanguard


By Vanguard Staff

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco People’s Budget Coalition declared a major victory this week after the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ Budget and Appropriations Committee advanced a budget proposal restoring nearly all of Mayor Daniel Lurie’s proposed cuts to community organizations and workers providing essential services throughout the city.

The coalition credited months of organizing by labor unions, community organizations, residents and advocates for reversing many of the reductions initially proposed in the mayor’s budget. The committee-approved budget now moves to the full Board of Supervisors and then to Mayor Lurie for final approval. According to the coalition, few, if any, additional changes are expected during that process.

The coalition said thousands of San Francisco workers, residents and community members participated in neighborhood town halls, marches, rallies, phone banks, letter-writing campaigns and demonstrations to pressure city leaders to restore funding for programs serving vulnerable populations.

“This budget represents a remarkable victory for every single San Francisco resident,” said Anya Worley-Ziegman, coalition coordinator for the San Francisco People’s Budget Coalition.

Advertisement

“And it shows that public pressure works. Showing up works. Organizing, going out into communities where people will see their lives impacted by cuts, where people feel like their government and their representatives aren’t listening to them, and giving people an outlet to make their voices heard can make real change.”

Worley-Ziegman credited “the thousands of people, workers, unions, community and advocacy organizations, as well as the leadership of Budget Chair Connie Chan and Supervisors who fought for their districts’ priorities” with helping restore “tens of millions of dollars for essential programs serving our city’s most vulnerable populations.”

“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminds us that budgets are moral documents, and today, City Hall seems to agree,” Worley-Ziegman added.

According to the coalition, many of the mayor’s proposed reductions affecting LGBTQ+, immigrant, student and homeless services were restored through the city’s annual budget “add-back” process during the Budget and Appropriations Committee’s final meeting, chaired by Supervisor Connie Chan.

The coalition said restorations include tens of millions of dollars for senior services, housing and rent assistance, Free City College, HIV services, immigrant services and other community programs.

Advertisement

The organization argued that many of the programs initially targeted for reductions serve communities that are already facing challenges resulting from actions by the federal government. The coalition said restoring those programs demonstrates continued city support for immigrants, LGBTQ+ residents, Black, Indigenous and other communities of color, as well as individuals struggling with mental health, substance use disorders or homelessness.

The coalition said investments in those communities strengthen the city and help maintain San Francisco’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive city.

Despite celebrating the committee’s actions, the coalition said significant fiscal challenges remain. It noted that not all proposed reductions were fully restored and that city officials project next year’s budget deficit to exceed this year’s.

The coalition argued that San Francisco possesses substantial wealth, particularly amid the city’s growing artificial intelligence industry, and said city leaders should pursue additional revenue sources to sustain public services rather than relying on service reductions.

“San Francisco is one of the wealthiest cities in the wealthiest country in the world, and with the AI boom, it’s only getting richer,” Worley-Ziegman said.

Advertisement

“The fact that we need to exert this much time and energy fighting for such a small slice of the pie is, frankly, as ridiculous as it is shameful.”

“We should be laser focused on expanding the pie. We need to be talking about IPO taxes, wealth taxes, mansion taxes, and every policy tool available to close future deficits,” Worley-Ziegman continued.

“It feels like every year our leaders tell the most vulnerable communities to eat cuts and make ‘hard choices,’ while simultaneously opposing comically small taxes on the city’s wealthiest and well connected residents.”

“It should not be this hard to get an immigrant mother on the cusp of eviction $50 to make rent, or a senior living with HIV on our streets counseling or a hot meal.”

Worley-Ziegman concluded by urging advocates to continue organizing beyond this year’s budget process.

Advertisement

“Yes, let’s celebrate this win, but don’t forget that there’s so much more work to do if we want to move San Francisco forward without leaving its most vulnerable residents behind.”

Follow the Vanguard on Social Media – X, Instagram and Facebook.  Subscribe the Vanguard News letters.  To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit davisvanguard.org/donate or give directly through ActBlue.  Your support will ensure that the vital work of the Vanguard continues.

Categories:

Breaking News San Francisco

Tags:

budget advocacy community services Connie Chan Daniel Lurie People’s Budget Coalition San Francisco budget





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending