Affordable Lodgings, Hotels and Best Tourist Neighborhoods In San Francisco

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Sadly the Hotel Kabuki recently raised their rates as a result of its acquisition by Hyatt. They are now averaging in the $300 range. I'll try to add more affordable lodgings into the description box as I come across anything worthwhile.

[@thenobleone-3384]

Does anyone know anything about Fremont? I'm moving to California once I get my relief check. I'm trying to find an Affordable area until I can afford an apartment.

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

@@thenobleone-3384 Hello! Happy to chat and give you any insights into Fremont. That is considered "east bay" and is a suburb south of Oakland -- it's quite a distance from San Francisco if you're thinking of settling around there. Would definitely need a car to get around but is definitely affordable and safe. Family-oriented so not the most exciting place and, as with most suburbs, dotted with lots and lots of strip malls so lacks SF's character. And tons of office parks for all the tech companies located there which might be good for Uber driving when WFH is done.

[@thenobleone-3384]

@@ZeeneInRealLife ok I'm glad u are telling me this most likely I would move to San Francisco. I don't own a car I have lost jobs I have a form of Autism and I have been working Uber Eats since last October. Maybe I could meet up with u and I can pay u to teach me about San Francisco. The first thing I would like to ask u is where I can find an Affordable Mountain Bike to get around the city? My first name is Timothy I would really appreciate it if u could help me once I make the move. I'm coming from Louisiana I was born right outside of Baton Rouge. I have never been to San Francisco before

[@thenobleone-3384]

@@ZeeneInRealLife Do u have an email where I can communicate with u better? I can explain to u what happened to me at work and why lost good jobs. Maybe u could help me and I pay u back when I move to San Francisco. All I'm asking is for your help to learn San Francisco do u have an email contact?

[@r.b.johnson5269]

Yup, I just checked. $350...on Orbitz!

[@derbywinner6316]

. I’m planning my trip to San Francisco. Very helpful information.thank you for sharing

[@verophilly654]

Thanks for your info. I will be visiting San Fransisco in July and find your information useful and interesting! Have a great day!

[@ismaelcantu5734]

Thanks for all the recommendations! They were very helpful in our recent trip to San Francisco.

[@AlistairLomas]

This is really helpful - we’ve just booked our first trip and heard about some areas to be avoided - this just makes it perfectly clear! Thank you!!!!

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@edlee9432]

Agree with most of your tips as another SF resident. As more hotels are being built on the periphery of the TL, perhaps you should provide some tips about staying in the area. It's a little sketchy but worth it.

[@johnbonamigo5696]

Amazing video!

[@kevinc4838]

I stayed at the Kensington Park Hotel over one weekend in February! The Playhouse is located on its second floor. Watched a play one evening, feeling too tired to go out after a day traversing the hills of SF.

[@miditrax]

Thanks for the info and pics of HI Fisherman's Wharf - will be staying there in Jan. 2020...

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Awesome! Have a good stay! Staff are also excellent.

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

Can I come too? I could be a modern day Sherpa. :D

[@MikhaelaAtMcCurley]

Really good info!!

[@acbc3543]

San Francisco is worth it every dollar..I’ve stayed at youth hostels many times when I lived in Brazil.

[@acbc3543]

I miss you and I’m glad you have new videos about San Francisco..

[@Donutsoverdosed]

But they say its full of homeless

[@marycello1]

Really helpful, thanks

[@jaywalker4127]

Excellent video,can you make a vlog on hostels in SF for international travelers,you did cover HI SF but there are others too,also any other budget options in SF.

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Hi Jay, will put it on my list. :) FYI that in the description box I have included info for 2 other hostels in good neighborhoods (one in Union Square and one in North Beach).

[@Maria-jn4vf]

Great video with lots of useful advice!

[@joannlawery4258]

Thank you for mentioning Hostelling International Fishermans Wharf which is where I'm staying God willing in February

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Glad you could get a quick preview. I love the location and I think you're going to have an awesome time there.

[@terribarnes100]

Very informative and love your personality! Thank you so much. My son & his fiance moved to Sausalito from Baltimore/DC area so Im learning the ropes of visiting the SF/Sausalito area.

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Good luck to him in Sausalito! It's a beautiful city.

[@theyseeyahshuasjustice2728]

THANKS Zenee for all the info, tons of time /money saving advice. I've lived here for 36 years and do not have the insider as they say. Kudos and Blessings!

[@suzannebrok8894]

What a nice video. What do you suggest for us? We are with 2 persons and will use public transport. We will arrive by plane and leave by train. Best is not too much noise because of my autism. We plan to go in Juli. Thank you for your great advice.

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Hi Suzanne, hope you have a great trip! First, because of covid, one of the more positive effects is that hotel prices have gone back to being normal so there are definitely more reasonable options available now -- even if you are booking for next year July. I can't comment on a particular hotel but can recommend areas for you to search in. Unfortunately there will be some level of city noise no matter where you stay -- but to minimize this, look at the eastern sides of Nob Hill, Russian Hill, or anywhere in North Beach. This will keep you central. Marina/Cow Hollow is also a great area where it's quiet. Down side is that it's close to some things -- Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, The Presidio, Golden Gate Park, but public transportation is a hassle to other parts of the city. If you decide to stay in Marina, check out the hotels I've recommended in my video for this area. Good luck!

[@suzannebrok8894]

@@ZeeneInRealLife Thank you for the great answer. The last day we need to take the bus to the amtrak station (emeryville) so I think then Marina/Cow Hollow is not the best option. And the train is leaving early (the train to Chicago :) ) What do you think? Thank you for your great help. We will also go to the zoo I think.

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

@@suzannebrok8894 Hi Suzanne, it's going to be tough to find a location that is central to everything :) The SF Zoo is clear on the other side of town from Union Square so you'll have to weigh which sights you want to be closest to. Using your request of being closes to the Emeryville Amtrak station, I did a bit of research and the Hotel Griffon looks like it's in a great spot (I haven't looked at the inside of the hotel so can't vouch for that part of it but the location and cost seem good). It is in the new East Cut neighborhood near Salesforce Transit Center as well as MUNI across the street if you decide to take BART across instead. The hotel fronts Embarcadero which can get noisy during the daytime so ask for a rear-facing room which backs onto Steuart Street which is as quiet as you're going to get in a big city. Good luck!

[@suzannebrok8894]

@@ZeeneInRealLife Thank you very much for you nice help. Will write it down and check it. I also did take a look at north beach. What a nice area. As we have a free transportation to Emeryville from some locations in San Francisco (i thought 4 you can choose from)

[@happymoment930]

Hai Zeene. Very nice video. Next monday i will be stay at the Herbert Hotel union square. Is it safe area? I am with 2kids. Do u thing high floor is better and safe? This is our 1st time travelling to SFO. Grateful if u can give us some advise. Thanks so much :))

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Hello! The location is good although I can’t tell about the condition of the hotel. You are two blocks away from the turnabout for the cable car so there are lots of tourists on this stretch of Powell. Currently, most of the workers have not returned to downtown offices so there does seem to be a larger cluster of homeless around Union Square you should take care around. Also be cautious of walking too far east on foot. Have a great time!

[@stephaniebally4479]

What about the area of hilton financial district or Holiday Inn Gateway

[@clar331]

Always look forward to your videos, another great one🤗

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Thanks Cookie!

[@cgmsounds]

Thanks for this! My Wife and I have a flight booked for April and we have been doing research. I think we are going stay in Union Square. We enjoy the Vids!

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Have a good trip!

[@teresahoward7821]

I LOVE staying at the HI hostel on O'Farrell St, diagonal from the Hilton. It is legit 2 blocks off Union Square and 1/3-1/4 of the cost of the Hilton catty corner from it. TOTALLY SAFE.

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Thanks! I’ve included the address in description box for anyone interested :)

[@vanessachinchillalopez8489]

Thanks for the details; you recommendation for search for specifics areas was really helpful; my friend is going to travel to SF but he wants to know if a place is located in Outer Richmond district like 10 minutes walking distance from the Golden Gate Park would be part of your map areas suggested.

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Hi Vanessa, Outer Richmond is a great, safe residential neighborhood. The only drawback (and why it's listed as a "secondary" option) is it's located in the farthest western part of San Francisco. Aside from Golden Gate Park, it's a distance from most of the tourist spots. He can take Muni back and forth but it will take awhile and he'll likely need to Uber to most attractions.

[@vanessachinchillalopez8489]

Zeene InRealLife Thanks for taking time to answered my question :)

[@darylltubebg]

Love your video. Very detailed 👌 and helpful. I'm here for work for several weeks. But your insights help me going arround town. Google will not give 60% of the safety tips like what you just mentioned. Thanks a lot!

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

So glad it was helpful! Enjoy your time here (even tho everything is still kinda closed).

[@wanwadee]

US trip planning is sooo complicated, Tipping and resort fees, not easy at all/// I have planned my trip in. Asia and Europe don’t have to think about these crazily added up prices..... very informative vlog ,,, thanksss

[@alexiawritten]

This is so nice thank u

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Thanks for watching :)

[@TCJones]

Was so suprised how exspensive hotel rooms where in sf, even in london you can get rooms for £60 night that include brekfest! Just paid £100 night for 2 star hotel with out food in sf...

[@carmenchen3588]

great video ! can't wait for more sf videos especially food video

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Hi Carmen! Will try to film some food videos soon...🍽😋

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Great news for AAA members! Just read that Kensington Park Hotel (that I featured in this video) is currently offering a 15% discount using the code VIA15 on the hotel website. Assuming this promo is just running through the winter holidays 2019.

[@changartguy99]

great information! I had a great week last month staying again at a budget hotel (well known on Kearny right across the Coppola building. ) I was surprised that many of these places are offering less rooms because the City has told them to make more rentals as SRO's. Being a visitor in March , I'm often seeing the CGE convention people around the town so yes, I bet hotel prices go up and hotels get booked quickly. Btw, a beautiful hotel to visit and lobby lounge in is the Queen Anne near Japan Center. Years ago I first went there for the start of a Ghost Walking Tour.

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Hi @changartguy99! Can you recommend your budget hotel? Will be useful for the rest of the viewers :) Danka! Thanks also for the Queen Anne reco!

[@changartguy99]

Zeene InRealLife Hotel North Beach. BEST for single travelers and . small single rooms. shared bathrooms but clean. perfect for public transit and close to attractions

[@fredr5504]

Staying in Marina (first time trip to San Francisco) from airport is it worth doing public transportation or just use Lyft/Uber?.. great videos thank you

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Hi Fred R! It's usually most efficient to take an Uber/Lyft direct even though it's a bit of money (~1 hour). But if you are on a tight budget, you can BART into the center of town (45 min) and take an Uber/Lyft from there (30 min). Don't recommend taking public transportation the entire way -- it will take a very long time!

[@fredr5504]

@@ZeeneInRealLife thank you for replying! Very excited and learning loads from your channel

[@ArtzFenix]

Love the new content, keep it up. Curious, what kind of camera are you using? Noticed what looked like green laser focus lights.

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Thanks!! I use an iPhone X for my on-location shoots as it's relatively dummy proof and has a low profile. The green lights are refractions from the chandelier. Not sure why it picked it up this time -- I think the last couple times I filmed it was in the rain and there was a lot of condensation on the glass. I cleaned it this week and hopefully that took care of it!

[@ArtzFenix]

@@ZeeneInRealLife Thanks!

[@subwaysurfer5378]

Thank you greetings from South Africa

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Awesome to have a viewer from South Africa!

[@subwaysurfer5378]

@@ZeeneInRealLife I am curious what is the crime rate like in San Francisco.Should I be worried about Earthquakes

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Hey there! Good questions - had to research! Earthquakes: we get them all the time but you only feel the ones above about 4.0 magnitude. Deadly ones are far between. The last one was Napa in 2014 which was mostly property damage and then the Loma Prieta in 1989. Crime rate: Being an urban center with high people density SF will naturally have a high crime rate. However ~90% are property crimes (burglary, vandalism, etc). If you are planning travel here, just be smart and practice good safety measures. :)

[@subwaysurfer5378]

@@ZeeneInRealLife The crime rate in San Francisco does not seem that bad compared to what I have seen in Cape Town where shootings are a norm . But would definitely love to visit SF someday

[@Explorer_00-p5n]

Thanks, Great! Is it safe to stay at AIRBNB or hostels for solo woman traveller ?

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

I think that depends on your personality :) Some people are pretty savvy and travel aware so I would say those people are good candidates for solo trips. I myself love solo travel and have stayed many times at Airbnbs (love private rooms in people's houses so there are friendly hosts to keep track of me) and although I haven't stayed at a hostel, the benefit is having other travelers around (better safety in numbers and people who might be willing to go out exploring with you). If you are concerned about staying in a dorm, many also offer private rooms. As a single female traveler, you ALWAYS need to practice situational awareness and take precautions to prevent endangering yourself.

[@Explorer_00-p5n]

@@ZeeneInRealLife Thanks so much for taking the time to reply me! appreciate a lot. I will be visiting SFO for the first time and little ..nervous.

[@enriquev8653]

I'll be staying at the Mark Hopkins Hotel this weekend any tips or recommendations?

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Great hotel! You will love it. First, it is at the top of a hill so bring sensible shoes for walking downhill in most directions. Too bad it's covid as you will miss two great cocktail lounges; Top Of The Mark in your hotel and the Tonga Room next door at the Fairmont. You are within easy distance of Union Square (high end shopping). With everything still mostly closed call in advance to make sure things are open. Outdoor activities are still accessible. I recommend this walking tour; head to Chinatown, cross over to North Beach's Columbus Ave, walk north to Washington Square Park with its Italian neighborhoods, then head up to Coit Tower then back down the other side using either the Filbert or Greenwich Stairs which will give you a unique look at SF's stair neighborhoods. You'll come out at Levi Plaza and cross over to Embarcardero -- take a historic streetcar to the Ferry Building for shopping and dinner. Then catch an Uber back to your hotel. I have videos with specific POIs for Chinatown, North Beach, and the hidden stair neighborhoods for more details. Have fun!

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

BTW, although the Tonga Room is open for takeout, the food and drinks are only average and you go for the ambiance (so not worth it right now).

[@enriquev8653]

Thanks you for the tour and very appreciate the information you give us

[@Mr_Magnanimous]

Nice content. I really like the overall look of the Stay Pineapple 🍍 Hotel, but it seems to be in one of those areas to avoid. What's your take on that particular hotel

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

I don’t know it personally but it is definitely in the heart of the Tenderloin which is ok for some but not for others. Perhaps think about your itinerary and when you will be moving about in the neighborhood. They seem to have done a nice job though on the renovation as everything looks new and modern from the pictures. Right now during covid is a good time to do some hotel shopping as travel is down a lot. You may find some discount pricing at the nicer hotels.

[@Mr_Magnanimous]

@@ZeeneInRealLife thank you.

[@sfdanceron1]

I would say today if you are coming to San Francisco, and that's a big if, don't stay in the downtown area. It's a ghost town; filthy and infested with homeless. Instead of a hotel, check out Airbnb and try to book a room in the surrounding neighborhoods, Pacific Height, Marina, the Richmond, etc,. You'll have a much better experience, if you come.

[@steveyeates8443]

Hi Zeene, My daughter has just returned from SF, had a great time, she shared a photo of a moral from a side of house depicting Mother Teresa, Ghanhdi, Martin Luther King and someone else? Another gentleman, who is he ?have you seen the moral? Do you know who it is? How do I share the photo with you Thanks, Steve,

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Awesome to hear she had a good time! I looked it up on the web and I *think* it's a new mural in the Mission (at Mission & 22nd streets). The fourth person is Cesar Chavez who was a civil rights activist who fought for equal labor conditions for hispanic farm workers.

[@verophilly654]

Is the hotel in SOMA area quite safe? My hotel is about 10 minute walk to Market st and 2nd st. Thanks again!

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Hi Veronica Philly! SOMA is a mixed bag. West of 4th Street it's a bit sketchy. East of 4th is great. Not really sure from your description where exactly your hotel is since 10 minutes walk from Market/2nd can definitely take you into this territory -- but Market/2nd itself is just fine. Most of the luxury hotels are around there. Perhaps check on a map and see where you are relative to that boundary? If you are north of Market you are in Financial District which is a business area and clean/safe.

[@verophilly654]

@@ZeeneInRealLife thank you so much for your reply.

[@ryanfrisby7389]

I would say the airport area, more specifically a Residence Inn near the airport

[@coloradobrad6779]

11:03. Story time: I had dinner there one night on business with colleagues and ordered edimame. I had never eaten this, so put the whole shell in my mouth. Umm, I spit it back out once I regaled why where two bowls set in font of me. They stared at me like I was some hick. Damn, that was tough as I grew up planting and harvesting soybeans.

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

😂 Sorry! I’ve definitely had embarrassing moments like that. I once got served tsukemen (noodles in sauce) thought the sauce was soup and slurped it all up. Salty!

[@DougNMarcum42]

thank you very much.

[@linds224433]

What do you think about the Andrews hotel?

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Hi Lindsey! I'm not personally familiar with the hotel but can check it out next time I'm downtown. So looking at the area, the pictures, and the reviews on TripAdvisor, I think it's a pretty fair deal for a Union Square adjacent hotel. That area is more care worn but you look on the border of it being relatively "quiet." Pics look functional but not updated and there were complaints about the small bathroom size but that is standard for these older boutique hotels without moving up in price. I'll add on if I have more comments once I see it.

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Hi Lindsey - just saw a deal on Travelzoo you may want to check out. It's for the Handlery Hotel right in the heart of Union Square. Older hotel but you can't beat its location. They are discounting rates between $139-$179 (not incl. taxes & fees) for stays from now through Jan 2nd.

[@RicaChua]

Thank you for this video. My husband and i are planning to go on a trip in San Francisco for 5 days by the end of August. Is that still a peak season? We will bring our car. Hoping to get affordable but nice place to stay in.

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

August is still prime tourism time (as we get good weather through beginning of November) but there are still lots of good hotels to be had. If you decide to bring a car, make sure to book a hotel that doesn't charge an overnight parking fee which can get costly fast. See my suggestions for Marina lodgings where parking generally is free. Hope you have an awesome trip!

[@RicaChua]

Thank you so much for the info. 😊 i will check that.

[@genevievecaro160]

The car break ins are well known in almost every part of the city. Street parking is near impossible and paid parking is expensive. I suggest park further away from the tourist area and take muni.

[@RomaricoGimeno-pb5ls]

Nice

[@libertadsc2500]

Thank you!

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

Note the airport is quite a distance from the City and the sea ports.

[@teresahoward7821]

The airport is a minimum of 30 minutes, or more, via BART, which is the least expensive and most economical way (and, without question, the most interesting way) to travel into San Francisco. If you are traveling into Powell St Station, please be aware that there will be LOTS of homeless people camped nearby the station. They may or may not speak to you. Engage as you see fit.

[@jcz777]

The problem w/airbnb is that most accommodations want you to book for a 30 day minimum and have you seen the cleaning service fees? Usually on average it's $300 to $700 per stay.. From my experience w/ABnB it's never just a $150 per night stay. So if that's all you want to pay then stick with a hotel. In my opinion Airbnb is just another name for mo to mo leased corporate housing.

[@AlvaSudden]

The Marina is safe but boring. Also it's too far from downtown and the buses are just OK. I liked the area called the "Tendernob" between the Tenderloin and Nob Hill. Trader Joe's and BART are both walkable, in fact everything interesting is walkable.

[@_solange]

I will stay at the Music City Hotel just to lay my head :)

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Hi Solange! Haven’t heard of this one before but looks interesting! Let me know what you think and if it’s worth adding to the list 👍

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

Tenderloin was fine when we were there, just don't be flashing your cash as it's pretty insensitive to the homeless people, unless you'd like to buy them all an apartment using those many Tech company dollars?

[@eugeniasyro7315]

Golden Gate Park is nowhere near the Marina.

[@jessee7334]

Why are we both smiling... I can't stop it's weird. Maybe because we both know you're not paying these rates unless you are PM guaranteed some booty LOL

[@Donutsoverdosed]

150$ is still way too much .

[@ZeeneInRealLife]

Hi Shinobi, I understand that budget is always a priority for travelers-- San Francisco is an expensive city and you'll find that $150 is about where the motels start pricing. You may be able to find cheaper down south in cities like South San Francisco and Millbrae but you will definitely need a car to commute and honestly, for the money you would spend on car rental/gas/parking fees, might as well put that towards the hotel room and save commute time.