From Tots to Young Adults: Best Hotels for Kids in San Francisco

Mimi Slawoff Avatar
The Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic San Francisco landmark. Photo credit: Gwen Kleist.

With famous attractions like Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz Island, San Francisco is an exciting city to visit on a family vacation. Staying at the best hotels for kids in San Francisco puts you near these top attractions and the iconic cable cars. Plus, kid-friendly hotels have the amenities you need for fun family travel.

Family-friendly San Francisco even works for that hardest-to-please demographic: teens. We’ve had many fun family vacations in this vibrant city with several distinct districts. And when my daughter attended college in San Francisco, my husband, my mom and I spent many weekends exploring the Bay Area with her.

From riding, walking or biking on the Golden Gate Bridge and visiting Alcatraz Island (a must!) to exploring Golden Gate Park, Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square, San Francisco is a unique urban family vacation.

Choosing a San Francisco hotel that meets your whole family’s needs is important, especially if you need easy access to public transportation (BART) and cable cars. From boutique inns to luxury hotels, kid-friendly properties are easy to find in a range of budgets in Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, Downtown San Francisco and other neighborhoods.

Use this list of the best hotels for families in San Francisco to help you plan your family travel to the Bay Area.

Read More: Best Bay Area Spas

Room at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco
A room at The InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

The InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel

999 California St.
San Francisco, CA, 94108
(415) 392-3434

The Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel on top of Nob Hill has been around since the early 1920s. You can almost hear the vodka gimlet glasses klinking when you enter the historic lobby of this luxury hotel. (Don’t miss the chance to stroll through the hotel’s museum to show your kids what a rotary phone is!)

Whether you stay at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins or not, take a trip to the Top of the Mark on the 19th floor. The 360-degree views of the city and the Bay are stunning.

Hotels in San Francisco - Intercontinental squadron bottle case
The case of squadron bottles with notes at the Intercontinental. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

And if you are a military veteran or appreciate one, SheBuysTravel founder Kim Orlando says it is a must-visit. Here’s why:

In the 1940s, a staff sergeant bought a bottle of whiskey and left it at the bar for anyone in his unit to enjoy, for free. According to the note he left with the bottle, the person who drinks the last ounce has to buy a new bottle. The bottle collection grew to more than 300; some of the attached letters are heart-squeezing must-reads.

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For whatever reason, the tradition faded and the bottle collection was stored away. In 2009, a young lieutenant revived the Squadron Bottle with a bottle of bourbon. Now veterans AND patriots from all over the world bring a bottle and a note to be shared. The curator said he has stood by many burly former Marines who wept.

Speaking of weeping, Weeper’s Corner is a special section of Top of the Mark where fiances, wives and girlfriends wept as they waved to their soldiers as they sailed off to war. Weeper’s Corner has hosted thousands of marriage proposals.

Why the InterContinental Mark Hopkins works for families

  • All three cable car lines cross just below the hotel, at Powell and California streets, and the California line goes right past the hotel
  • A game room with ping pong, board games and pinball (but no pool)
  • Nob Hill Club on the lobby level serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  • Top of the Mark, known for its specialty cocktails, allows kids until 10pm and serves a selection of appetizers
  • Pet friendly
  • 383 guest rooms ranging from standard rooms to suites
  • Babysitting services available

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F-line streetcars run up and down the waterfront. Photo credit: Gwen Kleist.

Hotel del Sol

3100 Webster St.
San Francisco, California 94123
(415) 921-5520

Hotel del Sol is a kid-friendly, funky hotel near the Marina District. Families enjoy the laid-back comfort and outdoor heated swimming pool, free continental breakfast and free WiFi. The hotel serves freshly baked chocolate cookies in the afternoon. Plus, children ages 18 and younger stay free when occupying the same room as their parents. Nearby bike rentals are a fun way to explore the area.

Why Hotel del Sol works for families:

  • Children stay free
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Mini fridge available upon request
  • Heated outdoor pool
  • Free breakfast
  • Free WiFi
  • Freshly baked cookies served in the afternoon

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Exterior of the historic Omni San Francisco, one of the top hotels for kids on the cable car line.
Exterior of the historic Omni San Francisco, one of the top hotels for kids on the cable car line. Photo credit: Omni Hotels and Resorts

Omni San Francisco Hotel

500 California St.
San Francisco, California 94104
(415) 677-9494

Situated on the historic California cable car line in the Financial District, the elegant Omni San Francisco Hotel is a short walking distance to Union Square, the Embarcadero, Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf and other top attractions. Families like that the hotel’s central location in downtown San Francisco is near restaurants and public transportation. The family-friendly hotel offers service to the San Francisco International Airport.

More amenities feature concierge services and the hotel’s Omni Junior Chef welcome tote with a lunch bag, snacks and activity book.

Why the Omni San Francisco Hotel works for families:

  • Central location near Union Square, the Embarcadero, Chinatown, the Ferry Building and Fisherman’s Wharf
  • Kids’ welcome tote with snacks and activity book
  • Flat-screen cable TV
  • Concierge services

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Mother and father with kids and colorful balloons in a luxury suite in the family-friendly Fairmont San Francisco
The Fairmont San Francisco accommodates families with spacious suites and amenities on a family vacation. Photo credit: Fairmont San Francisco

Fairmont San Francisco

950 Mason St.
San Francisco, California 94108
(415) 772-5000

The Fairmont San Francisco is a luxury hotel located in Nob Hill. Choose from signature guest rooms to deluxe and bedroom suites with panoramic bay and city views. Family suites ensure space for everyone.

Hotel highlights include a rooftop terrace, free WiFi and two onsite restaurants: The Tonga Room (open on select days) and the kid-friendly Laurel Court, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A children’s menu is available. Travelers give the hotel a thumbs up for comfortable beds and nearby public transportation.

Why the Fairmont San Francisco Hotel works for families:

  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Family suites
  • In-room childcare (surcharge)
  • Connecting rooms available

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Exterior of Westin St. Francis at dusk, one of the top hotels for families in San Francisco
The Westin St. Francis Hotel is located in Union Square near top attractions, making it one of the best hotels for kids in San Francisco. Photo credit: Westin St. Francis San Francisco

Westin St. Francis San Francisco

335 Powell St.
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 397-7000

My mom and I stayed at the elegant Westin St. Francis in San Francisco Union Square while visiting my daughter in college. It’s such a lovely hotel that my daughter stayed there with us for the weekend. Built in 1904, the historic hotel offers an assortment of accommodations and family amenities such as free cribs/infant beds and connecting rooms.

In addition to room service and onsite restaurants, the Westin St. Francis is a short walking distance to many restaurants. It’s also near Chinatown and the Union Square Cable Car, which we rode to Ghirardelli Square and then walked along the wharf.

Why the Westin St. Francis San Francisco works for families:

  • Children stay free
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Babysitting (surcharge)
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms available
  • Laundry facilities

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The Four Seasons San Francisco at Union Square

757 Market St.
San Francisco, California 94103
(415) 633-3000

If you’re looking for a 5-star luxury hotel with a full-service spa and family-friendly amenities, The Four Seasons San Francisco at Union Square is for you. In addition, it’s near top attractions like the Yerba Buena Gardens. Note that there’s also a Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at the Embarcadero.

The kid-friendly Four Seasons offers a variety of rooms from standard to deluxe and one-bedroom suites. Some rooms accommodate a rollaway bed.

Although there’s an indoor swimming pool, only teens 15 and older are allowed. However, the kid-friendly hotel welcomes youngsters with milk and cookies offered at check-in. More children’s amenities include kid-sized robes and slippers, board games, bath amenities, children’s menus and more. In addition, the hotel’s Kids Concierge helps arrange age-appropriate activities.

Why The Four Seasons San Francisco works for families:

  • Children stay free
  • Milk and cookies upon check-in
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Babysitting (surcharge)
  • Children’s bath amenities
  • Kid-sized robes and slippers
  • Children’s menus
  • Board games
  • Kids Concierge helps arrange age-appropriate activities

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San Francisco Marriott Marquis

780 Mission St.
San Francisco, California 94103
(415) 896-1600

Located in downtown San Francisco, the kid-friendly San Francisco Marriott Marquis provides convenient family services. The 4-star hotel is among a handful of San Francisco Marriotts. This location is near attractions including Oracle Park and the SoMA district. Amenities include two onsite restaurants, a coffee shop/cafe and snack bar.

The hotel accommodates families with a variety of rooms. Choose from standard guest rooms to one-bedroom suites with living areas.

Why the San Francisco Marriott Marquis works for families:

  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Rollaway beds available for a fee
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Limo town car service around town

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Famous Fisherman’s Wharf nautical sign in San Francisco near the Hotel Zephyr, a top hotel for families.
Fisherman’s Wharf is one of San Francisco’s top attractions making the Hotel Zephyr’s nearby location a plus. Photo credit: Gwen Kleist

Hotel Zephyr

250 Beach St.
San Francisco, California 94133
(415) 617-6565

The kid-friendly Hotel Zephyr is near Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, making it a good option for families. The 4-star boutique hotel features nautical-themed guest rooms, some with views of the San Francisco Bay. Handy amenities include a mini-market, tour tickets services and game room. Plus, the hotel has a garden and picnic area. Bike rentals are nearby.

Why the Hotel Zephyr works for families:

  • Children stay free
  • Free cribs/infant beds
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Onsite mini market
  • Game room
  • Nearby bike rentals

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Handlery Union Square Hotel

351 Geary St.
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 781-7800

The Handlery Union Square is a 3-star hotel that makes a family vacation in San Francisco budget friendly. It has a convenient location a short walking distance from the Powell Street cable car line. Choose from an assortment of family-friendly guest rooms with double beds, queen beds and a king bed. Rooms are equipped with free WiFi, a coffeemaker, mini fridge and pillow-top beds. Free cribs are available upon request.

After a day of sightseeing, families can enjoy the outdoor heated swimming pool, beach chairs and free WiFi.

Why the Handlery Union Square Hotel works for families:

  • Free cribs
  • Mini fridge
  • Free WiFi
  • Heated outdoor swimming pool
  • Near cable car line

CHECK PRICES / AVAILABILITY

Native Angeleno and seasoned travel journalist Mimi Slawoff writes for numerous print and digital publications. She is also the author of Oldest Los Angeles (Reedy Press, 2022). A lifelong world traveler, Mimi is an award-winning journalist who writes about outdoor adventures, cruises, Europe and cultural activities. Mimi has three grown kids and lives with her husband and their dog, Maya, in Los Angeles.
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