This blog post is all about my review of The Grant Hotel San Francisco, California.
If you’re planning a trip to San Francisco, choosing the right place to stay can make all the difference.
With its steep streets, iconic cable cars, and eclectic neighbourhoods, San Francisco is one of California’s most fascinating cities. But it’s also one where the location of your accommodation really matters.
During our West Coast road trip, we stayed at The Grant Hotel San Francisco, a charming, budget-friendly hotel perfectly located near Union Square.
Here’s my full review of The Grant Hotel San Francisco, plus a breakdown of where to stay in San Francisco (and which areas to avoid).
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Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in San Francisco
San Francisco isn’t huge, but each neighbourhood feels like its own world. When choosing where to stay, the two main factors are safety and accessibility.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the most popular areas:
Union Square
The heart of the city and home to The Grant Hotel San Francisco. It’s ideal for first-time visitors because you’re within walking distance of major attractions, shopping, and public transport (including BART and cable cars).
However, some streets nearby border the Tenderloin, which has a different vibe, but more on that later.
Fisherman’s Wharf
A great area for families and those who want to be close to the water. It’s safe, touristy, and full of restaurants, though hotel prices tend to be higher.
Nob Hill
An upscale and quiet neighbourhood with beautiful architecture and panoramic views. It’s still central, but expect steep hills!
North Beach
Known as San Francisco’s Little Italy, this is the perfect neighbourhood for foodies and those who love nightlife.
If we had a little more budget, this is definitely where we’d stay when we next visit San Francisco. Close to everything, and buzzing with young people, restaurants and bars, it was one of our favourite neighbourhoods in San Francisco.
Mission District
Trendy, colourful, and full of murals and independent coffee shops. It’s lively and fun, though not as central for sightseeing.
The Tenderloin & Safety in San Francisco
Let’s talk about the Tenderloin area, because it’s something that every traveller to San Francisco should be aware of.
The Tenderloin area is adjacent to Union Square and is known for its visible homelessness and open drug use.
While it’s not always dangerous to walk through during the day, it can be uncomfortable for visitors, especially at night.
That said, San Francisco is a city of contrasts, and things can change drastically within just a few blocks.
The Grant Hotel San Francisco is located on Bush Street, which is much calmer and cleaner than the deeper Tenderloin area. We felt so safe walking around Union Square during the day, grabbing dinner, and exploring and never had any issues during our stay.
But as a general rule, I wouldn’t recommend wandering too far west into the Tenderloin after dark.
A few tips for staying safe in San Francisco:
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
- Avoid leaving valuables or anything visible in your car (car break-ins are very common).
- Stick to main streets and well-lit areas.
- If in doubt, use rideshare apps like Uber, Lyft or Waymo for getting around after dark.
Reasons to Visit San Francisco
San Francisco is one of those cities that captures you from the moment you arrive.
From the colourful houses of Alamo Square to the fog rolling in over the Golden Gate Bridge, there’s just something cinematic about it.
It’s a city of contrasts from sleek tech headquarters and historic trams, modern art museums and century-old jazz bars, luxury boutiques and hole-in-the-wall dim sum shops in Chinatown.
Whether you’re here for sightseeing, food, or culture, there’s always something happening in San Francisco.
Some of the best things to do in San Francisco include:
- Golden Gate Bridge: walk, cycle, or drive across for the best views
- Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39: yes, it’s touristy, but you can’t miss the sea lions!
- Alcatraz Island: one of America’s most fascinating (and eerie) landmarks
- Chinatown: one of the oldest and most vibrant in the U.S.
- Lombard Street: famously crooked and surrounded by pretty homes
- The Painted Ladies: the iconic pastel-coloured Victorian houses
How to Get to San Francisco
Getting to San Francisco is relatively straightforward, whether you’re flying in, driving along the coast, or arriving by train.
How to Get to San Francisco by Plane
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the main airport serving the city and is about 13 miles south of downtown. It’s one of the busiest airports in the U.S., with direct flights from across the country and the world.
From SFO, you can reach The Grant Hotel San Francisco easily by:
- BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit): Take the Yellow Line towards Antioch and get off at Powell Street Station. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the hotel.
- Uber/Lyft: Around 25–35 minutes depending on traffic.
- Airport Shuttle: Shared vans run regularly and can drop you directly at your hotel for a lower cost than a taxi.
If you’re flying into Oakland International Airport (OAK), it’s just across the bay and also has BART access to downtown San Francisco.
How to Get to San Francisco by Car
San Francisco is a popular stop on California’s Highway 1 coastal drive, making it easy to include as part of a larger road trip itinerary (like we did).
We drove here after exploring Monterey and Santa Barbara, and it took us around two hours, with plenty of photo stops along the way.
Parking in San Francisco can be tricky (and very expensive), but The Grant Hotel San Francisco has a secure parking garage directly across the street, so it’s very manageable with a car.
How to Get to San Francisco by Train or Bus
If you’re coming from another California city like Los Angeles, Amtrak and Greyhound both run routes into San Francisco.
The journey is longer than driving, but it’s a scenic and relaxed way to travel the coast.
Why We Chose to Stay At The Grant Hotel San Francisco
We chose The Grant Hotel San Francisco mainly for its central location and great value.
San Francisco accommodation prices can be steep, especially near Union Square, and The Grant Hotel offered a comfortable stay without breaking the bank.
It’s a classic boutique-style hotel with friendly staff, a cozy atmosphere, and clean rooms. Perfect for travellers who plan to spend their days exploring the city.
The hotel’s location made it easy to walk to the cable cars, Chinatown, and countless restaurants.
If you’re doing a West Coast road trip like us, there’s also nearby parking garages where you can safely leave your car overnight, something that’s not always easy to find in the city!
Amenities of The Grant Hotel San Francisco
While The Grant Hotel San Francisco isn’t a luxury property, it ticks all the boxes for a comfortable, no-fuss stay.
Amenities include:
- Clean, spacious rooms with comfortable beds
- Private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free coffee, tea and pastries in the lobby each morning
- 24-hour front desk and luggage storage
- Easy access to public transportation
It’s also worth noting that the hotel’s staff were incredibly kind and helpful. They offered recommendations for places to eat, helped with parking tips, and made check-in and check-out seamless.
Where to Eat Near The Grant Hotel San Francisco
You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to food near Union Square. Within walking distance of The Grant Hotel San Francisco, you’ll find:
- Tonton Restaurant: a cozy spot for comforting noodles after a day of exploring
- Tad’s Steakhouse: a casual local institution serving hearty portions
- Liholiho Yacht Club: creative Hawaiian fusion dishes
- Brenda’s French Soul Food: a local favourite for brunch and beignets
Final Review of The Grant Hotel San Francisco
Would I Stay at The Grant Hotel San Francisco Again?
Yes. For a budget-friendly, central stay in San Francisco, The Grant Hotel San Francisco is an excellent choice. It’s clean, convenient, and ideal for travellers who plan to spend most of their time exploring the city.
While San Francisco does have a reputation for its visible homelessness and rising crime rates, most of the time it’s simply about being street-smart and knowing which areas to avoid.
The Grant Hotel San Francisco sits in one of the most convenient and accessible parts of the city. Close enough to the action, but tucked away from the rougher edges.
If you’re travelling through California on a West Coast road trip like us, and want an affordable, comfortable base to explore San Francisco’s highlights, The Grant Hotel San Francisco is a solid pick.
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By Orlagh Shanks
Orlagh Shanks is the Editor of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and moved to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.
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