The Inside Scoop by our Local Expert
There are only a handful of hotels right around Fisherman's Wharf, and as a result they can be highly expensive and frequently run out of availability. My budget-friendly advice is to take advantage of the convenient cable car transportation available in the city instead. It's easy, and a bit of an attraction all to itself. Choose a hotel in either Nob Hill, Polk Village, or Russian Hill - as far away from the Powell-Mason line or the Powell-Hyde line as you feel comfortable walking (both lines start from the same place and end at Fisherman's Wharf, but at different areas, and there are unique things to see along each route). Good hotel options located right near the crossing of the cable car lines include the Stanford Court and the Huntington Hotel and Nob Spa. Because of its popularity, many hotels in other parts of the city (such as the Cova Hotel) offer a free shuttle to Fisherman's Wharf as well.