Berkeley
This 100-year-old downtown jewel features a foyer of red Italian glass lighting, flocked Victorian-style wallpaper – and yes, a peace sign tiled into the…
Must-see hotels in The Bay Area
Marin County
A stylish and comfortable contemporary hotel, although concrete hallways and staircases testify to the more basic motel it once was. The best value in…
Marin County
Just off Limantour Rd, this rustic hostel has bunkhouses with warm and cozy front rooms, big-view windows and outdoor areas with hill vistas. A newer eco…
San Jose
A burbling lobby fountain and deep-red corridor carpeting set the tone for this tranquil and very conveniently located 212-room contemporary hotel in the…
Oakland
Artist and activist Traci 'B-Love' Bartlow rents out part of her funky, friendly West Oakland home, which is cannabis friendly and includes a garden with…
Downtown, Civic Center & SoMa
Industrial-chic Diva has a stainless-steel and black-granite dominatrix aesthetic that appeals to techies and club kids alike. Beds are comfy, with good…
Marin County
A crusty old place dating to 1851, Smiley’s has simple but decent rooms (no TV or phone), and last-minute weekday rates can be a bargain. The bar, which…
Berkeley
A gorgeous 1928 arts-and-crafts building that was originally a women’s club, the Bancroft is just across the street from campus and two blocks from…
Marin County
Wake up to grazing deer and dew on the ground at this spartan 1907 military compound snuggled in the woods. It has comfortable beds and two well-stocked…
The Peninsula
Remodeled to keep up with Silicon Valley techies and venture capitalists through 2019, this sleek downtown boutique hotel has its own tech concierge and…
Marin County
In the hills above Muir Beach, this Zen Buddhist retreat center’s contemporary accommodations are for personal retreats or those attending the center's…
San Jose
Opened during the Jazz Age, this downtown hotel is a restored art deco beauty that pays homage to the property's history. Guest rooms offer plush comforts…
Oakland
There's a fair bit of mid-century, swinging Cali charm at this motel, located a short walk from the BART and Temescal's main strip. Walk through exterior…
Marin County
Just off Hwy 1 and a quick stroll to the beach, Sandpiper's rooms, cabins and cottage are all comfortable and truly adorable. All have a gas fireplace and…
Sausalito
Ensconce yourself in one of 31 modern and spacious rooms – most with private deck and wood-burning fireplace – that practically levitate over the water…
Oakland
At the city convention center, downtown's busiest high-rise hotel has been redesigned with local flair. Murals and Oakland-themed art adorn the walls,…
Marin County
Fronting a peaceful cove at Tomales Bay, these water-view and waterfront vacation cottages are expensive, but oh-so romantic. Some have a wood-burning…
Marin County
Load up your sleeping bag and hike 2 miles from Pantoll Station to this rustic 1904 hilltop hideaway built as a stopover for the Mill Valley and Mt…
Oakland
While Z touts itself as a boutique property, the courtyard focused layout and comfortable-for-a-business-trip ambiance gives it more of a standard…
Sausalito
Tranquil and inviting, this inn has nine guest rooms in a historical 1869 home and six in a newer building. The more expensive rooms have a Jacuzzi,…
Marin County
This upmarket motel has wonderful service and spiffy rooms with good beds. Alas, it was built backwards: all but two rooms (which have stunning views)…
The Peninsula
Overlooking the bay from the bluffs near Pillar Point Harbor, all these loft-style suites have down comforters and gas fireplaces to keep you toasty in…
The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers
Of the many motels lining Lombard St (Hwy 101), the generic Coventry has the highest quality-to-value ratio, with spacious, well-maintained (if plain)…
Sausalito
Steps away from the ferry in the middle of downtown, this grand 1915 hotel has loads of period charm, paired with modern touches such as satellite TV, DVD…
Marin County
In a spectacular shady nook near the entrance to the bay, there’s a small beach with the Golden Gate Bridge arching over the rocks nearby. At night you…
Marin County
At this hotel, with its deck extending over the bay, tasteful rooms have an elegant minimalism that combines comfort and style. Rooms with rustic high…
San Jose
Formerly the Sainte Claire, this atmospheric 1926 landmark hotel overlooking Plaza de Cesar Chavez has a drop-dead gorgeous lobby with stretched-leather…
Cottages at Point Reyes Seashore
Marin County
Hidden in the woods, this family-friendly place offers contemporary kitchenette rooms in A-frame structures, plus a tennis court, hot tub, croquet,…
Angel Island State Park Campgrounds
Marin County
The island's dozen hike-, bicycle- or kayak-in environmental tent sites are usually reserved months in advance. East Bay sites are closest to the ferry…
Marin County
The 15 first-come, first-served walk-in tent sites are right on two of the park's best hiking trails and adjacent to Redwood Creek, with open vistas to…
The Peninsula
For oceanfront luxury, this boutique inn is the best in town, offering spacious, romantic roosts, most with deep-soaking tubs, gas fireplaces, plush…
Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground
The Peninsula
Camp by the ocean at Francis Beach, just over a mile's walk from downtown Half Moon Bay. Among a few cypress trees in the sand dunes, campsites have fire…
Samuel P Taylor State Park Campgrounds
Marin County
Beautifully secluded campsites in creekside redwood groves beckon with picnic tables, drinking water and hot showers. A handful of woodsy cabins have…
Mt Diablo State Park Campgrounds
Mt Diablo State Park
Of the park's three drive-in campgrounds, Juniper and Live Oak have showers. All campgrounds may be closed during high fire danger and water may be turned…
The Peninsula
South of the university campus and downtown, this roadside property has fair rates, oversized rooms (some with balcony lanai) and garden-filled grounds…
Marin County
From the parking lot it’s only a 100yd walk or cycle to the campground, with 16 first-come, first-served woodsy tent sites, fire pits, picnic tables and…
Marin County
A wood-burning stove, private outdoor hot tub, comfy king bed and kitchen stocked with breakfast supplies make this round skylighted abode a slice of…
The Peninsula
Unwind in the private two-room cottage or one of the spotless Victorian rooms in a restored 100-year-old farmhouse with a tranquil creekside garden.
The Peninsula
At Costanoa resort, national chain KOA manages a huge hillside campground with picnic areas and BBQ grills.
The Peninsula
Shady campsites have picnic tables and fire pits, but the most serene spots are the walk-in, tent-only sites tucked back into the forest.
