The Best Hotels Near the Golden Gate Bridge

The mile-long bridge constructed in 1937 spans from the wooded hills of San Francisco’s Presidio to the pristine headlands of Marin County. And here’s the secret: the best place to stay near the Bridge isn’t in San Francisco! That’s right, my top two picks for a hotel near the Golden Gate Bridge are on the Marin County side in Sausalito, CA. But don’t worry – if you’re sure you want to stay in the City, I have some good recommendations there as well!

Cavallo Point Lodge

Nestled in the hillside beneath the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge lies Cavallo Point Lodge. The austere exterior belies its location as a former military base, but don’t be fooled; the rooms are bright and graceful, and common areas have a richness which can only come from the location’s heritage and character. These spaces host a critically-acclaimed restaurant and lounge, Sula. Also for your enjoyment are a spa, gym and yoga classes, plus on-site cooking classes. I would enjoy a peaceful morning on the wrap-around deck rocking chairs, take a guided hike through the Marin Headlands, take an e-bike right from the hotel lobby to cross the Golden Gate Bridge, and make it back for cocktails and dinner all in one day. The hotel provides a free shuttle service to San Francisco and to the Sausalito Ferry Terminal, so you’ll have no trouble getting around.

Cavallo Point Lodge is on Golden Gate National Park land, and you’ll certainly feel the coziness and closeness to nature that you might in somewhere like Yosemite’s Ahwanee or Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn. The Lodge has 140 rooms, roughly half of which are in historic military buildings and the other are in eco-friendly buildings constructed in 2008. The historic rooms can be better for those who want to fully immerse in the experience or for families traveling with children who want the privacy of a bedroom door. The newer rooms are more likely to feature views of the Golden Gate Bridge and luxurious bathrooms.

My kid’s favorite part about coming here is the proximity to the Bay Area Discovery Museum. This is no ordinary museum, it’s part playground, part science and all fun! If you’re visiting the Golden Gate with family, I highly recommend tagging this onto your trip.

Casa Madrona

This hotel is the very definition of ‘quiet luxury’. I actually saw Conan O’Brien walking out the exit and to the nearby Lappert’s Ice Cream shop during a visit five years ago. It wasn’t until a minute after passing him that I realized who he was; no one was making a fuss over a celebrity visit. It’s that kind of place.

Casa Madrona is located in the center of the adorable seaside town of Sausalito. Sausalito has the feel of a European town, and you can walk down the street for coffee, a bit of shopping and stunning views of the city skyline. I love that it’s near the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, yet has a more cozy feel. The hotel features both historic rooms and cottages which cascade down the hillside and a block of modern hotel rooms. Both options are lovely, but note that the historic rooms require stair access, so if you need accessibility the modern rooms are the way to go.

On site is a gym, a spa and several generous patios featuring views of the city, TVs and fire pits. The Alexandrite Suite may be rented out for weddings and events. On street level sits Poggio, an excellent restaurant frequented by locals. I loved sitting outside for some excellent people-watching at any time of day.

Hotel Drisco

Located in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, you can expect to encounter incredibly steep streets lined by fabulously grand mansions while staying at the Hotel Drisco. Pac Heights is aptly named for its elevated views of San Francisco Bay. What I love about Hotel Drisco is being able to stay away from busy downtown or touristy Fisherman’s Wharf and closer to the peaceful beauty of the Presidio and Golden Gate Bridge.

It’s easy to see why this is a Forbes Travel Guide Recommended boutique hotel: in addition to the incredible location, the building is a classic Edwardian (similar to a Victorian - think romantic, ornate and 100+ years old). My favorite part of a stay here is that the hotel provides complimentary wine tasting daily with a rotating menu and appetizers. The staff are warm and knowledgeable and it’s a lovely atmosphere to unwind after a day of touring around.

The Golden Gate Bridge is a top attraction for many San Francisco visitors, yet finding the right hotel nearby can be a challenge. I would absolutely encourage my clients to think outside the box and stay on the north side of the Bridge in Sausalito, at Cavallo Point or Casa Madrona. However, if they’re tight on time or just really set on having a city experience, then Hotel Drisco may be the right place to stay! There is so much to consider when planning a visit to San Francisco, please reach out to me and I’d love to help you have the best experience ever.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to San Francisco. In need of further inspiration? Check out Phoebe Pierce‘s guide, 5-Day Adventure Itinerary in San Francisco.