Marina District Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Ancient columns and an ornate archway in a historical site.
A group of people walking in a courtyard with large stone columns and a small tree.
A large stone column structure with ornate capitals, set in a landscaped urban area with a clear sky.
A classical architectural structure with large columns and an arched gateway.
A grand architectural structure with large columns and arches, surrounded by a spacious plaza with people walking and a park in the background.

You’ll find a lot of fit folks running and biking in the Marina District. This will give you some idea of the appeal of this waterside locale.

Sitting on the site of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, the Marina District is a jewel in a treasure box of a city. Stroll down Marina Boulevard and take in unobstructed views of the Golden Gate Bridge before wandering through the historic buildings at Fort Mason. The buildings now house coffee shops, museums and restaurants. But the belle of the ball is the Palace of Fine Arts—the only building leftover from the 1915 exposition.

Stay near popular Marina District attractions

A large, ornate building with a dome and multiple arches, surrounded by a body of water and greenery.

Palace of Fine Arts

9.0/10 (5,245 reviews)
This fabulous palace, inspired by Roman architecture is a fascinating modern renaissance piece and home to San Francisco’s centre of fine arts and science.
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Activities

Golden Gate Bay Cruise Service: sail around Alcatraz!

Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Sail Around Alcatraz! (1-hour)

AU$55
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Golden Gate Bay Cruise - Sail Around Alcatraz! (1-hour)
California Academy of Sciences General Admission

California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission

AU$69
per adult
86% of travellers recommend
California Academy of Sciences Daytime Admission
Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 25+ Attractions

Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 30+ Attractions

AU$138
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 30+ Attractions
San Francisco: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoia Tour

San Francisco: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Tour

AU$290
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
San Francisco: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Tour
Golden Gate Bridge at night

San Francisco Night Tour

AU$67
per adult
76% of travellers recommend
San Francisco Night Tour
Bridge 2 Bridge Tour: Golden Gate Bridge to Bay Bridge

San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)

AU$67
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise (90-minutes)
See all activities in San Francisco

Our pick of the best Marina District Hotel Deals

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave San Francisco CA
The price is AU$199 per night from 22 Nov to 23 Nov
AU$199
22 Nov - 23 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the ...
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
2500 Mason St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$226 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
AU$226
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (7,741 reviews)
"Great location"

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2026

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hilton San Francisco Union Square

Hilton San Francisco Union Square

4 out of 5
333 O'Farrell St. San Francisco CA
The price is AU$252 per night from 22 Nov to 23 Nov
AU$252
22 Nov - 23 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy 2 bars/lounges, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,845 reviews)
"Towels were thin and looked worn out. Only 2 bath towels in the bathroom. No m"

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2026

Hilton San Francisco Union Square
FOUND Hotel Carlton, Nob Hill

FOUND Hotel Carlton, Nob Hill

2 out of 5
1075 Sutter St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$127 per night from 25 Nov to 26 Nov
AU$127
25 Nov - 26 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and Netflix. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
FOUND Hotel Carlton, Nob Hill
The Marina Inn on San Francisco Bay

The Marina Inn on San Francisco Bay

3.5 out of 5
68 Monarch Bay Dr San Leandro CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$170 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
AU$170
1 Nov - 2 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in San Leandro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
The Marina Inn on San Francisco Bay
Parc 55 San Francisco - A Hilton Hotel

Parc 55 San Francisco - A Hilton Hotel

4 out of 5
55 Cyril Magnin St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$246 per night from 13 Nov to 14 Nov
AU$246
13 Nov - 14 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,717 reviews)
"Very clean, nice, and spacious hotel."

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2026

Parc 55 San Francisco - A Hilton Hotel
See all 4,147 properties in Marina District
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Our guide on where to stay in Marina District

Find the best Marina District areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Marina District
Learn more about Marina District
A cityscape with tall buildings, a central plaza with palm trees, and a flag on one of the buildings.

Union Square

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Union Square. Check out top attractions like Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators and Union Square, and jump on the metro at Powell St & Geary Blvd Stop or Powell St & Post St Stop to see more of the city.

A trolley on a street with buildings and a clock tower.

Downtown San Francisco

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Francisco. Top attractions like Oracle Park and Chase Center are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

A pier with a large number of sea lions resting on floating platforms.

Fisherman's Wharf

Travellers love Fisherman's Wharf for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Jones St and Beach St Stop or Jefferson St & Taylor St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay.

A city street with tall buildings, flags, and cars.

South of Market

Gourmet restaurants great entertainment and top sights from Oracle Park to Chase Center – discover South of Market, a destination also famous for its shopping.

A cityscape with a prominent skyscraper, a bridge, and a mix of modern and historic buildings.

Nob Hill

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from SF Masonic Auditorium to Cable Car Museum – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Marina District Travel Guide

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