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.
See properties

Activities

Golden Gate Bay Cruise Service: sail around Alcatraz!

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

AU$54
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$68
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$137
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Go City: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass with 30+ Attractions
Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

AU$194
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise
City Sightseeing San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

City Sightseeing San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

AU$77
per adult
City Sightseeing San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
San Francisco: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoia Tour

San Francisco: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Tour

AU$287
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
San Francisco: One day Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Tour
See all activities in San Francisco

Our pick of the best Marina District Hotel Deals

Travelodge by Wyndham San Francisco Bay

Travelodge by Wyndham San Francisco Bay

2 out of 5
1450 Lombard St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$207 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
AU$207
20 Sept - 21 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
Travelodge by Wyndham San Francisco Bay
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$248 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
AU$248
20 Sept - 21 Sept
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (6,279 reviews)
"Staff"

Reviewed on 11 Sept 2026

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
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$285 per night from 2 Oct to 3 Oct
AU$285
2 Oct - 3 Oct
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 ...
Hilton San Francisco Union Square
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$328 per night from 18 Sept to 19 Sept
AU$328
18 Sept - 19 Sept
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! (7,664 reviews)
"This hotel is a well oiled machine and it is perfectly located near the local hot spots! Everything is with in walking distance and transportation. Inside is clean. Staff are friendly and helpful. Beds are perfect not hard lumpy and uncomfortable like most hotels. The breakfast buffet was excellent ..."

Reviewed on 10 Sept 2026

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
The Pickwick Hotel

The Pickwick Hotel

3.5 out of 5
85 5th St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$162 per night from 4 Oct to 5 Oct
AU$162
4 Oct - 5 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,523 reviews)
"Shower should have guard rails/handles"

Reviewed on 10 Sept 2026

The Pickwick Hotel
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St San Francisco CA
The price is AU$201 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
AU$201
20 Sept - 21 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and Wi-Fi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,199 reviews)
"Clean room"

Reviewed on 11 Sept 2026

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
See all 4,205 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 street with shops, including a crystal shop and a crepes cafe.

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 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 San Francisco Bay 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 cityscape with modern skyscrapers, a central park with pathways, and a few people walking.

South of Market

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

A street lined with historic buildings, parked cars, and a clear blue sky.

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

Choose two or more items and save on your trip:

Explore a world of travel with Expedia