Rooftop decks with a view of Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. Funky boho apartments. Chic Victorians that merge history with modern amenities.
San Francisco is perhaps the BEST city in the United States to book an Airbnb. That’s because our hotels are primarily grouped in one corner of the city, while vacation rentals provide a much more authentic way experience San Francisco.
I love helping visitors have the best trip to my city so I spent hours rummaging through all the listings to find the best, coolest Airbnbs in San Francisco for you! Keep reading for my list.
>> Got a question about San Francisco that you need answered quickly? DM me on Instagram @thewhimsysoul and I’ll be happy to help!
I judge a cool Airbnb based on the style, amenities, previous ratings/ reviews, and overall experience I think it’ll bring to my vacation. In this case, I’ll also be handpicking rentals in neighborhoods I like to steer visitors to.
On that note, I noticed while researching that Airbnb was featuring a ton of rentals that aren’t actually in the city. Take it from a local – you want to stay in the city, not South San Francisco or Pacifica. The commute in will be too long and expensive to make it worth it.
You can learn more about all my favorite things to do in San Francisco in my mega city guide, or find a list of Instagramable places in the city in my SF photo guide! Ok, not let’s get started with the best Airbnbs.
>> PS: Use THIS LINK to save $55 on your Airbnb stay!! Woohoo, save that coin!
10 Coolest San Francisco Airbnbs
Rooftop decks with a view of Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. Funky boho apartments. Chic Victorians that merge history with modern amenities. San Francisco is perhaps the BEST city in the United States to book an Airbnb and these are my favorite rentals in the Bay Area!
Location: Mission
Price: $162 / night
Guests: Up to 2
Holy moly I want to move into this Airbnb! Located steps away from Dolores Park (the city's favorite place to hang on a sunny weekend day) this chic coastal bungalow has a HOT TUB.
That's right, a hot tub! On the chilly San Francisco nights (looking at you, fog) this hot tub is the perfect place to retreat to with a glass of red wine from a local Napa Valley winery.
Location: Bernal Heights
Price: $165 / night
Guests: Up to 2
Have your seen black walls in an Airbnb like this before?! I love it!! This Bernal Heights apartment features exposed brick walls, chandelier lamps, original art, along with a spacious back yard to lounge in.
Bernal Heights is a fun neighborhood on a hill. The streets are steep but the views are amazing! I recommend hiking up to the top of Bernal Heights Hill for a stunning sunset and photoshoot op!
Location: Sunset District
Price: $249 / night
Guests: Up to 10
Come over to my side of the city! Most visitors never make it to the Inner Sunset and Outter Sunset but I think it's the perfect home base for exploring San Francisco, especially with a large group! This colorful house can fit up to 10 guests, so it's great for families or bachelorette party groups.
This house has a stunning patio if you luck out with a sunny day in the city. There's also tons of street parking around here if you are renting car.
Location: Cole Valley
Price: $375 / night
Guests: Up to 4
Classic Victorian architecture meets electric boho decor in this Cole Valley apartment. Cole Valley is sort of a hidden gem full of colorful houses and really great restaurants.
It's also right on a major train line (N - Muni) so it's easy to zip downtown! Guests have rated this host as fantastic and their favorite Airbnb, ever.
Location: SOMA
Price: $249 / night
Guests: Up to 6
Can't you see yourself and your friends sharing a cheeseboard and a bottle of wine on this gorg rooftop? If you're looking for a chic Airbnb right downtown in SOMA (close to Market Street and tons of tech offices) this is the spot!
You'll be right near the Ferry Building for a Farmers Market visit and the cool new Rainbow Coit Tower installation!
Location: Cow Hollow
Price: $389 / night
Guests: Up to 2
Don't mind me swooning over here at the decor in this English-inspired apartment! Complete with French doors that lead to a backyard, this elegant Cow Hollow Airbnb will make a great home base for anyone looking to be in walking distance to the water.
Oh, I also love this neighborhood. Close enough to the nightlife of The Marina without being too much in the action, ya know?
Location: Lower Haight
Price: $160 / night
Guests: Up to 5
This spacious apartment is minimal with a punch of Victorian-era decor. Guests love how it's located on a side alley so there's not too much street noise!
I love the Lower Haight. I feel like almost all the houses were built at the turn of the century and thus the neighborhood has an elegant flair. It's also sorta in the center of the city so it's a great home base to explore from!
Location: Russian Hill
Price: $167 / night
Guests: Up to 4
Ahhh, just look at how fun the decor is in the electric apartment!! I love that hot pink wall and funky rugs. This spot boasts 180-degree views of the Bay from the rooftop patio. Start each morning with coffee while watching sailboats zip around the water.
This San Francisco Airbnb is technically in Russian Hill but super close to North Beach aka some of the best Italian restraints and bars in the city! You'll never have to Uber across town for a late night slice of pizza while visiting.
Location: Eureka Valley / The Castro
Price: $129 / night
Guests: Up to 2
Bright, airy and colorful, this garden Airbnb is perfect for two people! It's in Eureka Valley which is next door to The Castro (the famous gay neighborhood in San Francisco.) I love all the bars and brunch spots over there. It's also centrally located in the city so it's quick to take MUNI or an Uber around during your weekend.
Past guests save about this gem, many reporting that they love it so much they want to move in after!
Location: Lower Haight
Price: $650 / night
Guests: Up to 7
JUST LOOK AT HOW PRETTY THIS BATHROOM IS!! This electric Airbnb is a 40 year Victorian flat close to Golden Gate Park and blocks away from the historic Haight neighborhood.
This home features 12' ceilings, a chef's kitchen with a bay window and one of a kind details that really scream "San Francisco!"
Note: San Francisco is the most expensive place to live in California (and one of the most expensive locations in the United States!) Because of that, most Airbnbs you find here will be guest suites or studio apartments. I’ve tried to exclude private rooms in a house since I like to have a whole Airbnb to myself but I would say 50% of the listings I found were just (very) expensive rooms to rent for the night. That’s why some rentals are smaller or more expensive than you’d find in other cities (same thing applies to hotel rooms in the city!)
Should you rent a car? If you plan on not leaving San Francisco then do not rent a car. Street parking can be super hard to find in most areas and you’ll be spending all your time hunting for parking. It’ll be cheaper and faster to take MUNI or a rideshare like Uber.
What should you pack for your trip? I have a whole guide on what to wear in San Francisco based on the month you’re visiting. We have micro-climates here so your packing list will probably vary a LOT based on what month of the year you’re in town!
Have fun while you’re in San Francisco! If you need any travel tips, don’t hesitate to reach out on Instagram via DM @thewhimsysoul I’m always happy to help out! Also, check out some of my other city guides and tips on things to do in SanFrancisco to help you plan.
2 comments
Hello
Pls can you provide the Airbnb id# since the links don’t go to the specific air bnb only general site.
Thanks! Love your blog
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