Its winding, steep streets connect such attractions as Fisherman's Wharf, Palace of Fine Arts, Coit Tower, Chinatown, Union Square, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Mission Dolores, Alamo Square's Postcard Row, San Francisco Zoo and Golden Gate Park.
So hop on a cable car and enjoy the views of the city, the bay, the bridge and Alcatraz Island. The bed and breakfasts included here begin with one which is actually in the Bay and move west toward the Pacific Ocean.
EAST BROTHER ISLAND
East Brother Light Station
Point Richmond, California
Less than an hour from San Francisco on an island in the straits that separate San Francisco and San Pablo bays, this Victorian lighthouse inn offers overnight accommodations Thursday through Sunday. After a 10-minute boat ride from Point San Pablo Yacht Harbor, located just outside Point Richmond, California, guests climb a vertical ladder 4 to 12 feet, depending on the tide level. There are four rooms with queen beds in the lighthouse and one room with a full-size bed in the fog signal building. Rainwater is collected in a cistern for use on the island, and only guests staying more than one night are permitted to use the showers. Rates include a lighthouse tour, hors d'oeuvres and champagne, a four-course dinner, a full breakfast, harbor parking, and a boat ride to and from the island.
NORTH BEACH
Washington Square Inn
Situated on Stockton Street at Washington Square Park, this inn houses 15 guest rooms, all boasting French antiques, fresh orchids, designer fabrics and data ports and a few offering a view of San Francisco landmarks, including the park, Sts. Peter and Paul Church, and Coit Tower. Rooms with a fireplace or sitting area are available. Breakfast is served in the guest room or in the lobby overlooking the park.
RUSSIAN HILL AND NOB HILL
Annie's Cottage Bed and Breakfast
There is one guest room on the lower level of this 1907 Russian Hill cottage, which is hidden from Vallejo Street by another building. Decorated with American country antiques, the accommodation includes a queen-sized bed, kitchenette, sitting area and private deck. Continental breakfast items are provided in the guest room.
Golden Gate Hotel, The
Antiques and wicker furnish the 23 rooms of this four-story Edwardian hotel, located a couple blocks from Union Square on Bush Street (between Mason and Powell) in the Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. Rooms with a private bath offer queen or twin beds; those with a shared bath have double or twin beds. There is a resident cat, Captain Nemo, and a continental breakfast is served in the parlor.
Inn at Union Square, The
On Post Street, a half-block from the premiere shopping and dining experiences of San Francisco's Union Square, sits this 30-room inn. It offers king or queen beds, high-speed Internet access, and use of a nearby health club with lap pool. A continental breakfast is provided.
Nob Hill Lambourne
Fourteen guest rooms with queen bed and six suites with a queen bed in the bedroom, queen-sized sofa bed in the living room, and veranda are available at the Nob Hill Lambourne, situated on Pine Street between Powell and Stockton, three blocks from Union Square. Rooms feature contemporary French decor, deep-soaking bath tubs, kitchenettes, and work areas with a desk, two-line phone, voicemail, fax machine and high-speed Internet connection. An Asian-inspired massage treatment room can be reserved, and a continental breakfast is provided.
Petite Auberge
Fireplaces can be found in 18 of the 26 guests rooms at this French provincial hotel on Bush Street between Mason and Taylor atop Nob Hill. Rooms offer queen beds, voicemail and data ports; there is one suite with a king bed and private deck and entrance. A continental breakfast buffet is served.
White Swan Inn
Dark wood paneling, rich floral carpets, and English art and collectables highlight the 26-room White Swan Inn, located on Bush Street between Mason and Taylor atop Nob Hill. All rooms contain fireplaces, queen beds, voicemail and data ports; one two-room suite offers a sitting area with sofa bed. A fitness room is available, and a continental breakfast buffet is served.
