Marina DistrictSan Francisco

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Visit Marina District

San Francisco Travel Guide

Visit the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre and marvel at views of the Golden Gate Bridge at this popular waterfront neighborhood.

San Francisco’s Marina District is a stunning neighborhood next to the bay with green spaces, waterfront vistas and chic shops, restaurants and bars. Take photographs of the exquisite Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, a replica of a faux-classical structure originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition.

The Palace of Fine Arts Theatre is the only surviving structure from a collection of pieces made for the 1915 expo, a world’s fair designed to celebrate the city’s recovery from the 1906 earthquake and fire. Though it was originally made of wood, burlap and plaster, the palace was later recast in concrete and surrounds a small man-made lagoon lined with Australian eucalyptus trees. Attend an art exhibit or music performance here.

Join a guided tour of the neighborhood to find out more about its history. Admire art deco-style buildings and learn about the devastating impact of the 1906 earthquake on the city.

Enjoy picturesque views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the grass of Marina Green. This small park overlooks an acoustic sculpture known as the Wave Organ, which is located at the end of a jetty that juts out into the bay. Listen to the various sounds produced by the waves that roll in. The sculpture produces the most sound around high tide.

Discover Crissy Field to the west of the jetty. This pretty grassland and marshland area is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and offers great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The park contains an environmental education center, a restored shoreline with native wildlife and walking trails.

The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park borders the Marina District to the east. Study a collection of floating historic ships at the park’s Hyde Street Pier. Investigate the range of fascinating exhibits at the Maritime Museum in the Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building. This museum features a range of fascinating artworks inspired by San Francisco’s maritime history.

Find the Marina District east of Crissy Field and the Golden Gate Bridge. Bus services connect it to other parts of the city.

Top Hotels in Marina District

Estimated price for 1 night / 2 adults
Cow Hollow Inn
Cow Hollow Inn
2 out of 5
2190 Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA
CA $158
per night
Jan 1 - Jan 2

Located in Marina District, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Chestnut Street and Van Ness Avenue. Palace of Fine Arts and Lombard Street are also within ...…

4.2/5Very Good! (2,457 reviews)

"This location is very convenient for anyone visiting the city. Excellent shopping & dining in this location."…"

Reviewed on Dec. 3, 2019

Cow Hollow Inn
Surf Motel
Surf Motel
2 out of 5
2265 Lombard St, San Francisco, CA
CA $81
per night
Dec 15 - Dec 16

Located in Marina District, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Chestnut Street and Palace of Fine Arts. Lombard Street and Van Ness Avenue are also within ...…

3.2/5 (845 reviews)

"We had a great time here. The windows are mostly overlooking the street, and it's a good location to go see local attractions. The bathroom is really big."…"

Reviewed on Nov. 30, 2019

Surf Motel
Buena Vista Motor Inn
Buena Vista Motor Inn
2.5 out of 5
1599 Lombard St, San Francisco, CA
CA $137
per night
Dec 14 - Dec 15

Located in Marina District, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Union Street and Van Ness Avenue. Lombard Street and Fort Mason are also within 10 ...…

3.7/5Good! (1,982 reviews)

"The staff were super friendly and always accessible. It’s a perfect distance from the Fisherman’s Wharf (10 mins by car and 25 min walk). I was able to sleep calmly as there was minimal noise and the bed was comfortable. They had lots of parking available!"…"

Reviewed on Nov. 29, 2019

Buena Vista Motor Inn
Francisco Bay Inn
Francisco Bay Inn
2 out of 5
1501 Lombard St, San Francisco, CA
CA $84
per night
Dec 15 - Dec 16

Located in Marina District, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Van Ness Avenue and Fort Mason. Lombard Street and Aquatic Park are also within 10 ...…

3.4/5Good! (2,013 reviews)

"Great place, I have almost no complaints. Clean, no bugs, good value for money, close enough to certain attractions, and easy check in. I called the day-of to see if I could check in a few hours late and there were no problems. I also left my laptop and they held onto it until my friend could come ..."…"

Reviewed on Nov. 15, 2019

Francisco Bay Inn
Marina Inn
Marina Inn
2 out of 5
3110 Octavia St, San Francisco, CA
CA $117
per night
Dec 12 - Dec 13

Located in Marina District, this motel is within a 10-minute walk of Union Street, Van Ness Avenue and Fort Mason. Lombard Street and Ghirardelli Square are ...…

3/5 (650 reviews)

"Breakfast is really good! Bedding is clean and adequate"…"

Reviewed on Nov. 12, 2019

Marina Inn
Van Ness Inn
Van Ness Inn
3 out of 5
2850 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
CA $98
per night
Dec 15 - Dec 16

Located in Marina District, this motel is within a 10-minute walk of Fort Mason, Aquatic Park and San Francisco Maritime Museum. Lombard Street and Ghirardelli ...…

3.2/5 (832 reviews)

"Great location,updated rooms,lovely people that run it.Fair rates.We appreciated our stay there."…"

Reviewed on Oct. 31, 2019

Van Ness Inn
See all 1969 properties in Marina District

Popular things to do in Marina District

Palace of Fine Arts
Image for Palace of Fine Arts

Palace of Fine Arts

4.5/5(139 reviews)

This Roman-inspired palace built in 1915 remains a modern-day renaissance center of fine arts and science. 

Golden Gate Bridge
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Golden Gate Bridge

4.5/5(723 reviews)

Cars trundle across it and ships sail under it, but the best way to experience this iconic bridge is on foot. 

Pier 39
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Pier 39

4.5/5(713 reviews)

This waterfront attraction offers thrilling rides, innovative street performers and colorful souvenir shops, but it’s the sea lions that win the day. 

Top activities in Marina District

San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Tour
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San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Tour

CA $66

Explore San Francisco with a birds eye view of the city by the bay. Cross the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Learn about the city from our entertaining live tour guides as they provide you with rich history and insider tips. Become a Local Expert on a Big Bus Tour.

Golden Gate Promenade Running Tour
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Golden Gate Promenade Running Tour

CA $60

Sailboats bob off Marina Green, locals picnic on the sun-soaked lawns of Crissy Field, and the postcard-perfect span of the Golden Gate stretches across the white-capped blue waters of the San Francisco Bay.

Total Yosemite Experience with Giant Sequoias
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Total Yosemite Experience with Giant Sequoias

CA $251

Spend a day soaking up the natural splendor and breathtaking beauty of Yosemite National Park on this full-day excursion from San Francisco. Trek to a grove of giant sequoias, marvel at features like El Capitan, and enjoy free time to explore the park's outdoor wonders and historic lodges on your own.

Redwoods & Wine Country Escape to Sonoma & Napa with Optional Gourmet Lunch
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Redwoods & Wine Country Escape to Sonoma & Napa with Optional Gourmet Lunch

CA $184

For over a decade Extranomical Tours has been creating amazing memories on our Redwoods and Wine Country Escape tour from San Francisco. This award-winning tour combines two of California’s best experiences: Coast Redwoods in Muir Woods and California’s Wine Country! It’s the only Woods & Wine tour to include all wine tasting fees and a gourmet lunch upgrade.

Napa Valley & Sonoma - Wine Country Tour from San Francisco
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Napa Valley & Sonoma - Wine Country Tour from San Francisco

CA $158

Join us on a fun and relaxing Napa Valley Wine Tour on one of our luxury coaches. During our full day tour from San Francisco, you will visit renowned Napa Valley and Sonoma Wineries for tasting, learn about winemaking techniques, and shop for wines and souvenirs in local shops.

Private Limousine Wine Country Tour from East Bay
Image for Private Limousine Wine Country Tour from East Bay

Private Limousine Wine Country Tour from East Bay

CA $109

Your 6-hour personalized day trip to the Napa wine country begins with hotel pickup at any East Bay hotel. Settle into your 8-passenger stretch limousine and begin with a toast of sparkling wine to set the occasion with family and friends.

See all activities in Marina District

Other neighborhoods in San Francisco

Cow Hollow
Cow Hollow featuring signage and street scenes

Cow Hollow

Known for Tour, Shopping, Dining

4.5/5(16 reviews)

Take in picturesque views of the Golden Gate Bridge and visit other well-known San Francisco attractions in this affluent neighborhood.

Pacific Heights
Pacific Heights which includes a garden

Pacific Heights

Known for Dining, Shopping, Walking

4/5(17 reviews)

One of San Francisco’s most exclusive neighborhoods features stunning mansions, spectacular views and a great selection of shops and restaurants.

Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman\'s Wharf showing a city and a marina

Fisherman's Wharf

Known for Tour, Dining, Shopping

4/5(6 reviews)

This waterfront neighborhood dates back to the gold rush era and is a hub for tourist activities, sea lions and seafood restaurants.

Nob Hill
Nob Hill featuring street scenes and a city

Nob Hill

Known for Dining, Cathedral, Urban

4.5/5(112 reviews)

Examine architecturally significant buildings, visit the Cable Car Museum and enjoy magnificent views of greater San Francisco in this affluent district.

North Beach
North Beach showing skyline and a city

North Beach

Known for Tour, Dining, Walking

4.5/5(262 reviews)

Better known as Little Italy, this neighborhood was once a hotspot for counterculture and features an array of bars, jazz clubs, galleries and cafés.

Chinatown
Chinatown showing street scenes

Chinatown

Known for Chinatown, Shopping, Urban

4/5(26 reviews)

This historic and lively district offers an eclectic mixture of ornamental houses, exotic shops, restaurants, small museums, temples and food markets.