What is Downtown San Rafael like?

Travelers to San Rafael's Downtown San Rafael neighborhood will be sure to enjoy a stay in this neighborhood. Are you looking for Downtown San Rafael travel tips? Be sure to check out Mission San Rafael Arcangel and Marin History Museum while you're in the neighborhood.

What's a favorite hotel to stay in Downtown San Rafael?

Based on Expedia customer reviews, AC Hotel San Rafael Downtown is the highest ranked property in Downtown San Rafael. This hotel offers 2 restaurants and a bar.

How many hotels are there in Downtown San Rafael?

Expedia has 7 Downtown San Rafael hotels and other accommodations, and one might make a good home base for venturing out into the greater San Rafael area.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Downtown San Rafael, will I receive a refund?

Yes, you'll find most hotel bookings are refundable provided that you cancel before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which in most cases is within 24 or 48 hours of your scheduled arrival. If you booked a non-refundable reservation, it might still be possible to cancel it and be given a refund within a 24-hour period of booking. Add your dates and click on "Search", then you can filter by "fully refundable" to view the best options available in Downtown San Rafael.

What is there to do around this San Rafael neighborhood?

Landmarks in Downtown San Rafael that you won't want to miss include Mission San Rafael Arcangel and Marin History Museum. You could also plan a visit to San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park or Rebound Bookstore while you're in the neighborhood. A few places to visit in the area around Downtown San Rafael include Marin Bocce Federation, Falkirk Cultural Center, and Barn Theatre. When you're sightseeing in San Rafael, Marin County Civic Center and Marin County Civic Center Farmers' Market are also worth a stop.

10 Best Hotels in Downtown San Rafael, San Rafael for 2026

An aerial view of a city with a mix of modern and historic buildings, a prominent clock tower, and a hilly backdrop.

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Our top choices for Downtown San Rafael hotels

A rooftop terrace with outdoor seating, a fire pit, and a view of the surrounding landscape.

1. AC Hotel San Rafael Downtown

Downtown San Rafael

Alex

CA $355 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 20 - Sep 21

A sign for Marin Lodge with a 'No Vacancy' message.

2. Marin Lodge

Lincoln, 1.5 km from Downtown San Rafael

kay

CA $200 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 13 - Sep 14

A multi-level atrium with a central open space, seating areas, and a bar/lounge with a view of the surrounding floors.

3. Embassy Suites by Hilton San Rafael at Marin Center

3.9 km from Downtown San Rafael

Alexis

CA $267 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 28 - Sep 29

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, a chair, a television, and a ceiling fan.

4. Marin Suites Hotel

4.4 km from Downtown San Rafael

Jocelyn

CA $189 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 29 - Sep 30

A circular fire pit with seating around it, surrounded by lush greenery and a pergola overhead.

5. Best Western Corte Madera Inn

4.7 km from Downtown San Rafael

SIMIN

CA $234 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 4 - Oct 5

A modern outdoor living area with a stone wall, wooden deck, and outdoor furniture.

6. The Evergreen

5.4 km from Downtown San Rafael

Rod

CA $207 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 1 - Oct 2

A bar area with multiple seating options and a well-stocked bar counter.

7. Best Western Plus Novato Oaks Inn

8.7 km from Downtown San Rafael

Robert

CA $238 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 20 - Sep 21

An outdoor seating area with wicker furniture, a fire pit, and umbrellas branded with "Tiburon."

8. The Lodge at Tiburon

12.4 km from Downtown San Rafael

Kristen

CA $286 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 4 - Oct 5

A modern hotel room with a bed, desk, and sofa.

9. Hotel Mira Vista

19.3 km from Downtown San Rafael

Mario

CA $147 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 3 - Oct 4

A marina with boats, palm trees, and a building with large windows.

10. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina

22 km from Downtown San Rafael

Nou

CA $210 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 27 - Sep 28

A modern hotel lobby with a seating area, a bar, and large windows.

11. Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

20.9 km from Downtown San Rafael

Nicole

CA $328 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 18 - Sep 19

A hotel room with a bed, a nightstand, a lamp, a sofa, and two framed pictures on the wall.

12. Lombard Plaza Motel

20.7 km from Downtown San Rafael

Carlotta

CA $165 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 7 - Oct 8

An outdoor patio area with modern furniture, a fire feature, and a decorative metal sculpture.

13. Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

20.9 km from Downtown San Rafael

Lissa

CA $366 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 18 - Sep 19

A living room with a sofa, armchair, coffee table, and a wine bottle.

14. Cow Hollow Inn & Suites

20.7 km from Downtown San Rafael

Radu

CA $242 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 6 - Oct 7

An outdoor seating area with wicker furniture and a fire feature, adjacent to a bar and dining area with modern decor.

15. Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown

24.5 km from Downtown San Rafael

Brittney

CA $318 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 2 - Oct 3

A white car parked in a modern indoor space with a circular ceiling, large windows, and potted plants.

16. Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf by IHG

20.8 km from Downtown San Rafael

Cindy Patricia

CA $343 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 12 - Sep 13

A cobblestone street lined with flower-covered buildings, a welcoming archway, and a sign reading "Office."

17. Marina Motel

20.6 km from Downtown San Rafael

Natasha

CA $267 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 20 - Sep 21

A rooftop terrace with a table and chairs, a potted plant, and a view of tall buildings.

18. Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero, San Francisco

22.6 km from Downtown San Rafael

Kathleen

CA $177 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 20 - Sep 21

A wooden deck with a door, a bench, a chair, and a table.

19. San Remo Hotel

21.2 km from Downtown San Rafael

Guadalupe

CA $123 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 21 - Sep 22

A hotel courtyard with outdoor seating, a fire pit, and a vintage camper parked nearby.

20. Hotel Zephyr San Francisco

20.8 km from Downtown San Rafael

Mariesa

CA $384 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 18 - Sep 19

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Where to stay in Downtown San Rafael

Find the best Downtown San Rafael areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Downtown San Rafael

Southeast San Rafael

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Southeast San Rafael and surrounding area, you can visit Larkspur Ferry Terminal and Marin Country Mart.

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Dominican

While there might not be top attractions in Dominican, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Mission San Rafael Arcangel and Marin County Civic Center.

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Rolling green hills with a mountain range in the background.

Terra Linda

Discover the Mall at Northgate, Marin County's only enclosed mall, featuring a 15-screen theater complex and anchor tenants like Macy's. Nearby, admire the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Marin County Civic Center building.

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Gerstle Park

While Gerstle Park might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Mission San Rafael Arcangel and Falkirk Cultural Center.

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Santa Venetia

When in Santa Venetia, you can plan a visit to Marin County Civic Center and Marin County Civic Center Farmers' Market, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

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Top Downtown San Rafael Hotel Reviews

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

10/10 Excellent

"We arrived before 3:00 pm check in time and when we asked to check for any available room for us to get some rest they were very nice and accommodated us. Thank you"

Hotel Julian

8/10 Good

"Rooms are clean, front staff extremely professional and sweet. I shipped a package earlier in the week and pickup was a breeze. We felt very safe getting out our uber at night. Despite the street outside being clean, everything else in the area are not (even just down the block). However our biggest headache was the extremely thin walls. We could audibly hear our neighbour's casual conversation early in the morning, and the hotel courtyard started blasting music at 11am - so loud that we could not hear the music we were playing on our TV"

The Pickwick Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"This property was clean and comfortable. The beds were comfortable. It was centrally located. We went to a show at the Warfield Theater and the location of this property was perfect; it was only one block from the venue. There was no drinking water available other than a vending machine that sold small bottles of water. I thought the room was affordable, until I paid almost the same price to park the car at the hotel."

Hotels in Downtown San Rafael, San Rafael

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Our top choices for Downtown San Rafael hotels

1. AC Hotel San Rafael Downtown

2. Marin Lodge

3. Embassy Suites by Hilton San Rafael at Marin Center

4. Marin Suites Hotel

5. Best Western Corte Madera Inn

6. The Evergreen

7. Best Western Plus Novato Oaks Inn

8. The Lodge at Tiburon

9. Hotel Mira Vista

10. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina

11. Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

12. Lombard Plaza Motel

13. Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

14. Cow Hollow Inn & Suites

15. Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown

16. Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf by IHG

17. Marina Motel

18. Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero, San Francisco

19. San Remo Hotel

20. Hotel Zephyr San Francisco

Where to stay in Downtown San Rafael

Southeast San Rafael

Dominican

Terra Linda

Gerstle Park

Santa Venetia

Top Downtown San Rafael Hotel Reviews

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

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