Gay hotels in san francisco castro

Our room even had a view looking out over the entire plaza. Staypineapple, An Elegant Hotel – Union Square

Staypineapple is a gorgeous 4* hotel just a few minutes’ walk from Union Square. Hotel 32One – Union Square

Hotel 32One is a great choice for travellers who might be looking for a more affordable option, whilst remaining close enough to the action.

Hotel32One is located adjacent to the Dragon Gate in Chinatown but is still only a 5 minutes’ walk to Union Square.

The rooms are modern and stylish, and some offer a city view too.

With bed's that promise a Proper night's sleep, the finest baths and walk-in showers and postcard views, the Proper hotel is a perfect stay for your time in San Francisco.

The hotel has its own restaurant & bar, although Midnight Sun and SF Eagle gay bar are nearby. The cable-car station is only 2 minutes’ walk away from the hotel too, ideal for exploring other parts of the city.

Modern and stylishly decorated, the guestrooms come with all mod-cons, including Bluetooth media stations and iPods – perfect for some tunes whilst getting ready to go out on an evening!

And after a hard day exploring all San Francisco has to offer, take a dip in the heated outdoor pool before relaxing in the hot tub!

Gay Hotels in San Francisco – The Castro

The Castro district is the heart and soul of gay San Francisco.

Visit the GLBT Historical Society Museum in the Castro and pay tribute to Harvey Milk at his former campaign headquarters.

Visit Gay Neighborhoods & Venues

The Castro is San Francisco’s iconic gay district, packed with bars, cafés, and rainbow crosswalks. A few other scattered venues keep the spirit alive, but the scene has mostly shifted.

For something different, check out Fisherman’s Wharf, the gateway to San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island.

A nice touch is the complimentary bike hire for up to 4 hours – ideal for cycling along the waterfront to explore Pier 39 and the Embarcadero.

10. San Francisco Marriott Marquis – Union Square

Another of booking.coms ‘Travel Proud’ properties, the Marriott Marquis is a modern luxurious property just 4 blocks from Union Square.

Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf

Just a 3-minute walk from Fisherman’s Wharf, the Hyatt Centric is highly rated for its excellent location. Staying at a gay hotel in San Francisco near the Castro puts you right in the heart of the action.

Folsom Street in the South of Market (SoMa) district is the hub of San Francisco’s leather scene.

Hotel Kabuki – Japan Town

As its location within San Franciscos Japan Town suggests, the Hotel Kabuki features traditional Japanese style décor throughout.

The rooms are also traditionally decorated yet feature modern amenities to enhance your stay such as a smart TV with streaming apps should you fancy an evening in, bathrooms with walk-in showers and cozy robes for afterwards.

In keeping with the Japanese theme, the bar serves Japanese whisky, sake and beer and snacks.

Rooftop bars and drag brunches round out the city’s social scene.

Enjoy Outdoor Adventures

Hike Twin Peaks for panoramic views, bike the Embarcadero, or explore Golden Gate Park’s gardens and museums. From rainbow-lined streets to historic landmarks, the city offers unforgettable experiences for gay travelers.

Explore Local Landmarks

Start with the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, then stroll through the Mission District for murals and Latin flavor.

Near BART station, shops and gay scene.

Proper Hotel offers stylish rooms in San Francisco city centre, just 1-minute walk from the Civic Center BART Station, and the trendy dining and shopping area in SoMa.

Housed in a unique historic building, guest rooms feature free are tailored to fit the demands of modern travel. This gay-bourhood is full of gay bars, gay clubs, gay bookstores, cafes, and restaurants.

Beck’s Motor Lodge – The Castro

Beck’s Motor Lodge is a charming boutique motel in the heart of the Castro, and so makes for an affordable choice to stay in this district.

The guestrooms have recently been renovated, and the motel also has a rooftop sundeck, as well as offers free parking – unheard of in San Francisco!

Beck’s Motor Lodge is also just minutes from the cable car lines, giving direct access to other locations within the city such as Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square.

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It goes without saying that choosing to stay at any hotel in the gay district you are guaranteed an LGBTQ+ friendly stay!

8. Hilton San Francisco – Union Square

Hilton is another brand that has always gone the extra mile to welcome their LGBTQ+ guests, they even have different initiatives and policies in place to guarantee that Hilton hotels are a place where everyone feels welcome.

Hilton San Francisco is in the heart of downtown San Francisco and is just a short walk to Powell Street subway station to explore the city.

The rooms are large and modern, and the hotel also offers a fitness centre as well as 3 onsite restaurants.

But perhaps the best feature is the beautiful outdoor courtyard pool, perfect to cool down after a day out walking and exploring the city.

Gay Hotels in San Francisco – Fisherman’s Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf is one of the busiest tourist areas, with multiple landmarks and attractions bringing in countless visitors every day.

Fisherman’s Wharf is home to souvenir shops, world-class dining, it is the launch point for Bay cruises, there are historic shops to tour, and don’t forget to visit the sea lion colony!

Given there is so much to see and do at Fisherman’s Wharf, it is no surprise that many visitors to San Francsico choose to stay here.

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Near the metro, shopping area, gay nightlife.

Located near San Francisco's famous Union Square, Hotel Zelos is a great choice for gay travelers and couples, being a stone's throw away from SoMa, noted for its gay club scene. The hotel also has an on-site fitness centre.

And there you have it, my top 20 gay and gay-friendly hotels in San Francisco.

The Clift Royal Sonesta – Union Square

The Clift Royal Sonesta is another excellent choice if you want to be close to the action of Union Square. It is one of the most highly rated hotels in the city, with over 5000 5* star reviews, winning the Travelers Choice Award 2023, as well as ranking within the top 10 of all hotels in San Francisco.

The hotel has some cute little touches, such as a coffee and treats reception at check-in, and a welcome drink.

It is listed as having one of the largest LGBTQ+ communities in North America, with a diverse and vibrant LGBTQ+ scene to match.

It is little wonder then that this coastal Californian city remains at the top of many gay travellers bucket lists, and a warm welcome is certainly guaranteed regardless of where you choose to stay.

However, being such a gay-friendly city means that ‘all out’ gay hotels in San Francisco don’t seem to exist, so for my gay hotels in San Francisco list I have concentrated on experience of which hotels I have stayed in, plus which brands make the extra effort for gay travellers.

For ease I have listed these across the various neighbourhoods.

And for more information on what this city has to offer, check out our full gay travel guide to San Francisco, found here.

Gay Hotels in San Francisco – Union Square

Union Square is one of the most popular choices for travellers choosing where to stay in San Francisco.

Pier 39 offers waterfront entertainment—and yes, Sea Lions in their natural habitat.