StayAreas

Nob Hill

San Francisco

The steep, elegant hill above Union Square, crowned by Grace Cathedral and some of the city's grandest hotels, with cable cars on two sides.

Best for Upscale · First visit

Transport
4/5
Sights
3/5
Value
2/5
Quiet
4/5
Food
3/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$320/night · 10 min to Union Square

See hotels in Nob Hill

Nob Hill on the map

Why stay here

  • Grand hotels with city and bay views
  • Quiet streets close to Union Square
  • Cable cars on the doorstep

Who should stay here

  • Luxury stays
  • Couples
  • First-time visitors who want calm

Not ideal if…

  • You dislike steep hills
  • You want nightlife
  • You're on a budget

What it's like

Nob Hill was where the railroad barons built their mansions, and today its summit has Grace Cathedral, Huntington Park and the grand hotels that replaced the mansions after 1906. The Cable Car Museum, where you can see the cables being pulled, is on its northern slope.

It's calm, safe and classic, with views over the bay from the upper floors, and both the California and Powell cable cars run past. The catch is the hill itself: walking back up after dinner is a workout.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • California Street

    Cable car line over the top of the hill.

  • Huntington Park

    Small park between the cathedral and the hotels.

  • Polk Street

    Bars and restaurants on the western slope.

Getting around

Nearest stations
California Street and Powell cable cars, and a downhill walk to Union Square and Chinatown.
To Union Square
About 10 minutes
From San Francisco International Airport
About 45 minutes: BART to Powell Street, then the cable car or a short taxi up the hill.

Nearby attractions

  • Grace Cathedral

    Gothic cathedral with a labyrinth and gilded doors.

  • Cable Car Museum

    Free museum over the working cable winding machinery.

  • Top of the Mark

    Rooftop lounge with views across the city.

Where to eat and drink

  • Hotel lounges

    Classic bars, including the tiki Tonga Room at the Fairmont.

  • Polk Street

    Neighbourhood bars and restaurants.

Where to stay in Nob Hill

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

Fairmont San Francisco

Why we like it: Landmark hotel on the summit, home of the Tonga Room.

Typical luxury rate in Nob Hill: ~$650/night

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Luxury pick

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

Why we like it: Neoclassical building on the California cable car line.

Typical luxury rate in Nob Hill: ~$650/night

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Luxury pick

InterContinental Mark Hopkins

Why we like it: Historic hotel with the Top of the Mark lounge.

Typical luxury rate in Nob Hill: ~$650/night

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Hotels in Nob HillMid-range from ~$320/night

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