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The bright lights and frenetic energy of North Beach have long appealed to travelers. Value boutique hotels blend in well with the cafés, delis, clubs, and artsy shops near Washington Square Park. Most accommodations are best for couples or solo travelers, as rooms tend to be petite.
Close to Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf, this affordable lodging with basic rooms decked out with oversize pillows, earth-toned bedding, and large flat-screen TVs is a great pick if you brought your family and have a car to park. Big windows offer the occasional glimpse of downtown, cable cars ding by outside, and a helpful staff and free parking and Wi-Fi add to the allure. Off-season rates are a steal.
Located in the heart of North Beach, this small hotel takes you back in time with cast-iron beds, large mirrored armoires, and memorabilia recalling the Beat generation—whose leading light, Allen Ginsberg, often stayed here (legend has it that in his later years he could be seen sitting in a window, typing away). Rooms have a bistro table and two chairs; bathrooms have cheerful yellow tiles and small showers.
