2 Best Hotels in Mission District, Bernal Heights, and Potrero Hill, San Francisco

Two yellow 1909 Edwardian houses enchant travelers wanting an authentic San Francisco experience; dark hallways and steep staircases lead to bright, earth-toned rooms with tiled baths (most with tubs), comfortable sitting areas, and cozy linens. The innkeepers serve continental breakfast in the light-filled dining area or out in the lush gardens. If you're lucky, you'll catch a visiting San Francisco Symphony pianist who might be staying here during the season and sometimes plays the grand piano in the sophisticated living room.

For decades this Italianate Victorian mansion decked out in ornate poster beds, opulent area rugs, and precious Victorian artifacts has welcomed visitors to the Mission District. Guest quarters range from cozy (yes, that means small) to spacious enough to fit a family (in the garden cottage), and all guests have access to a generous buffet breakfast and a hot tub—great for chilly nights, although this inn is located in the warmest slice of San Francisco.