Every hotel on this list sits within a reasonable walk of Pier 33 at The Embarcadero, the departure point for Alcatraz ferries. Hotels were chosen from the Nob Hill, Russian Hill, and Van Ness corridor neighborhoods, with priority given to proximity, guest ratings above 7.5, and geographic spread across multiple sides of the pier. Each property was confirmed operating under its current name and brand for 2026.
How we ranked these hotels
Walking distance to Pier 33 is the primary factor. The ferry terminal sits at The Embarcadero between Broadway and Vallejo Street, and the walk from most Nob Hill or Van Ness addresses runs 25 to 45 minutes on foot depending on the route and grade. All five hotels here fall within that range. Within the same distance band, star rating breaks ties. Where star ratings match, hotels with a verified sustainability credential or published eco program rank higher. Alphabetical order settles any remaining ties. One important geographic note: the this list for this list skews toward the Nob Hill and Van Ness corridor rather than Fisherman's Wharf or the Embarcadero waterfront. No candidate hotels from Fisherman's Wharf or North Beach appeared in the inventory. The selection rationale for each hotel flags this limitation where relevant.
Quick comparison: hotels near Alcatraz Island San Francisco
| Hotel | Stars | Guest rating | Walk to Pier 33 | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Inn San Francisco - Golden Gateway newly renovated with No Resort Fee | 3 | 8.3 | ~28 min / ~1.4 mi | Van Ness / Polk Gulch, west of Pier 33 |
| Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Downtown/Van Ness Ave | 4 | 8.6 | ~30 min / ~1.5 mi | Van Ness / Polk Gulch, west of Pier 33 |
| Hotel Majestic | 3 | 8.5 | ~33 min / ~1.6 mi | Lower Pacific Heights, west of Pier 33 |
| Queen Anne | 3 | 8.8 | ~35 min / ~1.6 mi | Lower Pacific Heights / Nob Hill fringe, west of Pier 33 |
| Neighbourgood Sutter Mansion | 5 | 9.2 | ~35 min / ~1.7 mi | Lower Nob Hill, west of Pier 33 |
Getting to Pier 33 from these hotels
- The F Market and Wharves historic streetcar runs along The Embarcadero and stops near Pier 33. You can board at Market Street and ride north, cutting the walk to under 15 minutes from most Van Ness addresses.
- Alcatraz ferries depart from Pier 33 and sell out weeks in advance during summer. Book your ferry ticket before you book your hotel.
- The walk from Van Ness Avenue to Pier 33 crosses several steep blocks on the Russian Hill side. Comfortable shoes matter more than the distance suggests.
- Muni bus lines 47 and 49 run along Van Ness Avenue and connect to the waterfront via transfer. Check the SFMTA trip planner for current schedules.
A note on geographic coverage for hotels near Alcatraz Island San Francisco
Pier 33 sits on the northeastern waterfront, and the closest hotel neighborhoods are Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach, and the Embarcadero corridor. The verified candidate inventory for this list did not include hotels from those neighborhoods, so all five selections come from the Van Ness, Nob Hill, and Lower Pacific Heights corridor to the west and southwest of the pier. If you want to stay closer to the waterfront, we have a separate page covering hotels in the Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach area. For travelers who prefer a quieter base with good transit access, the hotels below offer solid guest ratings and a straightforward route to the ferry via the F-line streetcar or Muni bus.
The hotels
Holiday Inn San Francisco - Golden Gateway newly renovated with No Resort Fee
1500 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
8.35,867 reviews
IHG Green Engage program tracks energy and water use at the property levelthe Golden Gateway location participates in the linen and towel reuse program across all guest floors
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Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Downtown/Van Ness Ave
1050 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
8.6497 reviews
Marriott's Serve 360 program covers this propertythe hotel offers EV charging stations in the parking structure and participates in Marriott's food waste reduction initiative with a local composting partner
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Hotel Majestic
1500 Sutter Street, San Francisco
8.53,230 reviews
The hotel operates a linen reuse program and sources produce for its Cafe Majestic restaurant from Northern California farms, reducing freight miles compared to national distribution chains
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Queen Anne
1590 Sutter Street, San Francisco
8.8744 reviews
The Queen Anne participates in San Francisco's mandatory composting and recycling program and uses low-flow fixtures throughout the Victorian building, which dates to 1890 and avoids the embodied carbon cost of new construction
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Neighbourgood Sutter Mansion
1409 Sutter Street, San Francisco
9.2204 reviews
Neighbourgood properties operate under a published sustainability framework that includes energy monitoring per room, a towel and linen reuse program, and partnerships with local suppliers to reduce single-use packaging in guest amenities
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Frequently asked questions
Which hotel on this list is closest to Pier 33?＋
The Holiday Inn San Francisco Golden Gateway at 1500 Van Ness Avenue sits closest to Pier 33 among the verified candidates, at roughly 1.4 miles and about 28 minutes on foot. Taking the 47 or 49 Muni bus east and then the F-line streetcar north cuts that to under 15 minutes.
Can you walk from these hotels to the Alcatraz ferry?＋
You can walk, but the route from Van Ness Avenue to Pier 33 covers 1.4 to 1.7 miles and includes some uphill stretches through Russian Hill. Most travelers take the Muni bus to Market Street and then the F Market and Wharves streetcar north along The Embarcadero to the pier.
Why are there no hotels from Fisherman's Wharf or North Beach on this list?＋
The verified hotel inventory for this list did not include properties from Fisherman's Wharf or North Beach. Those neighborhoods sit closer to Pier 33 than the Van Ness corridor, so if you want to minimize travel time to the ferry, check our separate page covering hotels in the Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach area.
Which hotel has the best guest rating?＋
Neighbourgood Sutter Mansion at 1409 Sutter Street carries a guest rating of 9.2, the highest among the five hotels on this list. The Queen Anne follows at 8.8, and the Courtyard by Marriott Van Ness Ave sits at 8.6.
Do any of these hotels offer EV charging?＋
The Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Downtown/Van Ness Ave at 1050 Van Ness Avenue has EV charging stations in its parking structure. No other hotel on this list has confirmed EV charging.
How far in advance should I book Alcatraz ferry tickets?＋
Alcatraz Cruises, the official ferry operator, recommends booking at least two to four weeks ahead during summer months and holiday weekends. The ferry departs from Pier 33 at The Embarcadero, and tickets sell out well before departure dates during peak season.
