Every hotel on this list is a 10- to 13-minute walk from Pier 33 at The Embarcadero, the departure point for Alcatraz ferries. Three are in Fisherman's Wharf and two are in North Beach. Hotel Zephyr on Beach Street is the closest, and Hotel Zoe has the best guest score (8.6). Book your ferry tickets first: summer sailings sell out weeks ahead.
How we ranked these hotels
Walking distance to Pier 33 is the primary factor. The ferry terminal is at The Embarcadero near Bay Street, and we measured each walk along the streets from the hotel's door to the pier. The five hotels here are the closest we can book that have a guest score, from 0.49 to 0.63 miles away.
We left out Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf, which is about as close as Hotel Zoe, because we have no guest score for it.
Quick comparison: hotels near Alcatraz Island San Francisco
| Hotel | Stars | Guest rating | Walk to Pier 33 | Neighborhood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Zephyr San Francisco | 4 | 8.2 | ~10 min / ~0.49 mi | Fisherman's Wharf, west of Pier 33 |
| Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf | 4 | 8.6 | ~11 min / ~0.53 mi | Fisherman's Wharf, west of Pier 33 |
| The Wharf Inn | 2 | 7.1 | ~11 min / ~0.56 mi | Fisherman's Wharf, west of Pier 33 |
| San Remo Hotel | 2 | 7.9 | ~12 min / ~0.59 mi | North Beach, southwest of Pier 33 |
| Washington Square Inn | 3 | 8.2 | ~13 min / ~0.63 mi | North Beach, southwest 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.
- Alcatraz ferries depart from Pier 33 and sell out weeks in advance during summer. Book your ferry ticket before you book your hotel.
- From these hotels the walk to Pier 33 is short and mostly flat, so you don't need a cab or a bus. Leave 15 minutes and you'll have time to spare.
A note on geographic coverage for hotels near Alcatraz Island San Francisco
Pier 33 is on San Francisco's northeastern waterfront, and the closest hotel neighborhoods are Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach. All five hotels here come from those two neighborhoods.
For more choice, we have Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach hotel guides. If you'd rather sleep somewhere quieter and ride in, Nob Hill and Van Ness hotels are about a 45- to 55-minute walk away, or a streetcar ride.
The hotels
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
250 Beach Street, San Francisco
8.29,231 reviews
The hotel's sustainability page lists LED lighting for 98% of its lights, a 75% waste diversion rate, composting and EV charging
View hotel →
Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf
425 North Point Street, San Francisco
8.61,958 reviews
Pescatore, the hotel's seafood and Italian restaurant and bar, is downstairs
View hotel →
The Wharf Inn
2601 Mason Street, San Francisco
7.11,550 reviews
Parking is $15 a night, according to the inn's own site
View hotel →
San Remo Hotel
2237 Mason Street, San Francisco
7.92,354 reviews
View hotel →
Washington Square Inn
1660 Stockton Street, San Francisco
8.2498 reviews
15 rooms across two floors, overlooking Washington Square Park
View hotel →
Things to do in San Francisco, by neighborhood
Where to start in each neighborhood, and what’s on there this weekend.
All 68 San Francisco hotel guides →
Frequently asked questions
Which hotel on this list is closest to Pier 33?＋
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco at 250 Beach Street is the closest to Pier 33 on this list, at about 0.49 miles and a 10-minute walk.
Can you walk from these hotels to the Alcatraz ferry?＋
Yes. Every hotel on this list is a 10- to 13-minute walk from Pier 33, along mostly flat streets. If you'd rather ride, the F Market and Wharves streetcar runs along The Embarcadero right past the pier.
Which neighborhoods are closest to the Alcatraz ferry?＋
Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach. Hotel Zephyr, Hotel Zoe and The Wharf Inn are in Fisherman's Wharf, west of the pier. San Remo Hotel and Washington Square Inn are in North Beach, a few blocks inland.
Which hotel has the best guest rating?＋
Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf at 425 North Point Street carries a guest rating of 8.6, the highest among the five hotels on this list. Hotel Zephyr and Washington Square Inn follow at 8.2.
Do any of these hotels offer EV charging?＋
Hotel Zephyr's sustainability page says it has EV charging. We couldn't confirm EV charging at the other four hotels on this list.
How far in advance should I book Alcatraz ferry tickets?＋
Alcatraz City Cruises is the only ferry operator, and tickets go on sale up to 90 days in advance. The National Park Service says they may sell out several weeks ahead during summer months and around holiday weekends. The ferry departs from Pier 33 at The Embarcadero, and tickets sell out well before departure dates during peak season.
