What is Downtown San Rafael like?

Travellers to San Rafael's Downtown San Rafael neighbourhood will be sure to enjoy a stay here. Are you looking for Downtown San Rafael travel tips? Make sure that you visit Mission San Rafael Arcangel and San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park while you're in the neighbourhood.

What's a favourite place to stay in Downtown San Rafael?

Based on Expedia customer reviews, AC Hotel San Rafael Downtown is the highest ranked property in Downtown San Rafael. This hotel offers 2 restaurants and a bar.

How many hotels can I expect to find in Downtown San Rafael?

Expedia has 7 Downtown San Rafael hotels and other accommodation options, and one might make a good home base for venturing out into the greater San Rafael area.

If I need to cancel my hotel reservation in Downtown San Rafael, will I receive a refund?

Yes! The majority of room reservations are refundable if you cancel before the accommodation's cancellation deadline, which in most cases is within 24 or 48 hours of your check-in date. If you have a non-refundable reservation, it might still be possible to cancel it and receive a refund within 24 hours of booking. Put your dates in and click on "Search", then use the "fully refundable" filter to get the best options available in Downtown San Rafael.

What is there to do around this San Rafael neighbourhood?

Create some family memories with a visit to Classic Billiards or Rebound Bookstore while you're in Downtown San Rafael. You could also plan a visit to Mission San Rafael Arcangel or San Rafael Pacifics Albert Park while you're in the neighbourhood. A few places to visit in the area around Downtown San Rafael include Marin History Museum, Marin Bocce Federation and Falkirk Cultural Center. When you're sightseeing in San Rafael, Barn Theatre and Marin County Civic Center are also worth a stop.

Top 10 Downtown San Rafael Hotels of 2026

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Our top choices for Downtown San Rafael hotels

2 restaurants; breakfast and dinner served

1. AC Hotel San Rafael Downtown

Downtown San Rafael

Adel

RM973 total

includes taxes & fees

6 Sept - 7 Sept

2. Marin Lodge

Lincoln, 1.5 km from Downtown San Rafael

kay

RM591 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Aug - 12 Aug

3. Best Western Corte Madera Inn

4.7 km from Downtown San Rafael

Sandra

RM707 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

4. Marin Suites Hotel

4.4 km from Downtown San Rafael

Nikaela

RM469 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

5. Best Western Plus Novato Oaks Inn

8.7 km from Downtown San Rafael

Richard

RM703 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Aug - 17 Aug

6. The Evergreen

5.4 km from Downtown San Rafael

Ashley

RM639 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Aug - 24 Aug

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch served

7. The Lodge at Tiburon

12.4 km from Downtown San Rafael

Edward

RM913 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Aug - 26 Aug

8. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina

22 km from Downtown San Rafael

Blythe

RM588 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Aug - 14 Aug

9. Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

20.9 km from Downtown San Rafael

Saba

RM847 total

includes taxes & fees

31 Aug - 1 Sept

10. Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown

24.5 km from Downtown San Rafael

Xiaolei

RM1,021 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Sept - 5 Sept

11. Hotel Caza Fisherman´s Wharf

20.8 km from Downtown San Rafael

Lina

RM857 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Sept - 9 Sept

12. Cow Hollow Inn & Suites

20.7 km from Downtown San Rafael

Mike

RM725 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Sept - 2 Sept

13. Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf by IHG

20.8 km from Downtown San Rafael

Scott Eugene

RM807 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

14. Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

20.9 km from Downtown San Rafael

danny

RM904 total

includes taxes & fees

10 Sept - 11 Sept

Premium bedding, down duvets, pillow-top beds, in-room safe

15. Comfort Inn by the Bay

21 km from Downtown San Rafael

Angel

RM651 total

includes taxes & fees

31 Aug - 1 Sept

16. Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA

23.3 km from Downtown San Rafael

Jordi

RM977 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Sept - 4 Sept

17. Grand Hyatt San Francisco

22.9 km from Downtown San Rafael

Maria Amor

RM881 total

includes taxes & fees

6 Sept - 7 Sept

18. Stanyan Park Hotel

23.6 km from Downtown San Rafael

Sean

RM1,161 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Aug - 12 Aug

19. Marina Motel

20.6 km from Downtown San Rafael

Cornelia

RM838 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Aug - 14 Aug

20. Argonaut Hotel

20.6 km from Downtown San Rafael

Michelle

RM1,056 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Sept - 8 Sept

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Where to stay in Downtown San Rafael

Find the best Downtown San Rafael areas for the activities you enjoy most.

Southeast San Rafael

While there might not be top attractions in Southeast San Rafael, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Marin Country Mart and Larkspur Ferry Terminal.

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Rolling green hills with a mountain range in the background.

Terra Linda

Terra Linda might not have many top sights, but American Legion Log Cabin and Marin County Civic Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

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Dominican

While Dominican isn't home to many top sights, Mission San Rafael Arcangel and Marin County Civic Center are some notable places to visit nearby.

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Lucas Valley-Marinwood

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Lucas Valley-Marinwood and surrounding area, you can visit Marin County Civic Center and American Legion Log Cabin.

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Lincoln

While there might not be top attractions in Lincoln, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Mission San Rafael Arcangel and Falkirk Cultural Center.

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Top Downtown San Rafael Hotel Reviews

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

10/10 Excellent

"Excellent"

Handlery Union Square Hotel

8/10 Good

"Very clean hotel with a great location right near Union Square. The good: Clean, location, friendly staff. The bad: Parking fee is expensive (use the parking garage less than a block away instead), some of the rooms are pretty small, the pool is small, and the sauna requires a reservation. The meh: rooms are "outdated" (I liked it, but some people prefer more modern fixtures), and there seems to be quirky rules for accessing certain amenities (see sauna above). Overall: If its reasonably priced compared to other hotels nearby, I think this one is a safe bet."

Hotel Nikko San Francisco

10/10 Excellent

"My partner and I enjoyed our stay at Hotel Nikko. Overall, it was a 4-4.5/5 star experience. The property was well maintained and the rooms were overall quite nice. The 1st floor japanese restaurant was nice- we enjoyed the small plates they offered. The hotel lobby on the first floor was nice as well. The 5th floor sauna, workout room and pool/spa area are definite highlights! A few things: the elevators can be a bit confusing to use at first (the card tapping function on the call button is unintuitive), and they can be a bit of a lengthy wait. Also, they charge a $39 daily amenity fee (tax plus fees brings it to $45/day)- so be advised this is not a budget friendly hotel by any means. In all, this was a nice place to stay in downtown SF. Would stay here again in the future should other options prover costlier."

FOUND Hotel Carlton, Nob Hill

8/10 Good

"The room was clean and had what was needed, but it got pretty warm in the room and there was some hair in the shower when we had arrived. There was only the ceiling fan but no ac unfortunately. The staff were very helpful and nice to talk to! Good breakfast places within the area and a couple liquor/grocery stores within a 5 minute walking distance. my biggest complaint was the parking options around the hotel which there was only one option that had overnight fees of 75-80$."

Club Quarters Hotel in San Francisco

8/10 Good

"A friendly and convenient property at the edge of the financial district and walking distance to Cable Car, BART, Ferry Bldg and Muni routes. The common dining room has complimentary tea and coffee service all day. In each floor there are refillable water bottles with filtered water and amenities like razors and toothpaste Ina self serve honor system."

Hotels in Downtown San Rafael, San Rafael

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Our top choices for Downtown San Rafael hotels

1. AC Hotel San Rafael Downtown

2. Marin Lodge

3. Best Western Corte Madera Inn

4. Marin Suites Hotel

5. Best Western Plus Novato Oaks Inn

6. The Evergreen

7. The Lodge at Tiburon

8. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina

9. Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

10. Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown

11. Hotel Caza Fisherman´s Wharf

12. Cow Hollow Inn & Suites

13. Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fisherman's Wharf by IHG

14. Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

15. Comfort Inn by the Bay

16. Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA

17. Grand Hyatt San Francisco

18. Stanyan Park Hotel

19. Marina Motel

20. Argonaut Hotel

Where to stay in Downtown San Rafael

Southeast San Rafael

Terra Linda

Dominican

Lucas Valley-Marinwood

Lincoln

Top Downtown San Rafael Hotel Reviews

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

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