Situated next to the quiet, scenic surroundings of Sutro Heights Park and Land's End, we are located away from the noisy downtown traffic and crowds, yet still in the city in a resort-like location. We are just a block up the hill from the historic Cliff House and a few steps further to miles of beach along Ocean Beach. We are the closest hotel to the VA hospital and near the SF Medical Center. Our spacious guest rooms, many of which have excellent park and ocean views, provide our guests with many amenities including cable TVs, mini-fridges, coffee makers, microwaves, ironing boards, and hair dryers. Other hotel amenities include free high-speed Wi-Fi, complimentary but limited covered parking, a private patio, ping pong and badminton. For those without cars, there is the 38 bus stop on the corner. All our guest rooms are non-smoking and some with fireplaces. So if you are ready to try something different in San Francisco then consider us as your home away from home along San Francisco's ocean front.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
I recently stayed here for 5 nights with my daughter and 2 grandkids, who were on spring break. We had 2 rooms on the first floor (one floor above ground level) with beautiful views of the ocean and the wonderful parks adjacent to the hotel. Really spacious, comfortable, clean rooms. This hotel isn't the most modern in the City but it's very well kept and located in by far the most scenic, easily accessible location for exploring the city and its incredible surroundings. It's right off the Great Highway (Pacific Coast Hwy.) in the ruggedly beautiful Land's End area, next to the ruins of Sutro Baths and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Golden Gate Park and the SF Zoo are really close by, too.
There's free parking onsite but for our day trips into the City we took Lyft or Uber to avoid the hassle and expense of parking in the tourist areas. For our other excursions it was a short drive to the Golden Gate Bridge to visit Muir Woods, or the PCH to Ano Nuevo State Park (elephant seals) and Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (tide pools). You can access Hwy. 1 virtually right outside your door. My grandkids loved exploring the cliffs and beaches next to the hotel. There's a path through Sutro Park leading to a sea cave where, when the tide's right, you can experience the sound and fury of the sea crashing on the rocks 25 feet below and nearly soaking the onlookers perched above! There's another path where you can walk to wonderful views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
There used to be a good restaurant on site at the hotel, but I believe the pandemic of 2020 did it in. Hopefully they'll be able to find someone to reopen it in the future. There's a helpful list of local restaurants posted in the rooms. We made several trips to a Safeway nearby which has everything we needed including lots of prepared meals. There's a Walgreens a couple blocks away as well.
We made some of our best memories ever on this trip. Thank you, Seal Rock Inn! We'll be back!
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Date of stay: March 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Zsombor B, Innkeeper at Seal Rock Inn
Responded Mar 21, 2024
Dear guest, Thank you so much for sharing your experience at Seal Rock Inn! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family had such a fantastic stay with us. It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed the spacious, comfortable rooms and the beautiful views of the ocean and nearby parks. We take pride in keeping our property well-maintained for our guests' comfort and satisfaction. Our location near Land's End provides easy access to some of San Francisco's most scenic spots, and we're delighted that you were able to explore and make unforgettable memories with your family. From the cliffs and beaches to the mesmerizing sea caves, it sounds like you had quite the adventure! While we're sorry to hear about the closure of our on-site restaurant due to the pandemic, we're hopeful for its future reopening. In the meantime, we're glad you found convenience in nearby dining options. Thank you again for choosing Seal Rock Inn for your family getaway. We can't wait to welcome you back for more memorable experiences in the future! Warm regards, Seal Rock Inn
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My wife & I Stayed at the Seal Rock Inn for a weekend in early May 2023. We found it a hidden gem in NW SFO and will plan staying there again. Our purpose was to see "The Sargent & Spain" Exhibition at nearby Legion of Honor Art Museum for our 29th Anniversary. It was all good.. The Seal Rock Inn is one block from walking trails leading to the Sutro Baths Ruins and along the Water's Edge/Cliffs giving good views of the West Side of the Golden Gate Bridge and the boat traffic passing beneath it. About 1/2 mile to the south along the Great Hwy is Ocean Beach. Looks like a good beach if the temperature ever get warm enough to use it. The daytime temperatures while we were there ranged from 50-62F with cold wind blowing in off the Pacific Ocean. Bring a jacket. The Seal Rock Inn Restaurant has been closed since the COVID era. Looks to be a real opportunity for some chef with an array of seafood specialties. Did not disturb our plans with the closed restaurant because with our dietary restrictions we pack enough for several days meals anyhow....and the Legion of Honor Art Museum has a good cafeteria, plus SFO is an International City with all types of Restaurants/Cuisines available. Found out that the Toll for the Golden Gate Bridge is $9.40 for a two axle vehicle and $8.00 over the Bay Bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge Toll Booth is only available for Sound Traffic...all other traffic gets caught on camera and a bill will be sent according to the lady I spoke to at The Golden Gate Customer Service Number...Still Google current area tolls/regulations.
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Date of stay: May 2023
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Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Â Had a good room for $207 per night. Seal Rock Inn Restaurant is Closed: However, there are...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Barothi Zs, Guest Services / Front Office at Seal Rock Inn
Responded Jun 4, 2023
Dear Leonard, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience at the Seal Rock Inn in SFO! We're delighted to hear that you had a great trip and found our inn to be a hidden gem in the NW area. It's fantastic that you and your wife enjoyed the nearby attractions, such as the Sutro Baths Ruins and the beautiful walking trails along the water's edge. The views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the passing boat traffic must have been quite breathtaking! We apologize for the closure of our restaurant due to the COVID era, but we appreciate your understanding. It sounds like you were well-prepared with your own meals, and it's fantastic that the Legion of Honor Art Museum provided a good cafeteria option. SFO truly offers a wide range of culinary experiences, and we hope you had the chance to explore the diverse restaurant scene. We truly appreciate your kind words and your plan to stay with us again. We look forward to welcoming you back for another memorable stay at the Seal Rock Inn! Warm regards, Seal Rock Inn Management
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For visitors who love the Outer Richmond, the beach near the Cliff House and Sutro Baths and are seeking long walks on Ocean Beach, you cannot beat the location of the Seal Rock Inn. It's not fancy and the check-in area is in serious need of a facelift, however if you want to be near the ocean and sunset views - it fits the bill. It's been my go-to SF hotel for over 15 years. Forget downtown!
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Date of stay: April 2023
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Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Zsombor B, Guest Services / Front Office at Seal Rock Inn
Responded Mar 15, 2024
Dear hedy2011, Thank you for your review! We're thrilled to hear that Seal Rock Inn has been your favorite SF hotel for over 15 years, primarily because of our unbeatable location near the Outer Richmond and iconic spots like the Cliff House and Sutro Baths. We acknowledge that our check-in area may require some enhancements, but we're committed to ongoing improvements to elevate the overall experience at Seal Rock Inn. Nevertheless, we're delighted that our exceptional location near the ocean and breathtaking sunset views compensate for any shortcomings. We're excited to remain your favorite hotel for unforgettable stays by the sea. Looking forward to welcoming you back soon!
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This was a true gem 40 years ago. We used to stay here when we visited our grandmother. The location is magical and at that time there was a pool and a restaurant. It is a completely different story now. No money has been put into updating or even caring for this prime location. A family owned inn that doesn’t even honor AARP discounts should at least honor their family name! Letting this beauty go to seed is exactly what has happened. The pool has moss at the bottom, and the restaurant is deserted. Window dressings are torn and all of the linens are threadbare! The carpets are visibly stained. There is a pervading smell of mustiness and mildew in the room. All this for the privilege of paying $200 plus a night! They should be paying us for staying here! How this hotel has been allowed to continue to run is beyond belief. Please someone buy this family out! The location and views deserve a much better experience than this shabby germ infested room. The house less person outside our window looked for comfortable than us. I’m ashamed to have seen classic hotel deteriorate so dramatically!
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Skip it!!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Barothi Zs, Guest Services / Front Office at Seal Rock Inn
Responded Apr 20, 2023
Dear traveler, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your recent stay at our inn. We appreciate your kind words about our prime location, and we agree that it's truly magical. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the ongoing renovations at our inn. While we have put in a lot of money in remodeling the rooms in recent years, not every room is finished yet. We are working hard to complete the renovations as soon as possible, so that all of our guests can enjoy the updated accommodations. Regarding your concerns about the condition of the pool, restaurant, and the overall state of our inn, we are taking your feedback seriously and will work to improve in those areas. We are committed to providing our guests with a comfortable and enjoyable stay, and we apologize that we fell short of your expectations. Our family-owned inn has a long-standing tradition of providing warm hospitality to our guests, and we take pride in our family name. Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank you for sharing your feedback with us. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future and provide you with a much better experience. Sincerely, The Seal Rock Inn Team
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This is a classic San Francisco hotel and I highly recommend it. The location is excellent if you want to enjoy the beauty of the ocean shore and bluff-top park with panoramic views. It's a short drive or taxi ride to the more urban attractions of San Fran.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stay at the Seal Rock Inn several times a year and find it to be one of the most reasonable and relaxed locations in San Francisco. You get the Pacific Ocean, ready access to public transportation, and the quiet of the Outer Richmond. It is a great base for Goldengate Park and San Francisco Fine Art Museums.
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Date of stay: April 2024
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A bit outdated, the furniture of the rooms is worn out, sometimes more, sometimes less. But the location next to Sutro Heights is fantastic, which makes this our favourite hotel in San Francisco. We know what to expect and are fine with that. One thing guests should know is that eating out is a problem in the vicinity. What little there was has been closed during the pandemic, for example the hotel's own restaurant. To have breakfast etc. you have to go somewhere else.
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Date of stay: October 2023
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Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We got a room at 9pm at night when our Air BnB host at 16th and Clement failed to show to let us in. The staff here is very friendly and helpful. We had a large corner room that looked at the ocean. It was very clean and the bed very comfortable. Some reviews have described the rooms as a little dated. It is not fancy, but you have everything you require. The restaurant closed during Covid and has not reopened. They are apparently working through the Re permitting process with the city.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Zsombor B, Innkeeper at Seal Rock Inn
Responded 3 weeks ago
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that we could be a comfortable and welcoming stop during your trip, especially after such an unexpected situation with your Airbnb. It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed your spacious corner room with ocean views, as well as the cleanliness and comfort of the bed. We take pride in our friendly staff, and we're glad they made your stay even more enjoyable. We appreciate your understanding regarding the restaurant situation. We're actively working on the re-permitting process and hope to have it reopened soon. Thank you again for your thoughtful review, and we hope to welcome you back for an even better experience in the future! Safe travels!
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Great stay!!! I just flew from Puerto Rico to San Francisco for a concert at Golden Gate Park. We stayed two nights at Seal Rock Inn, but we only went to the hotel to sleep. The hotel has a perfect location. We got a room with a view, and we could see the forests, the beach, and the San Francisco houses! It was really magical.
The only shock we had was that the hotel didn't have air conditioning, but it did have a fireplace. We called, worried, but at night we discovered why it didn’t have one—you don’t need it! San Francisco is ALWAYS cold, even in the summer! My friend slept on the bed, and I slept on the couch.
The room also had a small fridge. We walked to a market, bought some beers, and put them in the fridge. It was perfect for day drinking before going out to see the city! After the show in the park, there were no Lyfts, but we were able to walk from Golden Gate Park to the hotel with no problems. Near the hotel, there are buses that take you to tourist places like Fisherman's Wharf and even the airport!
Overall, it was a really fun stay, and I would recommend it to friends! Definitely going back—San Francisco has so much to offer!
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Date of stay: August 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:Â No A/C, but cold weather! Buy beers and put them on the fridge!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Zsombor B, Innkeeper at Seal Rock Inn
Responded 1 week ago
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that your stay at Seal Rock Inn was a memorable part of your concert weekend in San Francisco. It sounds like you really got to enjoy the magic of our location, from the breathtaking views to the convenience of being close to Golden Gate Park and other iconic spots. We completely understand the surprise about the air conditioning, but we're glad you found the fireplace cozy and discovered why it's rarely needed here—San Francisco's cool weather is definitely unique! It sounds like you and your friend made the most of your stay, from stocking up your fridge for a little day drinking to walking back from the park after the show. We're happy that our location made everything easy for you. We hope to welcome you back next time you're in the city for another unforgettable stay!
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The Seal Rock Inn is a gem. I stayed for two nights this past weekend, and explored both the neighborhood as well as the nooks of the inn itself. There's a lot of great lore about this place - Hunter Thompson, Bill Graham and others treated it as a refuge. They've left much of the vintage character intact, but the rooms are updated and stylish. The Land's End park and the Pacific Ocean beyond are just across the street, so the location is unbeatable.
I also really enjoyed meeting several of the staff. Hospitable and mellow folks - it really feels like a family operation.
Highly recommended!
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Date of stay: August 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
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Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:Â Try some of the great Chinese restaurants nearby on Geary St.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Zsombor B, Innkeeper at Seal Rock Inn
Responded 1 week ago
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted that you enjoyed your stay at the Seal Rock Inn and took the time to explore both the neighborhood and the inn’s unique history. It’s always exciting to hear that our guests appreciate the vintage charm we've preserved while also enjoying the modern updates we've made to the rooms. The lore surrounding Hunter Thompson, Bill Graham, and others certainly adds a special touch to our inn, and we're glad you felt that connection. We agree—our location near Land's End and the Pacific Ocean truly is unbeatable. We hope to welcome you back for another memorable stay soon!
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There are more places to choose from in the San Francisco area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
seal rock hotel san francisco, seal rock san francisco, seal rock inn san francisco
LOCATION
United StatesCaliforniaSan FranciscoSutro Heights / Richmond District / Outer Richmond
NUMBER OF ROOMS
27
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