Cow Hollow Travel Guide

San Francisco

Cow Hollow featuring signage and street scenes
Cow Hollow which includes signage, street scenes and a city
Cow Hollow showing food, markets and street scenes
Cow Hollow showing street scenes, a city and signage
Cow Hollow featuring street scenes and signage

Take in picturesque views of the Golden Gate Bridge and visit other well-known San Francisco attractions in this affluent neighbourhood.

Cow Hollow is a youthful, lively district with exceptional restaurants and cosy wine bars. Enjoy delicious French and Italian food and shop for specialty coffee and teas. Inspect local sights and walk to many nearby attractions, including a museum that celebrates the life of American entrepreneur and animator Walt Disney.

Wander around Cow Hollow to come across a few of the neighbourhood’s most notable buildings. Among them is the sky-blue McElroy Octagon House, a prime example of the octagon-shaped residences that became popular in the 1850s. Don’t miss the Vedanta Society Old Temple, an exuberant Hindu temple with red onion domes.

Go shopping along the main commercial stretch of Union Street, which is lined with clothing stores and restaurants. Return to Cow Hollow after dark to experience its animated nightlife scene. Bars and nightclubs can be found on Filmore Street as well as nearby Union Street.

Crissy Park is less than 2 miles (3 kilometres) from the centre of Cow Hollow. This wide grassy area is known for its sandy beaches, picnic areas and great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Pick a walking trail to trek along and spend a day outside in this pretty recreational zone.

Find the Walt Disney Family MuseumOpens in a new window next to Crissy Park. This remarkable museum features exhibits on the life of the famous animator. See original illustrations from Walt Disney’s early career and learn more about Disney’s feature-length animated films. This museum also has a gift shop and runs educational programmes for children.

The classical-style Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, which hosts music, dance and other performances, is also less than 15 minutes from Cow Hollow on foot.

Cow Hollow is located between the Marina DistrictOpens in a new window and Pacific Heights. Revel in the vibrant atmosphere of this neighbourhood. Its proximity to top city attractions make it a great jumping-off point for exploring the city.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Cow Hollow

Star Motel

Star Motel

2 out of 5
1727 lombard street, San Francisco, CA
The price is £115 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
£115
27 Aug - 28 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Pier 39 and Alcatraz Island are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (157 reviews)
Updated motel
"Nice place for exploring the city and surrounding areas. Friendly staff and clean rooms."

Reviewed on 22 Aug 2025

Star Motel
Comfort Inn by the Bay

Comfort Inn by the Bay

2.5 out of 5
2775 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
The price is £106 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
£106
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,099 reviews)
"Although we only spent a couple of nights at this place, we felt rested and comfortable overall. The staff was warm and welcoming, especially Jean and Lily, who put our minds at ease. Wi-fi is easy to connect to, our room is clean and cozy, and the hotel is close to good dining spots. Lombard St. ..."

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

Comfort Inn by the Bay
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
The price is £125 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
£125
27 Aug - 28 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,708 reviews)
Elephants not humans
"Good hotel but make sure you are on the top floor we were originally put on third floor and found the people above to be extremely loud especially at 1:30 in the morning. Not sure if it’s the hotel itself or the people staying above we’re not human but actually a herd of elephants. When we spoke ..."

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

4 out of 5
5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA
Fully refundable
The price is £175 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
£175
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,821 reviews)
"It was a great place to stay by the waterfront!"

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
The price is £107 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
£107
27 Aug - 28 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,462 reviews)
Hefty deposit lovely stay
"Our room was clean and comfortable. My only complaint is that when I checked in, I was asked to make a $500 deposit...this feels excessive. I've only ever made a $100 deposit for a hotel room at most, and I felt very blindsided by this price and request as I didn't see any information about it prior. ..."

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1177 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA
The price is £85 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
£85
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Burlingame. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (2,078 reviews)
"Amazing views and great staff, love the restaurant and walking trail along beach."

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Cow Hollow

Pacific Heights featuring a garden

Pacific Heights

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Take time in Pacific Heights to visit attractions like Van Ness Avenue and Mrs. Doubtfire House. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at California St & Van Ness Ave Stop to see more of the city.

Pacific Heights
Marina District which includes heritage architecture as well as a small group of people

Marina District

4/5(80 area reviews)

The beautiful waterfront views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Marina District. Make a stop by San Francisco Bay or Chestnut Street while you're exploring the area.

Marina District
Default Image

Russian Hill

4/5(4 area reviews)

Travellers choose Russian Hill for its pristine beaches. Hop aboard the metro at Hyde St & Filbert St Stop or Hyde St & Union St Stop and check out top sights like Macondray Lane.

Russian Hill
Nob Hill showing street scenes and a city

Nob Hill

4.5/5(78 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from Grace Cathedral to SF Masonic Auditorium – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nob Hill
Default Image

Western Addition

4/5(24 area reviews)

Alamo Square and Painted Ladies are top sights in Western Addition, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Duboce Avenue & Noe Street Station or Duboce Ave & Church St Stop to see more sights in the area.

Western Addition
Fisherman\'s Wharf featuring a bay or harbour

Fisherman's Wharf

5/5(4 area reviews)

Travellers love Fisherman's Wharf for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Jones St and Beach St Stop or Jefferson St & Taylor St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay.

Fisherman's Wharf

Cow Hollow Travel Guide

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