Top Hotels with a Pool in San Francisco
Pools are scarce in San Francisco hotels, and the cool, foggy climate explains why many of the best are indoors. Six hotels with a pool appear on this page, in two clusters. Near Union Square and SoMa, the Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel has a gym with an indoor pool, Hotel Nikko an indoor pool and steam room, and the InterContinental an indoor lap pool and hot tub. At Fisherman's Wharf, the Riu Plaza has an outdoor pool a short walk from Pier 39 and the Hyatt Centric a heated outdoor pool and hot tub. Hotel Fiona's heated pool is at a sister property across the street, which I explain below.
San Francisco is a compact city of steep hills and microclimates, where summer fog often keeps the waterfront cool while other districts are sunnier. Union Square and SoMa form the central hotel district, and Fisherman's Wharf, with Pier 39, sits on the northern waterfront. Heated or indoor pools matter here, because an unheated outdoor pool is rarely pleasant for long.
Indoor pools downtown, outdoor at the Wharf
If a swim matters on a San Francisco trip, choose the hotel for its pool first and its district second. Indoor pools near Union Square and in SoMa work in any weather, while the heated outdoor pools at Fisherman's Wharf suit families who want Pier 39 on foot.
Downtown, the indoor pools are the dependable choice in a city where fog and wind can cool the afternoons. The InterContinental San Francisco, in SoMa about a 10-minute walk from Union Square, has an indoor lap pool, a hot tub and a spa, and it welcomes pets. Hotel Nikko San Francisco adds an indoor pool, a steam room and a fitness center, plus a family-friendly restaurant, and it holds an 8.7 rating from more than 3,400 reviews. Both suit travelers who want to swim laps before a day of meetings or sightseeing, whatever the weather outside is doing.
The Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel Union Square is the most unusual stay with a pool in the city. This historic hotel, a short walk from Union Square, has a gym with an indoor pool, a spa and wellness center, a rooftop restaurant, a library, a 564-seat theater and its own Living Memorial museum. It is pet-friendly, offers spacious rooms with free WiFi, and has the best rating on this page, 8.8 from more than 3,500 reviews. I would choose it for travelers who value history and character and still want a proper pool close to the shops and theaters of Union Square.
Fisherman's Wharf is the base for families who want an outdoor pool and the waterfront on foot. The Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf, a short walk from Pier 39, has an outdoor pool and family-friendly rooms with 49-inch TVs and tea and coffee makers, and its concierge can arrange tours; with more than 11,000 reviews, it is by far the most reviewed hotel here, rated 8.4. The Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf offers a heated outdoor pool and a hot tub, a restaurant and a lounge, and pet-friendly rooms, though its 7.9 rating is lower than the downtown options.
Hotel Fiona needs a clear note, because its pool is not on site. It is a family-friendly hotel in SoMa with Victorian charm, and guests have access to a heated outdoor pool and a fitness center at a sister property across the street. Rooms come with free Wi-Fi, a smart TV and a coffee machine, and the rating is 7.8 from just over 200 reviews. It can work for travelers who do not mind crossing the street for a swim, but if the pool is central to your plans, the InterContinental, Hotel Nikko or the Marines' Memorial Club are more reliable choices.
A traveler's perspectiveI would choose the Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel near Union Square for a pool stay with character: an indoor pool in its gym, a rooftop restaurant, a theater and a museum, rated 8.8 from more than 3,500 reviews. For families who want Pier 39 on foot, I recommend the Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf, with its outdoor pool and family-friendly rooms.
Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel Union Square
San Francisco
3,553 reviews
Historic luxury with a rooftop restaurant and indoor pool near Union Square
Check availabilityWhy guests love itAn indoor pool is rare near Union Square, and it is the family argument at the Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel, five minutes on foot from the square. The building is a Living Memorial museum, which gives older children something to look at between outings. Rooms are spacious with free WiFi, the rooftop restaurant has views over the city, and the 564-seat theater adds an evening option. Pets are welcome, so the dog can come too.
InterContinental San Francisco by IHG
San Francisco
822 reviews
Modern downtown hotel with an indoor pool and pet-friendly amenities
Check availabilityWhy guests love itInterContinental San Francisco stands in SoMa, a 10-minute walk from Union Square, and its rooms come with city views. The indoor lap pool is the main draw for children on a foggy day, while parents can use the hot tub, the spa and the fitness center. Pet-friendly amenities let the family dog join the trip, and dining is available on site for tired evenings. Guests rate it 8.7 from 822 reviews.
Hotel Nikko San Francisco
San Francisco
3,450 reviews
Luxury hotel with city views, a pool, and pet-friendly amenities
Check availabilityWhy guests love itHotel Nikko San Francisco is a 5-star hotel with an indoor swimming pool, a real plus for children in a city known for cool, foggy days. Parents can use the steam room and the fitness center, and rooms offer city views with modern amenities. The family-friendly restaurant serves a range of cuisines, which helps when tastes differ around the table, and pets are welcome. Guests rate it 8.7 across 3,450 reviews, a long and consistent record.
Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
San Francisco
11,343 reviews
Family-friendly comfort with an outdoor pool near Pier 39
Check availabilityWhy guests love itChildren usually love this part of the city: the sea lions at Pier 39, the Aquarium of the Bay and the waterfront are a short walk away, and the outdoor pool is a rare treat in San Francisco. Rooms have tea and coffee makers and large TVs for quiet evenings. The concierge can book tours, which helps with an Alcatraz trip. Cable cars toward Union Square run from the Fisherman's Wharf area, a fun way to reach downtown.
Hyatt Centric Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco
San Francisco
1,087 reviews
Heated outdoor pool, hot tub, and pet-friendly near Fisherman's Wharf
Check availabilityWhy guests love itThe Fisherman's Wharf waterfront is a three-minute walk from the Hyatt Centric, so the sea lions, the piers and the boat departures are close for a family. A heated outdoor pool and a hot tub are rare in this part of San Francisco and help after a day of walking. Breakfast is served at The Wardroom, and the 24-hour Marketplace covers snacks at any hour. Rooms have modern decor and a 47-inch HDTV, and pets are welcome.
Hotel Fiona
San Francisco
218 reviews
Victorian charm in SoMa with access to a heated outdoor pool
Check availabilityWhy guests love itHotel Fiona stands in San Francisco's SoMa district with a Victorian charm and a family-friendly mood. Guests have access to a heated outdoor pool and a fitness center at a sister property across the street, so there is no pool in the building itself. Rooms come with free WiFi, a smart TV and a coffee machine. Guests rate it 7.8 from 218 reviews.
Local tips
- 1Prefer an indoor or heated pool: San Francisco's fog and wind can make an unheated outdoor pool chilly even in summer.
- 2Book the InterContinental for an indoor lap pool and hot tub if swimming laps is part of your routine.
- 3Choose the Riu Plaza or the Hyatt Centric at Fisherman's Wharf if you want Pier 39 and the waterfront on foot.
- 4Note that Hotel Fiona's heated pool is at a sister property across the street, not in the hotel itself.
- 5Pick Hotel Nikko for an indoor pool plus a steam room after a long day of walking the hills.
- 6Travelling with a pet? The Marines' Memorial Club, Hotel Nikko, the InterContinental and the Hyatt Centric are listed as pet-friendly.