Ultimate Guide to San Francisco for Sustainable Travelers

Celebrated for it's incredible landmarks, great culture, and intriguing history, San Francisco is great place to head to if you're interested in exploring somewhere diverse and eclectic, while being environmentally-cautious. 

With a range of sustainable attractions, hotels and restaurants, San Francisco is the perfect spot to visit for sustainable travelers.

Best Hotels in San Francisco for Sustainable Travel

Known for it's numerous famous landmarks and iconic architecture, visitors may be impressed when looking for some of San Francisco's most sustainable hotels. From being able to see the Golden Gate Bridge without even needing to leave the hotel, to a quirky stay with a gaming den in the basement, you'll be able to experience the best of San Francisco in it's stunning sustainable hotels.

Whether you're an eco-conscious solo traveler, or visiting as a couple, as part of a group, or with your family, San Francisco's diverse hotel scene ensures everyone can find the perfect place to relax, while not having to compromise on your carbon footprint. Let's take a look at some of the city's best sustainable hotel options.

Hilton San Francisco, Financial District, San Francisco

Situated in the heart of downtown San Francisco, the Hilton San Francisco Financial District is conveniently located between the business-centric financial district, Chinatown, and North Beach. It is just a short 5-minute drive from the Fisherman's Wharf and the ferry to Alcatraz Island.

This luxurious hotel is home to the amazing 750 Restaurant and Bar, which serves up a diverse array of Californian-influenced cuisine. The Hilton also has an award-winning concierge service, and 24 hour reception, business and fitness centers.

If you're looking for a sustainable hotel with prime relaxation facilities, you'll be pleased to know that The Hilton is home to a gorgeous full-service spa. While they're not known globally for their sustainability, you'll be pleased to know that they're committed to making progress in this area, making them one of the best choices in the area if you're looking for an eco-friendly stay.

Each room at the Hilton San Francisco is simple, sleek and modern, and includes great facilities, such as a coffee machine, large work desk, ergonomic desk chair, air-conditioning, and 55-inch flat-screen smart TV.

The Kimpton Alton, Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco

Located in iconic Fisherman's Wharf, The Kimpton Alton Hotel is just a 4-minute walk from Ghirardelli Square, and sits within 1 mile of Alcatraz Cruises and the entrance to Chinatown.

This hotel boasts a 24-hour fitness center (including a dedicated Peloton room!), and great on-site refreshments at both the Abacá Bar, known for drinks and bar bites, and a delicious contemporary Filipino-California Restaurant Abacá, which was recently named on NY Times 2022 Best Restaurant List.

The Kimpton Alton has several eco-friendly initiatives in place, including multiple recycling schemes, and energy-efficient bulbs and electronics in their rooms.

Spacious guestrooms include custom mattresses, luxury bath amenities, plush robes, and Smart TV's with guest streaming. Eco-friendly Nespresso machines are available for your room upon request. 

Zeppelin Hotel, Lower Nob Hill, San Francisco

Located just 984 from San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square, Hotel Zeppelin San Francisco is a boutique hotel nestled in the popular Theater District. It sits just 0.7 mi from Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and San Francisco City Hall, and is just a 12 minutes walk from the Regency Ballroom, one of the city's most popular concert venues.

The hotel boasts a great range of on-site amenities, including an air-conditioned fitness center with cardio machines and weights, a 24-hour reception, luggage storage, same day laundry services, and, if you're looking for something a little different, there's a unique game room located in the hotel’s basement known as The Den.

Out of all the four star hotels across San Francisco, Zeppelin Hotel is the one that has been able to reduce their energy intensity most, therefore burning less fossil fuels per guests who stays there, making it the most eco-friendly option of all four-star hotels in the city.

Each of the sleek, modern guest rooms provides guest robes, free toiletries, a hairdryer, a custom 36-inch high maple top work table, and a 55-inch LED flat-screen TV.

Marriot Union Square, San Francisco

Located in the center of San Francisco, Marriott Union Square is conveniently located just 0.7 miles from both the Moscone Center and the Financial District.

There's plenty of perks to staying at this hotel, aside from the reduced carbon footprint of course, including a 24-hour front desk, well equipped fitness center, and Wi-Fi access throughout the property. There's an on-site restaurant that serves up a mouthwatering range of regional and international meals, as well as a great bar, Bin480, which promises a range of great cocktails and delicious drinks.

All guest rooms at this hotel are chic and modern, and provide all the amenities you could ask for, including a HDTV, MP3 docking station, and tea and coffee making facilities.

InterContinental Mark Hopkins, Nob Hill, San Francisco

This hotel is not only eco-conscious, but it is also a towering, historic landmark located on Nob Hill. The InterContinental is just a short, 5-minute walk from Union Square and just 1.5 miles from Fisherman's Wharf. There's plenty to see and do in the area, with Golden gate bridge right on the doorstep and a cable car stop just outside of the hotel.

One great advantage of it's stunning location is the top floor restaurant, which boasts stunning views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. The Top of the Mark sky lounge serves up gourmet creations, and has a selection of over 100 different martinis on the drinks menu, so there's plenty of choice! The hotel also has a 24-hour fitness center, a business center, valet parking, and even baby sitting services, should you be traveling with your family.

Rooms at this hotel are nothing short of elegant, and each has a mini-bar, coffee maker, and cable TV.

Best Restaurants in San Francisco for Sustainable Travelers

San Francisco is known for being diverse and vibrant, and the dining scene is no different. Featuring a wide range of establishments catering to every palette, there's something perfect for everyone when it comes to dining in this stunning city.

From the oldest fine-dining vegetarian restaurant in the country, to eclectic, new, colorful establishments with creative and innovative menus, the restaurants across San Francisco have as much to offer as the city itself, so let's take a look at five of the most well-loved dining experiences in this amazing seaside city.

Sons and Daughters, Nob Hill, San Francisco

Sons and Daughters is the perfect spot if you're an eco-conscious traveler looking for an upscale dining spot that's perfect for a special occasion. With dim lighting and a cozy yet classy dining space, you'll find this restaurant to be the perfect space to enjoy a carefully created dish.

Diners can watch the food being prepared by the small team that moves effortlessly around one another in the minuscule open-plan kitchen.

The food at this establishment is incredibly refined, thanks to English chef Harrison Cheney joining the team and helping to execute the most marvelous seasonal tasting menu in the area. If you're looking for a truly special experience, consider ordering the tasting menu with the wine pairings.

Atelier Crenn, San Francisco

Located equidistant between Marina District and Pacific Heights, Atelier Crenn is a three Michelin-starred restaurant created by the outstanding chef, Dominique Crenn.

An outstanding addition to San Francisco's fine dining scene, this restaurant goes above and beyond in striving for not only an amazing culinary experience but also zero-waste dining and sustainable practices. The restaurant uses ingredients sourced directly from the chef's own four-acre organic Sonoma-based Blu Belle Farm in order to provide an eco-friendly dining experience.

Aside from the excellent selection of mouthwatering fine-dining options on offer here, there is also a carefully selected wine list, curated specifically to offer wines that align with the ethos of this restaurant.

Once you've finished indulging in your upscale dining experience here, be sure to head next door to their sister bar, Bar Crenn

Wildseed, Pacific Heights, San Francisco

Situated on the edge of the Pacific Heights neighborhood near the Marina District, this easy-going health and eco-conscious eatery Wildseed is perfect for all you sustainable vegans!

Everything on the menu here is vegan, and changes seasonally, making it a great spot to visit time and time again. In addition, all the produce used is organic and biodynamic, making it an excellent choice for those concerned about eating in a way that protects the environment.

Be sure to try some of their most popular dishes, including meat substitutes such as the plant-based "meatballs", or the "impossible burger"; or the waiter's recommended warming yellow curry, boasting a light gentle heat and simmering al dente fresh vegetables.

Shuggie’s Trash Pie , Mission District, San Francisco

Shuggie’s Trash Pie and Natural Wine Bar is located in the old San Francisco neighborhood of the Mission District and is a fun, informal zero-waste dining spot.

This "climate-solutions" restaurant is just as quirky as it sounds. Step inside this eclectic, yellow dining room (that could well be an art exhibition) and indulge in some of the menu's creative dishes, brimming with upcycled ingredients such as swordfish belly, chicken gizzards, beef hearts, and surplus greens.

Green's Restaurant, Fort Mason, San Francisco

Opening back in 1979, Green's Restaurant was the very first fine-dining vegetarian restaurant in the country (not just California!), making it one of the best sustainable restaurants to visit during your trip to San Francisco.

Not only do they pull their lettuce and herbs from their own 8-acre Green Gulch Farm just across the Golden Gate Bridge, but they also work directly with farmers, who drop off their produce right at the kitchen door. The menu is adjusted twice per month in order to maximize the use of available ingredients, rather than resort to getting them from other suppliers that may not align with Green's values.

Despite being a vegetarian restaurant, you won't find any processed 'fake meat' on the menu here, instead, this restaurant focuses on whole-vegetable cooking, keeping the stems and leaves on cauliflower and using peapods and other cut-offs for stock.

Best Attractions in San Francisco for Sustainable Travelers

If you're planning on a sustainable stay in San Francisco, then it's likely you'll want to visit some eco-conscious attractions. Whether it's a non-profit museum, a market brimming with locally sourced produce, or a simple outdoor spot with stunning views, there's something for everyone in this gorgeous city.

No matter what you'd like to spend you time doing, let's look at some of the top sustainable attractions San Francisco has to offer.

Dolores Park, Mission District, San Francisco

If you're looking for something relaxing, yet eco-friendly to do, you'll feel right at home in Dolores Park. Relax on the soft grassy fields with a picnic and take in the gorgeous views of the surrounding city, or even join in a game on the tennis or basketball courts! The chioce is yours!

This park is a true local treasure for picnics, dog walks, and coffee breaks, making it one of the best spots for an outdoor stroll in the city.

Museum of Modern Art, Union Square, San Francisco

Located just a short walk from Union Square is the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. A non-profit museum displaying a great range of contemporary photography, architecture, media aft forms, design, and of course, sculptures and paintings.

The collection here changes frequently, making it a great place to visit time and time again.

Baker Beach, San Francisco

Located just a short distance outside of the city center, Baker Beach is a gorgeous destination that has a place on many visitor's bucket lists, thanks to it's stunning up-close views of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge.

Head down to this stunning sea-front spot to catch a glimpse of this astonishing man-made structure, and take some time to dip your toes in the water, collect some sea shells or even build sand castles and enjoy a picnic while you're there!

Palace of Fine Arts, Marina District, San Francisco

Situated in the Marina District, on the edge of the Presidio of San Francisco, the Palace of Fine Arts is a breathtakingly beautiful Greek-Roman-inspired monument-come theatre.

This stunning landmark is used for trade fairs and weddings alike, so be sure to check if there's anything on so you can time your visit well. It's almost entirely surrounded by a small lagoon, complete with lush greenery and flowers, with easily accessible walkways, making it the perfect spot for a stroll with stunning views.

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, Embarcadero, San Francisco

Held along the Ferry Plaza on the eastern shoreline, the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 am and 2 pm, and on Saturdays between 8 am and 2 pm.

It is held right alone the waterfront, and is home to a great range of stalls and booths selling a variety of fresh produce, eggs, ice cream, pastries, jewelry, clothing, and more, making it the perfect place to grab a snack or souvenir!