Brisbane, CA

Travel Guide
Brisbane showing a city
Beautiful outdoor areas and trekking trails are some of the features of this small city that provides easy access to its busy neighbour San Francisco.

Enjoy hiking, sightseeing and other outdoor activities in Brisbane. Just a short drive from San Francisco, this picturesque city has a relaxing small-town atmosphere. Shop for freshly baked goods and organic produce at a farmers market, swim at a community pool and savor a wholesome meal at a local restaurant.

Bordering Brisbane to the west is the 2,400-acre (970-hectare) San Bruno Mountain State Park, which is known for its hiking trails and natural beauty. Follow paths through the park to discover spectacular vistas of the San Francisco skyline and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Visit the Brisbane Community Swim Center to exercise or just splash about in the water. This heated pool hosts swimming lessons and water aerobics too. Also worth exploring is Community Park, a central public space with picnic tables, a pretty gazebo and a playground. Shop for locally harvested honey, olive oils and balsamic vinaigrettes at the weekly farmers market, which is held in the park on Thursday afternoons.

Quarry Road Park is another lovely outdoor area featuring trees and many native plant species. Discover the Crocker Park Recreational Trail, a scenic loop route that stretches for more than 2 miles (4 kilometers) around town. This trail is suitable for cycling, jogging and walking.

Drive to Candlestick Point State Recreation Area from Brisbane in less than 15 minutes. This waterside park is excellent for fishing, windsurfing and bird-watching. Bring a picnic and look for hawks, pelicans and egrets, which can be seen throughout the year.

Brisbane is in the northern part of San Mateo County, about an 8-mile (13-kilometer) drive south of San Francisco. This coastal city is great for visitors looking to find a base outside the larger metropolitan centers of Northern California. Stay in affordable inns, lodges and hotels.

With vast nature areas and near-limitless opportunities for recreational activities, Brisbane is perfect for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

Where to stay in Brisbane

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Downtown Brisbane

While Downtown Brisbane might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Cow Palace and San Bruno Mountain.

Downtown Brisbane
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Uptown Brisbane

Though Uptown Brisbane might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Cow Palace and San Bruno Mountain.

Uptown Brisbane
King George Hotel
King George Hotel
3 out of 5
334 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is ¥14,983 per night from Apr 9 to Apr 10
¥14,983
per night
Apr 9 - Apr 10
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,386 reviews)
Very good hotel
"Really great value for money. Perfect location for us. Easy access from BART station. Cable cars just around the corner. Pleasant walk to Fisherman’s Wharf. Room had everything you could need and a really comfy bed. Coffee and pastries included for breakfast which was great for early starts and long ..."

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

King George Hotel
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
The price is ¥18,933 per night from Apr 9 to Apr 10
¥18,933
per night
Apr 9 - Apr 10
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,360 reviews)
"Great hotel and views! All employees were nice and make you feel welcome. Room service made the bed while we were gone exploring which is a plus. Only negative was that I wish I would have know that you have to pay to park which was $45/ day."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
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 ¥18,774 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
¥18,774
per night
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (6,189 reviews)
"Breakfast was great!"

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
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.
Coral Reef Inn & Suites
Coral Reef Inn & Suites
2.5 out of 5
400 Park St, Alameda, CA
Stay at this aparthotel in Alameda. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
6.6/10 (2,532 reviews)
"Nice hotel. Last remodel was in the 70’s."

Reviewed on Mar 13, 2024

Coral Reef Inn & Suites
Baden Apartments
Baden Apartments
2 out of 5
411 Baden Ave, South San Francisco, CA
Stay at this apartment in South San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi and a microwave. Popular attractions The Shops at Tanforan and Serramonte Center are located nearby. ...
7.4/10 Good! (13 reviews)
"Everything was great with the property. I would have loved to watch tv before bed but all wax well."

Reviewed on Oct 23, 2023

Baden Apartments
Come enjoy this Beautiful Home ! Sunsets Optional !
Come enjoy this Beautiful Home ! Sunsets Optional !
San Francisco
Stay at this family-friendly vacation home in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Golden Gate Park and Presidio ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (33 reviews)
St. Patrick’s Day Getaway Weekend
"It was a perfect getaway weekend!!! We left the car parked in the designated spot and took everything out of the car and we were not broken into and it was there every morning when I woke up. It was a beautiful place. It was a great drop off and sleep spot."

Reviewed on Mar 17, 2024

Come enjoy this Beautiful Home ! Sunsets Optional !
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.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Brisbane

4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
56
" "5 - Excellent 30.107526881720432%
4 - Good
75
" "4 - Good 40.32258064516129%
3 - Okay
47
" "3 - Okay 25.268817204301076%
2 - Disappointing
6
" "2 - Disappointing 3.225806451612903%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 1.075268817204301%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jan 24, 2020

TV service was out for about an hour. I ordered breakfast and selected the 7am-7:15 option. They showed up with a nice breakfast at 6:45. I was busy in the restroom. The sunrise over the bay was amazing.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Dec 31, 2019

Actually nothing worthwhile to write home about!

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveler
Oct 1, 2019

Go to a different hotel.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Sep 3, 2019

We drove thru the city of Brisbane. It is a very small town.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Aug 27, 2019

Cute town in Brisbane. Hotel was nice. And we found a great restaurant for breakfast lunch and dinner called: "melissa's taqueria"

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Jul 31, 2019

We didn’t see anything outside the hotel.

Cities near Brisbane