🇺🇸 San Francisco, United States
The Mosser
📍 54, 4th Street, San Francisco, 94103
Photo: official website
Your stay — The Mosser
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for San Francisco.
The Property — The Mosser
The Mosser is a practical, no-fuss basecamp in the South of Market district, a block from Union Square. The lobby is clean and modest, with a check-in desk and a small cafe — not a space you'd linger in, but efficient. Its USP is location and price: you get a central address and private rooms at hostel-level rates. It suits budget-conscious city explorers who plan to spend most of their time outside the hotel.
Chronicles of San Francisco
San Francisco exploded from a sleepy Mexican village of 800 in 1846 to a boomtown of 25,000 in 1850 thanks to the California Gold Rush. The 1906 earthquake and fire flattened most of the city, forcing a rapid rebuild that gave it its early 20th-century Beaux-Arts and Edwardian character. The 1930s saw the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge, and post-war urban renewal reshaped neighbourhoods like SoMa. Today it’s a global tech hub, yet clings to its progressive, counterculture roots and famously steep hills.
Best Time to Visit
Full San Francisco guide →Best months
September and October — warmest months with little rain, lighter tourist crowds than summer, and clear skies ideal for outdoor exploration.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak due to summer holidays, good weather (though often foggy), and major events like the 4th of July fireworks. Hotel rates spike sharply, and The Mosser often sells out weeks ahead. The city also hosts the San Francisco Marathon in late July, drawing extra visitors.
Budget shoulder season
May and October offer discounts on rooms, milder weather, and far fewer queues. May brings the Bay to Breakers race but remains less frantic than summer; October has Fleet Week and still-warm days.
Weather & packing
San Francisco’s microclimates mean fog can roll in from the ocean at any moment, dropping temps by 10°C in minutes. Pack layers: a lightweight waterproof jacket and a fleece or sweater are essential, even in July. Leave the umbrella at home — drizzle is common but rarely heavy enough to justify one.
Live City Briefing — San Francisco
- BART (the regional train) now runs direct from San Francisco International Airport to downtown at $10.30 one way, but weekend schedules are cut due to ongoing track repairs — allow extra time.
- Market Street’s car-free section between 3rd and 8th streets has made walking and cycling safer, though ride-shares now drop passengers on side streets instead.
- The cable car line on Powell Street is running a reduced service this summer due to maintenance work; expect 20-40 minute queues at the turnaround. Buy a day pass online to skip the ticket window wait.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Mosser, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 5-8 facing the interior courtyard (away from 4th Street) for the best balance of quiet and daylight. These upper floors avoid street-level noise while still being within the lift's reliable range.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 2 directly above the lobby and bar area — you'll hear foot traffic and conversation until late evening. Also avoid rooms ending in '01' or '02' near the lift shaft, where mechanical noise is audible at night.
Best views
South-east facing rooms on floors 6-8 have a partial view of the Bay Bridge and city skyline, though 4th Street is a busy commercial corridor — the view is urban rather than scenic.
Quietest floors
Floors 5 through 8 are quietest, as they sit above street hubbub and below any rooftop equipment.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on 4th Street, a main artery with frequent MUNI buses, delivery trucks, and emergency sirens. Rooms facing the street can be loud even with double glazing; street-facing windows on lower floors let in traffic hum until 1-2am.
Insider tips
1. If driving, use the nearby 5th & Mission garage (around $30/night) rather than the hotel's valet — cheaper and same walking distance. 2. For a quieter stay without sacrificing lift access, request room 506-508, interior courtyard side.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — The Mosser
free basic (20 Mbps, capped at 5 GB/day); premium $9.95/night for unlimited 50 Mbps
one lift serves all 5 floors; no stairs-only sections
no physical papers; no digital newsstand; building was originally a YMCA (1926), restored lobby with original terrazzo floors
check-in from 15:00, early bag drop from 07:00 free; late check-out until 13:00 costs $25, after 13:00 full night extra
free on day of arrival and departure, left at bell desk
step-free entry via ramp on 4th Street; lift to all floors; 3 ADA-compliant rooms with roll-in showers; no grab bars in standard rooms
no on-site parking; nearest public car park at 5th & Mission Garage ($35/night 17:00-08:00, $3 per 20 mins day rate); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 14% city tax + $3.50 tourism fee per room per night
Deposit & card hold: full night's stay charged at booking; $100 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Islamic Society of San Francisco (236 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Saint Boniface Catholic Church (378 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: William Taylor Methodist Church (507 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: YVAM San Francisco (545 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Metreon — 852 m · ~11 min walk
Boeddeker Park — 503 m · ~6 min walk
International Art Museum of America — 114 m · ~1 min walk
Warfield Theatre — 172 m · ~2 min walk
Turk-Hyde Mini Park Playground — 732 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 380 m · ~5 min walk
Walgreens — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Habibi Market — 30 m · ~1 min walk
Powell Street — 540 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →US Dollar, USD
Use ATMs inside banks or credit unions for the best rates; avoid currency exchange kiosks at SFO airport or tourist bureaux which have poor rates and high fees.
Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) are widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are common.
Restaurants: 15-20% of pre-tax bill; taxis: 10-15% of fare; hotel staff: $1-2 per bag for bellhops, $2-5 per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A regular drip coffee from a corner café or convenience store costs about $2.50-$3.50.
A burrito, sandwich, or combo plate from a taqueria or deli runs $10-$14.
A main course at a casual diner or ethnic restaurant (e.g., Vietnamese pho or pizza slice with drink) is around $15-$20.
Food trucks and stalls near SoMa/Mission District offer tacos, pupusas, and falafel for $8-$12; also check the SoMa StrEat Food Park.
Budget supermarkets include Safeway, Trader Joe's, and FoodsCo in the area.
Affordable shopping at Target, Ross Dress for Less, or thrift stores along Mission St.
Muni day pass ($5) for buses/trains; from SFO: BART ($9.65 one-way to Civic Center) or SamTrans bus ($2.25).
1) Use public transit (BART/Muni) instead of rideshares. 2) Buy groceries at Trader Joe's and cook or picnic. 3) Visit free attractions like Yerba Buena Gardens or street art in the Mission.
Good to know — San Francisco
Type A/B · 120V
safe
USD ($)
Emergency Contacts
San FranciscoFor non-emergency police, dial 311 within the city or 415-553-0123 from outside. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222. If using a cell phone, be aware that 911 routes to Highway Patrol first; tell the operator you are in San Francisco.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in San Francisco, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Mosser
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 380 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Walgreens — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) → Powell Street Station (near Hotel Madrid)
💡 Most economical airport transfer; transfer to Powell St station is 2 blocks from Hotel Madrid. Valid for local metro travel too.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) → Hotel Madrid, San Francisco
💡 Shared shuttle service; book online for discounts. Stops at multiple hotels but longer travel time than direct taxis.
Throughout San Francisco downtown → Hotel Madrid area and surrounding Union Square
💡 Buy Visitor Passport (1-3 days unlimited) for $32-81. Most efficient for local exploring; multiple lines serve Union Square area near hotel.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) → Hotel Madrid, San Francisco
💡 Uber/Lyft cheaper than traditional taxis; avoid during peak hours (4-7pm). Hotel Madrid location near Union Square makes taxi access convenient.
About San Francisco
Wikipedia ↗
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with a population of 826,079 in 2025. Among U.S. cities with a population of 200,000 or more, San Francisco is ranked first by per capita in...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Mosser?
Request a room on floors 5-8 facing the interior courtyard (away from 4th Street) for the best balance of quiet and daylight. These upper floors avoid street-level noise while still being within the lift's reliable range.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Mosser?
Avoid rooms on floor 2 directly above the lobby and bar area — you'll hear foot traffic and conversation until late evening. Also avoid rooms ending in '01' or '02' near the lift shaft, where mechanical noise is audible at night.
Is The Mosser noisy?
The hotel sits on 4th Street, a main artery with frequent MUNI buses, delivery trucks, and emergency sirens. Rooms facing the street can be loud even with double glazing; street-facing windows on lower floors let in traffic hum until 1-2am.
Which rooms have the best views at The Mosser?
South-east facing rooms on floors 6-8 have a partial view of the Bay Bridge and city skyline, though 4th Street is a busy commercial corridor — the view is urban rather than scenic.
What are insider tips for staying at The Mosser?
1. If driving, use the nearby 5th & Mission garage (around $30/night) rather than the hotel's valet — cheaper and same walking distance. 2. For a quieter stay without sacrificing lift access, request room 506-508, interior courtyard side.
What time is check-in at The Mosser?
Check-in at The Mosser is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Mosser have Wi-Fi?
free basic (20 Mbps, capped at 5 GB/day); premium $9.95/night for unlimited 50 Mbps
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Mosser?
14% city tax + $3.50 tourism fee per room per night
Where can I eat cheaply near The Mosser?
A burrito, sandwich, or combo plate from a taqueria or deli runs $10-$14.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Mosser?
Muni day pass ($5) for buses/trains; from SFO: BART ($9.65 one-way to Civic Center) or SamTrans bus ($2.25).
When is the best time to visit San Francisco?
September and October — warmest months with little rain, lighter tourist crowds than summer, and clear skies ideal for outdoor exploration.
Top Attractions in San Francisco
💡 Visit on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday morning for the farmers' market outside — best for free tastings and watching the bay activity. Skip the expensive sit-down places; grab a coffee and walk the Embarcadero.
💡 It's small — allow 20-30 minutes. The gift shop sells cheap souvenirs. Combine with a walk through nearby Nob Hill; the cable car stop right outside lets you watch them turn around manually.
💡 Go just before sunset for golden light on the houses and fewer people. Bring a blanket — the grass is prime for sitting, and locals often picnic here.
💡 Start at the south end (Crissy Field) around 9am for thinner fog and fewer crowds. Bring a windproof jacket — it's always breezy.
💡 Head to the bison paddock near the west end — it's unexpected and often quiet. The park is huge; rent a bike from a shop near Stanyan Street.