Brisbane, CA

Travel Guide

Brisbane which includes a city and cbd
Brisbane showing a city
Brisbane which includes landscape views
Brisbane showing a river or creek and a city
Brisbane showing a city and city views
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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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
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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
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 ¥16,946 per night from Apr 20 to Apr 21
¥16,946
¥19,945 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 20 - Apr 21
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,841 reviews)
"Perfect place to stay!"

Reviewed on Apr 16, 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
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 ¥16,374 per night from May 11 to May 12
¥16,374
¥25,138 total
includes taxes & fees
May 11 - May 12
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,339 reviews)
"this a repeat property like closeness to fisherman's wharf and great resaurants,"

Reviewed on Apr 16, 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Hilton San Francisco Financial District
4 out of 5
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
The price is ¥15,929 per night from Apr 20 to Apr 21
¥15,929
¥18,747 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 20 - Apr 21
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,148 reviews)
"Excellent stay would come back here."

Reviewed on Apr 13, 2025

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
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
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Alameda. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
6.8/10 (2,692 reviews)
"kitchens allow the option to prepare our own food."

Reviewed on Apr 7, 2025

Coral Reef Inn & Suites
Cute & Colourful Oceanside Cottage w Garden
Cute & Colourful Oceanside Cottage w Garden
Stinson Beach
Stay at this cottage in Stinson Beach. Enjoy a garden, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Muir Woods National Monument and Stinson Beach ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (135 reviews)
Great location
"If you are looking for some beach time - this is the place. Great access to the beach. If the evenings/nights are chilly there is only 1 space heater so use accordingly. The sofa bed is lumpy but serviceable. The TV is in the bedroom and we could not get it to work. The owner offered suggestions ..."

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2025

Cute & Colourful Oceanside Cottage w Garden
Charming and Cozy Room in Downtown
Charming and Cozy Room in Downtown
San Francisco
Stay at this vacation home in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Oracle Park and Chase ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (14 reviews)
Great clean place in the Tenderloin
"Great clean place, really terrible neighborhood"

Reviewed on Jun 1, 2024

Charming and Cozy Room in Downtown
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

Things to do

Reviews of Brisbane

4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
56
5 - Excellent 30%
4 - Good
75
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
47
3 - Okay 25%
2 - Disappointing
6
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

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

Actually nothing worthwhile to write home about!

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveler

Go to a different hotel.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

We didn’t see anything outside the hotel.

Cities near Brisbane