Staying at San Francisco’s First Ever Motel, the Ocean Park Motel

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After our stop in Santa Rosa it was time to head into San Francisco proper and check into the place I chose for our stay. Like I said before, I love staying at unique and historic places, and when I found out San Francisco’s first ever motel was still standing, I knew we had to book it. Run by second generation owners, the Ocean Park Motel did not disappoint! Cute on their website, it was even cuter in person!

Myself, wearing a red, white and blue stripe shirt, blue jeans, and carrying a vintage cream colored suitcase, standing in front of the motel, which is painted blue with yellow trim, in the background hangs the sign for the motel, a black sign reading "Ocean Park Motel Kitchens Hot Tub No Vacancy" in neon letters.

Overall view of the Ocean Park Motel from across the street.

Myself, wearing a red, white and blue stripe shirt, blue jeans, and carrying a vintage cream colored suitcase, standing in front of the motel, which is painted blue with yellow trim, in the background hangs the sign for the motel, a black sign reading "Ocean Park Motel Kitchens Hot Tub No Vacancy" in neon letters.

Close-up of the sign which reads "Ocean Park Motel Kitchens Hot Tub No Vacancy" in neon. To the right is a circular porthole style window.

Despite being located just two blocks from the sandy shores of Ocean Beach and a mere one block from the San Francisco zoo, the Ocean Park Motel still offers a feeling of quaint seclusion. The stunning streamline moderne lines curve around multiple buildings, evoking a grand steamer ship in some areas. I especially love the ship wheel window at the office door. Designed by Conrad Kett, the Ocean Park Motel opened April 20, 1937, a little over a month before the Golden Gate Bridge welcomed motorists to foggy San Francisco.

We ended up staying in a three bed suite, despite it being just the two of us, but it was ever so charming, and felt like our very own vintage apartment, including an adorable little kitchen. I loved the tile flooring in the bathroom especially. While there is no pool, the Ocean Park Motel offers a hot tub for relaxing after a day exploring hilly San Francisco.

Flat curved edge roof of the motel, above the office window. The side of the model is painted a deep sky blue with red trim along the roof edge, with the windows painted in white trim.

An open courtyard between the rooms features a long green lawn.

Door to the office which is painted blue and features a round window that has a frame like that of a ship's wheel.

Myself, wearing a red, white and blue stripe shirt, blue jeans, sitting atop a vintage cream colored suitcase, the blue streamline modern motel in the background.

A pair of beds sit against a wood paneled wall.

Tucked into a room all its own sits a single bed against a wood paneled wall. Deco lines give the door to the room a special touch.

A quaint kitchen features butter yellow walls, and white tile with red detail.

Close-up of the bathroom tile, which is mint green with pink diamonds.

A fireplace adds an element of coziness to the room, above the fireplace hangs a picture of California cypress trees, to the right is the doorway to the bathroom, which is painted mint green.

Close-up of a corner window, which features on curved side.

The Ocean Park Motel stands two stories on the corner, with a flat roof that juts out with curved corners, and red trim along the roof edge, the window trim is painted white. The black neon sign reads "Ocean Park Motel Kitchens Hot Tub No Vacancy" in neon.

Myself, wearing a red, white and blue stripe shirt, blue jeans, sitting atop a vintage cream colored suitcase, the blue streamline modern motel in the background.

Detail between two rooms that curves and almost appears like a ship's railing.

Close-up of the sign which reads "Ocean Park Motel Kitchens Hot Tub No Vacancy" in neon.

A curved staircase leads to a room.

Close-up of the room key, which features a black diamond shaped fob reading "Ocean Park Mote" and the address and room number.

Corner of the two story office section, with the upper windows featuring one curved side.

Curved details of the motel.

Myself, wearing a red, white and blue stripe shirt, blue jeans, and carrying a vintage cream colored suitcase, standing in front of the motel, which is painted blue with yellow trim, in the background hangs the sign for the motel, a black sign reading "Ocean Park Motel Kitchens Hot Tub No Vacancy" in neon letters.

If you’re looking for a little place to get some R&R in San Francisco I highly recommend the Ocean Park Motel. It’s far enough away from the city’s center to be quiet and peaceful, but is only a 20 minute or so drive from nearly anything you may want to do during a visit to San Francisco. If taking transit is your thing, it’s also located along or near several bus lines.

While Ocean Park Motel may be San Francisco’s first ever motel, a few miles south in San Luis Obispo you can find the remains of the world’s first ever motel, the Motel Inn.

Sleep well at the Ocean Park Motel, located at 2690 46th Avenue in San Francisco. Find out more about rooms, rates, and how to book via Ocean Park Motel’s website.

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