Take a walk out of your student housing and head over to Taylor Street coffee shop for their Sailor’s Hash and a flat white. Spend the day chilling out at East Beach with incredible views of Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge, before heading to A.C.T’s Geary Theater to watch an experimental show. As night falls, meet friends for cocktails at Bourbon and Branch speakeasy bar or dance to live music at the Great American Music Hall. When you get hungry, grab a table at Ryoko’s Japanese restaurant for a taste of their delicious fresh sushi.

At the Dakota Hotel, you are just a five-minute drive, or a 15-minute walk, away from Golden Gate University or a nine-minute drive from the University of San Francisco. If you’re studying at San Francisco State University downtown campus, you can roll out of bed late as you’re only a nine-minute walk from campus. Exploring at the weekend is easy as students with cars can park just three-minutes from home. 

Take your morning shower with the toiletries and towels provided in your own bathroom at the Dakota Hotel. Head downstairs to sample the hotel’s complimentary breakfast, and fill up for the day with a bagel and jam. If you’re running late, swing by Joy’s Place over the road for a takeout hot chocolate on your way to class - you can use the Wi-Fi while you wait. 

When you arrive home from your day of classes, relax in the downstairs lounge as you chat to your fellow students. Then take the elevator up to your room - the top floors have impressive views of the San Francisco skyline. Heat up a quick meal in your microwave or order takeout chicken momo and a naan bread from nearby Red Chilli, or some hearty tom yum soup from The House of Thai. After you’ve eaten, Skype family back home on the high-speed internet, then get ahead on chores by making use of the in-house laundry service. Alternatively, call friends and arrange to meet them at one of the many bars on your doorstep for a cold drink and a catch up.