Escape rooms are also known as “puzzle rooms,” and have become an increasingly popular leisure activity around the world. Games are set in a variety of ‘room-style’ locations and players have a number of riddles and puzzles to solve. Here we take a look at what some of the best escape rooms in San Francisco:

1. Houdini Escape Room

Harry Houdini (Photo: Proyecto Vegaeris)

Harry Houdini made his name as an incredible escapologist and it is not surprising that there is an escape room named after him. It is the Great Houdini Escape Room by Palace Games. Top of this list it may be here but it must be noted that this is not a game to take part in if you are a beginner at escape games. For 6 - 10 players this game is set in the Palace of Fine Arts in a fully automated room with a complicated system of sensors and designed by Houdini, so the story goes, as a challenge to eight of the best American innovators. Complex and difficult it may be, but this is one of the best escape games, not just in San Francisco but in all of North America.

2. Edison Escape Room

Thomas Edison (Photo: Mark Morgan)

Also located in the Palace of Fine Arts, and a sequel to the Houdini Escape Game (though you do not need to have played that game to take part in this one), the Edison Escape Game is based around a mysterious challenge the inventor Thomas Edison has set his guests. Again, this is not suitable for beginners, but for experienced players, this escape game really is one of the top games.

3. Party In Vegas

Party In Vegas is an escape game suitable for beginners. This is one of two games located at Clockwise Escape in San Francisco Market Street, and in it you wake up disoriented after a night partying in Vegas and have to find a way of escaping from the hotel room you find yourself in.

4. Asylum

Asylum is the second beginner-friendly escape game that is based at Clockwise Escape in San Francisco. In this game you find yourself as an inmate of an asylum that is being used for sinister purposes, and hence your need to escape. This escape game was started in August 2017.

5. Roosevelt Escape Room

Theodore Roosevelt (Photo: Art Gallery ErgsArt - by ErgSap)

The Roosevelt Escape Room is a sequel to the Houdini Escape Room by Palace Games, and it is another difficult but excellent game that is not suitable for beginners. The game is based around the idea that Roosevelt (also known as Teddy) was looking for some of the brightest minds of his time to fulfil his objectives. The room, which was opened in 2016, is automated and has many physical puzzles to solve. You need teammates to play this game.

Of course, there are also rooms of a different type you can use as an escape, but an escape from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco (or other cities). With flexible check in and out times, dayuse hotels via daybreakhotels.com provide you with all the benefits of 4 and 5 star services, but at a cheaper price than a standard night rate.