San Francisco offers a lifestyle experience for every visitor without actually participating in a specific tourist activity.
Simply strolling through the different neighbourhoods, enjoying the fabulous views across the bay and bridge, or travelling on the cable cars can be pleasure enough. The essence of the city is the differing neighborhoods, you just have to explore them.
Eating out is nearly always a rewarding experience from a café in a Sausalito plaza to clam chowder on the wharf, or Pacific Rim high cuisine in Mandarin Oriental’s Silks. The shopping is relaxed and there is plenty of art, both visual and literary.
Our concierge has made several recommendations below which will help give you an overview of the city. We wish you a pleasurable visit to San Francisco.
Alcatraz - 20 Minute boat ride/1.7 Miles or 2.7 Km The Rock is home to the historic and infamous prison. Visitors can browse the remnants of the prison whilst finding out about former inmates of notoriety. This is also a bird and wildlife sanctuary.
Walk across Golden Gate Bridge - 15 Minutes/3.5 Miles or 5.6 Km The bridge opened in 1937 and for 27 years held the world record for a suspension bridge at 4,200 foot in length. The five lanes cross the Golden Gate Strait which is about 400 feet, or 130 meters, deep. The bridge's two towers rise 746 feet.
Ride the Cable Cars - Corner of the hotel on California Street These famous open-air cars pull you up and down the hills of San Francisco on an underground cable system. Starting from the hotel the ride will give you a good view of the city, ending in either Fisherman’s Wharf or Nob Hill, where there is a museum dedicated to the system's history.
Napa Valley - 1.5 Hours/50 Miles or 80.5 Km Beyond the distant haze of the Bay lies the most expensive country real estate in the world - Napa Valley. Here rugged nature has been tamed into trellised rows of valuable vines. Visit the area for an oenophile lunch. Our concierge will be happy to make arrangements.
Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur - 3 hours/150 Miles or 241 Km South of San Francisco Nestled on the cliffs of Big Sur, the Post Ranch Inn provides ultimate romantic getaway for those seeking a luxurious escape for a honeymoon, anniversary, or a relaxing vacation. The luxury resorts organic's architecture embraces the dramatic beauty of Big Sur's coastline.
Meadowood - 1.5 Hours/50 Miles or 80.5 Km Meadowood is a center of social, cultural and viticultural life in Napa Valley and a second home for those who enjoy the beauty and hospitality of the wine country.
Things to See
Fisherman’s Wharf - 10 Minutes/1.7 Miles or 2.7 Km Lively waterfront area and after Disney Land, probably America’s most visited tourist destination. Historically fishermen set sail for their daily catch but it has long since been reinvented; teeming with restaurants, shops and attractions, including splashy sea lions and street performers.
Japanese Tea Garden - 15 Minutes/5.6 Miles or 9 Km In Japanese culture, a garden is considered to be one of the highest art forms. This garden covers 5 acres within the Golden Gate park and all of it is exquisite; a beautiful place for contemplation and unusually one of the most popular destinations in San Francisco
North Beach - 5 Minutes/0.5 Miles or 0.8 Km This is Little Italy. Since 1800 Italian’s have clustered here bringing a range of red chequered table cloths and superb Italian food. It is also the home of the beat generation, old haunts of Alan Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac; the feel still exists and is never forgotten particularly amongst the booksellers.
Chinatown - 10 Minute Walk/0.3 Miles or 0.5 Km Completely Chinese; Cantonese chatter, the clatter of mahjong and chopstick cuisine. This is one of the largest Chinese communities outside of Asia. There is even its own fortune cookie factory.
Sausalito - 20 Minute Boat Ride/9 Miles or 14.5 Km This waterfront area has a distinctly Mediterranean feel. There are plenty of bay side restaurants, open air cafes in the plaza and boutiques. Sausalito also has a thriving artist community and there are several world class galleries to browse through.
San Francisco Maritime Museum - 5 Minutes/1.7 Miles or 2.7 Km A concrete construction, actually in the shape of a ship. The museum features ship models, a 19 foot sloop that a Japanese sailed solo from Osaka to San Francisco in 1962 and a photographic history of the bay.
San Francisco Centre - 10 Minute Walk/0.5 Miles or 0.8 Km An extravagant mall for extravagant shopping. Nine complete stories, home to a five floors of the Nordstorm department store and many up market brands and retailers. America's only spiral escalators make the shopping experience quite thrilling.
Fillmore Street- 15 Minutes/2.9 Miles or 4.7 Km Decadence and design against a backdrop of charm and simplicity. Beauticians and perfumeries and designer home furnishing boutiques can keep you occupied for hours.
Union Street - 15 Minutes/1.8 Miles or 2.9 Km Armani exchange, vintage timepieces, rice paper lamps and jewelry are amongst the many items on sale in eclectic Union Street. When you’ve finished shopping there are numerous cafes and restaurants to drop into.
Haight Street - 15 Minutes/3 Miles or 4.8 Km Home of the hippie movement, Haight and Ashbury is still a monument to San Francisco’s free thinking ethos. For shopping it is the place to browse through 1960s memorabilia, many small stores selling alternative clothes, shoes and accessories.
Ferry Building - 5 Minute Walk/0.3 Miles or 0.5 Km An epicurean haven set in an airy hall with vaulted glass ceilings. Specialty food shops from cheese artisans to chocolate shops; books and culinary equipment; all sit between small eateries, cafes and restaurants open for lunch or dinner.
Where to Dine
Silks - At the Hotel Well known for its rich ambiance evocative of the Orient, which is inspired by the romance of the Old Silk Road. Furnished with hand-painted silk chandeliers, superb linens, fine crystal and contemporary china.
Gary Danko - 15 Minutes/1.8 Miles or 2.9 Km High class French food and wine in natural surroundings; wood and shutters. If you have heard of his reputation and desperately want to sample the fare but find it all booked up, there is a 10 stool first come first served bar, which you could make a dash for.
Quince - 15 Minutes/1.5 Miles or 2.4 Km A quiet side street hides this small, fifteen table epicurean haunt, serving fine Californian Italian cuisine of impeccable repute.
Fifth Floor - 10 Minutes/0.5 Miles or 0.8 Km Chic and classy atmosphere, linen cloths and zebra print flooring. Serving modern Californian French cuisine, just off Union Square. There is an adjacent bar where you can also dine or just meet up for drinks in a lively atmosphere.
