Content Produced in Partnership with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Picture this: The car pulling up to an urban palace atop Nob Hill called Fairmont San Francisco, slick-dressed doormen grab your bags and you whirl inside the revolving doors into a place full of old Hollywood glamour. This is just the first of many iconic San Francisco moments that'll leave you feeling like a princess. With the Fairmont San Francisco as your base, you'll have the best of the city at your fingertips. Here are just a few ways to enjoy the finer things in life along the way.
Historic Architectural Tour
The Fairmont San Francisco Hotel is located at the only spot in San Francisco where all the cable car lines intersect. Take advantage of that by getting to know the city's unique history with a self-guided architecture tour around the city using the Curbed San Francisco map. You'll be able to see 29 historic sites, including the famous Painted Ladies and Grace Cathedral, an Episcopal church filled with stunning mosaics and stained glass windows.
Pier 39
Stroll down to Pier 39 and soak in the heart of the city along the San Francisco Bay. Here, you can jive to the music, take a video of the street performers, and introduce yourself to more than 20,000 local sea creatures at the Aquarium of the Bay and the sea lions lounging on K-Dock. Afterward, head over to lunch at the Fog Harbor Fish House restaurant, where you'll want to sip on a Hibiscus Margarita and gaze out at the bay’s jeweled waters — it's the perfect backdrop for a Crab Louie and Fog Harbor’s award-winning clam chowder.
Ghirardelli Square
If you’re going to be queen for the day, that means some of San Francisco’s royal pleasures at Ghirardelli Square. It's easy to feel like you've walked into Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, so, go ahead, treat yourself to a decadent dessert at the Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop. The princess in you will be glad you did.
Golden Gate Park
Continue your fairy tale tour at the Golden Gate Park, where you'll find a mesmerizing trail of exotic blooms at the Conservatory of Flowers. Then, step inside the de Young Museum for a trip around the world in a display of international art and artifacts. Before you leave, be sure to relive your childhood with a spin on the Golden Gate Carousel. Built in 1914, it is filled with whimsical animals waiting to make your dreams come true.
Cliff House Restaurant
A favorite by locals and tourists alike, no stay in San Francisco would be complete without dining at the Cliff House. Imagine a palatial setting along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Looking out the forty-foot windows, a glass of wine in your hand, you watch cascades of ocean waves splash against the legendary seal rocks. You take a bite of your Dungeness crab cake and watch the sun melt inside the ocean.
Fairmont San Francisco Hotel Nightcap
No visit to San Francisco is complete without a stay at the Fairmont San Francisco Hotel. Residing stoically upon Nob Hill, the luxury hotel is the flagship property of the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand. Featuring world-class dining experiences from three different on-site restaurants and more than 606 rooms and specialty suites, guests to the hotel have included politicians and celebrities — and you. Back at the hotel where it all began, sitting on your balcony soaking in the city’s shimmering lights, you can toast a most extraordinary visit vowing to return. Click here to begin planning your trip to San Francisco and the famous Fairmont San Francisco Hotel today.