Driving into San Francisco, California during a picture perfect summer day was breathtaking. And a little confusing when I reached a toll for the Golden Gate Bridge ($4) and never carry any cash on me. Part of the allure of California and the West is the no toll roads unlike the opposite every two mile tolls it seems on the East Coast. And of course they don’t take credit cards so the lady waved me by and told me to expect something in the mail and to fight it… welcome to San Fran! (Update: It’s all done electronically now and the toll without FasTrak is $8).
It is a huge city. Overwhelmingly huge. And I lived in Philadelphia, PA for 12 years which makes Philly seem like a pimple. I zoomed in during the perfect window of opportunity (around noon coming into the city is fine) and parked my car in a huge garage that kept spiraling upwards until I found a lone spot on the eighth floor. I grabbed all my gear, clothes and luggage as I swore to myself I was not driving here to spare myself the stress of parking. A lone door beckoned and I popped out on the eighth floor hallway and made my way down to lobby level. It was super confusing as the Hilton San Francisco Union Square is HUGE and had multiple towers and I couldn’t even count how many check in stations in line. The whole Hilton campus also includes a variety of restaurants and lounges as well as the neighboring Parc 55 Hilton for a total of almost 3,000 guest rooms with six food and beverage outlets in a two-block complex. Fortunately, I came slightly early, check in was speedy and soon I was lost again finding my way to my elevator and tower. When I put my key in the door, boy was I in for a visual treat!
The reception desk as you will never see it again, completely empty! Hilton Hotels PhotoMy room at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, not too shabby… but just wait!The view from my balcony at Hilton San Francisco Union Square.The view in the other direction at Hilton San Francisco Union Square.Looking down into the neighbor’s pool at Hilton San Francisco Union Square.
The hotel is at the heart of three neighborhoods: Union Square, SOMA and The Tenderloin (this is where the city houses the homeless tent villages and under bridges, bypasses, etc.) Hilton San Francisco Union Square is smack dab in the center of the city’s most popular attractions, including theaters, shopping, restaurants, cable cars, jazz clubs, museums and speakeasies. I wanted to see some of the city that evening and was told to go pick up a parcel on the first floor parking deck (there’s a room charge for delivery) and there is a whole mail center down there. It was my packet of info from Only in San Francisco, the city’s tourism board. I was totally overwhelmed as it was about an inch thick stack of papers with things to do but I only had two nights to stay, plus most of the places I soon found out were not open, booked up, unavailable, etc. So I went with the obvious option to me and scheduled the Big (red) Bus tour to see and learn about a lot of the city in a small time frame. There was one that night right around the corner from the hotel and during the day you can hop on and hop off, but this was the last tours of the day. I got my ticket and waited around the corner like the lady said, then went back to make sure I was in the right spot and ended up waiting outside the Hilton doors further down the street. I hopped on, grabbed ear buds, climbed to the top and we were off. You plug it in to your language and the tour starts. Sometimes there is a tour guide and others you just listen to a recording.
San Francisco’s City Hall in silhouette.San Francisco City Hall is where they filmed the movie Milk about activist Harvey Milk played by Sean Penn.San Francisco is well known for its artwork like this mosaic at a random stop.San Francisco is also well known for its hills which you don’t realize until you walk them how steep they are.San Francisco also has amazing green parks.Some of the classic houses in San Francisco are worth a bundle.A street scene in San Francisco.The hippies still hang out at Haight and Ashbury in San Francisco.The famous cross streets in San Francisco.A drastic incline in San Francisco.Trying to capture that upwards angle in San Francisco.This park would have been nice to explore in San Francisco.Beautiful views in San Francisco.Certainly a park worth a revisit with museums flanking it on every side at San Francisco.Soon we were zooming over the Golden Gate Bridge, an unexpected surprise on the bus tour in San Francisco.The famous fog was creeping in during sunset time in San Francisco.A bunch of us popped off the bus for a quick photo opp as the bus driver went to the restroom in San Francisco.A view to the left of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.Some of the cove and marina next to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.It seemed the clouds wanted in on the photos in San Francisco.The tranquil looking water in San Francisco facing the city.When we went back to the bus, the bus driver had drove off with my beloved chocolate croissant, water and headphones. Thankfully another one pulled up right behind him and took us in.You can spend time on the other side of the water, but again you will pay a hefty fee to return, thus why a tour bus is best in San Francisco.And back across we went into the city with our new tour bus in San Francisco.The sun peeks out across the bridge in San Francisco.And we’re back to the city proper in San Francisco.Walking back to the hotel from the tour bus office, I saw this poor little lost guy in San Francisco.
I told the Big Bus office that the driver took off without us and they said I would have to go the main office and get my things which was about a 40 minute walk each direction. I laughed and said no thanks and walked back to the hotel. Already on a time crunch, it was not worth it for a water bottle, headphones and chocolate croissant.
And just like that, the Hilton made it all better again with this special delivery box of San Francisco treats. That kept being the theme of my stay actually… San Fran would kick my butt and the Hilton would make it all better again. I also liked their new text message feature where if you ask for anything, they pretty much just deliver it to you!And of course, I was looking forward to the sunsets on my balcony with the city buzzing below and a glass of wine in my hand in San Francisco.Shades of pink and blue abounded in San Francisco.The city looks lovely from up above in San Francisco.And then night time happened and the lights came on in San Francisco.More of the streets below in San Francisco.
Soon it was time for bed as one of the lone options still available such last minute was a morning food tour in Little Italy with mom & pop company Local Tastes of the City. Originally I had wanted the Chinatown tour, however it was not running and I never met an espresso I didn’t like either. It’s another way to get a good lay of the land, some info and taste of the city, this is a good idea for those on a time crunch who also enjoy exercise.
Up and at ’em in the morning, I strapped on my (cute) sneakers and started the 30 minute walk to Little Italy in San Francisco.What trip is complete without a trolley photo in San Francisco?Through this weird and smelly tunnel I went with the pedestrian walk in San Francisco.A little graffiti humor on the walkway in the tunnel in San Francisco.Popping out through busy, bustling Chinatown into Little Italy in San Francisco was an experience in itself.Such a variety of people in San Francisco is what makes the city unique.We began our food tour in Little Italy, San Francisco at Cavalli Cafe.Known to have the best espresso in Little Italy, you can’t go wrong with what the Italians do in San Francisco. And they will respect you for following tradition as well as I was invited back anytime!You know when you are in Little Italy by the flag signs on the electric poles. Nearby is Chinatown, but both businesses sort of stay in their own areas with a few sprinkled around in other parts.Just looking up that hilly street in San Francisco.Huge trees abound in this park where nearby people are doing tai chi in San Francisco.The ticket meter man in his tiny tripod car gave us a chuckle but makes sense in a large city in San Francisco.To the left, a huge Catholic Church in San Francisco.Those spires invite us to come inside in San Francisco.An angel greets us at the door of the church in San Francisco.A peek inside the interior of a Catholic Church in San Francisco.A firefighter statue in the park is getting some work done down below in San Francisco.Our first official food stop is Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe in San Francisco.We each grab a slice of this chicken and cheese melt with a pepper chaser and enjoy in San Francisco.A beautiful space not yet open to the public during the morning in San Francisco.We pop in and immediately love the decor at Acquolina in San Francisco, which means mouthwatering in Italian.Immediately I love any place with champagne bottles and candles in San Francisco.We have the tastiest bruschetta which makes us all wonder about wine later in San Francisco.We pass by a pizza place with a line down the block so you know it’s good in San Francisco.Now it was time for some sweet treats at Z Cioccolato in San Francisco.A little bit of the fudge history at Z Cioccolato in San Francisco. Mistakes can be beautiful sometimes!And of course a taste of three types of fudge, the rocky road being my favorite but each bite was so decadent and gave a sugar rush at Z Cioccolato in San Francisco.Look at this gorgeous pile of sugar at Z Cioccolato in San Francisco.Because every city must have a Philly cheesesteak place, a bunch of bikers lined up on a street scene in San Francisco.This is where sandwich lovers come for lunch at Molinari in San Francisco.Inside everyone grabs their favorite bread and waits in line at Molinari in San Francisco.One of the best sandwiches I’ve had in long time, it’s witchcraft at Molinari in San Francisco.A restaurant in ode to garlic, what a lovely and stinky idea in San Francisco.Last but certainly not least, the lovely Mona Lisa Ristorante in San Francisco. Our waiter was straight out of Naples with his high cheekbones and sharp, angular features.The interior was also a feast for the eyes at Mona Lisa in San Francisco.A simple margherita pizza was devoured easily by our small group in San Francisco.Our world traveling Hawaiian friends loved this pizza pie! A foodie couple for life right here.My next plan was to walk off all the food on my way to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco and I couldn’t resist this classic photo.I knew I was close by the smells of the water and wharf in San Francisco.I wandered down a path toward the marina dock and thought if only I could get through the gate… then magically a (cute) fisherman appeared and gave me a full tour!This is his squid fishing boat that they live on for months at a time, watch the video for the full tour!
Thank you for the tour, keep on fishing gang!
Walking back from the pier in San Francisco.And I was back to running around the wharf in San Francisco.Great place to get some seafood on the move in San Francisco.A musician played his tunes below the telltale sign in San Francisco.The seagull on this lady’s head made me laugh for some reason in San Francisco.I followed my Google Maps walking GPS back to the hotel but wasn’t planning on the hills from hell in San Francisco. Smart people take the trolley!Dank bud smells usually drifted through the air in San Francisco. And much like most of California, you can order it like pizza.This hill about killed my shins for some odd reason in San Francisco.Sweating buckets by the time I went downhill it was a two shower day in San Francisco.Back to my hotel room sanctuary with a view, I was able to take a breather (and shower) before dinner plans.There’s something zen about all the hustle and bustle down below but having those views at any time in San Francisco.
I managed to check out the hot tub hidden in the middle of the hotel (there was also a pool but too cool to swim) and enjoyed it with some Italians who explained the ways of Naples to me. We happily boiled ourselves and I ran my feet across those jets, all that walking and hills were killer for me. Soon I was back to new and it was time for dinner right downstairs!
Urban Tavern is a casual but contemporary tavern located right off the main entrance to the hotel or inside the hotel. The idea is to bring the Bay Area food to you. The chefs partner with area farms to create seasonal dishes, complimented by the region’s celebrated wines, craft beers and cocktails. There really is a thriving food scene in San Fran and the Hilton has their finger in the honey pot.
Even though a fellow travel writer cancelled on me last minute, I was determined to have a great time and luckily for me, I got the best waitress in the house – a former model to boot who at the age of 55, didn’t look a day over 40 years old.
This was my favorite table in the space, the round table at Urban Tavern.You know you are here by the metal horse dividing the bar and dining area at Urban Tavern.A bar scene early in the evening at Urban Tavern.A magical potion, this was my favorite drink of the night at Urban Tavern with Redemption whiskey.Another magic potion for the clear alcohol lovers with Ketel One vodka at Urban Tavern.Just in case you wanted to know all the secret ingredients at Urban Tavern.Somehow all those ingredients made this whiskey cocktail sweet and smooth like honey at Urban Tavern.I had to try the milk bread much like Hawaiian bread, it is sweet and doughy at Urban Tavern.Charred Spanish octopus at Urban Tavern was cooked to perfection and very light.Pork belly and waffles served “animal style” was something I didn’t know I was missing in my mouth at Urban Tavern. What a wonderful mix of textures and flavors! Move over chicken, waffles have a new friend with maple bacon brittle! Pro tip: don’t eat this cold, it doesn’t work well.Kimchi fries look as beautiful as they are delicious, the kimchi doesn’t overwhelm, but you still get that Asian flavor with cheese at Urban Tavern.It’s an acquired taste, but a plate of mushrooms is heaven for this gal at Urban Tavern and they cooked them perfectly so the texture is not compromised or turned into mush-rooms.I don’t even remember ordering the burrata, but I love it and my waitress was bringing plates galore and this was a stunner for the eyes and the mouth at Urban Tavern. The sweet meat brought it all together.There’s a new executive chef in town at Urban Tavern and he popped out, probably wondering who is devouring and enjoying all this food. Welcome Chef Sean Leone who will be making the menu more Southern style soon!Peking chicken, yes your read that right, not duck at Urban Tavern cooked just like it with that succulent skin really makes your mouth water.I switched off to this lovely sparkling rose Chandon for the next dish which demanded something lighter at Urban Tavern.I went with the Pacific West Lingcod with smoked trout roe which I have never tasted before and when in Rome… this was a perfect light, flaky taste of the Bay Area at Urban Tavern.My group of newfound San Fran friends were more than happy to let me use their well-lit table as my food studio for the night, thanks gang! We hope you enjoyed dinner as much as we did.
Up next was desserts, my food loving waitress said just take a bite of each. I ordered the mango sticky rice as it’s one of my faves but then…
The most artistic and delicious mango sticky rice came out of the kitchen at Urban Tavern.Followed by the art deco style chocolate banana mascarpone cake Urban Tavern, almost too beautiful to eat!And last but not least, the crunchy cayenne chocolate mouse so decadent I literally could only fit a bite in at Urban Tavern. At this point, I had to extend my cocktail reservations at the next stop as I had to waddle back to my room and drop off the bag of leftovers.
Cityscape is at the very top of the hotel. It’s the place to go for sunset views in an upscaleSan Francisco lounge offering the best, unobstructed 360-degree views of the City and the Golden Gate Bridge from atop the hotel’s 46th floor. In addition to spectacular views, the lounge’s menu highlights hand-crafted cocktails, California wines and a menu of small bites for sharing. Since I was already stuffed to the gills, Cityscape dessert plans went out the window, but I still had room for a cocktail and views.
Just making it in time for Cityscape sunset views in San Francisco.The pink hues were lovely and I think they gave me the best seat in the house at Cityscape in San Francisco.Urged by the manager to go take more photos, I started focusing on the people instead at Cityscape in San Francisco.A side of the lounge view at Cityscape as the sunset.These guys were from London if I recall correctly and happy to pose for a photo, cheers guys!Time to escape into the city from Cityscape.Loving those deep sunset colors, I think my balcony beat these views though!I tried the Whisky Sunshine Foxtrot as the sun sank deeper into the night at Cityscape in San Francisco. It was no match for the magical potion I had at Urban Tavern. I attempted to try the hard to find Japanese whisky, but was denied. So off I went on one last adventure…Somehow I meandered my way up hills and through San Fran streets to the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar which felt like I was in Las Vegas in San Francisco. A totally overrated tourist trap, I soon left to go back to the sanctuary of my sweet hotel room and amazing views.Thankfully the next morning was a full buffet at the Hilton Union Square San Francisco, I loaded up on healthy options. They even have smoothies and Asian offerings which I delved into those buns too!After this huge, healthy made to order omelette I had to go jump online and do some work before heading out of San Francisco. And let me tell you, their Wifi is lightning fast and for a lady on the move, it was perfect. I headed out around noon and was flying across that bridge in no time!
I still have a packet of awesome things to do in San Fran like sailing on a yacht or water skiing and am tempted to go back for more! Although this time, maybe I will fly there from Phoenix and spare myself the driving hassle. And if you do go, make sure you stay at the Hilton (and rack up or use your points). They were literally texting me after I left because they wanted to send me something else! I still wonder what it was. AND gave me a couple free drinks at the bar after the Tiki bar fake hype. Now that’s customer service and will be spreading the story loud and wide! (Note: It’s not because I’m a blogger, this is their usual high quality, ask any Hilton member).
Hilton San Francisco Union Square is located 13 miles from the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), 20 miles from Oakland International Airport (OAK), and steps from Powell Street Station. The hotel is easily accessible by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), MUNI, Go Lorrie’s and taxi. For more information about and reservations for Hilton San Francisco Union Square, please visit www.hiltonsanfranciscohotel.comor call (415) 771-1400.
