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The Westin St. Francis
Experience the grandeur of the past - coupled with contemporary luxury and style - at The Westin St. Francis. As a signature San Franciscan treasure, this landmark hotel has kept legendary watch over Union Square since 1904.
More than just a hotel, The Westin St. Francis is a destination where you can unwind and be pampered by attentive, world-class service. As the only hotel located on Union Square, we are celebrated for our historic Magneta Grandfather Clock, a popular gathering place for generations of travelers, as well as our commitment to guest renewal and relaxation. Explore this legendary landmark, which has drawn locals and visitors for more than a century with our distinguished service and through the timeless refrain "Meet me under the clock!"
Inside our warm and welcoming San Francisco luxury hotel, marble columns, ornate balconies, and intricate woodwork transport guests back to the elegance of yesteryear. Yet these magnificent appointments are balanced by modern, groundbreaking amenities including the revolutionary Heavenly Bed, our Starwood Preferred Guest rewards program, and employees dedicated to making you feel at home.
- Located in the heart of San Francisco, on Union Square
- Surrounded by world class-shopping, restaurants, and theatres, with a cable car stop outside our front door
- A short walk from the Financial District, Chinatown, and Moscone Convention Center
The Grande Dame Of San Francisco Historic Hotels
At the turn of the century, the guardians of the Charles Crocker family announced plans to build The Westin St. Francis . Their vision was to make San Francisco the "Paris of the West," and their stunning Union Square historic hotel would be their flagship. After studying all of Europe's grand hotels - from those in Berlin, Vienna, and Monaco to Claridge's in London and The Ritz in Paris - construction on the original St. Francis began. Two years and $2.5 million later, on March 21, 1904, the doors of The St. Francis opened. By seven o'clock that evening, a line of carriages and automobiles stretching three blocks waited to approach her brightly lit towers. The hotel became so popular that within six months, the owners announced plans to add a third wing, two floors of apartments, and a ballroom. In the years since, our San Francisco historic hotel has become the center of the city's social, literary, and artistic life.
- After the Great Earthquake of 1906, the square was dubbed "Little St. Francis" because of the temporary shelter erected for residents of The St. Francis.
- Documented records of the opening were lost in the fire that destroyed the interior of the hotel's original 250 rooms following the earthquake.
- Within 40 days of the inferno, a temporary hotel of 110 rooms was erected in a court around the Dewey Monument in Union Square, and The St. Francis continued as a focal point of the city.
- The hotel refurbished its interior and re-opened late in 1907, with 450 guest rooms.
- A third wing opened in 1908, and further additions followed on Post Street - making The St. Francis the largest hotel on the Pacific Coast.
http://www.westinstfrancis.com/
Things To Do In San Francisco
San Francisco abounds with things to do, places to go and sights to see, many at no charge. Here are the top 10 San Francisco attractions. For more information on the area go to www.sanfrancisco.comGolden Gate Park
Bigger than New York City’s Central Park, Golden Gate Park is an oasis of towering eucalyptus trees and lush rolling lawns. Rent a pedal boat on Stow Lake, wander the paths of the Japanese Tea Garden, or enjoy exotic blooms in the Conservatory of Flowers; Golden Gate Park offers a multitude of activities. In addition to its vast natural wonders, the park also hosts sporting events, concerts, numerous festivals, and two world-famous museums—the California Academy of Sciences and the de Young Museum—both of which have undergone extensive recent renovations.
de Young Museum
Situated in the heart of Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum primarily showcases American, Pacific, and African art. However, as one of the major art museums in the Bay Area, it also regularly hosts special exhibitions of some of the most well known art works in the world, such as the treasures of King Tut and Impressionist masterpieces from France. While you are there, be sure to go to the top of the tower for a 360-degree view of San Francisco’s rolling hills, the Bay, and the world famous Golden Gate Bridge.
Academy of Sciences
Located directly across from the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences is a small slice of heaven for science buffs. Having recently undergone an extensive remodel, there are no more dusty dioramas here; in addition to a planetarium and natural history museum, visitors will find a rainforest habitat, an aquarium full of fascinating sea life, and the academy’s already famous “living roof.” The Academy also offers an adults-only experience every Thursday with music, drinks, and special themes.
Chinatown
San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in North America, springing up in the mid-1800s as people from all over the world came to California seeking their fortunes. Though it was almost entirely demolished in the 1906 earthquake, Chinatown quickly re-built and continued its role as a center for the Chinese community in San Francisco. The streets of Chinatown are packed with open-air markets, souvenir shops, and the delicious scent of dumplings. For those who want a deeper look at Chinatown’s fascinating history, the Chinese Culture Center offers a Chinese Heritage Walk.
Haight-Ashbury
The home neighborhood of the original hippies, Haight-Ashbury is still a center of counterculture in San Francisco. In addition to head shops and tie-dye, the Haight is filled with vintage clothing stores, restaurants and cafes. Stop by Amoeba Records, enjoy a cappuccino, or pick up a stylish second-hand shirt while you soak in the 60s vibe.
North Beach
North Beach is the “little Italy” of San Francisco, its rolling hills filled with gelato shops, pizza parlors and Italian bistros. Enjoy a steaming cappuccino or a slice of tiramisu at one of the many sidewalk cafes or soak in some sun on the grassy expanse of Washington Square. Those with literary leanings can find old beat poets' haunts, including like City Lights Bookstore and Vesuvio bar.
Cable Cars
The cable car may be the ultimate San Francisco icon. Featured in nearly every film set in San Francisco, these pieces of moving history have been running up and down the steep hills of the city since 1873. Today, three routes remain to take tourists and commuters alike back and forth from the waterfront and downtown.
Fisherman's Wharf
World famous for its fried fish, clam chowder, and the famous San Francisco sourdough and fabulous bay views, this international tourist hotspot also hosts Musee Mechanique, home to more than 300 antique mechanical items and games that still work. Get a roll of quarters and go nuts with Laffing Sal, fortune tellers, mechanical monkey bands, foosball, and 1980’s arcade games. Nearby sights include historic ships, Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39, and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum.
Golden Gate Bridge
It is no longer the longest suspension bridge in the world, but the Golden Gate Bridge is certainly still the most famous. Joining Marin County to the City of San Francisco, the bridge has seen untold numbers of tourists and commuters across the water since its completion in 1937. Bicycle lanes and footpaths make the Golden Gate Bridge a great attraction for those who want a more leisurely experience.
Alcatraz
Alcatraz was at various times home to such famous criminals as Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly and Mickey Cohen. A guided tour of the prison reveals cramped cells and a creepy hospital wing, along with stories of fantastic escape attempts and the prison’s famous personalities. But Alcatraz is more than just a prison; it has been a lighthouse, a military fortification, and for 19 months between 1969 and 1971, it was occupied by Native Americans wanting to build an education and cultural center there. Explore its fascinating history while enjoying gorgeous views of San Francisco.
