Lately we have been enjoying incredile weather in San Francisco and with it comes the need to get out and of course have picnics. Get your chips and your egg salad ready, here is a list of some of the best picnic spots in San Francisco, it’s up to you to choose the one you prefer.
1. Dolores Park
Enclosed by Church, Dolores, 18th, and 20th streets this is probably one of the most beloved park of San Francisco.
With its' grassy, hilly setting; often toasty microclimate; and lovely views of the bay, the city, and the East Bay hills, Dolores Park is a perfect place for a picnic. This isn't your typical urban parkland, though. Tennis courts, impromptu concerts, street theater, anything can happen in Dolores Park. If you have forgotten your sandwich, don’t worry there are a lot of options nearby. Go early, it can get very crowded.
2. Crissy Field
Runs along Mason; parking at Mason at Javowitz
Crissy Field's 100 or so acres of reclaimed marshes and meadows are a pristine setting for a sunny, breezy picnic, breathtaking views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay right there at your elbow. If you're in the mood for a beach picnic, Crissy's sand dunes are right there no need to go all the way to Ocean Beach.
3. Corona Heights
Entrance at the end of Deforest Way (between Beaver and Flint)
Just 10 minutes from Castro and Market is this wild, secluded getaway of steep cliffs, mountain meadows, strange rock formations, and dazzling 360-degree urban panoramas. Conquering 510-foot Corona Heights via its mountain-goat trails and climbable outcroppings of prehistoric chert is something of a workout, but you'll be rewarded with intimate vistas of Diamond Heights, Mission Dolores, Buena Vista Park, and the skyscrapers of downtown S.F.
4. Golden Gate Park
Designed and executed by William Hammond Hall and John McLaren, Golden Gate Park is more than 1,000 acres of public land. The park offers a wide variety of activities, you can eat by Stow Lake and then rent a rowboat or pedal boat from the boathouse. Take a stroll in the Japanese Tea Garden, visit the the Academy of Science, the De Young Museum or just lay in the grass.
5. Alamo Square
Bordered by Fell Street to the south, Fulton Street to the north, Scott Street to the west, and Webster Street to the east, this is a small park surrounded by Victorian Houses with picturesque views on the Painted ladies and downtown. As you settle you will realise how familiar this park is as it appeared in may TV Shows and Movies.
Don’t forget your sunscreen and your jacket, it’s San Francisco, and have a good day.
Hi, my name is Gracie and I am the Canine Representative at Personality Hotels. Among other tasks, I keep an eye on what's going on, try new treats, wag my tail, and allow people to pet me…it makes them so happy.
As I have spent a good deal of my life in hotels they feel like a second home to me, I love traveling and going on vacation with my family but this is not the case for all my fellow 4 legged friends. Sometimes traveling doesn't reveal the best aspects of their personalities, I am going to help you remedy to that.
Here are 10 tips to have a good stay with your pup at a hotel:
- When making your reservation at a hotel check that dogs are welcomed. Ask about the pet policy in detail. What is the fee? Is there a weight limit? Is the number of pets limited? Addressing those questions before your arrival will make things much easier.
- Upon check in ask for a room on a lower floor, it will save you some elevator waiting time, or for a quiet room if your dog is sensitive to noise.
- Traveling can be a stressful time for some dogs, bringing the food your dog is used to and is favorite toy will help him quiet down. If you have the space, bringing along his bed would be even better. If your pet is used to laying on your bed at home or climbing on the furniture, bring a blanket or a sheet to cover the furniture in your hotel room.
- If you plan on leaving your dog alone in your room, make sure he is up to it. There are a lot of other guests nearby and they probably won’t be happy if they hear barking all day long. Another way your dog might express his stress is by chewing on furniture or marking his territory all around the room. If you are not sure of his behavior, put your dog in his crate while you are away. If he is used to it, it will feel much safer to him. The sound of the TV might also help him to calm down.
- If you decide to leave your dog roaming around the room remember to put the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door to avoid anyone from entering while you are away, you never know how your dog might react to a stranger entering the room.
- If you haven’t checked before, ask the Concierge or the Front Desk agent where is the closest patch of grass for your dog to enjoy himself and get his potty-break. With the voyage your dog might need to relieve himself more often then usual. Remember to pack enough potty bags to clean after your dog.
- Pack an extra leash and collar just in case the one you have breaks or you misplace them. Before traveling make sure that the information on your dog’s tag is accurate, especially your phone number, and that he is wearing it.
- A hotel bathroom is no place for grooming your pet. If something happens and you really have to give your dog a bath, make sure not to leave hair and mud everywhere in the bathroom.
- If your dog causes any damage in the room, address the matter right away with a manager, don’t wait until check out, it will make things much easier.
- Of course if you brought your dog along, spend some time with him. Ask the hotel staff if there are some special events or parks you can go to together to have fun.
Enjoy travelling with your pet and make great memories. Maybe I will have the chance to meet you the next time you stay at one of our properties, I might let you pet me.
Gracie
Personality Pup
Personality Hotels are well known for their original design and their partnerships with various very talented interior designers. Today we would like you to get to know Jonathan Rachman a little more. Proud owner of Jonathan Rachman Designs, Jonathan has traveled the world before settling in San Francisco for our greatest joy.
He was born and raised in Sumatra, studied in Switzerland and lived in Paris. Being rich of all those influences allows him to create very rich décors in which he is not afraid to mix Louis XVI furniture with random Indonesian artifacts. We are very happy as Jonathan will be designing Hotel Union Square’s new lobby, which will be absolutely stunning when he is done working his magic. It’s time for Jonathan Rachman’s Lounge Confessions:
Inspired by the Proust Questionnaire, here is a set of 10 questions that we like to ask Personalities to get to know them a little better.
PH: What is your favorite food and drink in San Francisco?
JR: Drink- anything made by Absinthe's bartender on Hayes Street. Food- After all these years, I am still in love with the classic Zuni's Roasted Chicken, B Star Bar's Lotus Chips, and Gary Danko's Horseradish Crusted Salmon Medallion with Dilled Cucumbers and Mustard Sauce.
PH: What is the place you always go to?
JR: From the Feryy building to the "fairies"-the F line route. I love strolling down the Castro and always think about the history of the place, what it means to Gay rights movement. My favorite building in the neighborhood is the Castro Theatre, one of the few still standing: Old School!
PH: What is your favorite street?
JR: West Portal- I have a lot of memories with loved ones there, plus this is the one street in San Francisco which is still "trapped" in the past, it was cool long before Mad Men ever aired.
PH: What do you most appreciate in SF?
JR: How it has become a home to so many wayfarers and how cosmopolitan yet so itimate it is. On a personal level, this town holds so many memories for me.
PH: What is your favorite occupation in SF?
JR: Being a doorman in a classic San Francisco establishment, especially those who've held the position for decades...imagine the books they could write if they wanted to.
PH: What is your idea of happiness?
JR: Being with my partner and my "tribe" at he same time in the same place, which happened for one of my birthdays in Bali. There were 60 poeple from 14 countries gathered for a week of love. They are my biological family and my "gathered and hoarded" over the years family.
But sharing meals with my partner everyday is just another perfect idea of happiness.
PH: If not yourself, who would you be?
JR: No one.
PH: What is the natural talent you would like to be gifted with?
JR: Playing the piano or the violin.
PH: What is your present state of mind?
JR: Insanely grateful.
PH: What is your favorite Motto?
JR: COMPASSION AND LOVE: "There are in the end three things that last: Faith, Hope and Love and the greatest of these is Love".
There are a lot of different races all over the world, but none that show as much PERSONALITY as San Francisco's Bay to Breakers. Of course there are some serious people running for the challenge but most of the people who enter in this race are here for the fun and the chance to dress in crazy costumes
If you enter the race or dress up for the event, post your picture on Instagram #personalityhotels, get a chance to win the package of your choice. (50 Shades of Women not included)
The first race was held in 1912 as “The Cross City Race” and won by Robert J. Vlught, a student at St. Mary's College. The race starts at the Embarcadero and finishes at Ocean Beach, therefore the name was changed in 1965 to Bay to Breakers by an Examiner sports journalist. This whole thing started as a way to lift the spirits of San Franciscans after the terrible 1906 earthquake. This race is one of the most popular, it even broke a Guiness Book of World record in 1986 as the world's largest footrace with 110,000 participants.
Last year's 12 miles race was finished in 34:41mn by the winner, while the majority of people opted to walk the race behind the runnersm wearing the funniest outfits or nothing at all. FYI, nudity has been banned from the streets of San Francisco but Bay to Breakers is one exception where you can still come in your skivvies. It's time to break out last years Halloween costume and get ready for a hilarious time.
Crazies aside, Bay to Breakers is also known for the large number of unregistered runners, or "bandits", who participate in the race. Ross Mirkarimi, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, reported that over half of the 60,000 participants in the 2010 Bay to Breakers were unregistered. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom was among the runners in 2010 who did not pay the registration fee to obtain a race number...some people just like to crash the party.
*Please note that large bags or containers are prohibited from the race.
If you are interested in participating into the race you can register here > Bay to Breakers and if you just want to enjoy the show and wear something outrageous for the occasion here is the map of the race so you know were to go.
Drinking is prohibited at the race but there is a lot of bar crawling involved and other fun things to do on the sides, hey it’s San Francisco and hydration is a must!
If you enter the race or dress up for the event, post your picture on Instagram #personalityhotels, get a chance to win the package of your choice. (This contest is for a package only and does not include a room night. 50 Shades of Women not included)
Can you believe it? The month of May is already here and what better way to start the month with a big party and all sorts of celebrations. This week-end San Francisco is going to proudly celebrate Cinco de Mayo. There will be dancing, singing and drinking!
This is a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. Cinco de Mayo started to be celebrated in California around 1860s and really crossed over in the United States in the 1950’s and 1960’s. But why on that date? What we are actually celebrating is the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. This battle which the Mexican army won against all odds, fighting a French army which was considered the best at the time, was not only very important for Mexico’s independence but it also stopped the French to help to the South in the U.S. Civil War. If this battle had been lost by the Mexican army the United States' destiny could have been very different.
This year San Francisco’s celebrations will be held on Saturday, May 4th in Dolores Park. The weather should be around 73 degrees (hot for SF standards), so prepare a picnic and pack some sunscreen for a whole day of entertainment from 10am to 5pm.
Here is the schedule:
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10am – Zumba-thon Exercise Class ($10 donation)
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11:30am – Welcome by Mission Neighborhood Centers Board President, Executive Director, Consul General of Mexico, Supervisor Campos and Joaquin Torres, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services.
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12:00pm – Mission Neighborhood Centers, Senior Chorus, “Coro Solera”
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12:15pm – Mission District Young Musicians
Directed by Martha Rodriguez-Salazar, this ensemble of 26 middle and high school youth from the Mission District plays música bailable including favorites from Mexico, Colombia and Cuba.
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1:15pm – Ms. Berta Olivia, a gifted ranchera vocalist accompanied by talented a Mariachi group.
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2:15pm – American Red Cross
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2:20pm – Buyepongo is a classic story of friends coming together out of their passion for creating, learning, and playing music.
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3pm – Conjunto Picante is bringing back the chart busting sound of the “Fania All Stars” hard Salsa Music of the 1970s. Founder and Composer Tony Rodriguez’s 12-piece orchestra cultivates a full and vibrant sound, portraying the sounds that are reminiscent of the Salsa era that brought Fania Recording artists to the forefront of Latin music.
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4pm – Edgardo & Candela are an intense and high energy Bay Area salsa band.
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5pm – Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco, preserving the tradition of Mexican folk dance with quality, authenticity and colorful costumes. There will be several 15 minute presentations and each will showcase a different region in Mexico.
If you are more of a tequila drinker than a mariachi, a big Pub Crawl is also organized this week-end. Buy your tickets from just a few drinks to the 2 days all access pass.
And on the more intimaye side, you can also pay your respects to the Mexican culture and heritage by having a fresh Margarita and a delicious meal at Colibri, the Mexican bistro next to Hotel Diva.
The choices are yours; the only important thing is to have a good time!
After the big 1906 earthquake and the fire that followed, San Francicso became a pile of rubble. It needed to get back up quickly to show the whole world that the City was still alive. What better way than an International Exhibition to do so. World Fairs were extremely popular at the time and attracted visitors from around the world. A few years later began the development of many hotels and the various Palaces of the Pan Pacific International Exhibition, located on the newly land filled, Marina District.
Today the idea of having this kind of event seems a bit preposterous, but at the time it was a great way for people to gather from all over the world and showcase their scientific discoveries. The San Francisco 1915 Fair was homage to the construction of the Panama Canal, which was a monumental success of its own.
Among other historic technical achievements, the fair visitors were presented with the wonders of the time including, transportation, machinery and the latest developments in electrical devices. The first transcontinental phone call was done during the fair, it was the end of horse carriages and the real beginning of automobiles.
The Palace of Fine Arts is one of the few remaining buildings from the exhibition and the only one still standing at its original place. It was saved from demolition by the perseverance of Phoebe Apperson Hearst and the Palace Preservation League she created at the time. This building, like the others was not supposed to last, so the entire Palace was rebuilt in 1965 with more durable materials. In 1969 it became the home of the Exploratorium. The new Exploratorium opened on April 17th on Pier 15 but San Franciscan’s dear Palace of Fine Art is still in place and will soon be home to something else.
We are proud to say that the first Personality Hotel, Hotel Union Square was built in 1913 for the 1915 Exhibition. Known as the Golden West Hotel when it opened, the Hotel changed names several times over the years but its spirit remains intact. As soon as you walk into the lobby you are welcomed by the two Egyptian inspired mosaics that have been keeping an eye on the hotel guests for 100 years and the art deco feel is still very present.The hotel is a visually stimulating fusion of contemporary and classic San Francisco - beautiful brick walls, signature staircases, and opulent moldings are complemented by a rich color palate. Next time you come to San Francisco, make sure you take a look at Hotel Union Square.
San Francisco is well known for it’s cuisine scene and all the great restaurants you can find in the city, this week we wanted to introduce you to one of our Union Square neighbors, Sauce Belden Lane. Today we go behind the scenes and talk to the three brothers that own Sauce, Nathan, Matt and Trip Hosley.
The “Sauce Boys” opened their first venue, in 2004 in Hayes Valley, and a year later they opened a bar “Shine” at 1337 Mission. Following the success of their restaurant in Hayes Valley, they decided to open a second "Sauce” restaurant on Belden Alley in 2012. The drinks are delicious, the food is pure comfort and they are even open until 1AM. Finally a place open late night!
Inspired by the Proust Questionnaire, here is a set of 10 questions that we like to ask local Personalities, to get to know them a little better.
PH: What is your favorite food and drink in San Francisco?
Trip: I am addicted to our sausage cheese bread, it’s one of my favorite things, otherwise it would be Tony’s Pizza in North Beach and a Trumer Pilsner.
Nathan: If we stay inside of Sauce my favorite is Carpaccio and right now outside would be the Chicken Wings at Kezar Pub, it changes a lot... my favorite drink would be any Whiskey.
Matt: For me inside of Sauce I would have to go with the Burger, I just love the Burger and outside I would go for Peppered Steak and a Manhattan at the Brazen Head.
PH: What is the place you always go to in SF?
Trip: I love Dolores Park.
Nathan: The Academy of Sciences, because my kids love it and I love it, it’s fun.
Matt: One of my favorite spots in town is AT&T Park, love the baseball park, love to catch a day game and I love the surroundings.
PH: What is your favorite street?
Hosley Brothers: GOUGH STREET! Hayes Valley. That’s our neighborhood. We have been there 10 years.
PH: What do you most appreciate in SF?
Trip: I like the diversity, there is always crazy things going on, People watching is always interesting in SF.
Nathan: I love the weather here, I lived in many different places and I love that here its mild, it’s not going to be 114 when I wake up in the morning!
Matt: The availability of good food and good wine, everybody takes it for granted here. The majority of the places you go to always serve high quality product and everything is always fresh, whether you get a sandwich or steak. When you do get out of San Francisco, it becomes evident that you really live in the middle of a culture that really takes food and wine seriously.
PH: What is your favorite occupation in SF?
Trip: My favorite occupation has always been bar tending.
Nathan: If not running my own restaurant, I would be running somebody else’s.
Matt: I’m trying to think, race car driver or boat captain maybe?
PH: What is your idea of happiness?
Matt: Having enough money to be comfortable and having the people I love around me to enjoy.
Trip: Cool glass of wine with my wife and my family.
Nathan: Anytime I am spending with my family.
PH: If not yourself, who would you be?
Nathan: I would be a philanthropist, giving money out all day long, doing fun and cool projects all the time.
Matt: I think I’d be a helicopter pilot, a ski helicopter pilot so I could just hit the best trails all day long.
Trip: I’ll be the first California Powerball winner and then I’d do both of those things!
PH: What is the natural talent you would like to be gifted with?
Trip: The ability to play an instrument.
Nathan: If I could teleport that would be pretty awesome!
Matt: I would like to remember names better.
PH: What is your present state of mind?
Nathan: Eager
Matt: Happy, content.
Trip: I am a little overwhelmed these days.
PH: What is your favorite Motto?
Trip: Mine is “think of the story”, whenever you are facing an opportunity in life think what choice will make a better story later.
Matt: I would say “When you wake up, get up and when you get up, do something”.
Nathan: “Whatever you do, take care of your shoes.”
Is it your first time in San Francisco or you have been here several times and you want to do something different? Are you a history aficionado and really want to know San Francisco's past? Personality Hotels has the solution for you, follow the Barbary Coast Trail and learn more about what and who made this vibrant and iconic city .
The Gold Rush is what changed San Francisco’s destiny. In 1846 a small village of 400 hundered pioneers settled in Yerba Buena, which had just become part of the United States. Eventually word got out that Gold was being found and just 3 short years later in 1849, 700 ships sailed around Cape Horn and over 200,000 people rushed in from all over the world. This is what started the city's transformation. San Francisco became a place full of hopes, dreams, violence, betrayals and bigger than life characters. By the end of 1849 San Francisco’s population had risen to 25,000 and the city would soon become an iconic destination.
Today San Francisco is mostly known for its Victorian Houses, its Crookedest Street and the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge, but if you pay attention and look carefully, you can still find traces of early San Francisco. The traces that depict a city made of treasure hunters, fortune makers and real adventurers. If you want to follow their footsteps, you must take the Barbary Coast Trail.
In 1998 historian Daniel Bacon in collaboration with the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society founded the Barbary Coast Trail. Like being on a treasure hunt, follow the 180 bronze medallions embedded in the pavement along this 3.8miles trail (some of them are right next our dear Hotel Union Square). For those who start thinking that this might be a little to much walking, half of it can be done on a Cable car and most of the trail’s path is flat.
No more excuses, let's discover San Francisco!
Where is the Trail going to take you?
Start by the Old Mint on 5th street, a national historic landmark; walk through Union Square and Maiden Lane; in Chinatown take a look at Old St. Mary's, the first Catholic cathedral West of the Rockies and T'ien Hou temple, the first Asian temple in North America; then in the Financial District visit the Wells Fargo History Museum and pass by the Pony Express Headquarters site. In the Jackson Square Historical District you can see the last lot of Gold Rush and Barbary Coast-era buildings in San Francisco: as the Old Ship Saloon, once a shanghaiing den.
Further on the trail go up Coit Tower and finally take a nice stroll on Fisherman’s Wharf all the way to SF Maritime National Historical Park which maintains a large collection of historic ships and last but not least, Ghirardelli Square for a well deserved ice cream or hot chocolate!
To go back to your starting point take the Hyde-Powell Cable Car line which is the only moving historical landmark in the world.
Now that you are excited to go on this adventure; what are your options?
If you're staying with Personality Hotels, make sure to talk to our very knowledgeable concierges, who will be more than happy to help you coordinate this adventure.
If you are more independent, you can go to the Tourist Information Center where you can buy the trail map and do the tour on your own.
Or if you really want to get the whole story and are fond of history I would recommend organizing a tour with the Barbary Coast Trail company. They have audio guides as well as real guides who can take you on the trail and tell you everything there is to know about San Francisco’s history.
If you did not get enough of the Barbary Coast feel, finish your visit of San Francisco by the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park to see the Boomtown Barbary Coast exhibition until April 14th. There you will learn more about the plants that used to grow at the time, in San Francicso.
Don’t forget your walking shoes and have fun.
Gastronomique En Vogue Magazine sat down with Yvonne Detert and her daughters to go behind the scenes of what it's like to be a entrepreneur, a mother, a wife and a woman.
Hotel Diva - a Personality Hotel - was center stage as the backdrop of this high end photo shoot featuring designs by Colleen Quen. Make sure to check out the Spring issue of GEV magazine and get more personal with Yvonne our CEO. To
purchase the full March issue, visit GEVmagazine.com.
Foggy, windy, rainy, and cold- neverless a beautiful day in San Francisco! Why you might ask- well it is OPENING day for our World Series defending Champs, the San Francisco Giants!
This is no April fools prank, the long awaited date for all Giants’ fans has finally arrived. Yes, San Francisco was a little spoiled this off season, being that we were able to host the World Baseball Classic Finals, and cheer on a couple of our players, like Pagan, Torres, Panda, Affeldt, Vogelsong, Romo, Scuataro, LaTorre, Mijares, Casilla and coach Meulens, but still these past months, we have all been eager to see our boys back on the field. Everyone is eager to cheer on perfect games, like the one from Matt Cain, awesome catches from Gregor Blanco, the cheering and mentoring of Hunter Pence, the photobombs of Sergio Romo, those lifetime scenes like the one left forever in our hearts from Marco Scutaro, and the talent and good looks of George Kontos, what can I say, our boys are full of Giant Personalities!
With the extension of general manager Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy, as well as the return of our lovable Andres Torres, and the good news that we will have nine seasons full of Posey, the Giants have made all fans enthusiastic to begin their 2013 journey with the boys.
So why not get the party started?
The Giants will face off the LA Dodgers today at Dodger Stadium at 1:10pm, but no need to worry if you can't fly out to LA within the next ten minutes. If you're in San Francisco today, the Giants will be showing the game, on the big HD scoreboard at AT&T Park, free of charge, and hurry, for the first 5,000 fans will receive a free hot dog, and foam fists! However if it's to late to call in sick, you definitely have some time to ask your boss for an early dismissal for the opening game in San Francisco, this Friday, April 5th, when the Giants take on the Cardinals. Now, with dynamic pricing, it might be a bit difficult to catch some games without leaving your wallet empty, so here are some fun promotion games you might want to save up for:
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April 6th, for a Buster Posey NL MVP Bobblehead,
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April 7th, for a Giants World Series Ring Ceremony Replica
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May 5th for a Sergio Romo Gnome
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May 26th for a Barry Zito Bobblehead
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June 22nd for a Ryan Vogelsong Bobblehead
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August 10th for Virgin America 2 for 1 Flight Vouchers
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August 25th for Tim Lincecum Gnome and Dog days of Summer.
Or, you can always watch a game from the Burger Bar at Macys on Union Square, or Jillian's in the Metreon.
And if you want to keep the spirit going all night long, spend the night in our Dugout Suite in Hotel Union Square. You will be sure to have Giant dreams.
Whichever your choice may be, make sure you sport your orange and black on game days.
Lets play ball!