When the St. Francis Hotel opened on March 21, 1904, a line of cars and horse carriages stretched for three blocks as San Franciscans flocked to Union Square to see the city’s newest landmark. Built by the family of famous San Francisco railway magnate Charles Crocker after studying the Europe’s grandest hotels, the $2.5 million St. Francis quickly became a hub for the city’s social and artistic elite. The St. Francis has survived changing times, not to mention the 1906 earthquake, and remains a regal symbol of elegance to this day.
The hotel now has nearly 1,200 rooms offering contemporary amenities in two buildings. But some things haven’t changed. The famous Magneta grandfather clock stands in the historic lobby with its ornate balcony and marble columns. And clanging cable cars still run along Powell Street, right in front of the hotel. Soak it all in with a warmly lit seat in the Clock Bar, created by acclaimed chef Michael Mina, where you can nibble on gourmet cheeses and sip a craft cocktail, or peruse a wine list featuring some 300 labels.