Sir Francis Drake

This past weekend was a thrilling whirlwind of sightseeing, exploring and touring in San Francisco! Staying in the heart of Union Square at the Sir Francis Drake hotel helped make our precious time in this incredible city not just comfortable, but truly amazing. Sir Francis Drake, a legendary sea captain in the Elizabethan era, was one of the first to document his circumnavigation of the globe, returning with many treasures for the Queen. One of these such treasures/conquests included claiming the area now known as San Francisco for England and Elizabeth I – hence the strong influence of Sir Francis Drake in California (learn more here).

With this interesting history lesson came a wonderful weekend filled with food, cocktails, and much more. We loved the charm of this quaint boutique hotel. It was the perfect choice for us to get an upscale and cultural experience. The Drake is a Kimpton hotel, so we knew we’d be in good hands, and we were not disappointed!

Of course, I can’t forget how friendly and welcoming the iconic Beefeater doormen were. I absolutely loved meeting the legendary Tom Sweeney, who has been at the hotel making days bright for over 30 years, also considered by some as the “most photographed man in San Francisco.”

The best part about the hotel is definitely the location. We were a reasonable walk away from just about any neighborhood we might have wanted to visit. On top of that, the proximity to the quintessential San Francisco cable car tracks right on Powell Street is ideal for any visitor. Directly in front of the main entrance of the hotel is a cable car stop. A ride on the car down the hill to Fisherman’s Wharf is an absolute must.

Has anyone stayed at the Sir Francis Drake? I’d love to know your thoughts!    xo -L