As Bay Area locals, we love playing tourists in San Francisco, making it a point to do something fun throughout the year. To celebrate our special anniversary we decided to spend 24 hours in San Francisco. We had a quick cup of coffee at home, then got an Uber to our local train station.
Waymo Self-Driving Car
When we arrived in SF, we ordered our first self-driving (robot) Waymo car to go to the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco. OMG! Sitting in the back seat without a driver in the front was initially a bit unnerving, but after the first few minutes and listening to the relaxing Zen music, it felt surprisingly normal. We got a lot of curious glances from other drivers and pedestrians as we navigated the streets of San Francisco.
InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco
We decided to spend a night at the luxurious InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco, perched atop Nob Hill, with dinner at the Nob Hill Club and drinks at the Top of the Mark cocktail lounge. The historic hotel, with its grand architecture, timeless charm, and breathtaking views, provides an elegant retreat and a central location in the heart of the city.
Hotel History
The hotel’s history dates back to 1878 when railroad magnate Mark Hopkins built a grand mansion on the site. After his widow’s death, the mansion was transformed into a luxurious hotel, opening its doors in 1926. Over the years, the hotel has hosted numerous celebrities, including Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland and Elvis Presley, as well as royalty and world leaders.
Guest Rooms & Suites
All of the hotel’s guest rooms and suites are a perfect blend of classic style and modern amenities, offering stunning views of San Francisco, the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. We lucked out with an early check-in so we could drop off our carry-on bag. Our room on the 14th floor, overlooking Grace Cathedral, parts of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, and the city skyline, included a Keurig coffeemaker, big flatscreen TV, plush robes and slippers (a nice touch when traveling), a safe, and a super comfy King bed.
Exploring Nob Hill
We headed out of the hotel and took a short stroll around the Nob Hill neighborhood. The area is steeped in history and offers plenty of sights to explore, including the majestic Grace Cathedral located just steps away from the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel.
Cable Cars
You can also catch the California Street Cable Car in front of the hotel that takes you down to the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero. FYI, the largest Farmer’s Market in San Francisco is held every Saturday morning behind the Ferry Building. You can also catch the Powell Street Cable Car (by coming out of the hotel and walking downhill, one block to the right). This particular line will take you to either Fisherman’s Wharf or the downtown Cable Car turnaround on Market Street.
Chinatown
A short 10-minute downhill walk from Nob Hill brought us to Chinatown, one of the nation’s oldest and largest. We love wandering down Grant Avenue and its bustling side streets and alleyways, exploring unique shops, bakeries and vibrant markets.
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
We stopped by the famous Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, located in the heart of Chinatown. Did you know that fortune cookies originated in San Francisco? Established in 1962, the popular attraction continues to handcraft up to 10,000 fortune cookies daily. It’s fun to watch the process in action (see video below) and sample freshly baked cookies. The factory offers a variety of flavors, including chocolate, strawberry and green tea.
Custom Fortune Cookies
The factory even lets you create your own custom fortune for a small fee (see video below). The small, narrow shop only holds about 10 people at a time, so be prepared for lines out the door, especially on weekends and during peak tourist season. It opens at 9am and we got there around 10:30am and the place was already full of people.
Chinatown Dim Sum
Sampling the fortune cookies gave us both an appetite, so what better place than Chinatown to grab a Dim Sum lunch. We headed to City View Restaurant, a hidden gem just off Grant Avenue between Washington and Clay Streets, across from Portsmouth Square. You’ll see dozens of Dim Sum restaurants along the way.
If you love Dim Sum, you’re in for a treat. We ordered the Shrimp Dumplings, Peking Duck with Lotus Buns, Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce, Sticky Rice Wrapped in Lotus Leaf, and Scallop Siu Mai
Each dish was a culinary delight. Service is fast and friendly. We’ll definitely be returning for another delectable Dim Sum feast the next time we’re in Chinatown.
Arrive early on weekends as it gets very crowded. By the time we left the restaurant, there was already a long wait to get in.
Union Square
We walked off our lunch with a stroll from Chinatown to Union Square, the vibrant heart of San Francisco. The area is popular with tourists, featuring high-end shops, jewelry stores, art galleries, and a huge Apple Store. You can also catch a Hop-On-Hop-Off double-decker bus or a Cable Car right from the square.
The Cher Show at Curran Theater
We took a short walk from Union Square to The Curran Theatre on Geary Street to see a matinee performance of “The Cher Show.” The Tony Award-winning musical of Cher’s life story features 35 of her smash hits. It’s a must-see If you’re a Cher fan. FYI, you may be able to see the show in another city as it tours the U.S.
Check out San Francisco’s theaters – The Curran Theatre, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), Golden Gate Theater, and Orpheum Theatre to find out what’s playing during your next visit to the city. After the show, we took an Uber back to the hotel to enjoy our room.
Dinner at Nob Hill Club, InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel
We took the elevator down to The Nob Hill Club, located at the lobby level of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel. The farm-to-table restaurant features locally sourced ingredients and a menu that highlights the best of California cuisine infused with Mediterranean influences. There’s also an extensive wine list, featuring premium selections from renowned vineyards.
We began our meal with a flavorful Heirloom Tomato Salad and a Classic Caesar Salad. For our entrees, we opted for the Cedar Plank Lemon & Herb Seared Salmon with Pearl Couscous and Roasted Cauliflower, and Steak Frites, a 10 oz Grilled New York Steak cooked to perfection. For desserts, we indulged in a luscious Chocolate Lava Cake with Strawberry Sorbetto and a delightful Fresh Blueberry Crumble with Vanilla Bean Gelato – both were to die-for!
Top of the Mark
After dinner, we headed up to Top of the Mark to enjoy cocktails. I had a vodka martini with two olives and Barry had a refreshing rum cocktail. The panoramic views of San Francisco, the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge are spectacular! And we really enjoyed the live entertainment that night.
The legendary cocktail lounge, located on the 19th floor of the hotel, has a storied history. Opened in 1939, it quickly became a beloved social hub, especially among American servicemen during World War II. Sailors and soldiers would gather here to enjoy the breathtaking views of the city and the Bay before shipping out, with many creating a tradition of toasting the Golden Gate Bridge as they departed.
Today, Top of the Mark continues to draw both locals and visitors from around the world for its magnificent views – particularly on a clear sunny day, at sunset, and after dark when the city’s lights are twinkling. It’s a stunning backdrop for an unforgettable evening.
Sunday Morning
Sunday morning, we slept in (a rarity for us). We spent the morning sipping our coffee looking at all our photos and videos and talked about our fun day in San Francisco.
Waymo Self-Driving Car
After checking out at the front desk, we ordered another Waymo self-driving car to pick us up and return to the train station.
The ride back, going down the steep hills of San Francisco, was even more exciting than our first ride.
For your information, Waymo is a fully autonomous all-electric Jaguar vehicle. It is just like taking an Uber or Lyft, except there’s no driver and no tipping.
We Left Our Hearts in San Francisco
San Francisco is a city that captivates the heart, and a weekend at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins SF, with its historic charm, exceptional service, and Top of the Mark cocktails and views, ensures an experience you’ll cherish for years to come. For us it was a truly spectacular anniversary that we’ll never forget. As Tony Bennet would say, we left our hearts in San Francisco.
