There’s something magical about the City by the Bay. San Francisco casts a spell. The Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street (the world’s crookedest street), Golden Gate Park, Pier 39, Legion of Honor, Coit Tower, cable cars and Yerba Buena Gardens are just some reasons you might fall in love with the city. The gastronomy (the city boasts 50 of the 87 Michelin-starred California restaurants), art and music scenes will settle the matter.
As much as San Francisco is a great place to play, it’s also ideal for doing business or hosting a convention or meeting. The numbers tell the story. According to the San Francisco Travel Association, the city attracted 23.1 million visitors in 2023, a 5.2 percent year-over-year increase. In 2023 hotel room nights attributed to delegates attending Moscone Center conventions increased 82 percent from 2022. San Francisco is a grande dame of old and new. Elegance reigns in historic places like the iconic InterContinental Mark Hopkins with its famed Top of the Mark restaurant, offering sweeping city views perfect for cocktails, and the newly renovated ornate Peacock Court Ballroom. But excitement also permeates the air because there is always something new.
“There is a revitalization happening in San Francisco right now. Meetings, events and overall tourism are steadily recovering following the pandemic; and new openings of event spaces, restaurants, bars and parks are pushing this revitalization forward,” said Cassandra Costello, executive vice president and chief policy and external affairs officer, SF Travel, a destination marketing organization. Recently, San Francisco became the only city in the world to have the most advanced LEED Platinum certification for both its convention center and airport. Last year also brought new event spaces like Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco and Conservatory at One Sansome. The city offers 35,000 hotel rooms, more than half within walking distance of Moscone Center, and will add more than 1,000 new hotel rooms this year. The buzzy culinary culture recently welcomed additions like Z&Y Peking Duck; Il Parco, in The Presidio and boasting swoon-worthy views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay; and Alora, a Mediterranean restaurant along The Embarcadero.
The nine-hole, par-3 Golden Gate Park Golf Course, America’s first destination municipal short course, completed a redesign and renovated its clubhouse.
Said Wade Rose, president, Advance San Francisco, an organization of the city’s leading employers, “San Francisco is the catalyst for universal progress. We are the future-makers who inspire the world to think differently. Businesses, conversations and events here matter because they have an outsized influence on how the world moves forward.”
SCENIC DRIVES
Napa Valley lies a little more than 50 miles north of San Francisco. For a drive you’ll always remember, take Highway 101 North across the Golden Gate Bridge with its postcard- perfect views. Napa Valley doesn’t disappoint. You know you can taste — to your heart’s content — some of the world’s finest wines at the hundreds of wineries, but you’ll find much more action than that. Check off your bucket list a hot-air balloon ride or relax at one of the area’s legendary spas. Try a mud bath while you’re there. Another option is Napa Valley Wine Train, where you’ll enjoy a three-hour ride and four-course meal. If you’re in the mood for something more active, a bike tour will get the adrenaline pumping, as will shopping the many boutiques and galleries. You can get to Santa Cruz in less than two hours, just 75 miles south of San Francisco. Take Highway 1 to experience one of California’s best drives. The oohs and ahhs start with the coastal bluffs and beautiful beaches. While you can make the trip in two hours, don’t cheat yourself; plan to take as much time as you can because there’s plenty to see, like Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, where you can explore tidepools. Get out of the car for a bit and walk Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail, taking you along bluffs above beaches. If walking stirs your appetite, you’re in luck, as downtown Half Moon Bay boasts some good eats. You’ve probably seen photos of Pigeon Point Lighthouse; see it for yourself along the way. These are just a few of the stops before you get to Santa Cruz with its beach, boardwalk, amusement park and more.
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Nov 4, 20247 Hotel Restaurants Worth the Travel
Book a reservation at one of these hotel restaurants around the country, providing excellent dining experiences you won’t soon forget.
Sponsored Content
Sailing the Ionian Sea: Explore Greece’s Nautical Gems
Sailing the Ionian Sea is an enchanting way to experience Greece's breathtaking islands and pristine waters. Known for its favorable winds, calm seas and stunning landscapes, the Ionian Sea offers a paradise for both experienced sailors and those looking to explore for the first time. From lively beaches to secluded bays, these waters have something for every traveler seeking adventure and relaxation.
Slideshow
Nov 4, 20247 Reasons to Put Strasbourg, France, on Your Travel List
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Strasbourg, France, with us.
Daily
Nov 4, 20248 Must-Have (and Must-Pack) Perfumes for 2025
Still on the search for your next favorite perfume? Whether traveling, heading out to a fancy dinner or simply spending the day at home, finding the scent that works for you and lasts for hours is essential. These are our eight perfume recommendations for 2025:
Sponsored Content
Remarkable Medellín
Visiting Medellín in Colombia: The Country of Beauty is like stepping into a fantastic story — literally, as the city in the Western Colombian Andes region inspired Disney’s Encanto. Here, valleys, the world’s tallest palms, vibrant communities, colorful houses, garden-like balconies and more prove reality is more picturesque than anything on film. And it’s especially more tempting following Medellín’s remarkable transformation, shedding its troubled past and reawakening as a city of innovation, art, cultural richness, modern infrastructure, thriving tourism and resiliency.
Daily
Nov 1, 2024Check Out The Beach Terrace, The Only Carlsbad Hotel Directly on the Sand
Looking for the perfect destination to unwind and savor the final days of fall or first weeks of winter? Check out the sunny California town of Carlsbad. Located just 45 minutes north of San Diego, Carlsbad embodies the classic Southern California lifestyle for those looking for that winter escape without the chilly temperatures. The 48-room Beach Terrace is Carlsbad’s only hotel directly on the sand, and with November and December weather still in the 60s and 70s, it is an oasis of relaxation to soak up the sun without the summer crowds.
Embark on Chile’s Lakes & Volcanoes Route
Daily
Nov 1, 2024Make The Londoner Hotel Your West End Base
Daily
Oct 31, 2024Daily
Oct 30, 2024Winnipeg’s Indigenous-Owned and -Led Tour Operators Offer Array of Authentic Cultural Experiences
In Canada, Winnipeg’s indigenous population is the largest in the country, with numerous indigenous-owned and -led tour operators offering a variety of authentic cultural experiences. From dog-sledding adventures through old forests to cultural workshops and culinary treats, Winnipeg, Manitoba, offers a unique opportunity to engage with indigenous traditions firsthand in all four seasons.
Sponsored Content
Explore Egypt on the Most Extraordinary Tour Ever
Picture this: You’re standing in front of the Great Pyramid, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in complete silence, with no crowds in sight. As you step inside, your guide leads you to hidden chambers inaccessible to other tourists. Here, you’re granted a rare chance to delve into the deepest mysteries of ancient Egypt.
October 2024
Oct 30, 2024Enhance Your Flying Experience with These Handy Devices
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones These wireless over-ear headphones from Bose won multiple awards and received rave reviews for best-in-class noise-cancelling technology and amazing sound quality. Available in white, sandstone or black, QuietComfort Ultra boast up to 24 hours battery life and are compatible with the Bose app, letting you customize your audio settings. Immersive Audio technology brings sound to life, and multipoint connectivity means you can easily switch between two devices at once. $429.
ShareThis