DESTINATION GUIDE SERIES SAN FRANCISCO 1 ELITE GUIDE TO SAN FRANCISCO HIGHLIGHTS OF SAN Francisco 3 ONLY ELITE 4 Elite Traveler has selected the most exclusive VIP experience in the region Concierge recoMMendations 5 We asked San Francisco’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations for the BOURBON & BRANCH perfect day in the city WHERE to ➤ staY 7 ➤ DINE 12 ➤ BE PAMPERED 16 ALCATRAZ What to do ➤ during the DAY 17 ➤ DURING THE NIGHT 20 ➤ FEATURED EVENTS 22 ➤ SHOPPING 23 THE SLANTED DOOR Need to Know ➤ MARINAS 26 ➤ PRIVate JET TERMINALS 26 ➤ EXclusiVE transPort 27 ➤ USEFUL inforMation 27 SAN FRANCISCO AT NIGHT TRAVELER DESTINATION GUIDE SERIES ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | SAN FRANCISCO www.elitetraveler.com 2 HIGHLIGHTS OF SAN FRANCISCO Don’t miss out on San Francisco’s wealth of attractions, adventures and experiences city as varied, cosmopolitan and unique reputation for flamboyance: a reputation the Today, San Francisco is one of the principal Aas the City by the Bay almost defies city still holds today. tourist destinations in the United States. description. Founded by Spanish colonists A trip to the city is certain to be a fun-filled in 1776, the city began its explosive growth The 20th century saw San Francisco as the vacation; San Francisco is packed full of after the California Gold Rush of the mid-19th host nation for the ‘Summer of Love’ and interesting activities, amazing sights and century, a period that began to define the the city became famous for its free thinkers wonderful experiences. The nightlife and city. As a result of the huge fortunes made and liberals, as well as its large gay restaurant scene is highly rated, but with overnight and the variety of nationalities population, which had steadily increased so much to see and do, just being in flocking to the city, San Francisco gained a since World War II. San Francisco is a joy. LIBERTY FARM’S DUCK BREAST SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE MICHAEL MINA SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE FESTIVAL The Michelin one-star Michael Mina is a restaurant with an awards list longer Since the 1960s San Francisco has been associated with the gay rights than its wine list, and that’s saying something; Rajat Parr, the sommelier, movement. Considered by many to be the gay capital of the world, is well-respected around the world, and has written several books on the thanks to the city’s liberal tolerance to people of all persuasions, subject. Gayot Restaurateur of the Year 2011 and Food Arts Silver Spoon San Francisco also hosts one of the world’s largest Pride festivals. Award winner May 2011 are just two of the awards that restaurateur The San Francisco Pride Festival takes place on the last weekend of Michael Mina has on his mantelpiece, and the celebrity chef has created a June and is one of the city’s most exciting festivals. Saturday sees an menu fully deserving of the accolades. The style is a mixture of Japanese and all-afternoon celebration at the Civic Center before the massive evening French cuisine and the dishes arrive as trios; three different versions of the party, but the real show begins on Sunday at 10.30am. The Pride Parade same dish. Guests can then enjoy a range of different flavors and styles, all of runs along Market Street and is a fantastic exhibition of color, dancing which are beautifully presented and taste divine. And if you get thirsty, just ask and high campness. Traditionally held on the last full weekend of June, Mr. Parr for a top-class pairing recommendation. this festival is a must for any visitor to San Francisco. GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE Easily San Francisco’s most iconic monument and one of the most recognizable bridges in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge should be the first stop for any visitor to the city. Designed by Joseph Strauss, the bridge was completed in 1937 at the cost of $35 million, a staggering sum at the time. The Golden Gate Bridge was one of the most astounding engineering feats of the 21st century, and many experts back then doubted it could ever be built. Once completed, the bridge provided a much-needed link from San Francisco to Marin County, which increased the prosperity of both areas. Facts and stats aside, the simple fact remains that the Golden Gate Bridge is outstandingly beautiful. The bright orange spires seen rising from the frequent fog, the sun’s fading rays kissing the giant steel structure, the shimmering waters of the Golden Gate beneath; sights that attract millions of tourists every year. The best way to experience the bridge is to walk GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE across; but remember to wrap up warm – that fog can get pretty cold! ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | SAN FRANCISCO www.elitetraveler.com 3 ONLY ELITE Elite Traveler has selected the most exclusive VIP experience in the region THE NAPA WINE VALLEY DINING BY THE POOL ARTISAN WINE TOURS VIP contact: Lin Durling Phone: +1 877 414 2021 Email: [email protected] Address: P.O. Box 2033, Sonoma, 95476 Website: www.artisanwinetours.com When you think of California, you may well imagine endless vineyards stretched across the plains. California accounts for 90% of total US wine production, and there are 2,843 registered wineries and 4,600 winegrape growers in the state. Indeed, if California was a country, it would be the world’s fourth largest wine producer. So it’s no surprise to discover that tours of such wine-friendly places as the Napa Valley and Sonoma County are popular activities for visitors to San Francisco. One of the leading oenophile experiences can be enjoyed via Artisan Wine Tours, who offer completely customizable luxury trips around California. Artisan have established an excellent reputation for finding venues that are perfectly suited to either connoisseurs or beginners, and are often small, family owned venues. Its wine tours promise enriching experiences (the company’s slogan is ‘World class wine, and stories for a lifetime’) that will leave elite travelers with cherished memories of wine tasting in California – provided you don’t drink too much! ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | SAN FRANCISCO www.elitetraveler.com 4 CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS We asked San Francisco’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations for the perfect day in the city CHARISSE FAZZARI be ready for dessert and an espresso pick-me-up! Acquerello One block from North Beach is Chinatown, the Cuisine: Italian CHIEF CONCIERGE, MANDARIN ORIENTAL perfect place to purchase fortune cookies or other Phone: +1 415 567 5432 San Francisco souvenirs to bring home. End the Address: 1722 Sacramento Street, “Begin your day at Sears Fine Food restaurant / perfect day by enjoying dinner at one of the city’s San Francisco 94109 diner (439 Powell St), a San Francisco institution many wonderful restaurants.” Website: www.acquerello.com since the 1930s. After breakfast enjoy a morning of shopping in Union Square where you will BEST RESTAURANTS BEST SHOPPING: find Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Gump’s, Wilkes Silk’s Gump’s Bashford and Tiffany’s, to name just a few. Climb Cuisine: Californian/Asian Phone: +1 415 982 1616 aboard one of our world class cable cars and Phone: +1 415 276 9619 Address: 135 Post Street, San Francisco, 94108 experience the ride of a lifetime, winding around Address: Mandarin Oriental San Francisco, Website: www.gumps.com the curves and the steep hills of San Francisco. 222 Sansome Street, San Francisco, CA 94104 Don’t forget to get off on Lombard to see the Website: www.mandarinoriental.com BEST TO DO / ACTIVITIES / LEISURE crookedest street in the world. Next, spend Explore San Francisco by foot and cable car time in Ghirardelli Square and try some of the Gary Danko world famous chocolate before continuing on Cuisine: Italian to explore the Fisherman’s Wharf area where Phone: +1 415 749 2060 you can enjoy some of the freshest seafood Address: 800 North Point at Hyde Street, available. After lunch, head towards North San Francisco, 94109 Beach, our Italian quarter; by this point, you will Website: www.garydanko.com. ANTONIO BARRIOS KYLE YERGENSON CHIEF CONCIERGE, THE ST. REGIS SAN FRANCISCO CHIEF CONCIERGE, TAJ CAMPTON “Stroll down to the Ferry Building on Saturday morning to experience Recommended Itinerary: San Francisco’s famous farmers’ market. Enjoy an array of fabulous baked • Breakfast: Boulette’s Larder in the Ferry Building at the Embarcadero goods, cheeses and coffee for breakfast. Follow the best meal of the day by • Sailboat charter to Sausalito on the Nohilani with Captain Danny boarding a ferry and taking a beautiful bay cruise to Sausalito.” • Lunch at Cavallo Point in Sausalito • Afternoon at the California Academy of Sciences BEST RESTAURANTS • Dinner at Taj Campton Place Spruce Cuisine: Contemporary American BEST RESTAURANTS Phone: +1 415 931 5100 Taj Campton Place Address: 3640 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, 94118 Cuisine: Mediterranean / Californian Website: www.sprucesf.com Phone: +1 415 955 5555 Address: 340 Stockton Street, San Francisco, 94108 Gary Danko Website: www.camptonplacesf.com Cuisine: Italian Phone: +1 415 749 2060 Wayfare Tavern Address: 800 North Point Street, San Francisco, 94109 Cuisine: American Website: www.garydanko.com Phone: +1 415 772 9060 Benu Address: 558 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, 94111 Cuisine: Modern Asian Website: www.wayfaretavern.com Phone: +1 415 685 4860 Address: 22 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco, 94105 BEST SHOP Website: www.benusf.com Gump’s Phone: +1 415 982 1616 BEST SHOP Address: 135 Post Street, San Francisco, 94108 Gump’s Website: www.gumps.com Phone: +1 415 982 1616 Address: 135 Post Street, San Francisco, 94108 BEST TO DO Website: www.gumps.com Golden Gate Park or Waterfront Tours ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | SAN FRANCISCO www.elitetraveler.com 5 CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS STACY SuGARMAN (3431 19th Street), where you find the perfect Benu combination of dishes from the land and sea.