San Francisco Luxury Hotel ~ Huntington Hotel ~ Nob Hill Hotel ~ Big Four

San Francisco Treat

No, I am not talking about Rice-a-Roni here! Rather I am referring to the first vacation trip taken with my husband to California from Houston, Texas. We planned to spend several days there sightseeing before heading on up to the Sonoma and Napa Valleys to visit wineries.

My husband used to travel quite a bit representing a fine paper distribution company and he had been to San Francisco previously. He wanted for my first time there to be extra special.

After consulting with the reservation's desk at the Huntington Hotel the corner room (number 1100) was selected. Situated high atop Nob Hill which is one of the city's more famous hills at an elevation of 325 feet, it offered spectacular views of many parts of the city including glimpses of Alcatraz Island out in San Francisco Bay, Grace Cathedral and other pretty sites which will be shown from some of the photos that I took. My hubby chose well!

Hills of San Francisco

San Francisco has a number of named as well as some unnamed hills...over seventy in fact. Some of the highest ones are Twin Peaks, Mount Sutro and Mount Davidson. The latter one tops out at an elevation of 925 feet.

Other well known hills in addition to Nob Hill are Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill, Rincon Hill and Lone Mountain. The list of hills in San Francisco is extensive, and because of the topography most people when hiking those hills wear comfortable walking shoes.

We saw many people carrying their dress or work shoes with them. One thing is certain. Not too many women are walking for great distances wearing high heeled shoes. At least we did not spot many as we were out doing our sightseeing.

One night we took a taxi out to dinner and then decided to walk back to our room at the Huntington Hotel as it was not that many blocks away. I was wearing high heels. Big mistake! I did not repeat that action again! (Smile)

Huntington Hotel

This is one of several luxury hotels in San Francisco and the Huntington has a rich history. It is named after C.P. (Collis Potter) Huntington who was a most enterprising individual.

Having great business acumen and after doing several other types of work, C.P. Huntington teamed up with Charles Crocker, Mark Hopkins and Leland Stanford during the gold rush era in California. Combining finances and efforts (the "Big Four" as they were called)...they changed the course of how people traveled by train from the east to the west coast with their Central Pacific Railroad line.

When it was joined together with the Union Pacific rail line at Promontory Point, Utah in the year 1869, transcontinental travel became possible all by rail.

Of course with all of the wealth that this helped to generate, C.P. Huntington did not simply rest on his laurels and bask in his achievements but went on to be an active participant in other enterprises which continued to add to his amassed fortune.

Nob Hill

Many other wealthy individuals chose to build their mansions on top of Nob Hill because of the beautiful views and the "Big Four" were among them. Premier architects were chosen and little expense was spared so that these giants of industry could have palatial surroundings.

Unfortunately Mother Nature decided to shake things up a bit and after the 1906 earthquake. Fires raged out of control. Most of these mansions were destroyed including the one owned by the Huntington's. Where it once was situated is now Huntington Park which was given to the city in 1915. Now all people irregardless of wealth can enjoy that premium spot!

Where Grace Cathedral now stands was also the home of a mansion destroyed by that same fire. It is the largest Episcopal church located on the west coast of the United States.

I took several photos from the vantage point of our room.

One day we looked down to see an art show set up. Since my hubby and I both like art, we strolled across the street and ended up purchasing a limited edition print that reminded us of the trees in Golden Gate Park. It is shown next to the artist who created it. We had it shipped to our home in Houston where it still adorns a wall and reminds us of that vacation trip.

Another morning upon gazing down at Huntington Park we saw people doing their morning exercises. Obviously it is a well utilized park which takes up an entire city block in San Francisco.

Nob Hill Hotel

Looking out of one of our Huntington Hotel room windows we could see the Fairmont Hotel. It is the one with all of the flags flying above the entrance. It was built and opened just days before that 1906 earthquake. Also scorched by the fires, the Fairmont Hotel was rebuilt on the same location.

The Fairmont served as the setting for the television show "Hotel" and it was called the St. Gregory in that TV series. I used to really enjoy watching that television series during the years 1983 to 1988.

The main characters (played by James Brolin, Connie Sellecca & Shari Belafonte and others) consisted primarily of the hotel staff, but each week different situations were presented with the ever changing landscape of hotel guests which made for endless stories.

Our Home Away from Home

Each day my hubby and I had different things to see and explore in San Francisco, but it was so nice to come back to the friendly elegance of the Huntington Hotel at night.

One night after an extremely busy day we decided to stay in our room and order room service. Seated at a table in front of one of the windows in our room while watching the glittering lights of the city sparkle as the sun went down, we enjoyed a delightful repast while sipping from glasses filled with a tasty California wine. It was the perfect ending to a glorious day!

Another evening we dined in the Huntington Hotel's award winning "Big 4 Restaurant." We thought that our dinner was delicious and the restaurant well deserved the accolades given to it by many sources.

Top Hotel in San Francisco

This YouTube video that I found titled "Our room at the Huntington Hotel in San Francisco" looks like the filming was done from our very room. Perhaps it was!

My hubby and I have also stayed in other San Francisco hotels, but I will always remember my first visit and comfortable lodging at at one of the top hotels in San Francisco with great fondness.