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Cityscape Pictures from Top of the Mark, Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco
San Francisco Tourism
My husband and I have enjoyed being a tourist in San Francisco, California while on our way to or from the wine country several times. My husband had traveled to that "City by the Bay" on several occasions but wanted me to see some highlights on my very first visit.
So while we were staying at the beautiful Huntington Hotel he made sure that we walked over to the Mark Hopkins Hotel and went up to their lounge called Top of the Mark for a drink while it was still daylight. That is where I was able to take these skyline pictures shown here.
The scenery as viewed from the highest point in all of San Francisco atop Nob Hill if the day is bright and clear as it was at the time of our visit is nothing short of stupendous.
We would later be visiting many of the places that were within view from a closeup perspective...places like Chinatown, Grace Cathedral, San Francisco Bay and elsewhere.
But for a bird's eye view of this fabulous city, head on over to the Top of the Mark if you find yourself in San Francisco on vacation and wish to see things from this lofty and elevated perspective.
Mark Hopkins
Here is a little background information on the name of this hotel.
Mark Hopkins, Jr. had the heart and soul of a true entrepreneur. He did a number of jobs and started numerous businesses. He experienced everything from
- being a clerk in a post office in the early days
- to studying law,
- being a bookkeeper,
- investing in a company which delivered goods from the east to the west during California's Gold Rush days,
- opening a wholesale grocery
- and he also started a hardware and iron company.
Some of these things were more successful than others, but experiences along the way led him to the ultimate accomplishment. Hopkins and 3 others (commonly referred to as "The Big Four") were the investors in the Central Pacific Railroad started in 1861.
Particularly in those early days of the 19th century, railroads were responsible for opening up new areas of the country and delivering people as well as supplies in easier fashion to the frontier and already settled places.
This resulted in "The Big Four" (Mark Hopkins, Jr., Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker and Collis Huntington) ultimately becoming very wealthy men.
Mark Hopkins Hotel San Francisco
The location of this hotel which is now a part of the Intercontinental chain of luxury hotels sits on the same spot of land where a mansion built by Mark Hopkins, Jr. once stood.
Unfortunately the Hopkin's mansion did not survive a raging fire which occurred after the significant California earthquake of 1906.
This Intercontinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco hotel has now been in business since 1926.
It is a beauty just judging from the lobby and the lounge at the top and a few other public areas that my husband and I explored.
History at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins told by the chief concierge.
Top of the Mark
We did enjoy a drink and the ambiance inside the Top of the Mark. But the prime reason for our particular visit was getting to see the fabulous panoramic views and being able to take these skyline pictures.
One Person's Video Taken at the Top of the Mark
Had we been there a little later in the day and gotten to see the twinkling lights of the city, that also would have been a wonderful sight to behold. Of that I am certain. But my husband and I had other things on our planned agenda.
The Top of the Mark has wonderful live music and is a great place for dancing.
Dancing at night - Top of the Mark
How many wedding proposals have taken place there over the years?
Many would be my guess!
San Francisco Views
The picture below shows the Hotel Huntington on the left where my husband and I were staying during this visit. The green space in front of the hotel is Huntington Park and Grace Cathedral is situated just beyond the park.
Skyline Pictures
An iconic building in the San Francisco skyline is the Transamerica Pyramid pictured below. It is centered in the Financial District and at the time of its completion in 1972 was one of the five tallest buildings in the world! It once housed the headquarters of the Transamerica Corporation, thus its name.
With crushed quartz on its exterior, it shines brightly against the blue sky and lapping waters of San Francisco Bay lying just beyond.
It is such a recognizable building that the Transamerica Pyramid has definitely become associated with San Francisco just like the Golden Gate Bridge.
Transamerica Pyramid from Top of the Mark
Cityscapes
Below are a couple more city-scape photos taken while walking around the Top of the Mark lounge in the Mark Hopkins San Francisco hotel.
If my husband and I return to San Francisco it would be fun to return there and take skyline pictures at night. We did also enjoy a drink up there while viewing the mesmerizing scenery below and planning our days of vacation that were ahead of us.
Be sure and visit the Top of the Mark if you get a chance. Be sure to take your camera!
Free Drink for Servicemen at the Top of the Mark!
Have you visited the Top of the Mark in San Francisco?
Location of Top of the Mark
© 2011 Peggy Woods
Comments are welcomed!
Came back to pin this excellent article to my 'Travel' board and also posted it on FB. Sharing again with my followers too.
Great hub :) I travel a lot abroad but sadly still have yet to see most of the western US. San Francisco is on my list though. Loved the pictures, thanks for sharing.
Voted up! Very useful information AND beautiful pictures! I would love to see San Francisco! We are on the other side of the country though! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Interesting history lesson and beautiful photos as you always provide. Anyone planning a summer vacation should take a look at this hub too. Even though I lived only a couple of hours from San Francisco, I never got to visit there. Looks like there are a lot of things to experience there. Voted up, BUI, and will share! Oh yes, and 5 more stars . . . :)
Someday when I am in San Francisco I would love to visit the Top of the Mark. It seems like a great would be a great place to go.
I have not been to San Francisco for several years. Your hub was a great reminder of a great city to visit.
Your photographs are fantastic! And yes, your husband looks quite comfy sitting in the Top of the Mark.
San Francisco is surely a beautiful city. I've not been there but it is on my bucket list. Thank you for this treasure of a Hub. Wonderful!
That is a wonderful hub and thank you fro showing me around.
I haven't been to San Francisco in quite a while. This makes me want to go back.
This was amazing. I wish I can visit this place someday. Again, you never cease to amaze me. Well done, Peggy. I give my vote special for you. Cheers....
love and peace,
Awesome! It was a fun read, and the pics are gorgeous. So far San Francisco is the coolest city I've ever visited. :)
I've been to San Francisco once but didn't visit such a high viewpoint as you did on your trip. Your hub is very interesting - I enjoyed the descriptions, the photos and the videos!
The photos and videos are really lovely of San Francisco. The cityscape is really fantastic. I would love to be thrilled by the Top of the Mark. Another great hub.
What lovely photos, and what a beautiful Hub! Thanks so much for creating it!
My sister and her husband live in SF, and it's my favorite city. Great hub!
I live in San Francisco for many years. The city has changed a lot since then but it is still one of the best cities in the world. Great Hub.
I have visited San Francisco but not been to the Top of the Mark. Your pictures are great. Very interesting hub.
I've never been to San Francisco.It is old and historic and would be nice to visit but it will have to be added to my wish list.Nice Cityscapes.
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