A Stay at the Historic Fairmont San Francisco: Presidential Suites, Tiki Bars & Driverless Jaguars
If you’re heading to San Fran and want to do it right, stay at the Fairmont San Francisco.
Sitting at the top of Nob Hill, it’s the definition of grandeur — think sweeping staircases, a lobby that makes you feel like royalty, and a history that includes hosting nearly every US president since William Taft (so yes, you’re in good company).
We checked into our room and were immediately blown away by the view — the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Russian Hill — all laid out like a picture perfect NorCal postcard.
Morning Tea & a Secret Rooftop Garden
Each morning, we started our day at Cirque Bar, a whimsical coffee shop downstairs with art deco murals featuring dancing horses, mystical tigers and acrobats — everything you'd find at a French circus, circa 1930. It’s fab.
From there, we’d head up to the Fairmont’s rooftop garden, a peaceful spot hidden from the city chaos — such a good place to sit, sip, and soak it all in, view guaranteed.
Tonga Room: Where It Rains Indoors & the Band Floats
Also in the Fairmont, the Tonga Room is a definite must. This legendary tiki bar has been around since 1945, and is actually set inside what used to be the Fairmont’s indoor pool. The stage? It’s a floating boat. And every so often, it rains — indoors. Locals, tourists, and tech billionaires alike all pack in for the drinks, the atmosphere, and the live music. It’s kitschy, fun, and an experience-and-a-half.
A Legendary Musical Tribute
For the music lovers, here’s a fun detail: Tony Bennett Way is right outside the Fairmont, and they even have an eight-foot-tall bronze statue of him. Why? Because Tony first performed "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" in the Fairmont's Venetian Room in 1961, and the city has loved him ever since. The hotel proudly displays photos of his performances, making it even more special for music fans.
Why Uber When You’ve Got Waymo?
Okay, we need to talk about Waymos. If you haven’t tried one yet, prepare to be obsessed. They’re completely driverless Jaguars, spotless inside, and somehow feel safer than a human. We took them 13 times over the course of our trip, and every ride felt like something out of a sci-fi movie — except totally normal by the second day. Highly recommend.
Bar-Hopping on Nob Hill
One of the best things about staying at the Fairmont? You’re surrounded by iconic spots like:
The Ritz-Carlton lobby bar – Classy and perfect for a pre-dinner drink… with a pro footballer sighting or two. (I saw two, one of whom may or may not have been previously married to a certain Laguna Beach icon, Ms. Kristin Cavallari.)
Top of the Mark at the Mark Hopkins Hotel – Right across the street, this is a 360-degree rooftop bar with insane views. Feels like an old-school San Fran staple, and we loved it.
Big City Exploring
San Francisco has so many distinct neighborhoods, and you know we were on a mission to Waymo through them all. Some of our faves:
The Marina – Always buzzing, filled with coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques — and great people-watching.
Financial District (FiDi) – We ran to Barry’s Bootcamp every morning, because someone’s gotta offset all the amazing food the city has to offer.
Noe Valley & Hayes Valley – Our go-to lunch spots. Both have that cool, walkable neighborhood vibe where you just know the world’s next greatest tech invention is brewing over a red wine sangria on a lunch break on a random Tuesday.
Haight-Ashbury – Where my boyfriend scored the most perfect Armani suit coat literally 5 minutes after stepping into one of their many vintage shops.
Getting There’s a Breeze
Flights from John Wayne Airport (SNA) to SFO take just over an hour, which means you can leave in the morning and be in the city before lunchtime. And San Francisco International Airport is a dream — spacious, clean, and stress-free. We grabbed a glass of wine in the lounge before our flight home, then took advantage of one of the airport’s dedicated yoga rooms (yes, they have yoga rooms!) for a quick 10-minute stretch before boarding.
Next Time? We're Bringing the Pups
One thing that stood out glaringly clear — San Francisco is crazy dog-friendly. Everywhere we went, we saw people out with their pups, from sidewalk cafes to parks to barstools at the Haight. (See Lily above!) Next time, we’re definitely bringing Benny, Beverly, and Blue so they can live their best city life, too.
To wrap things up, the Fairmont San Francisco is pure magic, simply put. It’s historic and grand and over-the-top in the best way… and in the heart of it all. Whether you’re into presidential history, vintage shopping, rooftop bars, or just zipping around town like the future has intended, San Francisco delivers.
I can’t wait to go back.
Lindsay DeLong is the Editor-in-Chief of Laguna Beach Living and Founder of the City Living Network. A brand strategist and web designer, she specializes in building hyper-local digital publications from the ground up and coaching fellow bloggers on how to run city-specific publications in their own towns. To inquire about starting a publication in your city schedule a free discovery call HERE.
Photos by the author and Yantra Vibes Photography.
