When I landed in San Francisco, my first order of business was a little unconventional: finding a place to watch the U.S. men's national soccer team take on Australia in the World Cup.
Kel and I headed straight from the airport to Bartlett Hall, an award-winning brewery just a block from The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco.
We grabbed burgers and pints while cheering on the U.S. to a win before checking into the hotel to kick off a few days in one of my favorite cities.
This was my second time staying at The Clift. I first spent a weekend here in 2021 before continuing on to Oahu, so walking back into the hotel's stylish lobby felt instantly familiar.
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A Historic Hotel Near Union Square
The Clift was built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition and has been welcoming guests for over a century.
The hotel has been carefully renovated over the years, but you can still spot plenty of original details that nod to its long history.
The lobby sets the mood right away with warm neutral tones, charcoal grays, bronze accents, and original exposed brick. I always notice the famous "Big Chair," a whimsical oversized seat that's become a signature design element here.
The Clift doesn't feel like your typical chain hotel. It has personality, a sense of place, and enough historic character to remind you you're staying somewhere with a story.
Why Stay at The Clift?
Travelers looking for a walkable downtown location will appreciate The Clift's proximity to Union Square, theaters, restaurants, museums, and nightlife. It combines historic character with modern rooms, making it a good choice for first-time visitors and returning guests as well.
Checking Into Our Junior Suite
Check-in officially starts at 4 p.m., but our Junior Suite was ready about 45 minutes early-a welcome surprise.
At 530 square feet, the suite felt spacious by San Francisco standards.
The room had a king bed, a sitting area with a comfortable sofa, a work desk and chair, two flat-screen TVs, and complimentary Wi-Fi. The small fridge and coffee maker were handy during our stay.
The bathroom made efficient use of the space and featured a lovely walk-in rainfall shower and a large back-lit mirror.
Our room on the 12th floor faced north, with two big windows framing sweeping views of downtown San Francisco.
On my first stay, I had a similar view from a lower floor, and once again, I was reminded how much I love waking up in the heart of the city.
The room was comfortable and well-designed, but the real highlight was the view. Every time we walked in, it was the first thing I noticed, and each morning I looked forward to opening the curtains.
Exploring San Francisco From Union Square
One of the best things about The Clift is its location, just two blocks west of Union Square.
After unpacking, we walked three blocks to Pacific Cocktail Haven, one of San Francisco's most celebrated bars, to make sure we could grab seats when it opened at 5 p.m.
After a round of Asia-Pacific-inspired cocktails, we strolled back to the hotel for dinner.
The next morning, we set out on foot again, this time to Yerba Buena Gardens and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. We spent a few hours exploring the special Matisse exhibition and the museum's permanent collection.
That evening, we had dinner at Tadich Grill, San Francisco's oldest restaurant, then stopped for tiki drinks at the Tonga Room before making the short walk back to The Clift.
With so many restaurants, bars, museums, and attractions within walking distance, The Clift made an ideal base for exploring downtown.
Location
One of The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco's biggest strengths is its location near Union Square. The hotel places guests within walking distance of many of the city's restaurants, cocktail bars, museums, theaters, and public transportation options.
Nearby Attractions
Less than a 10-minute walk:
- Bartlett Hall: 4-minute walk
- Union Square: 5-minute walk
- Pacific Cocktail Haven: 6-minute walk
- Cable Car turnaround at Powell and Market: 7-minute walk
A 10- to 20-minute walk:
- Yerba Buena Gardens: 13-minute walk
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: 14-minute walk
- Chinatown: 16-minute walk
- Tadich Grill: 20-minute walk
A 20- to 30-minute walk:
- Ferry Building Marketplace: 25-minute walk
- Oracle Park (baseball stadium): 30-minute walk or short rideshare
Drive times:
- The Presidio: 15-minute drive
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO): 30-minute drive
We loved being able to walk to just about everything we wanted to do downtown, from cocktail bars to museums and historic restaurants.
The Clift has created a community-curated guide featuring 250 Things to Do in San Francisco, highlighting everything from iconic attractions to lesser-known local experiences.
Guests can browse the list before or during their stay for inspiration, and the hotel invites visitors to contribute their own recommendations over time. You can explore the guide here: 250 Things to Do in San Francisco.
Cocktails and Dinner at the Redwood Room
One of the things I looked forward to most on this trip was introducing Kel to the Redwood Room.
The Redwood Room opened in 1933 after Prohibition ended and is still one of San Francisco's classic bars. I'd had a drink here on my last visit and was keen to return.
The elegant redwood-paneled interior and original artwork by Gustav Klimt felt just as impressive this time as they did on my first visit.
We settled in with Chipotle caramel popcorn. I ordered a mojito and chatted with our bartender, who relayed stories of his experience with Austin barbecue.
For dinner, we shared tuna tostadas and a fried chicken sandwich that was bigger than expected, then finished with a dark chocolate mousse.
Everything hit the spot, and we were happy to spend the rest of the evening relaxing at the hotel.
Breakfast at Fredericks
The next morning, we grabbed breakfast at Fredericks, the hotel's street-level cafe. I went for the avocado toast, which came on soft sourdough with a generous layer of ripe avocado, extra virgin olive oil, and sea salt.
We also tried a chocolate muffin, a cappuccino, and a refreshing mango-peach drink. The California shakshouka also caught my eye and is high on my list for next time.
Fredericks was a convenient way to start the day, but one of my favorite parts of visiting San Francisco is exploring the city's bakery scene. If you have time, I recommend pairing breakfast at the hotel with a stop at one of San Francisco's top bakeries.
Good to Know
Before booking a stay at The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco, here's useful information to keep in mind:
- Address: 495 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Neighborhood: Union Square
- Check-in: 4 p.m.
- Check-out: 11 a.m.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi: Yes
- Fitness Center: 24-hour gym on the second floor
- On-site Dining: Redwood Room and Fredericks
- Pet Friendly: Yes, with no breed or weight restrictions. Special amenities include dog beds, bowls, and waterproof mats.
- Parking: Self-parking is available at the nearby Mason O'Farrell Garage and 415 Taylor St Garage.
- Destination/Resort Fee: $39 (includes tax)
- Room Types Available: Choose from standard guest rooms, spacious junior suites, one-bedroom suites, deluxe suites, and a private apartment.
- Loyalty Program: Sonesta Travel Pass
- Nearest BART Station: Powell Station
- Website
Best for: Couples, first-time visitors to San Francisco, food and cocktail lovers, museum-goers, and travelers who want a walkable downtown base.
Final Thoughts on Staying at The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco
I've stayed at The Clift on two very different trips to San Francisco, and the hotel worked equally well both times.
Spacious rooms, a walkable Union Square location, and memorable spaces like the Redwood Room make The Clift a great choice if you want to experience downtown's energy and stay close to San Francisco's restaurants, bars, and cultural spots. I'd happily stay here again on a future visit.
On Sunday morning, we packed up and left downtown for a quieter part of the city. For the first half of our trip, though, The Clift once again proved to be a stylish, comfortable, and well-located base for exploring the heart of San Francisco.
Disclosure: My stay at The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco was provided as part of a hosted visit to San Francisco. As always, all opinions and experiences are my own.
