Bright, marine, tropical, ’80s. If all of these things describe the Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf, it’s most shocking that it occupies a part of territory considered San Francisco (see below!)
We were impressed by the room service but felt isolated in a location where cabs are harder to come by.
SoBa, first coined by Bill Tickner in late May 2008, refers to the diverse enclave of people and culture found South of Bay Street within the region of Greater San Francisco. SoBa, which lies between the Pacific Ocean and Bay of San Francisco, is bordered on the south by the 37th parallel, also referred to as Cesar Chavez Street. Known for its raucous street fairs, naked parades, and involuntary facial tick for activism, SoBa has struggled to form an identity apart from its regal and elegant big sister The Marina.
Like other border territories, SoBa has long been overlooked as a vestigial appendage to The Marina and has only now surfaced as a possible future player in the region. An attempt to fashion a sense of community out of the chaos, the district’s annual Pride Festival maintains residents within the confines of South-Central SoBa, allowing funnel cake and flogger vendors from Berkeley access to an emerging market. Similarly the Folsom Street Fair, held in the crack between summer and fall, has put East SoBa on the map as a refuge in which the population can decompress before repatriating to Craigslist.
Though the lion’s share of excitement resides in the scenic Marina, the area of SoBa has attempted to capture what’s left of the spare change. Each year SoBa residents participate in the Bay to Breakers 10k power walk from the very tip of East SoBa to the far West. Dressed in elaborate costumes cruised from things lying around the house, bands of participants riot in the streets of SoBa as they amble from East to West like grain alcohol-fueled hybrid vehicles.
Featured Hotel
Clift Hotel
With the dark wood paneling of a former bank building, the Clift Hotel's Redwood Room is the perfect place to grab an after-work drink (or throw an all-out birthday bash). The video portraits on the walls with faces that slowly blink or turn from side to side are reminiscent of the Haunted Mansion. As part of Ian Schrager's famed hotel group and more recently a pinnacle of the Morgans Hotel Group, the Clift Hotel is a notable venue for its boutique rustic luxury. Some may say that the lobby is too dark, but we say all the better for those of us LA vampires. Built in 1913 and immediately catapulted forward by the Morgans team, the Clift Hotel is on the cutting edge of lifestyle design. As one of the first epicenters for locals as well as tourists, the Clift Hotel has powered many … Read More about Clift Hotel
Let’s Take San Francisco
We love fast and hot, blurred and intemperate. We love dub in the street, gelato in North Beach, sparkling Mumm rosé on a gorgeous afternoon. We love Soba, Noba, coffee at the Ferry Building, and morning pastries at Tartine. A city to drive it like you stole it, wear it like you made it, DJ til you're famous, and start a corporation - while the East Bay sleeps.
What’s Happening In SF?
The St. Regis - We love love love this cavernous lobby bar, with a modern and slightly Asiatic sensibility. From the fresh seasonal flowers to the towering Christmas tree and sparkling lights, the lobby provides the perfect setting for the beginning of the night or the end. One of the few bars in town with top-notch bar snacks, we’re addicted to the cheese puffs, a light and delicious crisp of Parmesan and cheddar.