The San Remo




I extended my stay in San Francisco by two days. I had planned to travel to Monterey, but I was having such a fun time in the Bay area, I didn't want to leave. Plus, I was staying at the great San Remo Hotel in the North Beach section of San Francisco. The San Remo is within walking distance of Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, Coit Tower, and other attractions.


The San Remo started life as the New California Hotel, built after the 1906 earthquake to house the sailors, fisherman, laborers and even chocolate makers who would help rebuild the city. It was restored to its Victorian splendor.


This very affordable and classy little hotel of 62 uniquely furnished rooms is a cross between a European pensiones and a Old West Inn. I stayed in two different rooms. Above and below is the first.


The second room was decorated with sheet music of songs with the word Smile in the title. It was charming!



Below is a window in my second room. The rooms had windows everywhere, even onto the hallways!


As much as I liked the cozy rooms, I liked the common areas even better. 


Lots of greenery and cool, framed prints, posters, and old ads on the walls.


A little reading nook with a massage chair!


The Victorians do like their stuff.




They also like Christmas, and there were lots of holiday decorations going up, including evergreens, which made the hallways fragrant.




One of the reasons the San Remo is reminiscent of an Old West Inn is because the bathrooms are shared.


I know that would be a deal breaker for some, and I wasn't really looking forward to it. But it was no problem. First of all, the staff keeps the showers, sinks, and toilets immaculate and well-stocked. I never had to wait either.


Things were well marked, too :) One of my minor complaints about California is that they don't have enough signs. Well, the San Remo feels my pain and they made up for it in a big way. Take a look!



Love the adventurous attitude! And also the practical suggestions!


Ha! "In the event of an earthquake, stay calm. . ." It is difficult to remain calms when the floors and walls are moving!


When I saw that one of the amenities in the bedrooms was earplugs, I got a little nervous. But all the guests abided by the above rule. The hotel was as quiet as a church after 10.


Have to return again and maybe stay in the Penthouse! I believe it has its own bathroom!


This hasn't really been an eating vacation and I, alas, did not go to the oldest Italian restaurant in the United States. Next time!


This was an ad that ran during the War (i.e. WWII) asking people not to come to San Francisco as the city had all it could do to care for soldiers, sailors, and war workers.


I really need to keep this philosophy in mind.


Great California vehicle in front of the San Remo Hotel. 

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