*Disclosure: we received our stay to facilitate this post.
On our recent California road trip, we made stops in North Bend, Oregon, San Fransisco, Hollywood, and San Diego, California on our way down South. We enjoyed amazing scenery from the Redwood Forests, coastal waves, sea stacks, to orchards, vineyards and large fields of cattle ranches.
The drive into San Fransisco from the North on the 101 means you get to cross the iconic Golden Gate Bridge as you come into the city. Unfortunately, and also typically, it was foggy as we came in, but we still caught a glimpse as we drove across.
After a long day with many hours in the car from Oregon, we headed straight to our hotel, the Hilton San Fransisco Union Square in the heard of the shopping and bustle of the city.
The Hilton San Fransisco Union Square is conveniently located close to cable cars, transit and all the shopping you could possibly want. It’s a massive hotel with three towers and a nice blend of families, tourists, and business travelers.
We stayed on the 19th floor in a Junior Suite which was perfect for us, with two queen beds and a pull-out couch. I love having a couch in the room not only for the third child to sleep on but also for Mike and I to watch some TV after the girls have gone to sleep.
Also, we travel with a folding single mattress and sleeping bag when driving, so this meant each of my daughters got to have their own bed for the two nights we stayed at the Hilton Union Square, which made them each immensely happy and we felt a little more spread out.
Contents
DINING
There are plenty of options at the hotel, including at the Parq 55 across the street, a Hilton hotel. We had dinner over there on our first night, as it’s more casual and lounge-feeling. The girls raved about the mac & cheese (it was SO good, I tried it too!) at the Cable 55 restaurant.
For breakfast, the Poached buffet has a massive selection including hot and cold American options, breads, pastries, European salad bar and even Dim Sum. ($39/adult, $15 <10yrs old)
There is a café with plenty of snack options, fine dining option and the Urban Tavern which is a casual upscale diner option. We had dinner on our last night here, the girls all enjoyed the kids menu and I had the best pasta Bolognese I’ve ever had. They call it the 8-hour Bolognese and I wouldn’t be surprised if it took them eight hours to prepare this dish. It was so flavourful with heavy garlic and freshly made noodles. I’ll be dreaming of that dish for a long time.
The hotel is also within walking distance to a very long list of other dining options.
AMENITIES
The hotel includes a nice fitness center that Mike took advantage of (he’s a bit of a gym rat) and a pool and hot tub on the 16th floor of tower 3. The pool is warm, thankfully, as the weather in San Francisco in the Summer months can be quite cool. It was cloudy and about 14 degrees Celsius during our stay.
PARKING
Parking comes at a premium anywhere in San Francisco so expect to pay quite a bit if you’re driving or renting a car in the city. Parking at the hotel is $55/night if you’re a guest, $70/day otherwise. If you’re the least bit claustrophobic you will not enjoy driving through and parking in this parkade! We drove in and I immediately wanted to get out. We had to drive up a narrow, low enclosed driveaway all the way up to the eighth floor and then the parking spots and driving spaces are very tight. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough and I’m not even claustrophobic.
I also wrote about what do with kids in San Fransisco here!
