Classy Hotel Drisco in Pacific Heights, San Francisco

Unless you have very wealthy relations, you won’t find much in the way of lodgings in lovely Pacific Heights, a genteel residential neighborhood with comely mansions, artfully manicured lawns, and a couple of the city’s top private elementary schools.

Perched up high overlooking the entire north bay, spanning from Alcatraz to the Golden Gate Bride, “Pac Heights” is the location of the original San Francisco Gold Coast, where silver barons and railroad tycoons built lavish homes along Broadway, Jackson and Pacific Streets in the late 19th century.

But here you will find classy Hotel Drisco, a Joie de Vivre property, blending seamlessly into this landscape. I was invited to spend the night with my family a few months ago and we arrived in late afternoon to check in.

The city view suite has two bedrooms, two baths and a sitting area.

Our city view suite was like having a room –no a wing– at that afore-mentioned relative’s home. Three large rooms with cream-colored walls, wainscoting, crown moldings. and gold carpets flowed together like an apartment or could be annexed off by pocket doors. Crisp white linens covered the beds and a large writing desk worthy of a detective novel was poised before the windows. There were three flatscreen televisions, two sparkling, modern bathrooms (with tubs!), and a bowl of fresh fruit in the comfy sitting room that had a pullout sofa bed. You could sleep six people here.

Charming details abounded like little alcoves, window seats, antique prints and maps on the walls and the key – a real, brass key not a flimsy piece of plastic that gets demagnetized in your wallet.

Thrilled with our guest quarters, we ventured out to check out the views and climb down the Lyon Street Steps. The steps are nearby, adjacent to the Presidio, and have a stunning view of the Palace of Fine Arts, the St. Francis Yacht Club, the bay, and Marin beyond. Even in mid-February, the gardens that surround the steps were lush and beautiful in a fussy way.

The Lyon Street steps have amazing views.

We made it back for wine hour, civilized despite my two-year-old drinking apple juice from a wine glass and climbing up the back of the loveseat. The elegant dining room with sage walls and classical music playing is used for evening wine service and a well-stocked breakfast of croissants, bagels, yogurt, oatmeal, a cheese and charcuterie plate, fruit, and espresso drinks.

The 24-hour, reasonably priced room service offers gourmet panini for $8.75.

Once back ensconced in our room with the fog rolling in, I never wanted to leave. Hotel Drisco has that effect.

2901 Pacific Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94115
P: 415.346.2880 | F: 415.567.5537
Reservations: 1.800.634.7277

Photos Credit: Friscomama.com