Cityscape in San Francisco is a Must See

courtesy of Cityscape Lounge

I rarely get the opportunity to stay the night in San Francisco. On the occasions when I was there with my ex-husband or ex-boyfriend, we would end up dancing at the Starlight Room. Located on the 21st floor of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, it gave you a great view of Union Square while enjoying a lively night of socializing and dancing.

courtesy of Cityscape

Now there is a new old place for the most spectacular views of San Francisco. Make your way up to the 46th floor of the Hilton at Union Square to the newly reopened Cityscape Lounge.  Originally opened in 1971, it has been closed to the public since 2008 while it was used for private parties only. It is now open to the public from 5 to midnight every day.

What makes Cityscape so outstanding is the breathtaking 360 degree views through 14 foot floor to ceiling windows. It also helps that the Hilton's Tower 1 benefits from not having any other skyscrapers directly around it to obstruct the view. From this vantage point you can see:

• the Golden Gate Bridge
• part of the Bay Bridge
• Angel Island
• Coit Tower
• Union Square
• Nob Hill
• even Mt. Diablo over the top of the Oakland Hills!

toward Angel Island

The Lounge itself is two levels. The center is where the bar is and there is plenty of seating at a higher level which provides a more expansive vantage point. The lower level has comfy couch seating at the windows for great distance views. All or part of the lounge can be reserved for private parties and events. In our case, we were at the northeast corner of the building with views spanning the Golden Gate to the Bay Bridge. 

To get to Cityscape, go to the Hilton on O'Farrell Street and look for the Tower 1 elevators behind registration. 

More pictures:

Some of the highlights from the locally-inspired menu include:

»      Avocado Hummus with farmer’s market vegetables, unfiltered olive oil and lavosh

»      Spiced Cucumbers with sesame, crushed chile, scallion and burnt peanut

»      Ahi-Salmon-Hamachi Poke, sweet onion, inamona jus, micro wasabi and lotus root chips

»      Dungeness Crab with spicy giardineria, natural tobiko and grilled brioche

»      Cheese and Charcuterie with beet pickled egg, quince, grain mustard and lavosh

Signature cocktails include:

»      Nob Hill Manhattan

»      Noe Valley Old Fashioned

»      Pacific Heights – Martell Cordon Bleu Cognac, Cointreau and squeeze of lemon

»      Presidio – Maestro Dobel Diamond Tequila, St. Germain, ruby red grapefruit and lime

center lounge area

bar

toward Oakland at sunset

Golden Gate to Angel Island

courtesy of Cityscape Lounge