While Chinese New Year officially began on January 23, San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade takes place this Saturday, February 11 at 6:00 p.m. and is celebrated as one of the top 10 parades in the world. Additionally, this event is the largest Chinese New Year celebration outside of Asia. It’s certainly an event you won’t want to miss!

The Chinese New Year 2012 parade route is just a few blocks away from The Pickwick Hotel, so take some time to walk over and see the floats, musical acts and performances. The parade run time is two hours.

If you’re interested in joining in the fun earlier in the day, head up to Chinatown (approximately eight blocks from The Pickwick) on Saturday morning for the annual Chinatown Community Street Fair. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about ancient Chinese calligraphy, kite-making and more.

Chinese New Year is an exciting time to be in San Francisco and we hope you enjoy the festivities! What is your favorite San Francisco landmark or attraction? We welcome you to join the conversation in the comments section below.

Here are some of Mint Plaza’s best features:

1. Blue Bottle Coffee
   You’ve probably heard by now that San Francisco has amazing coffee. Blue Bottle is among the most famous coffee roasters around. We highly recommend the New Orleans iced coffee and the mocha—made with TCHO chocolate, a local purveyor. At Blue Bottle’s Mint Plaza location you can also sit down at one of their long, communal bars to enjoy a locally sourced and organic breakfast or lunch.




2. Thermidor
   Thermidor prides itself in bringing retro food (think 1960s) to the 21st Century. Sit down in swanky mid-century surroundings and sip a classic cocktail while eating the namesake entrée—the Lobster Thermidor. Also highly recommended are the caviar and chips appetizer and the burger.




3. 54 Mint
   As described in our recent Top 5 Restaurant Picks blog post, 54 Mint serves authentic Italian fare, fantastic charcuterie, and an excellent selection of Italian wines. A great place for dinner while you are in town!




4. Chez Papa
   Chez Papa serves a mean cocktail. Stop at the bar for a drink after your conference is finished for the day or make a reservation for dinner. If you’re looking for contemporary French cuisine, this is your place.




5. Farmers’ Market
   From late July through the end of October, Mint Plaza offers a farmers’ market every Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Like much of the Bay Area, San Francisco residents take great pride in sourcing their produce seasonally and locally. Visiting one of the city’s numerous farmers’ markets while you are in town is a must!




6. Mezzanine
   Mezzanine is one of San Francisco’s nighttime hot spots. Want to catch a musical act or go out dancing? Mezzanine is the place! And with it being just across the street from The Pickwick Hotel, why not?

What are your favorite places to visit while staying at The Pickwick Hotel or in the Union Square area? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

1. SOMA Restaurant and Bar
   This new addition to San Francisco’s culinary landscape is located right here at The Pickwick Hotel! From the fresh warm bread you are served upon arrival, to the beautifully presented and delicious entrees, to decadent desserts, each part of SOMA’s menu is carefully executed and delicious. SOMA is an great place to dine for a quiet lunch or a comforting dinner your first night in town.




2. 54 Mint
   Located in Mint Plaza, 54 Mint is just across the street from The Pickwick and is an excellent choice for authentic Italian fare. The charcuterie is impeccable and each dish is delicious and expertly prepared. 54 Mint boasts a wonderful Italian wine list as well. Not to be missed!




3. Bluestem Brasserie
   Also new on the scene, Bluestem Brasserie is only a few blocks away from The Pickwick. Make a reservation for dinner or show up last minute to sit in their chic lounge and enjoy expertly crafted cocktails and appetizers. The menu is meat-centric but the soups, seasonal salads and pasta offerings are just as excellent.




4. Out The Door
   Perhaps receiving a dining recommendation for a local shopping mall food court makes you do a double take. We don’t blame you! However, once you visit local restaurateur Charles Phan’s Out The Door in the Westfield San Francisco Centre food court, you’ll never see food court dining the same way again. At Out The Door you have the option to sit down for full table service or order food to go at a separate counter. Out The Door is the more casual younger sister to the Ferry Building’s Slanted Door and serves delicious Vietnamese food. We recommend the steam buns. Delicious!




5. Annabelle’s Bar and Bistro
   Annabelle’s Bar and Bistro is only a block away from The Pickwick and serves deliciously comforting American fare. Sit at the bar and relax or grab a table and have a meal. Annabelle’s is an unassuming yet an excellent dining establishment. Great pizza too!

1. What is your role at The Pickwick Hotel?
I am The Pickwick Hotel’s Concierge and Bell Captain.

2. How long have you worked at The Pickwick?
22 Years

3. What is your favorite aspect of working as a concierge and bell captain?
I really enjoy the customer service aspect of my job. There is nothing I like more than helping our guests find a wonderful restaurant or put together a perfect tour of San Francisco.

4. What is your most memorable experience working at The Pickwick Hotel?
One time, a guest requested that I play the role of a waiter and serve food while he proposed to his girl. She said, “Yes.”

5. Can you tell us something unique about yourself?
I want to sing but I don’t have the voice and I want to dance but I have two left feet. I love people and I love what I do.

Come stay with us soon and meet Louie in person! We look forward to serving you. Make a reservation today!

Naval Aviation celebrates its 100th year in 2011, making this year’s Fleet Week extra special. Did you know that Naval Aviation was born right here in in San Francisco? On January 18, 1911, Eugene B. Ely took off in his Curtiss pusher biplane from the Tanforan racetrack in San Bruno. Thousands of people converged to watch as he landed to plane onto the USS Pennsylvania, which was anchored by the San Francisco waterfront.

Each year Bay Area residents gather to watch the Blue Angels perform in commemoration of this event. We hope you enjoy experiencing this exciting event while you visit San Francisco!

One of our favorites is Yerba Buena Gardens, just a block away from The Pickwick Hotel. The possibilities are endless here!

Gardens

The Esplanade

There are several gardens to explore and the Yerba Buena property provides a beautifully manicured outdoor space that few would expect to see in a city center. While you’re here, take time to explore the 5.5 acre street level esplanade, upper terrace, fountain, waterfall and sculptures, Sister City Gardens and the native species butterfly garden.  The gardens here are certainly a great place to catch your breath on a break from meetings or your busy conference schedule.

Entertainment

Samovar

After you’ve explored the gardens, you’ll probably be hungry. There are some great choices within Yerba Buena Gardens to sit down for a quick bite or a full meal. Our favorite is Samovar. This local tea lounge serves expertly prepared tea from around the world along with a wonderful selection of snacks, sweet treats and meals. Jillian’s is a classic sports bar in the Metreon, located by the esplanade, and the nearby ZEUM Café serves hot dogs and burritos.

Yerba Buena Gardens also has an extensive and well-curated event schedule. Catch a movie at the Metreon, see a play at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, or enjoy a free afternoon concert with the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival.

Children’s Attractions

Zeum Carousel

Yerba Buena Gardens is a great place to bring your kids, too! Head to the upper terrace where you’ll find the children’s garden and a vintage carousel that was originally designed for San Francisco’s deceased amusement park Playland-at-the-Beach. The fun continues with the hedge labyrinth and interactive play circle.

Convenient, beautiful and multi-dimensional, Yerba Buena Gardens—like San Francisco itself—has it all.

The Pickwick Hotel

A little history of our hotel: built in 1926, The Pickwick Hotel features neo-gothic architecture and a seven-story corner sign, creating a film-noire feel that transports guests back to era of Sam Spade and Femme Fatales.  Currently undergoing renovations, The Pickwick Hotel retains its beautiful vintage style in the lobby and guest rooms.

The Pickwick Hotel Lobby

The Pickwick Corporation was originally founded as Limited Imperial Valley Stage Line in 1915—a San Diego-based stagecoach company. The company’s name was soon changed to Pickwick Stage Lines.

In 1926, The Pickwick Corporation—under new ownership—expanded the business to include hotel accommodations, with our hotel in downtown San Francisco being the first hotel property opened by the corporation.

In 1929, Pickwick Stages officially merged with Greyhound Lines, their logo being the running greyhound dog the bus line is still famous for today.

Dashiell Hammett

If the façade of the hotel seems familiar, that might be because it was featured in one of San Francisco’s most beloved novels—Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon.

Today, guests at The Pickwick Hotel are walking distance from the Westfield Mall, Powell Street, Mint Plaza, Yerba Buena Gardens, the Ferry Building, San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art, numerous restaurants and so much more.

In coming posts we’ll explore some of our favorite places to visit in San Francisco. Do you have a favorite landmark or restaurant in San Francisco? Let us know in the comments section below!