Sir Francis Drake Hotel - a Kimpton Hotel 
Updated regal icon reigns over downtown
This historic hotel, which opened in 1928 and was renovated in 1999, is a half-block from Union Square and right on the cable car line.
The hotel offers views from most of its 417 guestrooms, with their distinctive green-striped walls and star-print carpets.
Dressed in full beefeater regalia, the porter ushers guests into an era when San Francisco was the toast of the coast.
Hotel prices and availability
Map showing Sir Francis Drake Hotel - a Kimpton Hotel
Dining at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel - a Kimpton Hotel
Harry Denton’s Starlight Room - Dancing, cocktails, and panoramic city views from penthouse-level nightclub on the 21st floor. Live bands four nights a week; light menu. Guests sometimes spot celebrities and sports stars. Open nightly.
Caffe Espresso - This street-level café offers coffee, sandwiches, and pastries, in addition to cocktails and wine. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
Attractions near this hotel
Metropolitan Oakland Intl Airport (OAK): Approximate driving time is 40 minutes and distance is 18 miles.
Driving directions from San Francisco International Airport: Exit the airport and take US-101 N toward San Francisco. Bear right onto I-80 toward the Bay Bridge. Take the 4th St exit, and then bear left onto Bryant St and go one block. Turn left onto 3rd St and proceed five blocks, crossing Market St. When 3rd St crosses Market St, it becomes Kearney St. After crossing Market St, make an immediate left turn onto Geary St and proceed three blocks. Turn right onto Powell St and the hotel is two blocks on the right.
Driving directions from Metropolitan Oakland International Airport: Exit the airport on Hegenberger Rd. Take I-880 N toward Oakland. Take I-80 W / San Francisco / Bay Bridge, crossing over the Bay Bridge. Take the 5th St exit, which is on the left side of the interstate. Turn right onto 5th St and proceed four blocks to Market St. 5th St crosses Market St and becomes Cyril Magnin St. Continue on Cyril Magnin St for two blocks. Turn right onto O’Farrell St and go one block. Turn left onto Powell St, and the hotel is three blocks on the right.
Getting around: Walking is a popular way to get around the city at any hour, and many shops, theaters, and restaurants are close to the hotel. San Francisco’s MUNI system offers routes throughout the city via electric streetcars, cable cars, vintage trolleys, buses, and light rail. A cable car stop is located outside the hotel’s front door. All-day and three-day MUNI passes, valid for unlimited travel and transfers, cost $5–$15.
The BART rail system provides access to much of the Bay Area, including Berkeley and Oakland; the Powell Street BART station is three blocks from the hotel. Taxis are also available. Parking in the city is expensive and hard to find, but plentiful alternative transportation makes a car unnecessary. For travel to outlying areas, such as Sausalito or Napa Valley, guests can rent a car for the day, or take a tour; see the hotel concierge for tour assistance.
All prices are subject to change.
Union Square - half-block
Market Street - 3 blocks
Yerba Buena Gardens - 5 blocks
Moscone Convention Center - 0.5 mile
Financial District - 0.5 mile
Chinatown - 0.5 mile
SBC Park (Giants) - 1 mile
Historic Ferry building (public market) - 1 mile
Embarcadero - 1 mile
North Beach dining - 1 mile
Opera House - 1 mile
Fisherman’s Wharf - 1.5 miles
Union Street shops (Cow Hollow) - 2 miles
Alamo Square historic houses - 2 miles
Castro district - 3 miles
Twin Peaks viewpoint - 3.5 miles
Golden Gate Bridge - 5 miles
Ocean Beaches - 6 miles