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The Roman "Fountain of the Tortoises" at the center of Nob Hill's Huntington Park.
WHAT'S IT LIKE?
Nob Hill is one of San Francisco's signature neighborhoods, renowned for its city landmarks and the famous hotels that border Huntington Park. For those who explore further, it also reveals unexpected facets. In addition to its swanky character, the area is influenced by the diverse personalities of the downtown neighborhoods that surround it, making it an intriguing place to visit.
The area's reputation of privilege dates back to Gold Rush times, when cable car lines made the hilltop accessible and the railroad barons and bonanza kings built their mansions there, far above the rowdiness of the bawdy waterfront. Luxury hotels now stand in the place of those original palaces, and when you hike to the top of the hill, historic buildings such as the Fairmont Hotel and the Flood Mansion are undeniably impressive, as are the lush cascades of bougainvillea and the genteel apartment buildings with their wedding-cake facades.
Venture away from Huntington Square and the terrain starts to change. Chinese temples and small businesses spill over from Chinatown, and over towards Union Square you find upscale boutiques. Funky shops and dive bars lie along the blurred edges of the Tenderloin (an area known as the Tender Nob), and the Polk Street boundary is lined with nightclubs and popular bars.
Some parts of the neighborhood feel frozen in time. The hill is dotted with vintage barber shops, old corner coffee shops and cocktail lounges from bygone decades. Nob Hill has also been home to some iconic San Francisco characters. Legendary columnist Herb Caen lived in the Brocklebank building, across from the Fairmont Hotel, and the neighborhood is currently home to Marian and Vivian Brown, the famous "San Francisco twins," known for their signature identical outfits.
It can be difficult to distinguish the precise boundaries of the Nob Hill neighborhood. This guide covers an area roughly bordered by Polk, Post, Mason and Washington Streets.
For more information on events, history and local issues, see the Nob Hill Association Web site at www.nobhillassociation.org.
SIGHTS & CULTURE
Cable Car Museum: The City by the Bay boasts the only operating cable car system in the world; if you want to be a true San Franciscan, it pays to brush up on your cable car facts. This free museum is housed in the city's cable car barn and powerhouse, a large brick structure, and features displays of historic cable cars, as well as live views of the winding machinery and cables for the Hyde, California, Mason and Powell lines, all in action. The small gift shop is crammed with a dizzying number of cable car souvenirs. 1201 Mason St., (415) 474-1887. (Web site)
Grace Cathedral Episcopal Church: The West Coast's largest Episcopal cathedral looms over Huntington Park with Gothic splendor, an imposing replacement for the original 1849 Gold Rush chapel. Of special interest are the cathedral's stained glass, its bronze doors (casts of those made by Lorenzo Ghiberti for the Baptistry in Florence), frequent concerts, and its pair of labyrinths. Circular paths of inlaid patterned coils, the labyrinths are intended for contemplative walking. The outdoor labyrinth is made of terrazzo stone, and the indoor path is woolen tapestry. 1100 California St., (415) 749-6300. (Web site/concert schedule)
Huntington Park: After the 1906 earthquake and fire destroyed the grand home of Arabella Huntington, widow of railroad baron Collis P. Huntington, she donated the land to the City of San Francisco to be used as a public park. The classic square forms the heart of Nob Hill, and with its shady benches and children's playground it makes an inviting place to pause after a hike up the hill. The Fountain of the Tortoises, a replica of one in Rome, features a mélange of cavorting turtles and nymphs and is lit by eight underwater halogen lamps that, during the holidays, are changed from clear to red, amber and green. At Jones and Taylor Sts.
Lumiere Theatre: Named for the Lumiere brothers, French pioneers of cinema, this art house screens independent films, foreign releases and documentaries. The space includes one large screen and two smaller screens. 1572 California St., (415) 421-8497. (Web site)
RESTAURANTS
Big 4 Restaurant: It takes its name from the four powerful storied railroad tycoons of San Francisco history, and has a suitably old-boys-club feeling, with dark wood paneling and memorabilia on the walls. The menu does feature the big steaks you'd expect at a place like this, as well as the occasional wild game entrée special, but also makes room for creative contemporary dishes. With nightly piano music in the bar. 1075 California St., (415) 474-5400. (Web site)
Café Bean: Dig into Dutch pancakes and breakfast omelettes, in addition to hot and cold sandwiches and other standard café fare at this cozy corner coffee shop. 800 Sutter St., (415) 346-1687.
Fleur de Lys: Veteran chef Hubert Keller has returned to his Alsatian roots with a new, fixed-price menu, giving an elegant turn to homey fare. The extraordinary four-star meals are $65 for three courses, $72 for four and $80 for five. The atmosphere is top-notch as well: Dining under the velveteen tent is a magical, slightly exotic experience, transporting diners to another world, a thousand miles away from the urban hustle and bustle right outside the door. (-- SF Chronicle and SF Gate) 777 Sutter St. (between Taylor and Jones), (415) 673-7779. (Chronicle Review)
Gallery Café: Located across from the Cable Car Museum, this bright, spacious café is a good place to refuel on fresh sandwiches, coffee and pastries. It also offers a great view of the cable cars coming back to the barn. 1200 Mason St., (415) 296-9932.
Grubstake: Though at heart it's simply a diner, there's a lot that stands out about Grubstake, not least its memorable name. Part of the restaurant is housed in a rail car, a remnant of the Key Line, and the menu lists a number of Portuguese dishes along with its burgers, milkshakes and breakfast fare. Best of all, considering its proximity to the Polk St. night spots, it's open until 4 a.m. 1525 Pine St., (415) 673-8268. (Web site)
Il Cartoccio: When you need a pasta fix and are far from North Beach, this petite restaurant off the lobby of the Nob Hill Hotel is your ace in the hole. The gnocchi in lemon cream sauce in particular is to die for. 835 Hyde St., (415) 440-6094.
Miller's East Coast West Delicatessen: Homesick New Yorkers unite at this taste of the Big Apple. Look for mile-high pastrami sandwiches, baseball-sized matzo balls and some of the chewiest, crustiest bagels in town served with a classic Nova lox platter. The interior is reminiscent of an East Coast deli, with long counters and unadorned tables. Grab a dozen potato knishes to go, or at least one black-and-white cookie for the ride home. (-SF Chronicle) 1725 Polk St. (near Clay), (415) 563-3542. (Chronicle Review/Bargain Bites 2004)
Nob Hill Café: Choose from pastas, pizzas and entrees at this neighborhood restaurant, a traditional Italian establishment consisting of a subdued dining room and a louder café room. 1152 Taylor St., (415) 776-6500. (Chronicle Review)
Polk Street Station Diner: A hybrid of an old-style diner and a contemporary restaurant, Polk Street Station keeps the best of the old, such as burgers and generous breakfast plates, while updating the formula with menu items such as fresh fish dishes, hearty pastas and uncommon entrees like fried quail. The pervasive train theme harkens back to a bygone era, with historic photos dotting the walls and a model train clattering overhead on a suspended track. 1356 Polk St., (415) 776-8899.
Slider's Diner: One bite of a juicy 8-ounce grilled-to-order burger will make you forget the down-at-the-heels environs. Sliders' also offers other diner classics such as grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, chili and thick-cut fries. Save room for a milkshake, too. 1204 Sutter St. (at Polk); (415) 885-3288. (Bargain Bites 2004)
Swan Oyster Depot: This venerable seafood counter has been in business since 1912, and owned by the Sancimino family since 1946: it's safe to say Swan knows its daily catch. Pull up a stool (or wait in line for one), and feast like a king in this eminently casual establishment, where the only seating is a marble counter stocked with lemon wedges, Tabasco sauce, oyster crackers, and other seafood essentials. Choose from seafood salads and cocktails, lobster, Dungeness crab and, of course, Swan's signature mollusk. You can also pick up some fresh fish to cook at home. Note: closes at 5:30 pm. 1517 Polk St., (415) 673-1101. (Chronicle Review)
Venticello: Rustic and warm-hued, this Tuscan country restaurant serves interpretations of comforting classic Italian dishes. Two levels of dining offer views across the city, spanning to the Bay Bridge. A wood-fired oven trimmed in blue tile turns out fresh focaccia and roasted portobello mushrooms. 1257 Taylor St., (415) 922-2545. (Chronicle Review)
For more Nob Hill restaurants, check out these Chronicle reviews.
SHOPPING
Argonaut Book Shop: Thought to be an inspiration for the Argosy Book Shop in Hitchcock's "Vertigo" (in which the owner was a local expert on San Francisco lore), the Argonaut is a treasure trove of books on the history of California and the American West. It also has good collections on the American Civil War, American railroads, regional Americana, antiques and maritime books. 786 Sutter St., (415) 474-9067. (Web site)
KAYO Books: Fans of esoteric and offbeat books will be bowled over by the selection at this palace of pulp fiction. Tidy, bright and smelling deliciously of old paperbacks, the two-story shop stocks such cult genres as Juvenile Delinquency, Hobos and Trains, Bachelors, Catholic Guilt and Sleaze. It also carries good selections of science fiction, mysteries and comics. 814 Post St., (415) 749-0554. (Web site)
You Say Tomato: Englishman David Kidd sells all snacks British here, such as jams and conserves, oodles of hard candy, biscuits (cookies to us), Cross & Blackwell's Branston pickles and interesting crisps (chips) in flavors like prawn cocktail, beef, chicken and pickled onion. An old-fashioned freezer chest holds a few frozen items, including black pudding, white pudding and California-made meat pies. Twinings teas are sold, both in the version made for export to the United States and the stronger kind made for consumption in Britain. (SF Chronicle/SF Gate) 1526 California St. (near Polk Street), (415) 921-2828. (Web site)
NIGHTLIFE
Bigfoot Lodge: Taxidermy trophies and antler accoutrements dot the premises of this kitschy log-cabin-themed bar, where a 9-foot-tall resin Sasquatch presides over the pseudo-rustic scene. Happy campers can circle around the fake fireplace and sample drink specials such as the Toasted Marshmallow, the Forest Fire and the Girl Scout Cookie. Wednesday through Saturday DJs spin an eclectic rock-and-roll mix. 1750 Polk St., (415) 440-2355. (Web site)
Café Royale: A sleek café-bar that boasts an extensive beer and wine list and a menu of sophisticated café fare, Café Royale fosters a creative vibe with rotating art exhibits and live music. Marble-topped tables and a pair of crescent-shaped velvet sofas complete the upscale beatnik atmosphere. If you're in a social mood, settle in by one of the large street-front windows; for a more intimate evening head for the secluded mezzanine balcony. 800 Post St., (415) 441-4099.
Hyde Out: An easygoing neighborhood bar that keeps the customers satisfied with free popcorn, 30 beers on tap and the option of second floor seating for a bird's-eye-view of the scene. 1068 Hyde St., (415) 441-1914.
John Barleycorn: This little pub is good place to cozy up by the fire with a whiskey or a pint on a foggy night or after a movie around the corner at the Lumiere. 1415 Larkin St., (415) 771-1620.
Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar: The Fairmont Hotel's campy tropical lounge and restaurant is a local institution, a cavernous tiki fantasy uniting tourists, conventioneers and kitsch-seekers in rum-soaked harmony. A top-40 band plays nightly, floating aboard a raft in the room's central lagoon, buffeted by the misty monsoons that periodically rain from the ceiling, topping off the Mai Tais of nearby patrons. The restaurant specializes in Pacific Rim cuisine, and the weeknight happy hour features an all-you-can-eat buffet and half-price fruity cocktails. 950 Mason St., (415) 772-5283.
Top of the Mark: This landmark bar is the quintessential special-occasion spot: whether you've just popped the question, sold your first novel or are otherwise on top of the world, its panoramic views make you feel like you own the city. Try a signature cocktail such as the Golden Gate or the Alcatraz, take a spin on the mahogany dance floor or indulge in a prix fixe dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, or champagne brunch on Sunday. Located on the top floor of the Mark Hopkins Inter-Continental Hotel, 999 California St., (415) 392-3434. (Web site)
Borderline Tenderloin spots: While these may be on the fence between Nob Hill and the 'Loin, their ambiance is definitely grittier than most of the spots mentioned above. With its smoking patio, uberhip jukebox and prime nightlife locale, Hemlock Tavern (1131 Polk St.) has become a hot spot for scenesters, rockers and all other sorts of die-hard drinkers. Local and touring rock bands make the roughly 100-person-capacity space one of San Francisco's most intimate and hottest -- figuratively and literally -- places to see shows. Divas (1081 Post St.) is a serious tranny bar which consists of three floors: There are shows on the ground level, a dance area on the second and a quieter bar area on the third that serves as a refuge from the wildlife below. See the Tenderloin neighborhood guide for more about these places.
Credit by : http://www.sfgate.com/neighborhoods/sf/nobhill/
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