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Thankfully, San Francisco is full of wine bars and a burgeoning urban winery scene, offering a taste of what lies across the Bay. For an introductory course in all things California wine, look to the one that’s been around since it all started. The staff at the California Wine Merchant, operating in its 45^th year, has been educating and connecting the Marina neighborhood with great California wine, from the more well-known brands to smaller labels you're unlikely to see anywhere else. Next, try a tasting flight at the Winery Collective in Fisherman’s Wharf. The wines found here represent small, boutique wineries from all over the state, typically only available within California.

However, if you’d like to get out of the city without really leaving the city, hop on over to Treasure Island! Though the island used to serve as a navy base in WWII, Treasure Island has since transformed itself into an urban winery destination. The original, Treasure Island Wines, is known for their artisanal takes on familiar classics like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, while also providing a home for a few other small California brands. Next, head to Sottomarino Winery for a uniquely Treasure Island experience. Housed in a repurposed “submarine” training vessel, Sottomarino pays homage to history by embracing Treasure Island’s past and old-world winemaking techniques. Finally, walk on over to Sol Rouge and Vie Winery for Rhone specialty wines, bocce ball, and beautiful views of the Bay. Of course, if you’re in the mood for a little wine with dinner, our on-site restaurant, Tratto, offers a selection of wine, featuring the best of the West.

To get you started, we here at The Marker San Francisco and our sister property Hotel Spero invite you to check out the suggestions listed below.

Tratto – Dine, trattoria-style, on exquisite rustic Italian food and drink amid our unique ambiance.   

111 Minna Gallery - Featuring two full bars and rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, 111 Minna also offers film screenings, dance performances, and top-notch DJs.

Bar Fluxus - Named “Best New Bar” and “Best Cocktail Bar” by SF Weekly, this downtown art bar with themed-night live music is ideal for a pre-prandial cocktail or an after-dinner libation.

Madrone (Music Art Drinks are One) Art Bar

An art and cocktail environment featuring live performance and rotating installations of multi-media art. Crowds and themes change nightly, but don’t miss the Dirty Rotten Dance Party every First Friday.

Museum of 3D Illusions - Far from conventional, this fun and artsy experience combines visual perception and the magic of illusion.

Lastly, be sure to check out the amazing collections and exhibits at SF MOMA, the deYoung Museum, and the Legion of Honor.

The Book of Mormon

Showing at The Golden Gate Theatre from March 31−May 26, this hilarious musical comedy from the hilarious team of Trey Parker and Matt Stone is revolutionary, outrageous, and boasts an amazing nine Tony Awards.

A Chorus Line

This singular sensation of the late 1970s won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, along with nine Tony Awards, due to its poignant portrayal of the unsung heroes of the chorus. Featuring the marvelous music of Marvin Hamlisch, A Chorus Line will be coming April 11−May 10 to the Victoria Theater.

The Rocky Horror Show

Formerly screened only to cult fans at Halloween, this fun and funky cross-dressing creation of Richard O’Brien has come into its own and is a Broadway smash. Join Rocky, Brad, Janet, Dr. Frankenfurter, and the rest of the cast at A.C.T.’s Geary Theater from April 23−May 17, and get ready to do the Time Warp, again.

 Mean Girls

The Golden Gate Theatre will play host to Tina Fey’s brilliant and hysterical musical comedy from June 30−August 2. Bringing a wicked sense of humor and a devilish perspective on high school cliques, this 12-time Tony-nominated show is a must-see.

My Fair Lady

Don’t miss this delightful and classic romantic comedy. Coming to the Golden Gate Theater from August 5−30 and nominated for several Tony Awards, this “loverly” story of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins is like an antique cameo—precious and timeless.

(Not My) Home for Holidays Package

Warm, spiked milk punch, house-made cookies from our own Tratto restaurant, and personalized framed photographs are only a sample of what we’ll do to make your family feel at home here at The Marker. We’ll also deduct 20% - 30% off three-to-four-night stays. Contact us at reservations@themarkersf.com to save the dates.

Wizard's Dream Package

Enjoy an enchanting stay featuring warm and wizarding robes, customized in your chosen house colors along with cozy throws and duvets. Curl up with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and don’t worry if you can’t finish it while you’re here—it’s yours to take home, along with the robes. No need to board a train to Scotland for this one—just call us at (415) 351-7659 or email reservations@themarkersf.com.

Levity Offers

Burned out on bad news? While we all want to keep up with current events, it’s often easy to become bogged down by the bad. However, The Marker’s brand-new Levity Menu, which was recently featured in Forbes, will soon have those positive vibes flowing freely. To make your holidays merrier and brighter, call us at (415) 351-7659 or email reservations@themarkersf.com.

Etsy Holiday Pop Up

Save the date of December 11 and grab that Christmas gift list for this special holiday event. The Marker and SF Etsy have partnered to celebrate San Francisco's diverse artistic communities. This seasonal market will feature work from dozens of local artists, jewelry makers, and more, including mini-makeovers, compliments of Christina Choi and her new cosmetic line. Don’t leave without a copy of the inaugural SF Etsy Coloring Book and making a bid for printed artwork from it, which benefits a variety of local charities.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Recently making its San Francisco debut at the Curran Theatre, the magic continues live on-stage with the eighth story in the Harry Potter series. Since its London premiere in 2016, it has won over 25 awards, including six Tony Awards.

Hamilton

Telling the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton through song and rap, this production of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway smash hit will be showing at the Orpheum Theatre through January 5, 2020.

Beach Blanket Babylon

A beloved San Francisco tradition, this pop-culture satire has been proclaimed a "must-see," by the San Francisco Chronicle. Seen by millions around the world, this outrageous musical revue can be seen at Club Fugazi for its final run through the end of the holiday season.

A Christmas Carol

We all know it just wouldn’t be Christmas without a performance of this cherished Charles Dickens classic. Complete with ghosts, Scrooge, and Tiny Tim, you can catch A Christmas Carol from November 29 - December 24 at the A.C.T. Geary Theatre.

San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker

Next month, experience San Francisco Ballet’s 75th Anniversary of performing Tchaikovsky’s enchanting ballet. Be dazzled by elaborate scenery and over 150 costumed characters by a Tony Award-winning design team. Performances will be held at the War Memorial Opera House from December 11th through December 29th.

Diego Rivera

One of the most influential Mexican artists in the art world, Rivera left his three-mural mark on San Francisco. "The Allegory of California," located at the City Club of San Francisco, can only be viewed by a scheduled guided tour. The San Francisco Art Institute’s Diego Rivera Gallery is home to "The Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City," and permits public viewing. At 22 feet tall, 75 feet wide, and five separate panels, "Pan American Unity" can be seen at City College’s Diego Rivera Theater, but visitors should call to confirm the mural is open to the public. Free tours of all the Diego Rivera murals are available from San Francisco City Guides.

Coit Tower Murals

These iconic landmarks were created as part of the Public Works of Art Project, one of the first New Deal initiatives to provide employment for artists following the Great Depression. Largely inspired by the murals of Diego Rivera, 27 artists worked together to produce murals showcasing daily life, workers, and events of the era. The murals are open for public viewing, except for those located in the stairway, which require arranged tours.

Mission Murals

For the greatest concentration of San Francisco murals, look no further to the Mission District. From the 1970s continuing on to today, the Mission District has been home for a variety of different murals and themes. Visit Balmy St. where it all began and Clarion Alley where there’s hardly any unpainted brick. Mural tours are available from several city guides but are also easily accessible by taking BART.

"Figurine"

There is, however, one mural that Marker visitors don’t have to travel too far to see. Located directly in front of The Marker, this seven-story work by anonymous young street artist BiP (Believe in People) is typically thought-provoking. This fascinating and multi-layered work is one of the more arresting works in the Bay Area.

Here at The Marker Hotel, as well as our sister property Hotel Spero, we are pleased to highlight the following festivals. First, make a point to attend an event or two during the month-long annual event that is Architecture and the City, featuring such activities as home tours, walking tours, films, and more. Next up is the San Francisco Fringe Festival, happening at the EXIT Theatre from September 5-14. Fringe is all about paradigm-pushing, and these live performers and performances are not juried or curated, resulting in an exciting, provocative, powerful, and thought-provoking experience. From September 20-22, don your finest Trachten and head over to Pier 35 to celebrate all things German at Oktoberfest by the Bay. You’ll find traditional German food and drink along with nonstop music and dancing.

Finally, get your retail therapy the last weekend of every month at TreasureFest on Treasure Island, September 28-29. This enormous gathering of artists, designers, and vintage/antique collectors make up the Bay Area’s largest modern urban market, and you’ll enjoy the live music, along with the delicious and diverse selection of food and adult libations as you shop. Also on September 29, get ready to experience an event like no other—the Folsom Street Fair. Popularly known as the world's biggest leather event, this annual happening features 13 blocks containing 250,000 fetishists, 200 exhibitor booths, BDSM demos, and more. Other fascinating fests this month include the Festa Coloniale Italiana and the California Rum Festival on September 7, the Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival on September 8-9, the Bloody Mary Festival on September 14, and the SF Cheese Fest on September 14-15.

First, head over to Zombie Village in the Tenderloin, just three minutes away from our front door. Boasting an assortment of unique spirit blends, the cocktail menu includes drink names invented by Skipper Kent. Next, pay a visit to the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar. This legendary bar opened at the Fairmont Hotel in 1945 and has since undergone a million-dollar restoration. Fabulous libations and cuisine are offered in an environment that includes live music and tropical rainstorms with thunder and lightning.

Pagan Idol invites you to sip on modern Tiki cocktails in the belly of a wooden ship. Next, named by the Times of London as one of the “50 Greatest Bars on Earth,” Smuggler’s Cove is considered among the elite of exotic cocktail destinations. They also offer the largest rum selection in the country, a stunning interior design, and genuine Tiki artifacts. Of course, you can’t do Tiki without a stop at Trader Vics. Located across the Bay in Emeryville, this is a must-stop for the “home of the original Mai Tai.” For a truly creepy Tiki experience, check out Last Rites, which features a theme of “Polynesian Noir” that includes a floor-to-ceiling skull, and such dark delights as a Valley of the Shadow cocktail. Lastly, Trad’r Sam is another must-do. Dating back to the 1930s, this remains the oldest and longest-operating Tiki Bar in the city, offering a true, nostalgic Tiki experience.

We here at The Marker Hotel and our sister property Hotel Spero are offering the following suggestions for our guests: First, don’t miss a trip to Alameda Island. This friendly village is renowned for many things, from having the most awesome view of San Francisco and the Bay Bridge to being the birthplace of the popsicle. It’s also pet and bike-friendly and boasts an amazing array of craft breweries and diverse ethnic eateries, such as the only Lithuanian restaurant on the west coast, Mama Papa.

You’ll also want to visit Angel Island State Park, a former immigrant processing center also known as “San Francisco’s Ellis Island”, and the largest natural island in the Bay. Hike around the island and enjoy optimum views, soak in the natural beauty, and learn about the island’s fascinating history. Next to see is Treasure Island, which is actually a neighborhood of San Francisco. From wine tasting to music festivals to monthly flea markets, there’s always something to do in Treasure Island.

Last but certainly not least, you can’t forget Alcatraz Island. A former fort, military prison, and a notorious maximum-security federal penitentiary, this island’s also home to some of the area’s most stunning natural beauty. A variety of tours are offered by the Park Service and private companies to suit your fancy, from focusing on the flora and fauna to behind-the-scenes tours and night tours of the prison areas rumored to be haunted.

Noted as the largest gathering of the LGBT community and allies in the USA, the festivities traditionally kickoff the last full weekend of June, with this year’s legendary and spectacular parade taking place on Sunday, June 30. You’ll also find over 200 exhibitors featuring businesses, nonprofits, artists, and artisans, along with a host of food and beverage vendors selling water, soda, beer, and cocktails, while the Castro Country Club Sober Stage will offer an alcohol- and drug-free zone in United Nations Plaza.

More than 20 stages and venues will host a lineup of such luminaries as filmmaker Leo Herrera, Sister Roma, Honey Mahogany, Senator Scott Wiener, Mayor London N. Breed, and a plethora of additional distinguished special speakers. Scheduled performers include Amara La Negra, Book of Love, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Big Dipper, Miss Trans USA Candi Stratton and International Cher, Cheer San Francisco, and many more. Additionally, SF Pride is proud to give back to the community, with much of the proceeds from the celebration going toward local nonprofits working with the issues of cancer, HIV/AIDS, animal welfare and homelessness. 

Stay with us at The Marker, official partner hotel and sponsor of San Francisco Pride, and save up to 20% off! Check dates and reserve your room today!  

As part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Lands End offers sweeping views worthy of its protected status. Its three-mile trail network gives glimpses of the Golden Gate Bridge, Seal Rock, and more — on clear days, even the jagged Farallon Islands can be seen on the horizon, some 34 miles away.

Beyond its lush greenery and rocky beaches, the park boasts a historic pedigree. Visitors can climb the 120-year-old ruins of the Sutro Baths, and touch the shell-gouged bridge of the USS San Francisco at a hilltop memorial.

All that, just six miles from The Marker.