HELLOFASHION.COM 111
hfm LIFE&STYLE
HELLOFASHION.COM 111
hfm LIFE&STYLE
T
ony Bennett sang I Left My Heart
In San Francisco for good reason.
The vibrant northern California
city is not only one of the most
visited in the US, but it’s diverse,
too. In the 60s and 70s it was the centre
of liberal activism in the US (the peace
movement, sexual revolution, birth of the
hippy – and later the epicentre of gay
rights). Today people head to ‘San Fran’
for its eclectic mix of cable cars, Victorian
architecture, the landmark Golden Gate
Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf, situated
across the water from Alcatraz.
STAY Though located in the hub of
the city, with the Arts
District and Union
Square only a stone’s
throw away, Hotel
Emblem offers a
restful, tranquil stay
with some rooms
overlooking peaceful
courtyards. Inspired
by the Beat generation,
the charming rooms
have tailored desks,
French bistro chairs,
traditional typewriters and an inspiration
board scattered with photos and musings
from prominent writers. As contemporary
and unique as the decor is, the hotel still
manages to have a historic feel due to the
fact that it sits in the oldest building in
town. The details really make this place;
friendly staff and cookies and fresh water
fountains on each floor.
DO With San Francisco being a key location
for the celebrated literary Beat movement
in the 50s, it’s a must to check out the
City Lights bookshop which was a popular
hangout for the ‘beatniks’. It published
books such as Allen Ginsburg’s Howl And
Other Poems. Close by is the impressive
Columbus Tower, also known as the Sentinel‘IT WAS A
CENTRE OF
ACTIVISM.
NOW PEOPLE
HEAD TO SAN
FRAN FOR ITS
ECLECTIC MIX’WORDS: TIJEN DENIZMEN PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES. ALAMY
Ups and downs
The Telegraph
Hill area (left) has
colourful Insta-
worthy houses.
While the classic
trams (right) will
save your legs on
the steep hillsHitting the
Haights
From top: A room
at the tranquil
Hotel Emblem;
corn chips
with salsa and
guacamole; Tijen
hits the bookshopsBuilding and the oldest Chinatown in north
America with picturesque streets decorated
with red lanterns and colourful shops. For
those who enjoy a walk or bike ride, the city
has many options including Golden Gate
Park, San Francisco’s national park, where
visitors and locals alike enjoy a slice of urban
nature stretching for miles. For a more
active walk, hike up the steep Telegraph
Hill to the 210-foot high Coit Tower. But
don’t worry, sampling San Francisco’s
skyline is the easy option if steep hills
aren’t your thing. For a change of scenery,
a 40-minute drive over the stunning
Golden Gate Bridge will bring you to Muir
Woods, where you can see
indigenous, coastal redwood
trees. With some specimens
as old as 1,200 years and
as tall as 258 feet, these
woods are unforgettable
and well worth a visit.
EAT For a 100 per cent
plant-based menu, pop
along to VeganBurg sitting
in Haight-Ashbury, the birth
place of hippy counter-
culture, where
walls are decorated with murals and you
can get thrifty in the many vintage shops.
The menu offers a smoky BBQ burger,
jalapeño aioli fries and homemade
lemonade. Don’t miss the delicious
chocolate cheesecake for dessert.
For a more touristy feel, Fisherman’s
Wharf is packed with choice and even
offers a fascinating view of Alcatraz, the
prison once said to be escape-proof.
For delicious, locally-sourced vegetarian
Mexican food, Gracias Madre is a must,
located in the Mission District and
offers handmade tortillas and tamales
from non-GMO organic heirloom corn.
HFM stayed courtesy of Hotel Emblem.
Rooms start from £233 a nightFree and easy
The vibe is
strictly laid-back
in San Fran.
T-shirt, Mother x
MadeWorn
Jeans, Guess
Trainers, VejaHELLOFASHION.COM 111
hfm LIFE&STYLE
HELLOFASHION.COM 111
hfm LIFE&STYLE
T
ony Bennett sang I Left My Heart
In San Francisco for good reason.
The vibrant northern California
city is not only one of the most
visited in the US, but it’s diverse,
too. In the 60s and 70s it was the centre
of liberal activism in the US (the peace
movement, sexual revolution, birth of the
hippy – and later the epicentre of gay
rights). Today people head to ‘San Fran’
for its eclectic mix of cable cars, Victorian
architecture, the landmark Golden Gate
Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf, situated
across the water from Alcatraz.
STAY Though located in the hub of
the city, with the Arts
District and Union
Square only a stone’s
throw away, Hotel
Emblem offers a
restful, tranquil stay
with some rooms
overlooking peaceful
courtyards. Inspired
by the Beat generation,
the charming rooms
have tailored desks,
French bistro chairs,
traditional typewriters and an inspiration
board scattered with photos and musings
from prominent writers. As contemporary
and unique as the decor is, the hotel still
manages to have a historic feel due to the
fact that it sits in the oldest building in
town. The details really make this place;
friendly staff and cookies and fresh water
fountains on each floor.
DO With San Francisco being a key location
for the celebrated literary Beat movement
in the 50s, it’s a must to check out the
City Lights bookshop which was a popular
hangout for the ‘beatniks’. It published
books such as Allen Ginsburg’s Howl And
Other Poems. Close by is the impressive
Columbus Tower, also known as the Sentinel‘IT WASA
CENTRE OF
ACTIVISM.
NOW PEOPLE
HEAD TOSAN
FRAN FOR ITS
ECLECTIC MIX’WORDS: TIJEN DENIZMEN PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES. ALAMY
Ups and downs
The Telegraph
Hill area (left) has
colourful Insta-
worthy houses.
While the classic
trams (right) will
save your legs on
the steep hillsHittingthe
Haights
From top: A room
at the tranquil
Hotel Emblem;
corn chips
with salsa and
guacamole; Tijen
hits the bookshopsBuilding and the oldest Chinatown in north
America with picturesque streets decorated
with red lanterns and colourful shops. For
those who enjoy a walk or bike ride, the city
has many options including Golden Gate
Park, San Francisco’s national park, where
visitors and locals alike enjoy a slice of urban
nature stretching for miles. For a more
active walk, hike up the steep Telegraph
Hill to the 210-foot high Coit Tower. But
don’t worry, sampling San Francisco’s
skyline is the easy option if steep hills
aren’t your thing. For a change of scenery,
a 40-minute drive over the stunning
Golden Gate Bridge will bring you to Muir
Woods, where you can see
indigenous, coastal redwood
trees. With some specimens
as old as 1,200 years and
as tall as 258 feet, these
woods are unforgettable
and well worth a visit.
EAT For a 100 per cent
plant-based menu, pop
along to VeganBurg sitting
in Haight-Ashbury, the birth
place of hippy counter-
culture, where
walls are decorated with murals and you
can get thrifty in the many vintage shops.
The menu offers a smoky BBQ burger,
jalapeño aioli fries and homemade
lemonade. Don’t miss the delicious
chocolate cheesecake for dessert.
For a more touristy feel, Fisherman’s
Wharf is packed with choice and even
offers a fascinating view of Alcatraz, the
prison once said to be escape-proof.
For delicious, locally-sourced vegetarian
Mexican food, Gracias Madre is a must,
located in the Mission District and
offers handmade tortillas and tamales
from non-GMO organic heirloom corn.
HFM stayed courtesy of Hotel Emblem.
Rooms start from £233 a nightFree and easy
The vibe is
strictly laid-back
in San Fran.
T-shirt, Mother x
MadeWorn
Jeans, Guess
Trainers, Veja