Marin Horizon Summer Camp

Marin County 4-H, Angwin, General, 9-15, 415.473.4207, cemarin.ucanr.edu

Plantation Farm Camp, Cazadero, General, Nature, Family, 8-15, 707.847.3494, plantationcamp.com

Skylake Yosemite Camp, Outdoor, Nature, 7-13, 559.642.3720, skylake.com

Sterne School, San Francisco, Academic, 9-18, 415.922.6081, sterne school.org

Tahoe Rim Trail Association Youth Backcountry Camp, Stateline, Sports, Nature, Adventure, 12-17, 775.298.4485, tahoerimtrail.org

Tahoe Summer Camps-Tahoe Expedition Academy, Truckee, Art, Sailing, Climbing, Archery, Backpacking, Blacksmithing, STEM, 4-14, 530.414.9316, tahoesummercamps.com

The Spring Hill School, Petaluma, Art, Science, Sports, 2-14, 707.763.9222, springhillmontessori.org

Transcendence Kids Camp, Sonoma, Youth Performing Arts, 7-12 and 13-17, (Two different camp slots), 877.424.1414, transcendencetheatre.org/ kids-camp-2022

Two Rivers Soccer Camp, Graeagle, Sports, 7-17, 415.928.6902, tworiverssoccer.com

UC Berkeley embARC Summer Design Academy, Berkeley, Art, Creative, Digital Media, STEAM, STEM, Technology, 1618, 510.643.1188, uced. berkeley.edu

Vision Tech Camps, Danville, Academic, Digital Media, Science, Specialty, Technology, 7-17, 925.699.9602, visiontechcamps.com

Vision Tech Camps, El Cerrito, Digital Media, Science, Technology, Young Child, 6-17, 925.575.7245 visiontechcamps.com

Walker Creek Music Camp, Marshall, Music, All ages, 415.663.6030, walkercreekmusiccamp.org

Walker Creek Ranch, Petaluma, General, Nature, 9-14, 415.491.6600, walkercreekranch.org

BY MIMI TOWLE AND JEANNE COOPER

1 Beacon Grand

Opened during the Prohibition as the Sir Francis Drake, this completely renovated and renamed version debuted in June 2022 with a bright new design that nevertheless complements its storied heritage. Blackout shades and plush-top, gel-foam mattresses in the 418 rooms help bring sweet dreams in the midst of vibrant Union Square nightlife — including the Starlite Room, the latest incarnation of the late Harry Denton’s hotspot, due to open in early 2023.

TIP: You can walk to dozens of shops and restaurants, or hop on the cable car for an exhilarating ride to Ghirardelli Square or Fisherman’s Wharf. Fuel up first with fresh pastries in the mezzaninelevel Beacon Lounge, then return in the evening for a whiskey, dinner and live music on weekends. 450 Powell St. 866.377.9412, beacongrand.com. From $278.

2 Palace Hotel

One look at the gold-trimmed marble columns, Austrian chandeliers and soaring glass ceilings in the Palace Hotel’s Garden Court dining room, and it’s clear why this turn-of-the-century hotel, now part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, suits its royal name. Request a king-size canopy-framed bed dressed in luxurious Frette bed linens and bathroom with a deep soaking tub. The heated indoor swimming pool has a glass-domed ceiling with city views, especially pleasing in the evening hours.

TIP: The Garden Court Restaurant serves a delectable Saturday afternoon tea and lavish daily breakfast with optional mimosas and peach Bellinis. In the evening, get cozy (and ideally something from the tempting lounge menu) in the clubby Pied Piper, named for the enchanting 1909 Maxfield Parrish painting that hangs above the bar. 2 New Montgomery St. 415.512.1111, marriott.com. From $288.

3 Fairmont San Francisco

Atop the crest of Nob Hill, this is quintessential, pedigreed San Francisco. Flags of the world adorn the classical entrance, limos navigate the driveway and cable cars craw l by. On the front lawn, a larger-than-life statue of Tony Bennett greets passersby, a tribute to the city’s anthem, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” first performed here in 1961. Don’t miss the legendary Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar, where island musicians play nightly on a floating bandstand amid periodic simulated thunderstorms. Oenophiles should book a private, sommelier-led wine tasting in Bin 415, the Fairmont’s wine salon featuring smallbatch Napa and Sonoma vintners, or drop in at its communal tasting table.

TIP: Splurge on one of the Fairmont’s 62 spacious suites, including 10 with balconies, and you’ll receive a $100 hotel credit, an incentive to savor afternoon tea — with honey harvested from the beehives on the hotel’s rooftop garden — or breakfast in the elegant Laurel Court restaurant. To luxuriate longer, add a guaranteed late checkout at 1 p.m. for $75. 950 Mason St. 415.772.5000, fairmont. com/san-francisco. From $524.

4 When The Mark Hopkins Hotel opened on December 4, 1926, San Franciscans proclaimed it “architecturally perfect, flawless in its erection, comprehensive in its accommodations.” The hotel was designed by architects Peter Weeks and William P. Day to be a combination of French chateau and Spanish Renaissance, with a tower and outstretched wings that afforded every room a postcardworthy view. Today, known as the InterContinental Mark Hopkins, this iconic property has retained it most popular features such as the Top of the Mark restaurant on the 19th floor.

TIP: While the top floor bar and restaurant has had many renovations since its days as a cherished hot spot for soldiers going off to war, it has always been a favorite spot for a sunset meal with a view. Book the Top of the Mark room package and enjoy two cocktails above it all in San Francisco when you stay. 999 California St. San Francisco, 415.392.3434, sfmarkhopkins.com. From $299.

5 The St. Regis San Francisco

This is 21st century luxury with bells and whistles, but without the grandeur of Nob Hill. An enviable location in a historic building places guests in the heart of SoMa, next to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, right above the Museum of the African Diaspora, and a quick walk to more museums, Union Square shopping and Yerba Buena Gardens. The recently redesigned rooms with soft gray and cherry tones have feather-top beds and spacious bathrooms; book a suite to avail yourself of free butler services, from unpacking and garment pressing to lastminute shopping.

TIP: Take advantage of one of three options for refined afternoon tea in the hotel’s Tea Salon, offered by reservation only. Couples may wish to experience the St. Regis Art of Tea for Two, which includes a half-bottle of Moët & Chandon Imperial. 125 Third St. 415.284.4000, marriott.com. From $580.

Discover the best in new cinema, headliner culinary events, lively parties and industry honors at the Sonoma International Film Festival.

“One of the 25 Coolest Festivals in the World” – MovieMaker Magazine

BY PAULA PHOMMOUNIVONG