The Holiday Spirit at Hyatt Regency San Francisco

We rode the glass enclosed elevator to the top floor to experience the Regency Club & Lounge and its spectacular location offers more unsurpassed views. We were told the Club offers a continental breakfast, a selection of appetizers in the afternoon, and each evening hors d’oeuvres and something sweet.

Dining San Francisco

Our Hyatt dining experience, one of three options, was in the atrium lobby at the Eclipse Kitchen & Bar orchestrated by Executive Chef Victor Litkewycz, originally from Detroit, who has cooked for Hyatt from coast-to-coast for some 25 years. We decided on a selection of small bites consisting of roasted sweet peppers with caramelized onions and fennel, a flavorsome cheese fondue, and a plate of Calabrese sausage and pepperoni flatbread. We also enjoyed Chef Victor’s elaborate brunch buffet. Dining in this city is always special; many have long noted San Francisco among the country’s finest dining locations. We dined at The Angler, featured in Denver Colorado’s Luxury Magazine’s Fall, 2022 issue, one of many internationally recognized San Francisco restaurants, and The Angler was another amazing San Francisco dining experience.

Embarcadero Sparkle

After enjoying Chef Victor’s creations, we took a stroll along the Embarcadero that runs along the waterfront from the Bay Bridge past the Ferry Building and Hyatt down to Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf. With the holiday spirit in tow, the city’s holiday lights were glittering brightly as we entered Pier 39 past shops, magic shows, an immense holiday tree decorated with colorful lights, and the ubiquitous street entertainers, some singing holiday songs. But for many visitors, an additional delight is the infamous colony of 100 to 300 sea lions ensconced at the end of the pier sleeping and twitching on the floating platform, and at times bellowing like a band of tubas. They arrived at Pier 39 around 1989, uninvited, and moved out the boats, quickly discovering the floating platform was ideal for an all-day snooze. Appropriately, Pier 39 has a Sea Lion Center and Exhibit on the second floor, a staff member to answer questions, and a “Sea Lion Herder” to keep the Sea Lions from taking over the shops and dining areas and changing Pier 39 to “Sea Lion Retreat.”

We dropped by Fisherman’s Wharf and historic Boudin Bakery & Café, in business since 1849, and opted for the famed San Francisco signature sourdough bread bowl with thick New Englandstyle Boudin clam chowder. It was the perfect choice for a chilly December San Francisco day while celebrating the season.

Back at the hotel the holiday train was tirelessly traveling through Snow Village, the holiday spirit alive and well at the Hyatt Regency.