I Left My Heart…
At a Green Hotel…
In San Francisco
At a Green Hotel…
In San Francisco
A GUIDE TO
ECO-FRIENDLY
HOTELS IN SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco is one of the most beautiful places in the United States; so beautiful in fact that many visitors will “leave their hearts” in the Golden City. San Francisco is situated between the coastal mountains of California and the Pacific Ocean, surrounded with breathtaking views.
We all know San Francisco for its Golden Gate Bridge, the cable cars, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Victorian architecture along its rolling hills. But what’s less known about the city is that it’s pretty darn green. Since the “hippie movement” blossomed in San Francisco in the 1960s, there’s been a long standing commitment to the environment. San Fran is actually one of the country’s leaders in the environmental revolution.
San Francisco has incorporated a huge amount of solar activity into its energy grid, dramatically reducing its carbon output. The public transportation system is surpassed only by New York City’s, so travelers and residents alike help shrink the city’s carbon footprint even more. Landfill waste is kept to a minimum through an excellent city-wide recycling and composting program. Local food systems are supported. Even the hotels in San Francisco are in on the earth-loving fun, and there are some really great green hotels in San Francisco.
San Francisco’s top six green hotels—The Hotel Carlton, The Argonaut Hotel, Best Western Tuscan Inn, Harbor Court Hotel, Hotel Serrano, and the Sir Francis Drake Hotel —have all adopted a wide variety of environmentally-responsible practices. All have incorporated an optional sheets and towels reuse program, low flow shower heads and toilets, Energy Star Appliances, and motion light detectors to conserve energy and water. The hotels use non-toxic cleaning products, recycled paper, and soy-based inks, plus they have a comprehensive recycling program both in guest rooms and hotel operations. Each hotel composts their food waste. These hotels are all state certified as green and make regular donations to charity. The Hotel Carlton was actually the first solar powered hotel in San Francisco, reducing the release of carbon into the environment by 33,000 lbs., and annually saving 4.5 acres of trees.
Hotel Carlton - The historic 161-room Hotel Carlton offers an international ambiance with outstanding guest service. Located near Union Square and the Theatre District, the hotel has an international vintage style that offers an eclectic and relaxing haven accentuated by 
exotic travel photographs. The charming public spaces showcase a cross-cultural design that incorporates one-of-a-kind objects and fascinating treasures. Hotel Carlton is also a non-smoking and pet-friendly hotel.
Sharing its location, the historic building is also home to the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park’s Visitor Center and Interactive Museum, which celebrates Fisherman’s Wharf maritime history. Prized neighbors include the famous Hyde Street Pier and
Eco-Friendly Hotels in San Francisco
Issue 4 | September 2008
its fleet of national historic landmark ships, The Cannery, Ghirardelli Square, and popular Pier 39. Many of the hotel’s 252 guestrooms (including its 13 suites) offer spectacular bay views amidst a modern décor enveloped in a rich nautical theme. Adjacent to the hotel, the casual and quintessential San Francisco seafood restaurant, Blue Mermaid Chowder House & Bar, presents classic fare against a gold rush era ambiance.
Harbor Court Hotel - A Kimpton Hotel - Waterfront Sophistication. The San Francisco Embarcadero (images above and below)is one of the most famous waterfront locations in the world. A recent revitalization of the area including the Ferry Building, SBC Baseball Park, and YMCA has made this neighborhood a central location for visitors. The stylish Harbor Court Hotel is the grande dame of the area
Best Western Tuscan Inn At Fishermans Wharf - Italian Charm, San Francisco Style (photo above by Markham Johnson). Inspired by the great villas scattered in the Tuscan countryside, the
Tuscan Inn mixes the modern flair of a city hotel with the allure of artisan Italian touches. Conveniently located in Fisherman’s Wharf, the hotel is steps from shopping, dining, and waterfront activities and minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge, North Beach, and the signature cable cars. Harbor Court Hotel - A Kimpton Hotel - Waterfront Sophistication. The San Francisco Embarcadero (images above and below)is one of the most famous waterfront locations in the world. A recent revitalization of the area including the Ferry Building, SBC Baseball Park, and YMCA has made this neighborhood a central location for visitors. The stylish Harbor Court Hotel is the grande dame of the area
honoring San Francisco’s rich history while celebrating the city’s metropolitan sophistication. 
Hotel Serrano - A Kimpton Hotel - Fun and Games (top photo by John Rizzo, bottom photo by David Phelps). Centrally located two blocks from Union Square and within the Theater District, The Serrano Hotel is within walking distance of luxury retailers; the convention center; financial, theater, and South of Market districts; and a cable car ride from Fisherman’s Wharf and the Embarcadero. The whimsy and fanciful Serrano Hotel offers a humorous and entertaining view on travel. From its signature “Check-In Challenge,” where guests play the house for an upgrade in a game of BlackJack, to the dramatic interiors, The Serrano Hotel is anything but ordinary. Eco-Friendly Hotels in San Francisco
Issue 4 | September 2008
Sir Francis Drake Hotel - A Kimpton Hotel - A Legend In Its Own Time. Perfectly located in the heart of Union Square, The Sir Francis Drake continues to exude the sophistication, elegance, and charm it did when it opened its doors in 1928. Celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2008, the legendary 417-room hotel has always been ahead of its time and continues this tradition, keeping up with the latest trends in the industry and always offering the highest level of service possible. Guests are greeted by the Sir Francis Drake’s celebrated doormen in their customary Beefeater uniforms, which are one of the most photographed spectacles in San Francisco.
Travelers looking for a hotel in a different area of San Francisco, or for something a little more budget friendly, can check RezHub.com or EnvironmentallyFriendlyHotels.com for an expanded list of green lodging options. While some of the green hotels will have higher green scores than others, it’s important to support the green efforts that every hotel is making. If you let the management know they are doing the
right thing, you will help these programs grow, creating a more
sustainable future for everyone. To learn more about the RezHub Green Score and how it’s awarded, click here. 
When this article was published, Melissa Evans was the marketing director for RezHub.com, which offers eco-friendly travel options from green hotels to hybrid rentals, and they can help you offset your carbon footprint. RezHub.com donates a portion of all its profits from Green Travel to an earth friendly organization.
Eco-Friendly Hotels in San Francisco
Issue 4 | September 2008
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