Nob Hill
Nob Hill is a neighborhood within San Francisco that has gained a lot of popularity in the city due to its many upscale hotels and restaurants.
Nob Hill is one of the city's wealthiest and historically significant neighborhoods, with a rich list of notable people. A variety of historic landmarks and popular attractions are found in the area.
These include shopping on Union Street, dining at one of the many well known restaurants, taking a cable car ride down the hill, seeing Grace Cathedral, or visiting the top of the Fairmont Hotel for stunning views of the city.
History of Nob Hill
In the years immediately following the 1848 gold strike the newly rich built their homes here. Among the first were the railroad Barons known as the Big 4. They built their homes in the 1870s, and the hill became known as “The hill of palaces” due to the grandeur of their mansions. The steep incline of the hill was incredibly difficult to traverse, so the owners of the mansions built a cable car line to transport them to and from their homes. This cable car line is still in use today, and it is one of the city's most famous tourist attractions. As the city grew around them, they were joined by other wealthy families, and Nob Hill became known as a neighborhood of wealth and power. Some of the city's wealthiest people still call it home today.
Popular Places in Nob Hill
Fairmont
The Fairmont Hotel is a historic hotel that was opened in 1907 in the Nob Hill neighborhood. Hundreds of presidents, celebrities, and dignitaries have stayed at this extravagant hotel over the years. The United Nations Charter was also drafted here in 1945.
Intercontinental Mark Hopkins
This hotel was opened in 1926 and is part of San Francisco's great history. It is situated at the peak of Nob Hill and provides magnificent city views. Top of the Mark, a restaurant and bar on the top floor, is one of the few bars in San Francisco that offers magnificent views of the city.
The Big 4
The Big 4 Restaurant is named after the "Big Four" railroad tycoons of the 19th century. This restaurant is located in the Scarlet Huntington Hotel, and they have a menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day.
Grace Cathedral
Grace Cathedral is another popular destination in Nob Hill, San Francisco. It is the largest cathedral in the city and is accessible to the public daily. A stop here will give you a closer look at its famous golden doors, its beautiful stained glass windows, and its intricate architecture.