Cavallo Point Lodge

San Francisco Bay and its environs offer a wealth of swanky lodging options, and there’s a lot of variety, from urban Union Square to pastoral Napa Valley. However, that famous, shimmering bay can act as something of a moat — meaning you’e either in San Francisco or you’re quite a ways out of it. The Lodge at Cavallo Point solves this dilemma by embracing that very juxtaposition.
To the north of you is a sedate crescent of traditional homes with inviting porches set within hills of eucalyptus and gathered around a vast lawn; to the south of you is the entire panorama of San Francisco’s skyline, almost close enough to touch; to the west of you are the familiar red arcs of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Lodge, in a former life, was officers’ housing for Fort Baker, today part of the spectacular Marin Headlands park. Now, after an impressive historic restoration effort, six room types are available inside the collection of dignified homes. Some rooms are cozy, tucked up in the gables, others are larger with sun porches and fireplaces, all are unpretentious and decorated in an unfussy period style. But now for another juxtaposition — Cavallo Point also offers a lineup of thoroughly modern rooms in new structures up the hill. Architecturally, the new and old are different as night and day, but entirely complementary.

These days San Francisco is perhaps even better known for its food than for its scenery. Murray Circle, the restaurant, elevates local and seasonal ingredients to a refined level. The hotel also houses a cooking school in keeping with organic, Slow Food values; a rotating company of Bay Area chefs keeps the place cooking with several classes per week. And while there’s more than enough to keep you busy and peaceful at Cavallo Point, the city is still nearly at your fingertips.

How to get there: Cavallo Point Lodge is approximately a 15-minute drive from downtown San Francisco and 40-50 minutes from San Francisco International Airport (SFO).