By Eileen Ogintz

SAN FRANCISCO — Isn’t it great when a hotel is more than a place to sleep?

In the heart of San Francisco, Parc 55 San Francisco, a Hilton Hotel, has launched a campaign to promote local artists with the continuation of its Art at the Parc series with startup art.

Parc 55 Hotel in San Francisco
Parc 55 Hotel in San Francisco

The program is designed so that art professionals and the art-loving public can discover more about up-and-coming talented artists through such hotel art fairs, art exhibits and more. “The exhibition at Parc 55 is meant to reflect the city’s vibrant spirit as the artwork we’ve curated for this space is grand in scale and diverse in their color,” said the exhibition’s curator Josefin Lundahl Peterson. “Our hope is that visitors will see something of themselves and therefore something of San Francisco in the artwork they encounter and the exhibition as a whole.”

A larger “stARTup Art Fair” will take place April 26-28, 2019, at the Hotel Del Sol in the city’s Marina District, showcasing 80 artists.

The exhibit at Parc 55 is on display through April 7, comprised of 30 pieces by a group of 13 local artists.  Stop in if you are in Union Square.  See what the kids see in the vibrant canvases and sculptures!

Parc 55, just a block from the Powell Street BART and MUNI stations, can be a great place to anchor your gang for a trip to San Francisco, especially if you are combining business with a little family fun. The hotel is large—over a 1,000 rooms—but has a more boutique feel. In the summer, the kids will love the outdoor pool. There is also an on-site Michelin starred Thai restaurant, Kin Khao and Cable 55 overlooking the Powell Street Station (how about some dim sum or congee for breakfast along with your eggs on the buffet?). There are plenty of other options nearby  at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, including the 46th floor Cityscape Lounge.

CityScape Lounge in the Hilton San Francisco
CityScape Lounge in the Hilton San Francisco

When we visited the other night, kids were mesmerized by the views—the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay, the city skyline. While parents indulged in some of the signature cocktails (how about Blinded by Science with gin, pear nectar, elderflower, lemon and soda?), there were plenty of mocktail options for kids. The Lounge boasts unobstructed 360-degree views of the city.

We enjoyed a stellar skyline view from our room too.

The hotel is just steps away from Union Square (ready for a Cable Car ride?), Westfield Mall for all your teens and tweens, jazz clubs and just a walk or Cable Car ride from Chinatown, North Beach’s Little Italy, Ghiradelli Square (time for a chocolate fix!) and Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can leave for an Alcatraz tour or explore the history of San Francisco. That would include the famous sourdough bread at the Boudin Bakery at the Wharf, where  you can see bakers at work, visit the museum, have lunch in the café or maybe take home an animal-shaped loaf. Stop in at the traditional Cioppino’s restaurant for some of their prize-winning clam chowder.

Enjoy!