50th Anniversary of the San Francisco Summer of Love

Celebrating 50 Years of San Francisco’s Summer of Love

In 1967, thousands of young hippies in America turned to San Francisco to celebrate the Summer of Love. Exactly 50 years after the gathering hit headlines, the Californian city will put on a plethora of cultural events to celebrate the anniversary of this historical event.

From major exhibitions at top museums to special concerts, the celebrations will look back at the summer of 1967, echoing the relaxed and carefree nature of the spiritual 60’s. Kicking off the activity will be a free Summer of Love concert in the Golden Gate Park in June, where over 150,000 people are expected to attend to celebrate love!

After the celebrations, why not explore the wider city in all its glory? Whether you decide to take a beat-era walking tour on the beach, learn about how Alcatraz Prison was dominated by American Indians during the Peace Movement or take a trip to the seaside town of Sausalito, there is something for everyone in this fascinating city.

To help you plan your trip, Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travellers with awesome accommodation, has put together some suggestions of must-see sites and places to stay, based on over 108 million real customer reviews.

10 things to do in San Francisco

1.Walk the Golden Gate Bridge

2.Visit the seaside city of Sausalito

3.Escape from Alcatraz

4.Take a chocolate walking tour in Ghirardelli Square

5.Watch the Giants at AT&T Park

6.Grab dessert at the Cheesecake Factory in Union Square Park

7.Experience Chinatown

8.Visit the most crooked street in the world - Lombard Street

9.Check out the new SFMOMA

10.Gaze at the Redwoods in Muir Woods National Monument

Where to stay?

For the hippie: Cavallo Point, Sausalito

The historic town of Sausalito is located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Perfect for families or group travel, the lodge offers an array of activities such as hiking, tours of Fort Baker and complimentary morning yoga classes. For the more adventurous, guided kayaking tours under the Golden Gate Bridge are also available. In tune with the atmosphere of the Summer of Love celebrations, the lodge also has a Healing Arts Centre & Spa with a heated outdoor meditation pool. Massage, facial and body treatments, acupuncture and herbal remedies are on offer, plus the Tea Bar serves teas, juices, healthy soup, sandwiches and salads.

For relaxation: Hotel Zeppelin, San Francisco

Just 350 yards from Union Square, which offers a host of shopping and restaurants, Hotel Zeppelin San Francisco is a boutique hotel nestled in the buzzing Theatre District. After the Summer of Love celebrations you can unwind here, and make the most of the hotel’s Yoga channel and complimentary yoga equipment. In-room spa services including massages and body treatments are available for those who want to relax and rejuvenate in the privacy of their own room.

For low cost travel: HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel

Centrally located in San Francisco, just a five minute walk from the shopping and dining in Union Square, this hostel boasts a theatre room so you can put your feet up and chill out with friends. Each room at the HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel is decorated in cool tones and modern furnishings, echoing the style of the city and making it the perfect place to stay if you’re travelling alone or in a group.

For luxury: Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Famed bars, 11-foot ceilings, awe-inspiring crystal chandeliers and a glass dome indoor pool set the stage for a luxurious stay at the Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel in the heart of San Francisco. Only a 20-minute cable car ride from the shopping and dining at Fisherman’s Wharf and the ferry launch for Alcatraz, the Palace Hotel is perfect for couples looking for a special trip away. Offering a 24-hour concierge service the hotel can easily connect guests to designer boutiques, cable cars, the Embarcadero, Ferry Building, Chinatown, AT&T Park, plus other tourist must-do’s.

For something unique: Barkissimo, Oakland Marina

Showcasing panoramic views of San Francisco Bay and Berkeley Hills, this private yacht is docked in the Oakland marina and offers a completely unique stay upon a floating oasis. With ocean views in each guest room, a hot tub available on deck and a daily three course gourmet breakfast included, Barkissimo is just a 20-minute drive to the famous AT&T Park.

For the techie: The Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square

Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service at The Fairmont Heritage Place Ghirardelli Square. High above Ghirardelli Square with sweeping terraces and bay views, this urban San Francisco resort features luxurious apartments that are only two minutes’ walk from the beach. Suited to those who love tech, each apartment offers an iPad loaded with useful San Francisco information. The Fairmont Heritage elevators open directly into the Wattle Creek Winery and the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop so you don’t even have to travel to see the sites. Plus, San Francisco Maritime National Museum and Fisherman’s Wharf is only a two minute walk away and Crissy Field, located at the foot of Golden Gate Bridge, is a cool 15-minutes bike ride away.