Take In Exquisite San Francisco Bay Views At Cavallo Point Lodge
Every building was part of a fully operational army base back in the day.
Just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge, there’s an exquisite hotel tucked away in glimmering Sausalito that’s waiting to host your next San Francisco getaway. Cavallo Point Lodge occupies what used to be the military post of Fort Baker, offering visitors a truly one-of-a-kind resort experience.
Cavallo Point Lodge took over the historic army grounds of Fort Baker in 2008. An essential reason the property is extremely unique is that every building was part of a fully operational army base back in the day. Each existing structure has been retrofitted and revived to become a new functional space for the hotel. The large two-story houses which used to be barracks are now where reception, art gallery, gift shop, bar and restaurant are located. The beautiful houses of former army generals and their families have been converted into boutique historic lodging. The former basketball court in the gymnasium is now the ballroom. The newest addition that’s in the works is the jailhouse café which will operate out of the old military holding tank where drunk men were detained. Guests will be able to dine on pastries, lunch fare and charcuterie inside former jail cells. Cavallo Point Lodge tastefully redesigns historic structures into modern luxury, offering an experience that can’t be recreated anywhere else.
Rooms are split into historic and contemporary accommodations. The historic lodgings are in the old houses of generals that’ve been refurbished with modern amenities. The houses are gorgeous with comforting mission style interiors with windows facing the Bay or the Golden Gate Bridge. The historic houses are ideal for families or groups, as multiple rooms on different floors can be rented as a unit.
Contemporary lodging consists of deluxe rooms and suites with king beds, which are ideal for romantic getaway for couples. The contemporary rooms were constructed in 2008 and designed to be fully sustainable. The solar panels on the roof power the heating system and electricity in the rooms. The contemporary rooms have a clean minimalist design with all of the modern amenities one could ever need, including Nespresso machines, two-sided fireplace, sleek soaking tub and even a Brita filter for water. They come with expansive views of the Golden Gate Bridge or the San Francisco Bay. The Contemporary King Suites are particularly spacious and comfortable with a connecting living room and private patio or deck to enjoy the views.
The Healing Arts Center & Spa is a heavenly amenity which all guests of the resort must experience. The spa is a stunning facility with many unique therapies, treatments and consultations. One can choose amongst Himalayan salt stone massages, chakra energy balancing, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, herbal consultations and much more. There are resident meditation guides, healers and physicians which guests can consult to reach optimal health and wellness. Spa facilities include a blissfully heated adults-only meditation pool, steam room and tea bar.
Fresh, bountiful California cuisine is the name of the game at Cavallo Point Lodge. The restaurant, Murray Circle, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, using the freshest local ingredients like Monterey squid, Petaluma chicken and Fiscalini cheddar. Guests will find a wide range of refined seafood and meat entrees with diverse produce, as one should expect nothing less while dining in the gourmand paradise of Northern California. Farley Bar is the casual gastrobar next door, serving artisan drinks and bites. It has a cozy interior and a lovely outdoor patio, with fireplaces in both. Of course an impressive wine offering of over 2,000 options is available at both venues, ranging from artisan Californian to vintage European.
There’s a cooking school on the second floor of the restaurant where guests can take classes in preparing California cuisine. Classes are varied from how to make pasta, sushi, burrata, mushrooms and more. With interesting classes and a special Chef’s Counter event once a month, the cooking school is a fun amenity that gives the hotel a sense of place.
Cavallo Point Lodge is a Lexus Partner Hotel which means the hotel offers one of the most enticing hidden amenities. It has a rotating fleet of the latest Lexus models which guests can rent to drive around the Bay at no cost. The hotel covers gas and bridge tolls and guests are free to drive their Lexus vehicle of choice into San Francisco, Napa wine country or wherever they choose. The highly anticipated LC 500 Luxury Coupe happened to be on property during my stay. Having the opportunity to drive a cutting-edge luxury sports car around Sausalito was one of the most memorable, exceptional hotel amenities I’ve ever experienced. The hotel also has Lexus hybrid SUVs to drive guests around the property and up to the Marin Headlands.
Sausalito makes the perfect jumping-off point for exploring San Francisco and North Bay wine country. Sausalito itself is charming and picturesque against the backdrop of the city. The Marin Headlands is right outside the hotel which means guests can easily access lots of nature and hikes with awesome viewpoints. From this side of the Golden Gate it’s easy to get to all of the quaint wine country towns like Sonoma, St. Helena and Calistoga as well as Bodega Bay and Tomales Bay.
With accessible luxury, top-notch amenities and grand historic value, Cavallo Point Lodge promises to be the most unforgettable hotel experience around San Francisco. As the hotel’s general manager, Brendan Carlin, elaborates:
“Approachable luxury: that’s what we’re all about. We try to take care of people as if they’re family or friends. Luxury for us is what you want when you want it. And it certainly isn’t pretentious. We try to avoid that at all costs.”
