Robin Laub, a Life Stylist

Fantastic Bay Area Fireside Lounges

When the weather cools down, who doesn’t love to cuddle up near a fire either at home or in a restaurant or lounge? I’m going to share with you my top six picks for lounging by a fire in the Bay Area.

  1. Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
    The outdoor fire pits bump right up against the roaring Pacific Ocean. There are blankets in the bins for anyone’s use if it gets too chilly from the coastal winds. The sunsets are glorious. Need I say more? Well, except for, “another hot toddy, please!”
  2. The Kezar Pub, San Francisco
    With its 14 TVs, this place is truly for sports aficionados! This awesome sports bar not only has fire-spicy chicken wings, it also has a quaint, little fireplace. This just gives a little bit more ambiance for your special little someone while you keep darting your eyes from the screen to the person in front of you. Ha!
  3. The Riptide, San Francisco
    It’s a super casual place located by the beach with an indoor, adorable, small wooded fireplace. Added bonus: They even sell Fritos. Fritos and a fireplace? I’m in!
  4. Moss Beach Distillery, Half Moon Bay 
    Perched up on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean is this local restaurant, which has two outdoor fire pits for everyone’s pleasure. They, too provide blankies for your comfort. And watch out for those Kahlua and coffees! Hot, hot, hot!
  5. Fairmont Heritage Place, San Francisco
    This is a residential-style lodging. There’s a great outdoor fire pit with views of Ghiradelli square and the scent of chocolate swirling in the air. But, you need to be a resident of this place or be friends of a resident to enjoy this special spot. It’s a great place for business professionals who work in the city but live elsewhere on the weekends.
  6. 25 Lusk, San Francisco
    Here is where one can unwind after a long day of meetings or entertain clients and guests. Downstairs of this hip restaurant there’s a lounge for libations with modern campfires, too. There’s comfy seating to enjoy quality conversations and imbibe. This would be an ideal date night place or even a great private party venue! If you’d like me to help plan your next bash, Just Ask!

From my due-diligence of checking out fireside lounges (I know tough job!), I found that there are many more places in the Bay Area that have fireplaces or say they have fireplaces, but really have just small gas or electric flames or no fire at all! One place even had battery-operated candles in the fireplace (tsk tsk Huntington Hotel) as their fireside lounge amenity. Some touted as being popular and to tell you the truth from the looks of some of those places, they look like they’ve been closed for ages! Ha! So you’ve been warned. Stick to my list above and you’ll be warm and toasty.

But whatever you fancy, enjoy some time in front of a fire, nestled either with a best-selling book, or chatting with a dear, close friend or even holding a nice cup of steaming hot tea. It’s good for the soul.

Happy cozying!