San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Travel Launches First-Ever Martini Trail
True Laurel in San Francisco is among the 23 locations along the new San Francisco Martini Trail.
Courtesy of San Francisco Travel
The origin of martini often stirs up disputed theories involving hotels and destinations such as San Francisco.
Yet the City by the Bay is now stirring its claim with the San Francisco Martini Trail, a curated journey highlighting 23 standout martinis and their establishments.
Having made its debut in late October 2025, the San Francisco Martini Trail marks the city’s stake in this cocktail’s history.
San Francisco’s side of the story goes like this. It’s said that the martini was created at the city’s Occidental Hotel (now the Galleria Park Hotel) by bartender Jerry Thomas, often called the “father of modern mixology,” in the late 1850s or early 1860s.
Raise a toast to Balboa Cafe’s Espresso Martini. As a stop along the new San Francisco Martini Trail, this restaurant’s version of this drink gets high marks.
Courtesy of San Francisco Travel
That concoction was allegedly prepared for a gold miner who was on his way to the Californian town of Martinez. This new drink would become known as the Martinez, a precursor to the modern martini.
“As tastes evolved and drier spirits took hold, the martini transformed into the classic we know today—and San Francisco’s innovative cocktail culture continues to influence its evolution,” said Anna Marie Presutti, president and CEO of San Francisco Travel Association.
Today, the San Francisco Martini Trail spans the city’s distinctive neighborhoods, from the Embarcadero to the Richmond. Stops range from downtown institutions to chic newcomers and from longstanding establishments to inventive modern spots.
Sip on a martini at The Progress in San Francisco.
Courtesy of San Francisco Travel/Ed Anderson
The trail’s 23 establishments are: Absinthe, Balboa Café, Bar Iris, Bar Maritime, BIX, Brazen Head, Californios, Club Waziema, Hi Dive Bar, Holbrook House, House of Prime Rib, Lillie Coit’s, Martuni’s, Osso Steakhouse, Pearl 6101, The Progress, Sam’s Grill & Seafood Restaurant, Starlite, Stookey’s Club Moderne, Tadich Grill, True Laurel, Wildhawk and Zam Zam.
Each location offers a distinct interpretation of the martini, with many planning food pairings and special promotions to complement the trail experience.
The self-guided trail was curated by San Francisco–based food, drink and travel writer Omar Mamoon. His work has appeared in Condé Nast Traveler, San Francisco Chronicle and Esquire’s “Best Bars” and “Best New Restaurants.”
Wildhawk in San Francisco, a stop on the San Francisco Martini Trail, offers a Tini Flight. Courtesy of San Francisco Travel
“We wanted an independent expert who lives in and knows the city to develop the trail,” explained Presutti. “Omar became involved through his deep background covering food and drink culture in San Francisco and other cities, and he crafted the trail as a way to spotlight the city’s talent and diversity while encouraging visitors to discover even more outstanding martinis across San Francisco.”
The San Francisco Martini Trail’s website features Mamoon’s favorite 11 establishments to drink a martini, plus details on the evolution of the iconic cocktail.
“The list shines a light on just a fraction of the many bars and restaurants in San Francisco making excellent martinis,” said Mamoon. “The Martini Trail is just a starting point—use it as a fun way to explore the city and make your own trail, too.”
San Francisco Travel held their launch event for the trail at Le Parc Bistrobar in the Galleria Park Hotel, in homage to its martini lore. The hotel’s daily Sipping Hour offers complimentary gin martinis in the lobby to hotel guests.
“The Martini Trail is both a toast to San Francisco’s history and a taste of its future,” said Presutti. “This is where the martini found its swagger and where it continues to be reinvented.”
Get a San Francisco Martini Trail map and more details here.