The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel New Speaker Series: Making History Fun Again

Designed to celebrate the city’s colorful past while connecting generations through storytelling, the series will bring together voices that inspire, educate, and entertain.

For more than a century, The Clift has welcomed innovators, dreamers, and legends through its doors. Today, the hotel is reintroducing itself as more than a gathering place, it is becoming a platform to honor history, culture, and community.

The inaugural events will be held on Friday, November 14 at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 15 at 5:00 p.m. in the Clift’s legendary Redwood Room. November’s featured speakers include:

• Bill Baker, last living ex-con from Alcatraz (Alcatraz #1259)
• Ruth Carlson, travel journalist and author of Secret San Francisco
• Maria Lenhart, award-winning travel writer and author of Lost Treasures of San Francisco
• Alec Scott, journalist and author of Oldest San Francisco

The Making History Fun Again series will:

• Celebrate San Francisco’s diverse and vibrant history
• Connect elders, young adults, and visitors through meaningful dialogue
• Highlight voices that spark inspiration, curiosity, and conversation

“San Francisco has always been a city of stories,” said Clift Hotel’s General Manager, Isabelle Matter-Shypertt. “Through this series, we are proud to create a space where those stories come alive, bridging generations and reminding us why the city’s history continues to matter today.”

The speaker series will be held monthly on the third Thursday of each month from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., welcoming thought leaders, historians, writers, and cultural voices who embody the spirit of San Francisco.

Event Details:

What: Making History Fun Again Speaker Series LaunchWhen: November 14 at 6:00 p.m. & November 15 at 5:00 p.m.Where: The Redwood Room, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, San FranciscoAdmission: Free for those that RSVP here: "Making History Fun Again" Speaker Series at The Clift Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

About The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel

Located at 495 Geary Street, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel blends contemporary design with timeless character. Home to the legendary Redwood Room, the hotel has been a cultural fixture of San Francisco since 1915. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, The Clift offers 372 stylish guest rooms and suites, a state-of-the-art event space, and an enduring commitment to hospitality that is — and always has been — legendary. Learn more at Sonesta Press Room / The Clift.

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Host or Publisher Molly Blaisdell