The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco

The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, a San Francisco landmark since 1915, continues its monthly speaker series, Making History Fun Again, designed to celebrate the city’s legendary past through lively storytelling, fascinating personalities, and unforgettable local history.
For the August 20 speaker presentation, The Clift Hotel is pleased to feature and celebrate the History of the Presidio and its 250th anniversary. Like the United States and Mission Dolores, 1776 serves as a pivotal date for another national treasure: the Presidio of San Francisco. Established 250 years ago as an outpost of Imperial Spain, the Presidio ultimately became the longest continually operating military post on the West Coast, under the flags of Spain, Mexico and the United States. Rob Thomson, Federal Preservation Officer for the Presidio Trust, will present the history of the Presidio, from its pre-contact beginnings, through its 217 years of military use, to today’s status as a beloved National Park site and one of the most successful historic preservation projects in the country. 

About the Speaker
Rob Thomson is trained as an archaeologist and historic preservation planner.&nbsp; He has worked for the Presidio Trust in San Francisco since 2006 and currently manages the agency’s historic preservation and cultural resources program as its Federal Preservation Officer.&nbsp; Prior to the Trust, Rob developed historic preservation training programs in Southeast Asia for the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles, and worked on archaeological field projects in Virginia, California, and East Africa.&nbsp; He has written extensively on historic preservation policy in the US and Asia, including a co-authored book entitled&nbsp;Architectural Conservation in Asia: National Experiences &amp; Practice.&nbsp; He holds a bachelor’s degree in archaeology from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in historic preservation from Columbia University.
Event Details
What: Making History Fun Again — Speaker Series - History of the Presidio / 250th Anniversary 
Featured Speaker: Rob Thomson - Federal Preservation Officer, Presidio Trust 
When: Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 5:00 p.m. Cocktail Hour | 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Program 
Where: The Redwood Room, The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel 
Admission: Complimentary with RSVP
RSVP: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/making-history-fun-again-speaker-series-at-the-clift-tickets-1976773423523?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Making History Fun Again Speaker Series at The Clift Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite</a>
Upcoming Speaker Series Lineup
Thursday, September 17 - Kevin Kopjak Panel - History of the Performing Arts
Thursday, October 15 - Rae Alexander - KQED and Author of Unsung Heroines: 35 Women Who Changed the Bay Area
Thursday, November 19 - Heather Knight (NYTimes) - leading a panel that includes Will Hearst (ALTA, formerly SF Examiner), Wendy Tokuda (formerly KPIX), Joe FItzgerald Rodriguez (SF Standard), John Rothmann (formerly KGO) - History of Media 
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 <a href="https://www.sonesta.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Sonesta Press Room / The Clift</a> or by calling (415) 775-4700.

Local Event: The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel Continues Its Speaker Series: Making History Fun Again

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The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel Continues Its...

The Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel, a San Francisco landmark since 1915, continues its monthly speaker series, Making History Fun...

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

Downtown Pleasant Hill

<a href="https://shopdowntownpleasanthill.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Downtown Pleasant Hill</a> is celebrating the onset of summer by announcing its Annual Summer Concert Series, which are highly anticipated events that bring the community together to enjoy a variety of live musical performances in a festive, outdoor setting. 
Held in the heart of Pleasant Hill at Crescent Plaza, this free concert series offers a fantastic opportunity for both locals and visitors to revel in the delightful ambiance of summer evenings filled with music.
Running from June to September, the concert series features an eclectic lineup of bands that showcase a range of music genres, including R&amp;B, soul, rock, and more. Each concert takes place on Thursday evenings, from 7:00-9:00pm, making it a perfect mid-week break to relax, unwind, and dance the night away. 
2026 Line Up
Thursdays from 7:00-9:00pm

August 20: The Cheeseballs (Funk, Soul + R&amp;B)
September 17: Foreverland (Michael Jackson Tribute Band)
In addition to the musical entertainment, the concert series also supports a festive atmosphere with a variety of dining and shopping options nearby. Local eateries and shops around Crescent Drive remain open during concert times, allowing attendees to grab a bite to eat or enjoy some shopping before or after the show.
“The Downtown Pleasant Hill Summer Concert Series not only promotes community engagement but also boosts local business, creating a vibrant cultural and economic environment,” comments Brandi Hardy, Marketing Director for Downtown Pleasant Hill. She continues, “With its family-friendly appeal, the concerts are perfect for all ages, offering a delightful summer tradition that exemplifies the charm and spirit of Pleasant Hill.”

About Downtown Pleasant Hill
Downtown Pleasant Hill is a premier open-air shopping center in the heart of Pleasant Hill, offering a convenient mix of national retailers, dining, and everyday services. Anchor tenants include Ross Dress for Less and Michael’s Arts &amp; Crafts, complemented by popular dining options such as Jack’s Restaurant &amp; Bar, Urban Plates, Zachary’s Chicago Pizza, and Chipotle Mexican Grill. Together, these leading brands create a vibrant, walkable destination for shopping, dining, and daily needs.

Local Event: Downtown Pleasant Hill Announces Return of Popular Summer Concert Series 

Downtown Pleasant Hill Announces Return of...

 Downtown Pleasant Hill is celebrating the onset of summer by announcing its Annual Summer Concert Series, which are highly...

Downtown Pleasant Hill Announces Return of Popular Summer Concert Series 

Pacific Commons Shopping Center

The popular <a href="https://pacificcommons.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pacific Commons</a> Summer Concert Series continues with two exciting performances remaining, beginning with Neon Velvet on Friday, August 28, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at The Block Plaza near Koja Kitchen.
Known for its dynamic blend of funk, soul and R&amp;B, Neon Velvet will bring an energetic, dance-worthy performance to the Pacific Commons stage. The free summer series will then conclude on Friday, September 25, with Foreverland, a crowd-pleasing tribute to the music and unforgettable performances of Michael Jackson.
Pacific Commons Summer Concert Series: Final Two Performances
<ul>
<li>August 28: Neon Velvet – Funk, Soul and R&amp;B</li>
<li>September 25: Foreverland – Michael Jackson Tribute</li>
</ul>
Both concerts will take place from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at The Block Plaza and are free and open to the public.
“We’re excited to close out another wonderful season with two high-energy performances that will have our guests dancing all evening,” said Brandi Hardy, Director of Marketing for Pacific Commons. “The Summer Concert Series has become a beloved community tradition, offering families and friends a fun way to gather, enjoy live music and make the most of summer.”
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley along the I-880 corridor, Pacific Commons offers an ideal setting for an evening out, with an extensive selection of restaurants, shops and entertainment options to enjoy before and after each performance.
For more information and updates, visit <a href="https://www.pacificcommons.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.pacificcommons.com</a> or follow @ShopPacificCommons on social media.

About Pacific Commons
<a href="https://pacificcommons.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pacific Commons shopping center</a> is a dominant, super-regional power center located off the I-880 corridor in the middle of Fremont’s Silicon Valley. This 1.1 million-square-foot shopping destination is home to such popular retailers as Target, Lowe’s, Costco, Burlington Coat Factory, Nordstrom Rack, DSW, Old Navy, T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Ulta, Total Wine, Miniso, and Century Theatres. Restaurant tenants include Gen Korean BBQ, Pho Ha Noi, In-N-Out, Market Broiler, Koja Kitchen, and more.

Local Event: Pacific Commons Summer Concert Series Rocks On

Pacific Commons Summer Concert Series Rocks On

The popular Pacific Commons Summer Concert Series continues with two exciting performances remaining, beginning with Neon...

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

AUG

20

6:00 PM

The Clift Royal Sonesta San Francisco, 495 Geary St, SF, CA

Downtown Pleasant Hill Announces Return of Popular Summer Concert Series

AUG

20

9:00 PM

Downtown Pleasant Hill, 60 Crescent Dr, Pleasant Hill, CA

Pacific Commons Summer Concert Series Rocks On

AUG

28

7:00 PM

Pacific Commons Shopping Center, 43440 Boscell Rd, Fremont, CA