History

Alice B. Toklas was an American-born member of the Parisian avant-garde of the early 20th century, and the life partner of American writer Gertrude Stein.

Always a somewhat eccentric woman, Toklas published a cookbook in 1954 called “The Alice B. Toklas Cookbook.” The most famous recipe in the book was contributed by her friend Brion Gysin, and was essentially a recipe for pot brownies. Known as “Haschich Fudge,” the recipe was a mixture of fruit, nuts, spices and marijuana.

Hauntings & Lore

No one can say for sure why Alice B. Toklas haunts Hotel Sorrento, especially since her family moved back to San Francisco more than 10 years before the hotel even opened. As with most ghost stories, there are inconsistencies in details. Some say Toklas’ spirit can be seen wearing white and wandering the halls on the fourth floor, and that she has a particular affinity for room 408. Others say she wears black, and lights flicker as she passes. Still others report having their drinks inexplicably moved in the hotel’s Dunbar Room.