I spent 10 glorious years living in San Francisco, where my career as a psychic/medium first began to flourish. Though I moved to Southern California years ago, I've returned to San Francisco many times since and was even honored one year when then Mayor Frank Jordan declared one August 1 "Kenny Kingston Day." Part of San Francisco's appeal to me is its closeness to water. Any time one is near water it helps to attract spirits and can enhance meditation and relaxation. Whenever I'm in the city I visit my old neighborhood - Pacific Heights. It has maintained its elegance and beauty to this day. I have so many happy memories from the days I spent on Pacific Heights. It was in my home on Clay Street (see picture) that I first gave psychic readings to Marilyn Monroe, Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman and W. Somerset Maugham, among many other noted personalities. It was and still is a beautiful area in which to take a walk, with a wonderful view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Monroe, Crawford, Garbo and many others passed through this entrance to meet with Kenny.

In the past when I've been taping television shows in San Francisco, I've stayed at the St. Francis or the Fairmont Hotel, which are both elegant in their own ways. But when I am more or less on a vacation I look for more casual and fun places to stay. This time around, I chose to stay at the conveniently-located Commodore Hotel, an easy walk from Union Square. I recalled friends happily telling me many years ago that they stayed at the Commodore. And I remembered that in perhaps the late 1950's a man named Dwight Fisk played piano in a lounge at the Commodore. He was very popular and reminded one of Noel Coward. Based on those memories I arranged a stay at the hotel recently. The Commodore has been decorated to look like a 1920's luxury liner with mosaics, murals and boldly colorful furnishings. Whether you partake of spirits inside or not, don't miss seeing the Red Room cocktail lounge. It's truly an experience, and ALL in red! The Commodore truly has all the comforts of home: a mini refrigerator, coffeemaker, walk-in closet, ironing board.and the cheerful, colorful atmosphere that will wake you up and give you the energy you need to enjoy your stay in the city!

Kenny in the lobby of the Commodore Hotel

My stay brought to mind a couple of life lessons to be learned: 1) Contrary to the old expression, you really can go home again. And you should, if it's something you've been meaning to do. It's easy to put off returning to a place you love, saying "I'll do it soon" or "Some day." But why not make that someday now? 2) We must also go with what our personal tastes crave. There's a hotel here in the Los Angeles area that recently was remodeled to look "hip" and "trendy." It's steeped in lively Hollywood history and used to be fun to visit. But when I visited recently for a news interview I found they'd remodeled in all black and gray - quite depressing. I love color - it's uplifting. So my stay at the Commodore suited me perfectly: a lively area, and a cheery atmosphere.

Enjoy these selections, Sweet Spirits, and I'll recommend other items for your viewing or reading soon!