The Pacific-Union Club, founded in 1889, is one of the most exclusive private social clubs in the United States. Located atop Nob Hill in San Francisco, this historic club has been a gathering place for the city’s elite for over a century.
In This Article
Key Points
- The Pacific-Union Club was formed by the merger of the Pacific Club and the Union Club in 1889.
- The club is housed in the former Flood Mansion, which survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire.
- Membership is highly selective, with a lengthy admissions process and a limit on the number of members.
A Storied History
The Pacific-Union Club traces its roots back to the Pacific Club, founded in 1852, and the Union Club, established in 1854. In 1889, these two clubs merged to form the Pacific-Union Club. The club’s home, the Flood Mansion, was built in 1886 by silver magnate James C. Flood. The brownstone structure, designed by architect Augustus Laver, was the first of its kind west of the Mississippi River.
The Flood Mansion and the nearby Fairmont Hotel were the only buildings in the area to survive the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. The club’s survival cemented its status as a symbol of the city’s resilience and endurance.
Membership and Exclusivity
The Pacific-Union Club is known for its highly selective membership process. The club limits its membership to 760 resident members from the Bay Area, 50 other California members, and 148 out-of-state members. Prospective members must be at least 25 years old and undergo a rigorous admissions process that can take up to 12 months.
The admissions process includes:
- Distribution of questionnaires to the candidate’s sponsors
- Numerous personal interviews
- Continuous and subjective evaluation of the candidate’s qualifications
- Final decision by secret ballot, where two negative votes can defeat an application
The club’s membership list is strictly private and not disclosed to the public. Club functions are also private, with photography generally prohibited and members and guests prevented from describing events to the media.
Notable Members
Throughout its history, the Pacific-Union Club has counted many prominent figures among its members, including:
- David Packard, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard
- William Hewlett, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard
- Charles R. Schwab, founder of Charles Schwab Corporation
- Caspar Weinberger, former U.S. Secretary of Defense
Controversies and Legal Challenges
The Pacific-Union Club has faced criticism and legal challenges over its discriminatory membership practices. The club conceded that it discriminates based on age by requiring prospective members to be at least 25 years old. It has also been widely reputed to discriminate against women and only permit male members, although the only record evidence of this dates back to 1952.
In the late 1980s, the club came under scrutiny from the California Franchise Tax Board, which sought to determine whether any members had violated a tax regulation banning deductions for business expenses at discriminatory clubs. The club fought to protect its membership list, citing First Amendment associational privacy rights.
Pacific-Union Club Punch
The club lends its name to a classic cocktail, the Pacific-Union Club Punch. The recipe, which first appeared in William “Cocktail” Boothby’s 1908 book “The World’s Drinks and How to Mix Them,” calls for a mix of sugar, lime or lemon juice, Curaçao, effervescent water, champagne, and cognac.
FAQ
What is the dress code at the Pacific-Union Club?
The club maintains a formal dress code, with jackets and ties required for men in most areas of the clubhouse.
Can non-members visit the Pacific-Union Club?
Non-members may only visit the club as guests of current members. The club does not allow public access or tours.
How long is the waiting list for membership?
The waiting list for membership can be lengthy, with some reports suggesting a wait time of several years.
Does the Pacific-Union Club host events for members?
Yes, the club hosts various social events, dinners, and gatherings exclusively for its members and their guests.
Is the Pacific-Union Club open to diversity and inclusion?
The club has faced criticism and legal challenges over its discriminatory membership practices in the past. Efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the club are not publicly disclosed.
