One — Catch the bus at Hilton Union Square or Hotel Julian
Saturday coaches depart at 9:00 AM. Two buses will stop at both the Hilton Union Square and Hotel Julian. Participants can board at either hotel. Please arrive by the stated time.
MC3 Reunion Weekend
Merton College in
San Francisco
Everything you need for the weekend in one place: times, addresses, transport, and who to call.
- Dates
- Friday to Sunday
September 11-13, 2026 - With us this weekend
- Merton College Choir
Professor Jennifer Payne, Warden
The Revd Canon Justin White, Chaplain
Benjamin Nicholas, Reed Rubin Organist & Director of Music
Mark Coote, Development Director & Fellow
Dr Sara Gordon, Deputy Development Director
Lizzie Casey, Choir Manager
Jennifer Crompton, Chapel Verger
Four things before you arrive
Please read these before Friday. Everything else in this note can wait until you need it.
Two — The boat leaves on time
Boarding at Pier 3 closes before the 4:45 PM departure and the vessel cannot wait. Please arrive before 4:30 PM. Alternatively, meet at the Hilton Union Square or Hotel Julian at 3:30 PM for the hotel pickup.
Three — Dress for two climates
Muir Woods is cool and damp under the canopy, and the Bay can be very cold after sunset. Layers and comfortable shoes on Saturday; smart dress for the concert on Friday.
Four — Nob Hill is steep
Grace Cathedral and the University Club both sit at the top of Nob Hill, one of San Francisco's steepest hills. Even a single block can be a challenging climb, so allow extra time and consider a taxi or rideshare.
Thursday10 September
Evensong at Grace Cathedral
OptionalNot part of the MC3 programme, and open to anyone already in the city.
Venue: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street. The service begins at 5:30 PM.
5:30 PM
Joint choral service
The Merton College Choir sings with the men and boys of the Grace Cathedral Choir. No ticket required.
Friday11 September
Concert and reception
Venue: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street. Doors open before the 7:00 PM concert; the reception follows in the Cathedral precincts.
7:00 PM
Merton College Choir in concert
A seventy minute programme, plus encores, directed by Benjamin Nicholas.
from 8:30 PM
Informal drinks reception in the Dining Room
Informal drinks for alumni and friends, hosted by Merton College. The Choir joins after the performance.
Reserved seatingMerton guests have reserved seating. Please make yourself known to the ushers and staff helping with seating.
Finding the receptionLeave the cathedral and turn left. Go ahead into the courtyard, cross it, and look for the open doors on your left — that is the Dining Room. Cathedral ushers and staff can also point the way.
GuestsIf you are bringing someone to the concert and reception who is not registered for the full weekend, let Thom know so the College has an accurate count.
Saturday12 September · morning
Muir Woods and Sausalito
Departure: Coaches leave at 9:00 AM. Two buses will stop at both Hilton Union Square, 333 O’Farrell Street and Hotel Julian, 940 Sutter Street. Participants can board at either hotel.
9:00 AM
Hotel pickup
Two buses will stop at both the Hilton Union Square and Hotel Julian. Participants can board at either hotel. Then across the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County, with the guide’s commentary on the way.
9:45 AMto 11:15 AM
Muir Woods National Monument
An hour and a half among the coastal redwoods. The Redwood Creek trail is flat and boardwalked.
11:15 to 11:45 AM
Scenic drive to Sausalito
Through the Marin hills to the waterfront.
11:45 AMto 1:00 PM
Sausalito
Free time on the waterfront: boutiques, galleries, and the marina. Lunch is at your own expense and at your own pace. Be back at the coach by 1:00 PM.
1:00 to 2:00 PM
Return across the Golden Gate
Panoramic views of the skyline and the Bay on the way back. We aim to be back by 2:00 PM.
About 2:00 PM
Back at the hotels
Drop-off at both the Hilton Union Square and Hotel Julian. This is the end of the morning activity.
Saturday12 September · evening
Sunset cruise on the Bay
Departure: Pier 3, Hornblower Landing, on the Embarcadero just north of the Ferry Building. The boat leaves at 4:45 PM; please be there by 4:30 PM.
3:30 PM
Hotel pickup
Meet at the Hilton Union Square or the Hotel Julian at 3:30 PM and we will travel to the pier together.
4:30 PM
Boarding at Pier 3
Hornblower Landing, on the Embarcadero just north of the Ferry Building. Make your own way here if you are not joining the hotel pickup.
4:45 to 7:45 PM
Sunset cruise on the Bay
Three hours under the bridges and past Alcatraz. Dinner and a hosted beer and wine bar. The Choir will sing a short unaccompanied set during the evening.
7:45 PM
Disembark at Pier 3
The Choir will certainly be happy to perform one or two items on the boat trip on the Saturday evening, a cappella.Mark Coote, Development Director and Fellow, Merton College
Sunday13 September
Farewell breakfast
Alumni and guests only. The Choir travels on to New York.
Venue: University Club of San Francisco, 800 Powell Street. Breakfast runs 8:00 to 11:00 AM; come and go as you like.
8:00 to 11:00 AM
Breakfast at the University Club
800 Powell Street, at the top of Nob Hill. Taxis and rideshares are the easiest way up. Come and go as your travel allows; there is no fixed sitting.
around 9:30 AM
Closing remarks
A short word of thanks before people begin to leave for the airport.
