San Francisco, the universally beloved City by the Bay, is starting to see some much deserved attention from big-name luxury developers in the fractional market. With Ritz-Carlton Club and Fairmont Heritage Place both opening San Francisco properties in early 2008, potential private residence club members will have two opulent new options for their urban pied-à-terres, in two of the city’s most vibrant areas. The Ritz will be housing its 49 fractional units in the renovated 1890 Chronicle newspaper building, just a stone’s throw from bustling Union Square, and Fairmont’s 54 new offerings will open up in historic Ghirardelli Square.

And as it turns out, individual buyers aren’t the only ones eying the new developments. Destination club giant Exclusive Resorts recently announced that it will be purchasing 12 units in Fairmont’s Ghirardelli property. The units will represent the club’s second mainstay in the city; Exclusive Resorts already offers members access to six residences in the Huntington Hotel, located in the posh Nob Hill district. Other notable luxury real estate options in the city include Resort Equities’ Odeon penthouse, a two-story, 2,500 square foot fractional unit also located near Union Square, and several whole ownership offerings, including 102 residences at the St. Regis in the South of Market neighborhood, and 57 units in the Ritz development.

For a comprehensive look at all the Bay Area has to offer in luxury real estate, spend some time with our new destination guide to San Francisco and Wine Country. Halogen Guides is putting together the web’s most complete guides to buying into the world’s most popular luxury real estate markets, with detailed listings of properties and articles on how far your housing dollar will go. Coming soon? Cabo San Lucas, Aspen and Lake Tahoe.