Civic Center Travel Guide

San Francisco
Civic Center
See historic San Francisco government buildings, study ancient artifacts and visit renowned performing arts institutions in this cultural district.

San Francisco’s Civic Center contains many of the city’s cultural institutions and historic buildings. Survey the grand City Hall, built in the early 20th century and regarded as the centerpiece of the district. Other attractions include an art museum displaying works from Asia’s diverse cultures and an enchanting theater that stages world-class musical productions.

As its name implies, this neighborhood is home to several notable government institutions, such as San Francisco’s Supreme Court of California, the San Francisco Public Library and the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Explore the district’s two main plazas, the Civic Center Plaza and the United Nations Plaza. Civic Center Plaza is a great place to view some of the area’s imposing classical-style architecture, while the United Nations Plaza hosts a popular semiweekly farmers market.

Book tickets for musical performances at the Orpheum Theater on Civic Center’s southern border. Inside, high, white vaulted ceilings give the theater a cathedral-like appearance.

Tour San Francisco City Hall, one of the most recognizable landmarks in Civic Center. This impressive structure was completed in 1915 after an earthquake destroyed the original building in 1906. The magnificent dome is said to have been inspired by Mansart’s Baroque dome of the Val-de-Grâce church in Paris. Find other landmarks, including the San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center, just a short walk from here.

Bordering the Civic Center Plaza to the east is the acclaimed Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, which features more than 18,000 artworks in its permanent collection. Some pieces are more than 6,000 years old while more than 1,000 works date from the last 55 years, making this one of the most comprehensive Asian art collections in the western world. Examine ancient religious sculptures, military artifacts, paintings and other objects.

Civic Center is located about 14 miles (23 kilometers) from San Francisco International Airport. Find several large parking lots in the area. Stay in nearby luxury hotels and less expensive self-catered apartments.

Enjoy culture and grandiose architecture in San Francisco’s Civic Center.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Civic Center

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
The price is Rp1.978.830 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
Rp1.978.830
Rp2.329.209 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,250 reviews)
"Room was clean with a great view. The elevator could use an upgrade but works okay. Overall a very pleasant stay. Would totally recommend"

Reviewed on 29 Oct 2024

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
Club Quarters Hotel in San Francisco
Club Quarters Hotel in San Francisco
4 out of 5
424 Clay St, San Francisco, CA
The price is Rp1.606.621 per night from 21 Nov to 22 Nov
Rp1.606.621
Rp1.890.913 total
includes taxes & fees
21 Nov - 22 Nov
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,020 reviews)
"Clean and nice personnels"

Reviewed on 28 Oct 2024

Club Quarters Hotel in San Francisco
Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Hilton San Francisco Financial District
4 out of 5
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
The price is Rp1.756.761 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
Rp1.756.761
Rp2.067.621 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Nov - 4 Nov
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and Wi-Fi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (636 reviews)
"Nice hotel, awesome location right in China town and very close to North Beach and the financial district. Super walkable."

Reviewed on 28 Oct 2024

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Fairmont San Francisco
Fairmont San Francisco
5 out of 5
950 Mason Street Atop Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA
The price is Rp3.070.327 per night from 22 Nov to 23 Nov
Rp3.070.327
Rp4.253.757 total
includes taxes & fees
22 Nov - 23 Nov
Stay at this spa hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,111 reviews)
"Hotel is beautiful and located in a nice area. The rooms are fantastic, clean and elegant. The lobby is beautiful but there is no option for drink or food. Another limitation - there is only one restaurant, limited food options if you are looking for a gluten free options, closes at 9PM. They also ..."

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2024

Fairmont San Francisco
The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square
The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square
4.5 out of 5
335 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is Rp2.760.468 per night from 16 Nov to 17 Nov
Rp2.760.468
Rp3.714.700 total
includes taxes & fees
16 Nov - 17 Nov
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,897 reviews)
"The staff was very friendly"

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2024

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square
Handlery Union Square Hotel
Handlery Union Square Hotel
3.5 out of 5
351 Geary St, San Francisco, CA
The price is Rp2.164.440 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
Rp2.164.440
Rp2.547.437 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Nov - 4 Nov
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,174 reviews)
"Nice"

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2024

Handlery Union Square Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Civic Center

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Downtown San Francisco

3/5(52 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Francisco. Top attractions like Oracle Park and Chase Center are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

Downtown San Francisco
South of Market which includes skyline, a park and cbd

South of Market

3.5/5(113 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants great entertainment and top sights from San Francisco Bay to Oracle Park – discover South of Market, a destination also famous for its shopping.

South of Market
Union Square featuring a skyscraper and a city

Union Square

4/5(287 area reviews)

Known for its charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Union Square. Check out top attractions like Westin St Francis Hotel Glass Elevators and Union Square, and jump on the metro at Powell St & Geary Blvd Stop or Powell St & Post St Stop to see more of the city.

Union Square
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Japantown

Travellers come to Japantown for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Konko Church of San Francisco and Peace Pagoda while you're in town.

Japantown
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Western Addition

4/5(24 area reviews)

Alamo Square and Painted Ladies are top sights in Western Addition, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Duboce Avenue & Noe Street Station or Duboce Ave & Church St Stop to see more sights in the area.

Western Addition
Nob Hill showing street scenes and a city

Nob Hill

4.5/5(78 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from Grace Cathedral to SF Masonic Auditorium – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nob Hill

Civic Center Travel Guide