Downtown San Francisco: 18 Things to See & Do in this Popular District

Downtown San Francisco is a loosely defined area that includes the Financial District and parts of Union Square, the Tenderloin, Chinatown, and South of Market (SoMa).

This area has quite a few fun things to do and see, which makes it a must-visit location while you are on your vacation here. 

Top picks include museums, concerts, and theater performances. You will also find some of the best hotels, restaurants, and nightlife options. 

It's centrally located, which makes it easy to get from here to all of SF's top attractions and other neighborhoods around the city.

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18 Things to Do in Downtown San Francisco

Downtown San Francisco covers an area of about two miles by two miles. It's the heart of the city and you will find loads of things to do and enjoy when you come to this fun area. Here are 18 of my favorites.

1. Union Square

You will find quite a bit to do in and near Union Square. This one-square-block plaza is the center piece for this thriving district. One of the biggest draws to this district is the shopping.

You will find more than a dozen high-end shops lined up along the plaza including everything from Louis Vuitton to Apple. This is great because if you have problems with your phone or computer while on vacation, this is the best location to help you fix it.

On the streets nearby, you will find additional high-end shopping, but you will also find some bargains too. H&M and Zara both have a big presence near Union Square. 

This area has one of the highest concentrations of hotels with options from the large chains such as Marriott and Hyatt to boutique options such as the Inn at Union Square and the Hotel Nikko.

2. Evening Ghost Tour

Downtown San Francisco has quite an interesting history, and this tour is a must for those wanting to know more about its darker side. No, you won't see any ghosts on this tour, but you will learn all about the unruly characters that got a little too rowdy in Union Square and Nob Hill over the years.

This 60-minute walking tour takes you back in time as you hear stories of haunted hotels, streets, and clubs. Your guide will also tell you about what happened during the times of the Gold Rush and following the tragic 1906 earthquake.

The tour runs several nights a week. 

Visit GetYourGuide.com to learn more and get dates for upcoming tours.

3. Curran Theatre

The Curran Theatre is a historic gem just a few blocks west of Union Square. This downtown San Francisco theater offers three to four large productions each year. They also feature unique performances for the holidays and other special events.

Built in 1922, the Curran is a medium sized venue with around 1,600 seats. The types of shows you can expect at this theater include Dear Evan Hansen, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and The Jungle.

You will find it at 445 Geary Street. 

4. Museum of Modern Art 

San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art is one of our most popular art museums. This recently renovated treasure features more than 30,000 pieces in their collection.

You will get the chance to see famed pieces from artists such as Georgia O'Keefe, Frida Kahlo, and Diego Rivera. You will also see works from Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, and Pablo Picasso. 

With their newly added space, the SF MOMA also has plenty of room for more than a dozen traveling exhibits at once. They show pieces from artists such as Alexander Calder, Andy Warhol, Louise Bourgeois, and many others.

The SFMOMA is located at 151 3rd Street in the heart of the SOMA district.

>> Find a schedule of upcoming exhibits here and at museums all around SF.

>> Find tickets in advance

5. Ferry Building

The Ferry Building along the Embarcadero is another one of the fun things to do in downtown San Francisco. This historic building mainly served as a ferry terminal for years for those commuting into SF from Marin or the East Bay and back. 

Today it plays double duty as a gourmet food lover's paradise. The halls are lined with wonderful restaurants and several shops selling fresh bread, award winning wines, and the best local cheese that you will never forget. 

You can stroll the halls on your own or learn all about its goodies for sale during a food walking tour. You will sample your way through the Ferry Building as you learn all about its history, the food you are tasting, and more.

This tour runs a couple of days a week on the days when the farmer's market sets up in front. Find the upcoming schedule and ticketing details here.

It's easy to find the Ferry Building where Market Street meets the Embarcadero, as you'll see its 245-foot clock tower sticking up along the waterfront.

6. The Punchline Comedy Club

If you love comedy, then head over to The Punchline Comedy Club. This downtown San Francisco establishment welcomes comedians from all around the world. Most nights of the week they have at least one comedian on stage and often more. 

Some of the people you might get a chance to see include Will Durst, Dan St. Germain, and Greg Proops. See a schedule of upcoming shows below.

You'll find this club at 444 Battery Street. 

>> Additional comedy shows around SF

7. Salesforce Tower and Park

The relatively new (2018) Salesforce Tower is a wonderful addition to downtown San Francisco. This 61-story building is now the tallest in all of SF and offers a stunning lookout point from their top floor.

Pre-pandemic, the Ohana Floor, as it's also known, was open to the public one Saturday a month with four different tour times each day. You had to register far in advance, as they booked up early. And if you managed to grab a spot, you got 1 hour to check out the amazing views, which include the Golden Gate Bridge, the Pacific Ocean, and Alcatraz Island.

Currently, this tour is not offered to the public, but you can sign up for their "notify me" e-mail to find out when they announce new dates.

In addition, right outside of this glimmering skyscraper, you'll find Salesforce Park, a four-block-long living roof where anyone is free to walk around, enjoy the gardens, fountains, children's play area, and more. There is even a one-way glass gondola that will take you from the ground floor up to the 4th-floor park for free!

8. Downtown Breweries

You will also find several fantastic breweries in downtown San Francisco. Here are just a few of my favorites. 

• Bartlett Hall: This craft beer and gastropub is a great place to stop when exploring Union Square. They have American dishes and some great happy hour specials. 242 O'Farrell Street. 
• 21st Amendment Brewpub: This is an old-school San Francisco brewery near the ballpark. It's the perfect stop before or after a Giants game or when you are exploring the South of Market District. They also have tasty burgers and a number of other amazing American dishes on their menu. 563 2nd Street.
  

>> More great breweries around SF

9. San Francisco Centre

If you plan to do a little shopping while you are here, you will love the variety of shops inside the San Francisco Centre. You will find everything from shoes to clothing to gifts for yourself or loved ones.

One of the largest stores at this downtown San Francisco shopping center is Bloomingdales. Other top picks include American Eagle, H&M, Foot Locker, and others. You can also pick up some Ghirardelli Chocolates or enjoy a casual lunch in their downstairs food court. 

You will find it at 865 Market Street.

>> More places to shop around SF

10. Cable Cars

Downtown San Francisco is also where you will find all three of our cable cars. Two of the three depart from Powell near Market Street. The Powell/Hyde line takes you up and over Nob Hill with a final stop in Fisherman's Wharf.

The Powell/Mason line takes you through North Beach with a final stop three blocks south of the Fisherman's Wharf area.

The third line runs east-west along California Street. You can pick it up at California and Drumm Street. It will take you up to Nob Hill and all the way to the corner of California and Van Ness.

11. Walking Tour of Union Square and Chinatown

Visit two of San Francisco's top districts on this 2.5-hour walking tour, which highlights their contrasting art and architecture. 

You'll find out about the colorful hearts around Union Square and local works by Salvador Dali and Frank Lloyd Wright.

You'll then head over to Chinatown, where you will learn about the history and culture of the oldest Chinatown in the US. You'll find out how it has changed over time and admire some of its beautiful street art.

Both morning and afternoon tours are available. It runs most days of the week. Visit Viator to learn more and check for ticket availability. 

12. Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

Another cool thing to see in downtown San Francisco is the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. This quick stop is a fun place to visit and gives you a glimpse into the world of yesterday. You will see how fortune cookies are made and will even get a chance to buy some of their delicious treats.

It's located at 56 Ross Alley in Chinatown.

>> Explore even more of Chinatown on this fun guided walking tour

13. Chinese Temples

Another must-see in downtown San Francisco is one of the historic Chinese temples in Chinatown. Most feature historic altars and gorgeous décor. My three favorites include the Kong Chow Temple, the Tin How Temple, and the Ma Tsu Temple.

The Kong Chow Temple still has ancient artifacts even though it relocated to its current location in 1977. The Tin How Temple was built in the mid-1800s. The final temple is quite a bit newer but offers vibrant colors and newer altars.

14. Contemporary Jewish Museum

The Contemporary Jewish Museum is a great place to see art relating to the Jewish Culture and learn more about the San Francisco Jewish community. They offer a handful of permanent exhibits, but most of their space is dedicated to temporary exhibits featuring Jewish artists from around the world.

Exhibits include everything from paintings to sculptures to works about Jewish history and culture. 

Their new building opened in 2008 with a design inspired by the Hebrew phrase l’chaim (“to life”). Make sure to spend time not only admiring the exhibits but also taking a close look at the structure of the museum itself.

>> Use the Go San Francisco Pass for admission to this museum and many others

15. Dragon Gate

You cannot miss the Dragon Gate, which is the official entry point into Chinatown. This downtown San Francisco attraction features a traditional green tiled top with two dragons on the top of it. 

There are also detailed columns with Chinese writing on the sides. Once you step inside, make sure to also check out the light posts throughout the district. The first set is just a few steps inside the gates.

They have similar detail and they are worth taking some time to view and even photograph.

16. Museum of the African Diaspora

The Museum of the African Diaspora is another great find in the downtown San Francisco district. The museum tells the story of the African Diaspora through hands-on exhibits, audio recordings, and videos. 

When you visit this museum, you'll learn about and celebrate Black cultures around the world. It isn't like a typical museum with artifacts throughout, but rather an interactive learning experience with hands-on displays.

17. Concerts at August Hall

If you are looking for some live music in downtown San Francisco, head over to August Hall at 420 Mason Street. They offer live music several times each month. 

The building opened in the mid-1890s as a Victorian Playhouse by August Headman. It then became a USO club called the Stage Door, which premiered Alfred Hitchcock's film Vertigo.

If you haven't seen the movie, you will definitely want to, as you can see what August Hall looked like back in the day.

18. Rincon Center Murals

Step into the old Rincon Post Office for a look at more than 20 historic murals. Completed in 1948, these murals caused quite the controversy during their time. They were created by an artist that had never visited San Francisco, but created the murals based on what he thought the area was all about. 

The murals walk through SF's history from before the Gold Rush all the way to the pre-WWII era. You will see scenes with the building of the Golden Gate Bridge and other interesting figures from that time. 

The murals are free to visit and worth spending some time admiring for those who love history and interesting art.

>> Additional places to find murals and street art around SF

Where to Stay in Downtown San Francisco

Downtown San Francisco has the largest concentration of hotels in the city. You will find everything from five-star beauties to budget-friendly gems. Here are just a few of my top picks.

Westin St. Francis: 4-star hotel in the heart of downtown San Francisco in Union Square. You will find a couple of lovely restaurants inside the hotel and a great wine tasting room. It's the only hotel right on the square. 335 Powell Street. Learn more and check for availability

Omni San Francisco Hotel: Another 4-star hotel in the Financial District, located right on the California Cable Car line. Walking distance to shopping, restaurants, and several attractions. 500 California Street. Find more details and booking information

Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA: 4-star hotel in the SoMa district, really close to the SF Museum of Modern Art, the SF Cable Car turnaround on Powell, and the San Francisco Centre. 50 Third Street. Find more details and availability and reviews.

Find additional lodging recommendations for downtown SF.

How to Get to Downtown San Francisco

Public Transit

Public transit is the best way to get around downtown San Francisco. You will find a variety of options that take you to places all around the city. Here are a few popular routes.

F Streetcar: This will take you all the way to Fisherman's Wharf. It's a slow ride but worth your while, as it takes you past top attractions along the way including the Ferry Building, Alcatraz Landing (where you grab the ferries to Alcatraz), then Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. You can get on the streetcar at stops along Market Street.

Cable Cars: All three cable cars have terminals in downtown San Francisco. You can take the Powell/Hyde or the Powell/Mason line north all the way to Fisherman's Wharf, or the California line west past Nob Hill.

Buses: There are numerous Muni buses that come through this area. Popular routes include the 30 to Chinatown, the 6 or 7 to Haight-Ashbury, and the 5 to Golden Gate Park.

Light Rail: You can also take the light rail trains. All of the trains run through downtown San Francisco (underground). You can take them to Oracle Park, which is home to the San Francisco Giants' baseball team and other events, Ocean Beach, the Civic Center, the Dogpatch, and other places around SF.

Driving & Parking

If you plan to drive, you will find quite a few parking options. It can be a hectic part of town, so make sure to stay alert as there are pedestrians and scooters all around the downtown San Francisco area.

Here are a few places to park:

Sutter-Stockton: The Sutter-Stockton Garage is a great option for those heading to the Financial District or Union Square. It's one of the largest garages in the area and well located next to several districts. 444 Stockton Street.

Union Square Garage: The Union Square Garage is my top pick for those visiting the Union Square area. It's a medium-sized garage underneath Union Square Plaza. It's great if you plan to go shopping or grab dinner in this district. 333 Post Street.

5th and Mission Garage: The garage at 5th Street and Mission is great for those heading over to the San Francisco Centre, Yerba Buena Gardens, or other places in the SoMa district. It's a huge parking facility that is easy to find and has plenty of places to park on most days. 833 Mission Street. 

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