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San Francisco Financial District: 10 Things to See & Do in this Busy SF Neighborhood
by Jill Loeffler •
The San Francisco Financial District is where you will find offices for some of our largest businesses. This is, of course, where the City by the Bay gets its beloved skyline.
Known locally as "FiDi," this neighborhood also has quite a few fun things to do and some historic restaurants that you won't want to miss.
The Financial District in San Francisco is also a great place to stay if you are on business or just traveling.
Read on for some of my favorite places to visit, grab dinner, and enjoy live entertainment.
Where is the Financial District in San Francisco?
FiDi SF is part of the larger downtown San Francisco area on the northeast side of the city.
Neighboring Districts: The SF Financial District is centrally located and surrounded by San Francisco's other most famous districts, including Union Square, Chinatown, North Beach, SOMA, and the Embarcadero.
Boundaries: The official borders for this district are up for debate. However, generally speaking, you have Broadway to the north, Kearny to the west, the Embarcadero to the east, and Mission Street to the south.
The southern boundary used to be Market Street, but San Francisco's business district continues to expand south, most notably with the recent construction of the Salesforce Park and Tower.
On the San Francisco Financial District map below, I've marked the neighborhood's main attractions along with a few more in surrounding districts.
San Francisco Financial District Map
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
10 Fun Things to Do in the Financial District SF
1. Ride the California Cable Car
SF is home to three fully operating cable car lines, and you will find one of them in the San Francisco Financial District.
The California cable car line runs east-west from Drumm and California all the way to Van Ness and California in the Nob Hill District.
Something I love about this one is the shorter lines to ride it, as compared with the other two routes in Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf.
As you head from east to west, you will be awed by the wonderful views from the Financial District hills.
Make sure to sit in the back of the cable car, so you get the best views as you get pulled up steep California Street.
I like to sit facing north, too, so I can see the historic Fairmont Hotel and Grace Cathedral as we ride by.
You can pick it up at its first stop at Drumm and California or anywhere along California Street where you see the cable car pick-up signs.
>> Discover the essential info about our cable cars, including how to ride them
2. Peruse the Ferry Building
Head east on Market Street toward the iconic clocktower and you will reach San Francisco's historic Ferry Building. This structure dates back to 1898.
This is a working dock for the ferries that take you to Sausalito, Angel Island, and other destinations around the SF Bay Area.
However, it's also popular as an indoor gourmet market for tasty local treats and artisan goods, as well as their weekly farmer's market.
Find everything from handmade chocolate to fresh-baked bread, clam chowder to burgers.
Even if you don't buy or eat anything here, it's worth a visit for to appreciate the historic architecture and the views.
>> Get more information on taking our San Francisco ferries
3. Meander through Salesforce Park
Salesforce Park is an expansive, and impressive, elevated urban park that sits atop the Transbay Transit Center.
I say impressive because it's an architectural feat to have 5.4 acres of gardens floating 70 feet above the ground, designed to withstand our earthquakes and offering unparalleled up-close views of the SF city skyline.
It gives local office workers and visitors the unique chance run and play or even bird watch while surrounded by downtown skyscrapers. It also has a beer garden.
One of the fun free things to do in San Francisco's Financial District is taking the glass gondola ride up to the park from the ground-level Salesforce Plaza. It operates from 10 am to 6 pm and there is no ticket required.
This park runs parallel to Mission Street, just two blocks south of Market, between Beale (to the east) and 2nd Street (to the west).
4. Marvel at the Transamerica Pyramid
The Transamerica Pyramid is one of the most famous buildings in SF's gorgeous skyline.
Even though they no longer allow visitors inside, you can still get a great view of this amazing structure from the outside.
In my opinion, the real reason to visit is the Transamerica Redwood Park located on the east side of the building, where you will find a serene green space with beautiful costal redwoods.
It's a quick retreat from the hustle and bustle of the SF Financial District.
Grab a take-away lunch and use the park benches to enjoy your meal while admiring the trees. Make sure to head over to the fountain that honors Mark Twain, too.
The Transamerica Pyramid is at 600 Montgomery Street.
>> Discover the best places near San Francisco to see coastal redwoods up close
5. Take a Free Walking Tour of the District
Both of these free walking tours are offered by the public library program SF City Guides. They each offer a different focus on the Financial District in San Francisco and are led by passionate volunteer guides who really know their stuff.
- Boom & Bust: This one takes you through San Francisco's changing relationship with money and finance, from the pre-Gold Rush era to the tech-driven present. It meets at Empire Park about once a week.
- A Touch of Glass: Glass in San Francisco’s Commercial Architecture: This one highlights an often overlooked design element, glass, in the SF city skyline. It meets in the heart of our historic downtown at the Tadich Grill a couple of times a month.
>> Discover more about these and other free SF City Guides tours
6. People Watch in Portsmouth Square
Portsmouth Square is a thriving park that I love to visit when I'm in the area.
You can grab a seat on a bench and watch the local Chinese community members play mahjong. If you arrive at the right time, you will see other locals practicing their tai chi.
This plaza is also the location where the free Chinatown walking tour begins.
You will find this interesting and lively park near Kearny and Clay Streets.
Fun Fact: Portsmouth Square, now a central institution of the SF Chinatown community, was actually the place where the first American flag went up and the city of San Francisco was founded back in the Gold Rush era.
7. Laugh at the Punch Line Comedy Club
One of the best nightlife options in the San Francisco Financial District is the Punch Line Comedy Club. This highly regarded venue features comedians on stage several nights a week.
They feature both well-known comedians and up-and-comers. Those who have performed here include Will Durst, Greg Proops, and Arj Barker.
This comedy club is located at 444 Battery Street. Here is a list of upcoming shows:
>> Find additional tips to attend a Punch Line show
8. Sit Back at the Vesuvio Cafe & City Lights Booksellers
Want to walk in the path of the Beat Generation? In the 1950s, this avant-garde community called the northern part of the San Francisco Financial District and North Beach home.
They were writers, poets and artists who didn't follow mainstream thinking.
On the northern end of the San Francisco Financial District, you will find two places highly relevant to this movement.
City Lights Booksellers is an independent bookstore founded by one of the Beats, Lawrence Ferlinghetti.
A writer, poet, and activist, Ferlinghetti opened City Lights in 1953 as a place for Beat writers to showcase and sell their work. Today, this wonderful store features an array of books you won't find anywhere else.
Right next door, you will find the Vesuvio Cafe. This was a popular haunt for writers such as Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Ferlinghetti, and Neal Cassady.
They have memorabilia on the wall and it's a fun place to grab a drink as you soak in the legacy of those who sat here before you.
City Lights is at 261 Columbus Avenue, and the Vesuvio Cafe is at 255 Columbus Avenue.
Don't miss the colorful murals in the Jack Kerouac alley in between these two spots.
>> More about the Vesuvio Cafe
9. Shop at the Embarcadero Center
Head over to Embarcadero Center for some shopping or a bite to eat.
This large outdoor mall spans four full city blocks. Each building is two levels and they are named One, Two, Three, and Four Embarcadero (this becomes important when looking for a specific place).
You will find name-brand stores, such as Sephora, as well as local boutique shops.
Embarcadero Center's dining options offer a wide variety from pizza and sushi, to coffee shops and bakeries, to Mediterranean, Thai, and more.
All four buildings are located between Clay and Sacramento Streets all the way from the Embarcadero to Battery.
10. Take the San Francisco Chronicle Self-Guided Tour
This fun tour allows you to explore the SF Financial District at your own pace.
You'll hear all about the popular sites and several hidden gems. The audio guide takes you through the history of the district, including what happened here during the 1906 Earthquake and Fire.
The tour costs $8 and takes about 1 hour, but you can start and stop at any time.
>> Find out more about this inexpensive self-guided tour
Where to Eat and Drink in the San Francisco Financial District
The classy selection of San Francisco Financial District restaurants and bars is one of the top draws for both tourists and locals to this part of town. You'll find mostly upscale places around here.
Tadich Grill
One of the best old-school restaurants in the San Francisco Financial District is the Tadich Grill. It's not only the longest running restaurant in SF, but in the state of California!
After opening in 1849 as a coffee stand, it was purchased by John Tadich. In 1887, he renamed it the Tadich Grill and the name has remained after all these years.
Today, this popular lunch and dinner spot serves up fresh seafood, steak, and other specialties. My favorite dishes here include the Mesquite Broiled Salmon, Seafood Saute, and Filet Mignon.
They are open Monday through Friday from 11 am to 9:30 pm and Saturdays from 4 pm to 9:30 pm. They close on Sundays.
You will find them at 240 California Street.
San Francisco Wine Society
Tucked away in FiDi San Francisco is one of my favorite wine bars in the city. It's hidden in the alley on Merchant Street.
They have a wonderful selection of local wines, from places such as Napa and Sonoma, as well as from regions from around the world.
You can also grab some small bites or enjoy some bocce ball in their courtyard. You will find them at 408 Merchant Street.
>> Find more top wine bars around San Francisco
In and Around Belden Place
Belden Place is a small alley in FiDi San Francisco is home to restaurants with European-style outdoor and indoor dining. The alley stretches just the one block between Bush and Pine Streets, between Kearny and Montgomery.
The intimate setting offers a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of this district. Here you'll find the Italian restaurant Cafe Tiramisu and a classic SF institution called Sam's Grill and Seafood Restaurant which dates back to 1867. Proud of their roots, they still offer old-school curtained booths and waiters in tuxedos.
This corner of the Financial District San Francisco is sometimes referred to as SF’s “French Quarter.” Just one block west of Belden Place, you'll find the acclaimed French bistros Café de la Presse, Le Central, and Café Claude.
Pagan Idol
Across from Sam's Grill and its adjacent, more casual Sam's Tavern, you'll find this fun tiki bar with an unforgettable ambiance.
Stepping inside feels like stepping onto a ship that transports you to another time and place. The decor is incredible and the drinks here are equally tasty.
Open late Monday through Saturday; closed Sundays. 375 Bush Street
Where to Stay in the SF Financial District
If you plan to stay in the area, you will find several great San Francisco Financial District hotels. Here are just a few of the most popular picks.
Hyatt Regency San Francisco: 4-star, 805-room hotel along the Embarcadero, great location, close to public transit, and near the first California cable car stop. 5 Embarcadero Center. Book your room at the Hyatt Regency.
Hilton San Francisco Financial District: 4-star, 27-story hotel with easy access to Chinatown, North Beach, and the Financial District. Find out more and check for rooms at the Hilton.
The Jay, Autograph Collection: 4-star hotel connected to the Embarcadero Center by a pedestrian bridge, European-style luxury hotel. Check out more details and current prices for The Jay.
You will also find more great places to stay in these nearby districts:
How to Get to the San Francisco Financial District
With its central location, you will find it easy to get to and from FiDi SF.
Street Cars: The best way to get here from Fisherman's Wharf is to take the street car. The F drops off along the Embarcadero, within a few blocks of most attractions in this district.
SF Light Rail: All of the light rail trains come to the Montgomery and Embarcadero Stations. These are the two best stations for this district.
BART: If you are coming from outside of the city, such as the East Bay or SFO airport, you can also take BART to either the Montgomery or Embarcadero Stations.
Buses: You will find dozens of buses in and around the San Francisco Financial District. The 8 will take you from Fisherman's Wharf all the way down to Market, or you can transfer to the 1 bus at Clay Street and ride that into the heart of FiDi SF.
>> More about getting around SF
Other SF Financial District FAQ
Is the San Francisco Financial District Safe?
In recent years, downtown San Francisco has gotten a bad rap due to several big retailers closing and moving out, giving the impression that it’s more dangerous than it actually is.
To the contrary, the arrival of Salesforce and the development projects that came with it have revitalized this area and you’ll find several fun things to do in the Financial District of SF.
Like in any big city, there is petty crime, but overall the Financial District is quite safe.
During the week, this is still a thriving and bustling part of the city. You’ll find it emptier at night, so just be aware of your surroundings if you’re passing through the area after office hours.
The neighborhood where people tend to have more issues with questionable characters is on the other (southwest) side of Union Square towards the Tenderloin.
>> Find out more about safety in San Francisco
Fantastic Night Tours Near This District
Which Companies are Based in the Financial District in San Francisco?
Many Fortune 500 companies have their headquarters in this San Francisco business district, including Yelp, the Gap, Levi Strauss, Visa, Wells Fargo, Salesforce, and Kimpton Hotels, among others.
Salesforce: With its towering 61-floor skyscraper—the city's tallest, since 2018—Salesforce's presence is the most prominent. The global corporation was founded in a small SF apartment in 1999 and now employs about 12,000 in San Francisco alone. The tower is not open to visitors, but the adjacent floating park is.
Located at the corner of Mission and 1st Street, right next to Salesforce Park.
Levi Strauss: If you head northeast toward the water, you'll find the beautiful green campus of the popular Levi's jeans company headquarters. Levi's Plaza was originally designed to give employees a pleasant space to relax outdoors, but it's open to visitors as well. Take a picnic and enjoy the expansive gardens with views of the bay.
Located at Battery and Filbert Street along the Embarcadero, just down the hill from Coit Tower.
What are the Best Things to Do Nearby the Financial District San Francisco?
Exploratorium: A few blocks north of FiDi in SF, close to Levi's Plaza along SF's Embarcadero waterfront, you'll find a fantastic museum full of hands-on science exhibits that kids and adults alike can enjoy for hours. It even has free outdoor exhibits that you can interact with over the water. Located on Pier 15. See photos and get visiting info.
Pedicab Tours: Also along the Embarcadero but farther south near the Ferry Building, you'll find the surprisingly fun and easy-to-use Golden Gate Pedicabs, which offer guided tours for two in an open-air cab pulled by bike. These allow you to see the sights while getting you from Point A to Point B on your customized route. Find out more here.
SF Museum of Modern Art: Just two blocks southwest of Salesforce Park in the SOMA district is the popular SFMOMA, offering 460,000 square feet of both paid and free exhibits of striking modern art. Read more about what you'll see here, including pieces by Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, and other famous artists.
Great Deals on Tours Near the Financial District San Francisco
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!
