ATTRACTIONS EVENTS BEYOND GETTING AROUND BAYVIEW Home to the oldest opera house in San Francisco, this area also boasts a vibrant artists’ colony at the old Hunters Point shipyard and scenic nature trails. CIVIC CENTER This cultural hub includes stately City Hall, the War Memorial Opera House and the Asian Art Museum, alongside more modern additions like the SFJAZZ Center and New Conservatory Theatre Center. MISSION DISTRICT San Francisco’s oldest neighborhood has hip restaurants, music venues, boutiques, an impressive events calendar and the city’s largest concentration of murals. CASTRO Find outdoor cafes, rich history and bustling bars in the Castro, known as the “LGBTQ capital of the world.” DOGPATCH/ MISSION BAY NOB HILL Nob Hill is home to luxury hotels, beautiful gardens and impressive homes. CHINATOWN North America’s first and largest Chinatown features pagoda roofs, dragon lampposts, acclaimed dining and unique gift shops. Once a bustling shipyard, the Dogpatch and Mission Bay are now home to waterfront parks, excellent dining and major league sports. NOE VALLEY Noe Valley’s restaurants, shops and quiet streets make it perfect for relaxed exploring. DOWNTOWN/ FINANCIAL DISTRICT This neighborhood boasts views of soaring skyscrapers; the Ferry Building, a public space housing a food hall and farmers market; and the Exploratorium, a hands-on learning laboratory. NORTH BEACH Rich in Italian heritage, North Beach has restaurants, quaint cafes, cabarets, jazz clubs, galleries, boutiques and gelato parlors. FILLMORE Fillmore continues to be a place for legendary musical performances. Chic boutiques that line Fillmore Street make this neighborhood a great spot for shopping, too. PACIFIC HEIGHTS Gorgeous homes and dramatic views define this upscale San Francisco neighborhood, where independent shops and exceptional cafes abound. FISHERMAN’S WHARF “Escape” to Alcatraz or set sail on San Francisco Bay with chartered boat tours. Don’t miss the attractions at PIER 39, including Boudin, the city’s sourdough purveyor for 150 years. RICHMOND Full of small-town charm, the Richmond offers all the same big city experiences visitors crave — sights, food and culture — but at a slower pace. SOMA/YERBA BUENA SoMa (South of Market) is museum central. The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and more can be found here. So can many nightclubs and Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. HAIGHT-ASHBURY The Summer of Love is immortalized in Haight-Ashbury’s vintage clothing, book and record stores. HAYES VALLEY Hayes Valley is perfect for visitors who want to get a first look at what’s next, from tech to fashion to art to cuisine. SUNSET One of the largest neighborhoods in the city, the Sunset is home to tiled steps, sandy beaches and an abundance of great, affordable eats. JAPANTOWN The oldest of only three Japantowns left in the country, this neighborhood is packed with culinary delights, including ramen bars, shabu shabu and izakayas. TREASURE ISLAND Views of downtown San Francisco and craft wineries and distilleries are draws to this mid-point for the luminous Bay Bridge. MARINA Home to bars, boutiques and bayside views, the Marina is where San Francisco's young people come to shop, dine and mingle. UNION SQUARE Union Square is the center of San Francisco’s shopping scene, with art galleries, small boutiques, designer shops and name-brand stores. You’re in the heart of the Theater District, too, with A.C.T.’s Toni Rembe Theater and the Curran, among others. MID-MARKET A bustling combination of tech businesses, arts groups, retail and restaurants, Mid-Market is also home to performance venues like the Orpheum and Golden Gate theaters.
San Francisco Travel Planner's Guide 26/27 TPG: Page 17
