Civic Center

San Francisco

Civic Center
Civic Center which includes a monument, central business district and a city
Civic Center
Civic Center showing an administrative buidling
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

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1177 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA
The price is P6,023 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P6,023
P6,848 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Burlingame. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,978 reviews)
"This property was a pretty good deal for the price. The location was fantastic, the daily buffet breakfast at the restaurant was nice and the other food there was tasty as well. The property itself needed a little TLC but nonetheless we enjoyed our stay in our comfortable room. We would consider ..."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
Hilton San Francisco Financial District

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
The price is P7,265 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P7,265
P8,551 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,576 reviews)
"Great location. Walking distance to chinatown, financial district and little Italy. My room location was a little noisy. It was located right beside/behind the elevators. I can hear rumbling noise, I thought at first I was near a train station but realized it must be the elevators."

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2025

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf

4 out of 5
2500 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
The price is P7,569 per night from Aug 26 to Aug 27
P7,569
P11,272 total
Aug 26 - Aug 27
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (6,637 reviews)
Great location, comfortable and clean
"The rooms were very comfortable and the breakfast was delicious. The location was super convenient to Pier 39, fishermen warf and Pier 33"

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2025

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG

3.5 out of 5
1500 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
The price is P7,265 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P7,265
P8,551 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (4,396 reviews)
"Great location. The biggest problem was the laundry was at half capacity"

Reviewed on Aug 3, 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina

4 out of 5
200 Marina Blvd, Berkeley, CA
The price is P7,763 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
P7,763
P8,942 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Berkeley. Enjoy free WiFi, a marina, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (3,190 reviews)
Our favorite hotel!
"This is hands-down our favorite hotel on the Bay Area. Just a little off the beaten path, quiet, serene, safe, you can’t beat the views of the yacht harbor, bay and city. Great fire tables and patio. I love the indoor pool and hot tub, the pool temperature is so comfortable, but it doesn’t feel hot ..."

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Berkeley Marina
Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

4 out of 5
5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA
The price is P9,370 per night from Aug 28 to Aug 29
P9,370
P13,762 total
Aug 28 - Aug 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,780 reviews)
"Superb wonderful there is no words to describe the affinity I have for the staff and this Hyatt to be specific. All needs met and surpassed. Ty for allowing me to stay in your wonderful establish ment. ✌️❤️🤙🏼"

Reviewed on Aug 3, 2025

Hyatt Regency San Francisco
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

4/5(1 area review)

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 showing central business district, skyline and a garden

South of Market

3/5(2 area reviews)

Oracle Park and Chase Center are top sights in South of Market, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Yerba Buena-Moscone Station or Fourth-Brannan Station to see more sights in the area.

South of Market
Union Square which includes a high rise building and a city

Union Square

4.5/5(7 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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Western Addition

Travelers love Western Addition for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Duboce Avenue & Noe Street Station or Duboce Ave & Church St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Alamo Square and Painted Ladies.

Western Addition
Nob Hill featuring street scenes and a city

Nob Hill

4/5(1 area review)

Travelers love Nob Hill for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Washington St & Leavenworth St Stop or Washington St & Jones St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Grace Cathedral and SF Masonic Auditorium.

Nob Hill
Chinatown which includes street scenes

Chinatown

5/5(1 area review)

Dragon's Gate and Ross Alley are top sights in Chinatown, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Chinatown-Rose Pak Stop or Powell St & Clay St Stop to see more sights in the area.

Chinatown

Civic Center