Civic Center

San Francisco
Civic Center which includes a monument, central business district and a city
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

King George Hotel
King George Hotel
3 out of 5
334 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P5,004 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
P5,004
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,383 reviews)
Hidden Gem
"Talk about a nice little gem in the Union Square area. The hotel was nice. They constantly had sports on the TV in the lobby with comfy seating, they had tables to sit down and enjoy a meal or just wanted to work on your laptop. Everything was so clean as well! For a big lobby it was well maintained ..."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

King George Hotel
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 P7,033 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
P7,033
per night
9 Apr - 10 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,361 reviews)
"The property is located at a walking distance from Japan town and retail stores. Restaurants are also nearby."

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway, an IHG Hotel
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 P6,974 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
P6,974
per night
7 Apr - 8 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (6,194 reviews)
"Breakfast was great!"

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf
The Marker San Francisco
The Marker San Francisco
4 out of 5
501 Geary St, San Francisco, CA
The price is P5,206 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
P5,206
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this boutique hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, and valet parking. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,014 reviews)
"The hotel itself was very nice. Over priced restaurant and the amount of homeless people around the building was pretty bad."

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

The Marker San Francisco
Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
4 out of 5
1300 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA
Fully refundable
The price is P7,539 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
P7,539
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,484 reviews)
"We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. The exceptional friendliness of the staff and the prime location are the highlights of this hotel. They even accommodated our early check-in, allowing us extra time to explore. While parking could be more affordable, it's still more convenient than many other ..."

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf
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 P5,908 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
P5,908
per night
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,622 reviews)
"Great place and great place"

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Club Quarters Hotel in 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

Downtown San Francisco featuring railway items

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 featuring skyline, a city and city views

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
Western Addition showing a coastal town, heritage architecture and a house

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 showing a city and street scenes

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)

Chinatown Alleyways and Dragon's Gate 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