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

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 P7,424 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P7,424
P8,737 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
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! (4,356 reviews)
"Great views from the 23rd floor. Room itself could be updated a bit. The cafe isn’t open in the afternoon which was mildly inconvenient. Staff were terrific!"

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2025

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway by IHG
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 P6,411 per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
P6,411
P9,881 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
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! (6,615 reviews)
"Excellent"

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2025

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

Hilton San Francisco Financial District

4 out of 5
750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
The price is P6,204 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P6,204
P7,302 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! (1,522 reviews)
"Great Spot in a perfect FIDI/Chinatown location. great food options availalble, and recently renovated. The property could use having its outside windows cleaned with the weather stripping addressed, but otherwise, it is the go to spot."

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2025

Hilton San Francisco Financial District
Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

4 out of 5
5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA
The price is P10,047 per night from Aug 23 to Aug 24
P10,047
P14,489 total
Aug 23 - Aug 24
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! (1,765 reviews)
"Very clean and the staff is friendly"

Reviewed on Jul 21, 2025

Hyatt Regency San Francisco
InterContinental Mark Hopkins by IHG

InterContinental Mark Hopkins by IHG

4 out of 5
999 California Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is P8,104 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P8,104
P11,670 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,057 reviews)
"Beautiful historic hotel within walking distance of the Masonic. Staff is friendly and helpful. Rooms are comfortable and beautiful and our room had a nice view of the city. The only thing I didn’t like was the smell of the shampoo and soap provided by the hotel."

Reviewed on Jul 23, 2025

InterContinental Mark Hopkins by IHG
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 P5,724 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P5,724
P6,508 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! (1,935 reviews)
"Hood services"

Reviewed on Jul 21, 2025

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport by IHG
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 Portsmouth Square 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