Civic Center

San Francisco

Civic Center
Civic Center which includes street scenes, central business district and a monument
Civic Center
Civic Center featuring an administrative building
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 €139 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
€139
17 Aug - 18 Aug
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! (4,349 reviews)
"Very happy with our recent stay. Very convenient to local restaurants. Wonderful staff"

Reviewed on 22 Jul 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 €148 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
€148
4 Aug - 5 Aug
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! (6,606 reviews)
"Great location and great complimentary breakfast buffet"

Reviewed on 22 Jul 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 €135 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
€135
17 Aug - 18 Aug
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! (1,496 reviews)
"Great location! Right next to china town and the financial district! Walk right out into the entrances of these cool areas. Very fun building. Room was amazing. Clean bright, huge window, spacious, especially compared to surrounding hotel options. Will definitely be back"

Reviewed on 19 Jul 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 €210 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
€210
23 Aug - 24 Aug
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! (1,767 reviews)
"Very clean and the staff is friendly"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 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 €184 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
€184
27 Jul - 28 Jul
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! (1,051 reviews)
"I always stay there in SF."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 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 €98 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
€98
10 Aug - 11 Aug
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! (1,930 reviews)
"Staff was very friendly and welcoming. However, parking got a little tricky at night. The whole lot was full so we had to circle around the lot a few laps to find a spot."

Reviewed on 20 Jul 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

3/5(52 area reviews)

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 which includes cbd, a city and skyline

South of Market

3.5/5(113 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants great entertainment and top sights from Oracle Park to Chase Center – discover South of Market, a destination also famous for its shopping.

South of Market
Union Square which includes a skyscraper and a city

Union Square

4/5(287 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

4/5(24 area reviews)

Alamo Square and Painted Ladies are top sights in Western Addition, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Duboce Avenue & Noe Street Station or Duboce Ave & Church St Stop to see more sights in the area.

Western Addition
Nob Hill showing a city and street scenes

Nob Hill

4.5/5(78 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from Grace Cathedral to SF Masonic Auditorium – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nob Hill
Chinatown featuring street scenes

Chinatown

3.5/5(8 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Chinatown. Dragon's Gate is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Chinatown-Rose Pak Stop or Powell St & Clay St Stop to see more of San Francisco.

Chinatown

Civic Center

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