South of Market Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

South of Market which includes skyline, a city and a garden
South of Market featuring central business district, a city and a fountain
South of Market which includes skyline, a city and a skyscraper
South of Market featuring city views, skyline and a city
South of Market featuring city views and a city as well as a small group of people

From baseball games to top-notch art exhibits, find endless entertainment in one of San Francisco’s fastest-growing neighbourhoods.

Explore South of Market (SoMa), one of San Francisco’s most up-and-coming neighborhoods. Home to many of the new tech companies and other start-ups flocking to San Francisco, the area is still fairly undeveloped. Many of its attractions center around three points: South Park, Yerba Buena and Folsom Street.

The neighborhood name comes from the area’s old nickname, “South of the Slot,” which referred to its location on the grittier side of the Market Street cable car line during the California Gold Rush. Today, find it a bustling area with a busy downtown vibe, largely following the city’s tech boom.

Enjoy a sunny day or people watch in the elliptical South Park, modeled after London’s Berkeley Square and New York’s Gramercy Park. Walk toward the waterfront promenade. Watch a ballgame at AT&T Park, home to the San Francisco Giants. Whether you’re a diehard fan of the Major League Baseball team or a casual observer, the ballpark is a delight for spectators. Enjoy its classic design and beautiful view across San Francisco Bay.

Investigate the world-class collections in San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, known as SFMOMA. The striking building with 21st-century additions is as interesting as the exhibits inside. See pieces by Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keeffe, among the 30,000 works in the collection.

Cross the street to Yerba Buena Gardens. Stroll through the beautiful gardens or go bowling or ice-skating. See the latest exhibit in the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts or take kids to Children’s Creativity Museum, formerly Zeum, an interactive technology museum.

Discover the exciting cultural scene of unique boutiques and restaurants around Eleventh and Folsom streets. Folsom Street is also home to the famous Folsom Street Fair, an annual celebration of the leather and fetish culture.

Find this sprawling area between Embarcadero and Eleventh Street, bounded between Market and Townsend streets. With its constant evolution, South of Market is always an interesting and entertaining place to visit.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best South of Market Hotel Deals

Soma House
Soma House
3.5 out of 5
121 7th Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$180 per night from 21 July to 22 July
NZ$180
21 July - 22 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.4/10 Good! (576 reviews)
"It was an amazing experience but the only thing I wish the rooms had is a mini fridge"

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

Soma House
Hotel Garrett
Hotel Garrett
3 out of 5
112 7th St, San Francisco, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$197 per night from 15 July to 16 July
NZ$197
15 July - 16 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.6/10 Good! (514 reviews)
"It was walking distance from Oracle Park. No refrigerator. Overall very nice place."

Reviewed on 4 Jul. 2025

Hotel Garrett
Hampton Inn San Francisco Downtown/Convention Center
Hampton Inn San Francisco Downtown/Convention Center
3 out of 5
942 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$265 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$265
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,042 reviews)
"Everything is okay except the surroundings because of lots of homeless and drug addicted people are there in the same block. Very scary to walk with family during night time."

Reviewed on 6 Jul. 2025

Hampton Inn San Francisco Downtown/Convention Center
InterContinental San Francisco by IHG
InterContinental San Francisco by IHG
4 out of 5
888 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$428 per night from 8 Aug to 9 Aug
NZ$428
8 Aug - 9 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,012 reviews)
"my experience was excellent"

Reviewed on 6 Jul. 2025

InterContinental San Francisco by IHG
LUMA Hotel San Francisco
LUMA Hotel San Francisco
4 out of 5
100 Channel Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$441 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$441
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,150 reviews)
"This place was amazing!!!"

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

LUMA Hotel San Francisco
Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown
Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown
3 out of 5
701 3rd St, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$390 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
NZ$390
7 Aug - 8 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,669 reviews)
"Appreciated we were able to check in early with no added fee. However, we were not advised that we would be put into a handicap room. Overall, not a big deal but the shower created quite a wet mess across our bathroom floor. Also not idea the bar areas didn't open until 4 and were already closed ..."

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown
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 South of Market

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Downtown San Francisco

3/5(34 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
Union Square featuring a skyscraper and a city

Union Square

4/5(249 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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Mission Bay

While you're in Mission Bay, take in top sights like Chase Center or Lefty O'Doul Bridge, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at UCSF/Chase Center Stop or Mission Rock Station.

Mission Bay
Chinatown showing street scenes

Chinatown

4/5(20 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
Financial District - Ferry Building

Financial District

4/5(16 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from Embarcadero Center to TransAmerica Pyramid – discover Financial District, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Financial District
Nob Hill showing street scenes and a city

Nob Hill

4/5(59 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

South of Market Travel Guide

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