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 neighbourhoods. 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 centre around three points: South Park, Yerba Buena and Folsom Street.

The neighbourhood 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, modelled 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 Centre 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

The Pickwick Hotel

The Pickwick Hotel

3.5 out of 5
85 5th St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$204 per night from 15 Nov to 16 Nov
NZ$204
15 Nov - 16 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,008 reviews)
The hotel was nice for being an older hotel, you could tell there was some history there. When I arrived Jamil (sorry if I spelled that wrong) was great, friendly and he answered all my questions and was helpful and informative.

Reviewed on 7 Nov 2025

The Pickwick Hotel
Soma House

Soma House

3.5 out of 5
121 7th Street San Francisco CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$254 per night from 15 Nov to 16 Nov
NZ$254
15 Nov - 16 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.6/10 Good! (845 reviews)
All good but I haven’t get my reimbursement yet

Reviewed on 12 Nov 2025

Soma House
LUMA Hotel San Francisco

LUMA Hotel San Francisco

4 out of 5
100 Channel Street San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$394 per night from 15 Nov to 16 Nov
NZ$394
15 Nov - 16 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,335 reviews)
Clean room and the staff were very friendly

Reviewed on 9 Nov 2025

LUMA Hotel San Francisco
InterContinental San Francisco by IHG

InterContinental San Francisco by IHG

4 out of 5
888 Howard Street San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$396 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
NZ$396
23 Nov - 24 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
I wish the indoor pool was a little more warmer. But overall the stay was fine and the staff were more than helpful and friendly.

Reviewed on 10 Nov 2025

InterContinental San Francisco by IHG
Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco

Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco

5 out of 5
2 New Montgomery St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$598 per night from 21 Nov to 22 Nov
NZ$598
21 Nov - 22 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy 2 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Everything was fantastic including the breakfast!

Reviewed on 8 Nov 2025

Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco
Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA

Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA

4 out of 5
50 3rd St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$414 per night from 14 Dec to 15 Dec
NZ$414
14 Dec - 15 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,295 reviews)
It was good.

Reviewed on 9 Nov 2025

Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA
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 which includes 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 which includes 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 Market Street Railway Museum – discover Financial District, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Financial District
Nob Hill which includes a city and street scenes

Nob Hill

4/5(59 area reviews)

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

Nob Hill