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

Soma House

Soma House

3.5 out of 5
121 7th Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$165 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
NZ$165
2 Nov - 3 Nov
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! (790 reviews)
"The only issue I had with this hotel was that there was No air conditioning in the rooms . Given that it was a cooler time of the year we made do with opening the window a bit but in the warmer months this would have been very uncomfortable."

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2025

Soma House
InterContinental San Francisco by IHG

InterContinental San Francisco by IHG

4 out of 5
888 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$430 per night from 10 Oct to 11 Oct
NZ$430
10 Oct - 11 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,027 reviews)
Convenient location Chase Center event
"Hotel was nice as were the employees. However, i had reserved 2 queen rooms months prior and only one was available when we checked in. They did give us a $200 room credit for the restaurant. That doesn't go far in San Francisco but it helped. The hotel was convenient to the Case Center where we ..."

Reviewed on 22 Sept 2025

InterContinental San Francisco by IHG
Hotel Garrett

Hotel Garrett

3 out of 5
112 7th St, San Francisco, CA
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! (639 reviews)
"4/5 stars because although the front desk were diligently attending to people, the could do better at showing that they valued us choosing their hotel or even just being friendlier or welcoming. Also, I wish the mini-fridge I called ahead of arriving was placed in our room at that moment versus waiting ..."

Reviewed on 27 Sept 2025

Hotel Garrett
Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA

Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA

4 out of 5
50 3rd St, San Francisco, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$404 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
NZ$404
31 Oct - 1 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,308 reviews)
"Good bus service to Chase Center. Walking distance to Union Square."

Reviewed on 26 Sept 2025

Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA
Hotel Fiona

Hotel Fiona

3.5 out of 5
140 7th Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$194 per night from 8 Oct to 9 Oct
NZ$194
8 Oct - 9 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (845 reviews)
"Great place. Staff is super friendly. Will stay again."

Reviewed on 2 Oct 2025

Hotel Fiona
Hampton Inn San Francisco Downtown/Convention Center

Hampton Inn San Francisco Downtown/Convention Center

3 out of 5
942 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$290 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
NZ$290
31 Oct - 1 Nov
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! (1,169 reviews)
"Clean"

Reviewed on 23 Sept 2025

Hampton Inn San Francisco Downtown/Convention Center
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 Mission Rock Station or UCSF/Chase Center Stop.

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 TransAmerica Pyramid – 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