South of Market Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

South of Market
South of Market
South of Market
South of Market
South of Market

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

YOTEL San Francisco

YOTEL San Francisco

3 out of 5
1095 Market St San Francisco CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$227 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
NZ$227
27 Apr - 28 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
Clean room, in budget

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2026

YOTEL San Francisco
The Pickwick Hotel

The Pickwick Hotel

3.5 out of 5
85 5th St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$221 per night from 1 May to 2 May
NZ$221
1 May - 2 May
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! (1,207 reviews)
The hotel needs to be updated the photos make the hotel look way nicer than what it really is. Water took a while to get hot in the shower, the toliet is older and the overall cleanliness of the room wasn’t the best.

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2026

The Pickwick Hotel
Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown

Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown

3 out of 5
701 3rd St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$437 per night from 1 May to 2 May
NZ$437
1 May - 2 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,118 reviews)
All was fantastic.

Reviewed on 21 Apr 2026

Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown
LUMA Hotel San Francisco

LUMA Hotel San Francisco

4 out of 5
100 Channel Street San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$437 per night from 1 May to 2 May
NZ$437
1 May - 2 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (2,453 reviews)
Great staff.

Reviewed on 20 Apr 2026

LUMA Hotel San Francisco
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$707 per night from 7 May to 8 May
NZ$707
7 May - 8 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy 2 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the comfy ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Very beautiful hotel in very nice location, close to everything.

Reviewed on 18 Apr 2026

Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco
Hotel Garrett

Hotel Garrett

3 out of 5
112 7th St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$187 per night from 4 May to 5 May
NZ$187
4 May - 5 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
7.8/10 Good! (852 reviews)
The rooms don't have AC, also, we came I early and they held our luggage. However, we came back one hour after our check in time, and our rooms still weren't ready! on of us had to wait an extra 30 mins for the final room to be ready, so they checked us in 1hr and 30 mins after their advertised check ...

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2026

Hotel Garrett
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

Downtown San Francisco

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 San Francisco Bay 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

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
San Francisco skyline, Oracle Park, and a bustling marina at sunrise. Aerial view of the city's iconic landmarks. South Beach Harbor, San Francisco, California, USA

South Park

Oracle Park and Brannan Street Wharf are a few top attractions in South Park. Hop around the city on the metro at 2nd & King Station or Fourth-Brannan Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

South Park
Aerial Mission Bay with Mission Rock and view of tankers in San Francisco Bay

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

Chinatown

4/5(20 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Chinatown. Commercial Street 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

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


South of Market Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: