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

The Mosser

The Mosser

3 out of 5
54 4th Street San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$218 per night from 5 June to 6 June
NZ$218
5 June - 6 June
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Coffee was horrible my wife is lactose intolerant."

Reviewed on 30 May 2026

The Mosser
LUMA Hotel San Francisco

LUMA Hotel San Francisco

4 out of 5
100 Channel Street San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$450 per night from 7 June to 8 June
NZ$450
7 June - 8 June
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! (2,503 reviews)
"The room was clean staff was great and fast check in and check out. The rooftop bar was fantastic!!!"

Reviewed on 31 May 2026

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$391 per night from 28 June to 29 June
NZ$391
28 June - 29 June
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! (2,177 reviews)
"Was great"

Reviewed on 30 May 2026

Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown
YOTEL San Francisco

YOTEL San Francisco

3 out of 5
1095 Market St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$245 per night from 30 June to 1 July
NZ$245
30 June - 1 July
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! (1,009 reviews)
"Great customer service, but not too keen on the idea of having to park in a nearby parking garage."

Reviewed on 29 May 2026

YOTEL San Francisco
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$306 per night from 5 June to 6 June
NZ$306
5 June - 6 June
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,280 reviews)
"Front desk manager was not very helpful, no designated pet area for pet friendly hotel. Blood on bathroom mirror when checking in. Hotel not what was represented on web site. No parking , unless you use valet..way expensive.. No luggage carts."

Reviewed on 31 May 2026

Hampton Inn San Francisco Downtown/Convention Center
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$430 per night from 5 June to 6 June
NZ$430
5 June - 6 June
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 ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,266 reviews)
"Room was too small compared to the pictures made it seem like it was big"

Reviewed on 29 May 2026

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

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
San Francisco Cityscape Panorama

Theater District

4/5(23 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants great entertainment and top sights from SHN Curran Theatre to Marines Memorial Theater – discover Theater District, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Theater District
Chinatown

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

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

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