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
The price is NZ$195 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
NZ$195
7 Apr - 8 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 ...
YOTEL 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$407 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
NZ$407
5 Apr - 6 Apr
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! (2,077 reviews)
The rooms are spacious, clean, my favorite part was the noise cancellation and that the staff are very friendly, topped of customers. Ithai in the front desk was the best in customer service. The breakfast was really good. Would stay again

Reviewed on 1 Apr 2026

Hyatt Place San Francisco Downtown
The Pickwick Hotel

The Pickwick Hotel

3.5 out of 5
85 5th St San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$211 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
NZ$211
7 Apr - 8 Apr
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! (1,168 reviews)
No pizza oven broken had been for over a week per waiter

Reviewed on 31 Mar 2026

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$199 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
NZ$199
10 Apr - 11 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 ...
7.6/10 Good! (950 reviews)
Na

Reviewed on 1 Apr 2026

Soma House
LUMA Hotel San Francisco

LUMA Hotel San Francisco

4 out of 5
100 Channel Street San Francisco CA
The price is NZ$448 per night from 18 Apr to 19 Apr
NZ$448
18 Apr - 19 Apr
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! (2,426 reviews)
Great atmosphere, great location to oracle park and chase center.

Reviewed on 2 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$724 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
NZ$724
26 Apr - 27 Apr
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)
This hotel does not give you a luxury 5 star feel. When asked why our door dash order could not be brought up by room service, front desk staff claimed hotel does not provide this as it is a 4 star. This is wrongly listed as 5 star. Breakfast was overly priced for cold buffet

Reviewed on 31 Mar 2026

Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco
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
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
Nob Hill

Nob Hill

4/5(61 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


South of Market Travel Guide

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