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$209 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
NZ$209
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,027 reviews)
"Nice stay"

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2025

The Pickwick Hotel
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$392 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
NZ$392
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! (1,300 reviews)
"Yes there were shops near but for all ages"

Reviewed on 16 Oct 2025

Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA
InterContinental San Francisco by IHG

InterContinental San Francisco by IHG

4 out of 5
888 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA
Fully refundable
The price is NZ$391 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
NZ$391
31 Oct - 1 Nov
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! (1,021 reviews)
"Very clean property and the staff is AMAZING! We had to stay here because our son is a UCSF patient on chemotherapy for his autoimmune condition. Once the staff new about our situation they helped us tremendously. They upgraded our room to help with my son, gave us breakfast vouchers and a 10% discount ..."

Reviewed on 16 Oct 2025

InterContinental San Francisco by IHG
Soma House

Soma House

3.5 out of 5
121 7th Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$179 per night from 5 Nov to 6 Nov
NZ$179
5 Nov - 6 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! (813 reviews)
"Clean room, attentive staff"

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2025

Soma House
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$572 per night from 24 Oct to 25 Oct
NZ$572
24 Oct - 25 Oct
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! (1,005 reviews)
"Rooms are due for renovations. Tiny restrooms"

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2025

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

LUMA Hotel San Francisco

4 out of 5
100 Channel Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is NZ$409 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
NZ$409
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,340 reviews)
"Valet parking was great and the staff was very welcoming upon arriving!"

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

LUMA 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

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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