Civic Center / Hayes Valley
The focal point of San Francisco’s administrative center is its magnificent City Hall, which underwent a major retrofit after the 1989 earthquake. Flanking City Hall is an outstanding collection of Beaux Arts buildings, including the Opera House and the Old Main Library (now the Asian Art Museum).
To the west, Hayes Street cuts a swath of urban chic through a once-seedy (and occasionally still gritty) area. The ‘89 quake played a role here as well, bringing down a section of freeway that had cut the neighborhood off from foot traffic. Hayes Valley’s boutiques and galleries are some of the most interesting in the city, showcasing local designers and artists. Restaurants and bars tend towards the trendy and range from upscale to casual. A few blocks up the hill is Alamo Square, famous for its row of “Painted Lady” Victorians.
topSights
City Hall
This 1915 Beaux Arts building replaced the old city hall, which was destroyed in the 1906 quake – the 1989 quake led to a $293 million upgrade of the current building, completed in 1998. Capping the two-block-long building is an ornate dome, the highest in the United States and the fifth largest in the world. Several notable events have taken place here – President Harding lay in state here after his sudden death in 1923, Joe Di Maggio and Marilyn Monroe were wed here in 1954, and Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were assassinated here in 1978.
Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin Street
Tel: (415) 581-3500
Open Tue-Wed and Fri-Sun 10am-5pm, Thu (Oct-Dec) 10am-5pm, (Jan-Sep) 10am-9pm. Closed Mon, Thanksgiving, Dec 25 and Jan 1.
This museum's collection was once exhibited in a cramped wing of the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park – in 1994, the Asian Art Museum moved to its new Civic Center location in the former Main Library. Today it is one of the largest museums in the Western world devoted exclusively to Asian art, with objects spanning over 6,000 years.
War Memorial Opera House
301 Van Ness Avenue
Opera Box Office open Mon 10am-5pm; Tue-Fri 10am-6pm; Performance Days 10am-1st intermission
Tel: (415) 864-3330
Ballet Box Office open performance days only:
Tue-Fri 12pm-1st intermission;
Sat-Sun 10am-1st intermission
Tel: (415) 865-2000
Phone hours Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Performance Days 10am until the performance begins.
This ornate building dedicated to the veterans of WWI opened in 1932. Featuring marble floors, coffered ceilings and 3,146 seats, it hosts both the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Ballet.
Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Avenue
Box Office: (415) 864-6000 Box office open Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm; Sat, noon-6pm; Sun, 2 hours prior to concerts
Founded in 1911, the San Francisco Symphony is one of the most respected in the world, playing over 220 concerts and presentations to nearly 600,000 people each year. The striking, glass-fronted Symphony Hall, completed in 1980 and acoustically renovated in 1992, is named for Louise M. Davies, the largest individual contributor to the building.
SFJAZZ Center
201 Franklin St. (at Fell)
Tickets: 866-920-5299
Open 11AM-5:30PM (Mon - Fri)
Opened in January 2013, this center is the country's first freestanding performance venue built specifically for jazz music and audiences. The LEED-certified structure contains flexible seating for 350 to 700 people and will host artists of every stature.
Alamo Square
This park is best known for its iconic row of Queen Anne-style Victorians, familiar from countless postcards and TV shows. Called the “Six Sisters,” these nearly identical houses date back to 1895.
topRestaurants
Bar Jules
609 Hayes Street
Tel: (415) 621-5482
Tiny but charming restaurant with a small menu that changes daily. Outstanding, carefully crafted dishes.
Brenda’s French Soul Food
652 Polk St (at Eddy)
Tel: (415) 345-8100
Small, popular diner serving traditional French and Creole dishes as well as signature items like stuffed beignets.
Chez Maman
401 Gough Street
Tel: (415) 355-9067
The popular Potrero Hill bistro recently opened this new, slightly larger location. Authentic French Provencal cuisine in a casual setting.
Jardinière
300 Grove Street
Tel: (415) 861-5555
French cuisine with a California twist, from chef Traci Des Jardins.
Lers Ros
307 Hayes St. (near Franklin)
Tel: (415) 874-9661
Perfectly balanced Thai cuisine, served in an attractive modern space. There’s a Tenderloin location too. (730 Larkin)
Suppenküche
525 Laguna Street
Tel: (415) 252-9289
This cheerful restaurant serves their delicious Bavarian brats, spätzle and pork loin at scrubbed-pine communal tables. The bar has a great selection of specialty beers.
Zuni Café
1658 Market Street (between Franklin & Gough)
Tel: (415) 552-2522
This San Francisco classic offers California-Mediterranean fare such as ricotta gnocchi and their legendary roast chicken.
topCafes
Blue Bottle
315 Linden Street
topSnacks
Chantal Guillon
437 A Hayes Street
Tel: (415) 864-2400
Macarons in rainbow colors, Mariage Freres Teas.
Miette Confiserie
449 Octavia Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel: 415-626-6221
This adorable store sells old-fashioned candy and confections from around the world, including local artisanal treats and organic cotton candy.
Smitten Ice Cream
432 Octavia St. (@ Linden St.)
Ice cream made while you wait, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and liquid nitrogen.
topShopping
Hayes Valley’s main shopping area is Hayes Street between Franklin and Laguna. Most stores open at 11am.
topClothing/Accessories
Acrimony
333 Hayes Street
Tel: (415) 861-1025
Progressive, hard-to-find designer fashion for men and women.
Azalea
411 Hayes Street
Tel: (415) 861-9888
Chic, casual women’s and men’s clothing and accessories.
Bulo
418 Hayes Street
Tel: (877) 746-3790
“Bulo” means “cool” in Italian – this store sells an eclectic selection of hand-made, fashionable shoes.
Dish
541 Hayes Street
Tel: (415) 252-5997
Exquisite women’s clothing from name designers.
Fiddlesticks
540 Hayes Street
Tel: (415) 565-0508
Lavish boutique’s kids division – clothing and toys for children and babies.
Gimme Shoes
416 Hayes Street and 381 Hayes Street
Tel: (415) 864-0691, (415) 800-8992
Cutting-edge shoes, ranging from runway styles to street fashion.
Lava 9
542 Hayes Street
Tel: (415) 552-6468
High-quality leather bags, belts, and coats, and a large selection of jewelry, much of it made by local designers and artists.
Lavish
508 Hayes Street
Tel: (415) 565-0540
Adult accessories and clothing, stationery, housewares and hidden treasures.
nida
544 Hayes Street
Tel: (415) 552-4670
Upscale, edgy clothing, shoes and accessories from major designers.
Rand + Statler
425 Hayes Street Tel: (415) 634-0881
Open daily 11am-7pm
New, spacious store carrying upscale men’s and women’s fashions and accessories. Designers include See by Chloe, Rag & Bone, and T by Alexander Wang.
Steven Alan
445 Hayes Street
Tel: (415) 558-8944
Open Mon-Sat 11am-7pm,
Sun 11pm-6pm
A well-curated collection of casual but chic clothing and accessories.
Triple Aught Design
551 Hayes Street
Tel: (415) 318-8258
Open Tue-Sun 11am-7pm
Modern, high-performance clothing and equipment for men and women.
UKO
350 Hayes St
Tel: (415) 252-7719
Unique clothing in Japanese and French textures and styles.
Welcome Stranger
460 Gough Street (at Ivy)
Tel: (415) 864-2079
Open Mon-Sun, 11am-6pm
New mens’ store by the owners of Azalea. Timeless, well-made clothing with an emphasis on denim.
topFurniture/Housewares
Minimal
364 Hayes Street
Tel: (415) 400-5572
Clever, modern items ranging from glassware and kitchen gadgets to jewelry.
topOther
Nancy Boy
347 Hayes Street
Tel: (415) 552-3636
Body, bath and home products made from natural plant essences.
True Sake
560 Hayes Street
Tel: (415) 355-9555
The first dedicated sake store in America, carrying over 90 brands. If you don’t know your sake, the friendly, knowledgeable staff is happy to educate you.