Civic Center / Hayes Valley | San Francisco Travel
Neighborhoods

Civic Center / Hayes Valley

This central city district encompasses everything from stately concert halls and museums to animated restaurants and wide-open public plazas just west of Downtown.

City Hall illuminated in orange light

A hub for culture, Civic Center and Hayes Valley is home to stately concert halls, renowned museums, and expansive public plazas.

The grandeur of early 20th-century Beaux-Arts architecture is showcased in the gorgeous City Hall on Van Ness Avenue. Across the street rises the ornate War Memorial Opera House, home of the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Ballet. Also nearby are the War Memorial Veterans Building and Davies Symphony Hall. The historic Bill Graham Auditorium is still frequented by top musical acts and performers.

East of Civic Center Plaza is the Asian Art Museum, home to artifacts spanning 6,000 years of history. You can also see great public works, including light art, in the neighborhood.

The SFJAZZ Center glistens on Franklin Street. The African American Art & Culture Complex is just a few blocks west on Fulton Street.

Shopping & Dining

Try the tasting menu of California-inspired cuisine at Rich Table. For Brazilian fare, step into Espetus Brazilian Steak House and experience the art of grilling as once practiced by 18th-century gauchos. Head to Rambler inside Hotel Zeppelin for pre-show craft cocktails and small bites. More great dining options can be found up and down Gough and Franklin streets.

Along Hayes Street, you'll find excellent local retailers selling clothing, leather goods, footwear, and more.

The neighborhood is well connected by public transit, meaning that you can easily begin or end your day in Civic Center.

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