
Getting here
The nearest MUNI and BART station is the Civic Center station. Get help planning your trip by public transportation with the 511 trip planner. For information on getting to City Hall by bus and other MUNI services, call 311.
At City Hall
The main entrance to City Hall is on Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place (Polk Street) between McAllister Street and Grove Street. To enter City Hall, you will need to go through security screening, including metal detector and bag screening. If you are carrying any bag larger than 11" x 17" x 7", you must enter through the loading dock on Grove Street. See a list of items and activities prohibited inside of City Hall.
Individuals are strongly recommended, but not required, to wear masks in City Hall regardless of vaccination status.
Please visit San Francisco City Hall Events for questions about space rental at City Hall for private events.
Parking
Parking
You can park in metered spaces on Van Ness, McAllister, Grove, and Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. Civic Center Garage is located on McAllister, between Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place and Larkin.
Bike parking is available on nearby sidewalks.
Accessibility
Accessibility
ADA-accessible entrances are located on the Van Ness Avenue, Grove Street and Goodlett Place (Polk Street) sides of the building. Accessible restrooms are located on every floor.
There are elevators on every floor.
Bringing a bag into City Hall
Bringing a bag into City Hall
You must enter City Hall through the Goodlett entrance (Polk Street) or the loading dock on Grove Street if you are carrying any of the following:
- Backpacks
- Gym bags
- Sealed items
- Drawstring bags
- Large camera cases
You must enter through the loading dock on Grove Street if you are carrying any bag larger than 11" x 17" x 7".
Your bag will be screened or inspected by a member of the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department before you can enter City Hall. See a list of items and activities prohibited inside City Hall.
For City Hall tours
For City Hall tours
The San Francisco City Hall Docents provide guided tours to the public. The tours are about an hour long and are currently offered on Fridays at 11am and 1pm.
Booking
Call 415-554-6139 for a reservation, or sign up for a tour at the Docent Tour kiosk (located in the Goodlett Lobby).
Groups over 8 people need to make a reservation in advance.
Cost
There is a fee for private groups of 8 people or more. There is no charge for school groups from elementary to high school level.
Volunteer
To volunteer to be a City Hall Docent, call 415-554-6139. Orientation / training sessions are available on an individual basis. All sessions are 1 hour in length.
Additional information
Lighting schedule
Lighting schedule
September 2023 scheduled lighting events (subject to change)
Friday, September 8, 2023 – color(s) TBD – in recognition of Opening Night of the SF Opera
Saturday, September 9, 2023 – purple – in recognition of Suicide Prevention Month
Sunday, September 10, 2023 – gold – in recognition of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month
Monday, September 11, 2023 – red/white/blue – in recognition of the 22nd anniversary of 9/11
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 – pink/fuchsia – in recognition of the Asian Art Museum’s Gala on 9/13/23
Wednesday, September 13, 2023 – blue/white – in recognition of the National Day of El Salvador
Thursday, September 14, 2023 – light blue/white – in recognition of the National Day of Guatemala
Friday, September 15, 2023 – green/white/red – in recognition of the National Day of Mexico
Saturday, September 16, 2023 – green/white/red – in recognition of the anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini and the Women, Life, Freedom Movement
Monday, September 18, 2023 – red/white/blue – in recognition of the National Day of Chile
Tuesday, September 19 through Thursday, September 21, 2023 – red/gold – NBC Sports will film “B” roll scenic shots in preparation for the broadcast of NFL Thursday Night Football; SF 49ers vs Kansas City at Levi’s Stadium on Thursday, September 21, 2023.
Friday, September 22, 2023 – fuchsia/violet – in recognition of the SF Symphony Opening Night Gala
Saturday, September 23, 2023 – fuchsia/violet – in recognition of the SF Symphony All San Francisco Concert
Monday, September 25, 2023 – orange/gold – in recognition of the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 – red – in recognition of World Lymphoma Awareness
Wednesday, September 27, 2023 will be lit blue/white in recognition of the 73rd anniversary of the Council of District Merchants.
Thursday, September 28, 2023 – green/white/red – in recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month
Learn more about City Hall's exterior lighting and see past lighting schedules.
Rent space at City Hall
Rent space at City Hall
City Hall is available for weekday wedding rentals as well as for full evening events on weekdays and weekends. For information on private rentals, visit the San Francisco City Hall Events page or call 415-554-6079.
About the building
About the building
Known as the People’s Palace, San Francisco City Hall is the seat of government for the City and County of San Francisco. It is also a destination historic landmark, frequently visited by tourists and photographers. Themed colored LEDs light up the building at night.
The City Hall you see today took two years to build. Steel, granite, and four floors of white marble interiors make up San Francisco's symbol of resilience, built after the previous City Hall was destroyed in the Great Earthquake and Fire of April 18, 1906.
Civic leaders were determined to demonstrate the city's rebirth in time for the start of the World's Fair of 1915. Designed by architect Arthur Brown, Jr. and begun in 1913, natives and the world were suitably awed by the gilt exterior detailing, the sweeping grand staircase, and the massive dome. At 307 feet in height, the dome is a full 42 feet taller than the dome of the nation's capitol.
During the past century, the building has seen major political upheavals and demographic shifts in the makeup of its legislators. City Hall is often a focus of drama: the tragic assassinations of 1979; and jubilation, when same-sex marriages were first performed in 2004. Once the repository of records and a site for smaller courts, current debates and decisions about labor, land use, and public policy issues take place inside on a regular basis. City Hall has been a location for movies from Dirty Harry and Indiana Jones to Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
An earthquake of 7.1 magnitude struck on October 17, 1989 and damaged City Hall severely enough that the dome itself moved four full inches. Repair and restoration, completed in 1999, included an earthquake safety enhancement called a base isolator system. This absorbs shocks and movement at the foundation, protecting the structure above.
For decades, adjusting the tint of the exterior lights required walking through legislators' offices to change the colored gels by hand. Starting in 2016, a computer-controlled LED lighting system adds themed colors to the plaza façade with some energy savings. City Hall is still a favorite site for weddings, and cheers regularly echo through the rotunda.
Learn more about the exhibits on display in City Hall.
City Hall Preservation Advisory Commission
City Hall Preservation Advisory Commission
The City Hall Preservation Advisory Commission's mission is to:
- Ensure that the maintenance and operation of City Hall is consistent with its stature and dignity as a national landmark and as the seat of City government
- Assure that the building is a welcoming place for all people
- Promote the understanding of its history and cultural values
Archived website
Archived website
See previous website archived August 2022.
San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett PlaceSan Francisco, CA 94102
Mon to Fri,
8:00 am to 6:00 pm
At San Francisco City Hall
Controller's Office
Controller's Office
City Hall1 Dr Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Room 316
San Francisco, CA 94102
San Francisco City Hall Events Office
San Francisco City Hall Events Office
City Hall1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Room 495
San Francisco, CA 94102
Department of Elections
Department of Elections
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett PlaceCity Hall, Room 48
San Francisco, CA 94102
Film SF
Film Commission
City Hall1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl
Room 473
San Francisco, CA 94102
Office of Contract Administration
Office of Contract Administration
City Hall1 Dr Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Room 430
San Francisco, CA 94102
City Administrator
City Administrator
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett PlaceCity Hall Room 362
San Francisco, CA 94102
Office of Labor Standards Enforcement
Office of Labor Standards Enforcement
City Hall1 Dr Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Room 430
San Francisco, CA 94102
Contact us
Office of the Mayor
Office of the Mayor
City Hall1 Dr Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Room 200
San Francisco, CA 94102
Sheriff's Office
Sheriff's Office
City Hall1 Dr Carlton B. Goodlett Place
Room 456
San Francisco, CA 94102
Treasurer & Tax Collector
Treasury and Tax Collector Office
Treasurer and Tax Collector OfficeCity Hall, Room 140
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Mon to Fri,
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Processing: Mon to Fri, 8am to 4pm
Information only: Mon to Fri, 4 to 5pm
Closed on public holidays
About
The City Hall Building Management manages the building operations of City Hall, a National Historic Landmark, and is a subsidiary of the Real Estate Division.