A place where the arts, community, civic events, and government come together.
1. Start your day with a coffee and breakfast bite from a delicious spot, such as the renowned Arsicault Bakery; be sure to grab one of their croissants, named the best in the country by Bon Appétit. Or stop by Assembly Cafe & Beer Garden just outside City Hall, offering delicious espresso drinks and breakfast staples to go.
2. After breakfast, grab your tote bags and head over to Heart of the City Farmers’ Market on Fulton Plaza, happening every Wednesday and Sunday rain-or-shine! This beloved farmers’ market, running continually since 1981, features everything from hard-to-find produce like Buddha’s hand to eggs and seafood, honey and flowers, nuts and olive oil, to prepared foods and pie. If it’s a Wednesday, be sure to visit the market’s hot food vendors for lunch in Civic Center Plaza (the pupusas from Estrellita’s Snacks are a must try).
3. Afterwards, hop across the street to UN Plaza, where you can enjoy free activities such as chess lessons, fitness classes, foosball and ping pong. If you’ve got your dog with you, be sure to stop by the UN Plaza Dog Run so Fido can enjoy a little time off-leash.
4. Don’t forget your wheels! Skateboarders kick-flip through UN Plaza seven days a week at the new skate plaza, which features elements from popular skate spots around the world. If it’s Saturday, be sure to grab your roller skates from home and enjoy a few fun laps on the smooth surface of Fulton Plaza. If you're lucky, there just may be a local DJ spinning some tunes to skate to as well!
5. Afterwards duck inside the Main Branch of the San Francisco Public Library, also on Fulton Plaza, home to thousands of books, vinyl records, magazines and more. In addition to the expansive Children’s section, be sure to stop by their two art and history galleries: Jewett and Skylight, which host a robust rotation of local art and photography exhibits. And don’t forget to ask a librarian what’s happening at the library that day, they host hundreds of free events throughout the year.
6. Once you’ve rambled through the rows of books, head to the other side of Fulton Plaza and visit the Asian Art Museum, home to one of the “most comprehensive Asian art collections in the world.” Hosting thousands of works from permanent and traveling collections, check-in with the visitors desk to learn more about the featured exhibits. After filling up on art, grab lunch at their in-museum restaurant Asian Box.
7. After lunch, learn about the Beaux Arts buildings you've been perusing at a historic walking tour. Head over to the steps of City Hall to take part of the daily walking tours of Civic Center and City Hall with hosts City Guides; make sure to sign up through their site. Or take a detailed, one-hour tour of City Hall itself with City Hall Docents every Friday at 11am and 1pm.
8. As evening progresses, grab dinner at one of the area’s celebrated eateries: Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, Baia, Hayes Street Grill, Kiln or Zuni Cafe. Each spot has been celebrated for its menu and atmosphere.
9. After dinner, don’t miss a world-class concert at the famed Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, featuring the current headline bands and chart toppers. Or for more a reposed evening, visit the renowned Davies Symphony Hall, home to the SF Symphony and SF Ballet; or the War Memorial Opera House, home to the SF Opera. If you’re a jazz fan you’ll want to see who’s on stage at SF Jazz and Mr. Tipple’s Recording Studio. There’s also live music at Uccello Lounge, featuring the students and alumni of the adjacent San Francisco Conservatory of Music as well as a robust calendar of concerts at their new Bowes Center. There are also a number of performances to see at the nearby Sydney Goldstein Theater, home of the City Arts & Lecture series; and rock spot Rickshaw Stop.
10. After the encore, finish your evening with a nightcap at any number of unique bars in the area; they run the gamut from cozy wine bar: Hotel Biron, to famed cocktail menu at Linden Room, to fresh spots: The Madrigal, Phonobar, Sugar Lounge; to world-renowned tiki favorite Smuggler’s Cove.
About Civic Center
Since the 1800s Civic Center has been the hub of culture, government and urban public spaces in San Francisco. The City’s history is deeply ingrained in the fabric of Civic Center, where cultural and ceremonial events have played out in these prominent spaces.
While in Civic Center, be sure to explore neighboring areas around Mid-Market and Hayes Valley.
A Perfect Day around Civic Center was curated by the Civic Center Community Benefit District.
About
Shop Dine SF is an initiative of the Office of Small Business, and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
Its aim is to bring attention to the local businesses and neighborhood corridors.
Spending money at local small businesses helps merchants and creates jobs. Shop local. Even a small increase can have a big impact.
Questions? Email shopdinesf@sfgov.org