Since the 1800's 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. Stroll down to Civic Center, just steps from NEMA San Francisco and start exploring the area as our neighbors re-open.
San Francisco’s Civic Center neighborhood is centered between Franklin, Market, Leavenworth and Turk streets, with a large portion of the neighborhood’s businesses and government offices along Van Ness Avenue. Civic Center assets include City Hall, UN Plaza, and cultural institutions such as the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and Orpheum Theater, among others. There’s always something to see or do in Civic Center.
Some of the cultural attractions & venues to get on your list are:
San Francisco City Hall. Built in the Beaux Arts style in 1915, this historic building is the heart of the Civic Center. Open daily, City Hall visitors can take in the grandeur under the dome as well as attend a docent-led tour on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Walks last from 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
Asian Art Museum. Housing more than 18,000 items in its permanent collection, the Asian Art Museum features one of the most comprehensive Asian art collections in the world. Explore their calendar
and see what events are coming up!
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Host to large-scale concerts and events, the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, operated by Another Planet Entertainment, has featured many of the biggest musical acts and artists since the 1950's.
San Francisco Ballet. One of the oldest ballet companies in the US, the San Francisco Ballet features a robust calendar of performances throughout the year. Meet choreographers and dancers, participate in workshops, and experience a host of other exhilarating and enriching activities.
SF JAZZ. SFJAZZ explores the full spectrum of jazz—from the music’s origins in the African American community, to its diverse present-day expressions around the world. Catch the Miles Davis Celebration every Friday in May.
The Orpheum Theatre. San Francisco has a number of theaters, but one of the most beautiful and well known is the Orpheum Theatre operated by Broadway SF. This historic theater hosts some of the nation’s largest Broadway productions, such as Hamilton, Wicked, and The Lion King.
San Francisco Opera. Presenting both classics and world premieres, the San Francisco Opera features world-famous works by renowned artists throughout the year in the beautiful War Memorial Opera House.
SF Symphony. Founded in 1911, the San Francisco Symphony features classic performances and popular movie-accompaniment events throughout the year.
Heart of the City Farmers Market. Serving San Francisco’s United Nations Plaza and surrounding neighborhoods since 1981, this independent, farmer-operated, non-profit farmers market operates on Wednesdays and Sundays year round (rain or shine!) with a mission to bring high-quality and affordable produce from small local farms to the heart of San Francisco. This well-loved market offers a variety of lunch options, seating and live musicians on occasion.
San Francisco Public Library. Dedicated to free & equal access to information, knowledge, independent learning & the joys of reading for our diverse community. Oh, how we’ve missed exploring the shelves of the library and happy to hear it’s reopened.
NEMA San Francisco is positioned at the intersection of SOMA, Civic Center, Hayes Valley, and The Mission neighborhoods—each offering a unique appeal and distinct character. The welcoming public spaces surrounding San Francisco's City Hall as well as some of our city’s top cultural institutions are minutes away.
Discover San Francisco Luxury Apartments @ NEMA
NEMA’s four apartment building towers and three landscaped terraces offer an amazing array of views overlooking San Francisco’s urban landscape and natural setting. Landmarks in the surrounding skyline include the iconic skyscrapers of the San Francisco Financial District, the dome of City Hall, Golden Gate Bridge, Russian Hill, Bernal Heights, Twin Peaks, and San Francisco Bay. Get social with us and follow our story on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Use #liveNEMA to share with our team.