SoMa (South of Market)

The Basics

SoMa stretches from the Embarcadero to 11th Street on the south side of Market Street. This district is home to warehouses, startup offices, high-end dining, nightclubs, museums, loft buildings, and sky-high apartment towers. Hop-on hop-off tours often include a stop on Market Street near the Ferry Building. For a guided visit, opt for a bike tour or walking tour of the craft beer scene to visit microbreweries and craft beer bars.

Cultural attractions include the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMoMA), the Contemporary Jewish Museum, the Museum of the African Diaspora, the California Historical Society, and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. There’s also upscale mall shopping in Westfield Centre, as well as designer shops and boutiques in this area.

Things to Know Before You Go

• SoMa is ideal for art and culture lovers, baseball enthusiasts, and night-clubbers.

• Wear comfortable shoes, as SoMa is a vast area.

• There is a lot of metered street parking, but pay attention to posted and temporary signs about prohibited parking during street cleaning, construction, and certain times of day.

How to Get There

Almost all of San Francisco’s modes of transport can get you to SoMa or close to it, including BART, the light rail, Caltrain, the Powell-Hyde Cable Car, and several MUNI bus lines, including 5 and 38. If you’re on foot, walk south a few blocks from Union Square.

When to Get There

For shopping and museums, go in the late morning, avoiding the start-of-the-business-day rush. Some museums offer special weekly or monthly evening hours, including SFMoMA and the Contemporary Jewish Museum, both of which are open late Thursday. Experience some of San Francisco’s alternative culture at the Folsom Street Fair in September, or the How Weird Street Faire in May.

Oracle Park

Baseball fans don’t want to miss this waterfront home of the San Francisco Giants—winners of the 2010, 2012, and 2014 World Series Championships. Oracle Park (formerly AT&T Park) is also known for its views of San Francisco Bay and better-than-average stadium food, such as Hawaiian poke and Dungeness crab. Catch a game, take a behind-the-scenes tour, or go for a concert.

What do the letters in SoMa mean in San Francisco?

SoMa is an abbreviation for “South of Market,” referring to San Francisco’s Market Street. (Many locals ditch this acronym and call the neighborhood by its full name.) It generally refers to the area closest to the Mission District, but SoMa also includes Yerba Buena, known for its museums, and South Beach.

What is SoMa, San Francisco most known for?

SoMa was once a gritty, industrial neighborhood best known for its warehouses. In recent years, it’s emerged as a tech hub and arts and nightlife mecca. SoMa is home to restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, plus cultural centers such as the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and the Contemporary Jewish Museum.

What is SoMa’s biggest attraction?

SoMa’s biggest attraction would probably be the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). With seven floors packed with modern and contemporary collections, it’s one of the largest art museums in the country. Another major landmark is the Moscone Center, a conference and event venue that stretches out for several blocks.

Can I visit SoMa in San Francisco with a guided tour?

Yes, you can, and visiting SoMa on a guided tour is a great way to familiarize yourself with local hotspots that you might otherwise miss. Several tour options are available, from customized private walking tours to pub crawls. San Francisco’s hop-on, hop-off bus tours also include a stop in SoMa.

Is it safe to visit San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood?

Yes, the SoMa neighborhood used to have a seedy reputation, but it has cleaned up its act. Many of its industrial warehouses are now rented as high-priced lofts. Visitors should be safe when walking around during the day, but it’s a good idea to avoid walking alone at nighttime.

How does SoMa compare to other parts of San Francisco?

That depends—the parts of SoMa that border the Mission District are similar in vibe—they both share a buzzy nightlife scene and a LGBTQ+ history. Just like San Francisco itself, SoMa changes drastically depending on where you go, from sleek nightlife venues to Oracle Park, home to the San Francisco Giants.