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Civic Center in San Francisco

Things to Do in Civic Center, San Francisco

Significant government and cultural institutions, with large plazas like Civic Center Plaza and United Nations Plaza. Key sites include the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and the Veterans Building, where the United Nations Charter was signed in 1945.

Significant government and cultural institutions, with large plazas like Civic Center Plaza and United Nations Plaza. Key sites include the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium and the Veterans Building, where the United Nations Charter was signed in 1945.

  • San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts CenterSan Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts CenterTheater
  • Smuggler's CoveSmuggler's CoveCocktail Bar
  • SFJAZZ CenterSFJAZZ CenterLive Music
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By TripSapien · Updated September 3, 2026

Top things to do in Civic Center

  • San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center in Civic Center, San Francisco

    San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center

    4.7 · 912
    Theater

    Performing-arts destination featuring stately theaters & auditoriums for opera, ballet & symphonies.

  • San Francisco Symphony in Civic Center, San Francisco

    San Francisco Symphony

    4.8 · 3.1k
    Theater

    Home to the SF Symphony, this concert hall seats more than 2,700 & has several cafes & bars.

  • Heart of the City Farmers' Market in Civic Center, San Francisco

    Heart of the City Farmers' Market

    4.6 · 824
    Market

    San Francisco's only independent, farmer-operated non-profit farmers market every Sundays 7:00am - 5:00pm and Wednesdays 7:00am - 5:30pm year round. Our Friday market day is temporary closed due to drought conditions.

    Mon–Tue
    Closed
    Wed
    7 AM – 4 PM
    Thu–Fri
    Closed
    Sat
    Closed
    Sun
    7 AM – 4 PM
  • Asian Art Museum in Civic Center, San Francisco

    Asian Art Museum

    4.6 · 4.3k
    Art Museum

    Over 18,000 Asian artworks & artifacts in the updated former main library opposite City Hall.

    Mon
    10 AM – 5 PM
    Tue–Wed
    Closed
    Thu
    1 PM – 8 PM
    Fri
    10 AM – 5 PM
    Sat
    10 AM – 5 PM
    Sun
    10 AM – 5 PM
  • San Francisco Opera in Civic Center, San Francisco

    San Francisco Opera

    4.7 · 502
    Opera House

    Classic 1932 opera house hosting classics, new works & a beloved holiday-season Nutcracker ballet.

    Mon–Fri
    9 AM – 6 PM
    Sat
    9 AM – 6 PM
    Sun
    Closed
  • Herbst Theater in Civic Center, San Francisco

    Herbst Theater

    4.7 · 600
    Theater

    Grand theater located inside the War Memorial Veterans Building, hosting jazz & orchestral concerts.

Where to eat & drink in Civic Center

  • Smuggler's Cove in Civic Center, San Francisco

    Smuggler's Cove

    Top 500 bar
    Cocktail Bar· $20–30

    Popular bar boasting nautical-themed decor, exotic cocktails & over 700 types of rum.

    Every day
    5 PM – 1:30 AM
  • SFJAZZ Center in Civic Center, San Francisco

    SFJAZZ Center

    4.8 · 1.6k
    Live Music

    This nightspot presents a line-up of internationally renowned jazz performers live on stage.

    Mon–Tue
    Closed
    Wed
    12 PM – 5:30 PM
    Thu–Fri
    12 PM – 10 PM
    Sat
    12 PM – 10 PM
    Sun
    Closed
  • Kiln in Civic Center, San Francisco

    Kiln

    Michelin ★★
    Fine Dining· $100+

    Industry veterans Chef John Wesley and general manager Julianna Yang have combined their talents at Kiln, where the warehouse space is warmed by personable service and the kitchen delivers artful creations. The tasting menu leans Nordic…

    Mon
    Closed
    Tue–Thu
    6 PM – 8 PM
    Fri
    5 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sat
    5 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sun
    Closed
  • The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in Civic Center, San Francisco

    The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

    4.5 · 3.6k
    Live Music

    This four-story tall, "Beaux-Arts" style building occupies an entire city block in the heart of the Civic Center and has 7,000 seats inside. Large and small bands, exhibits, concerts, and galas are all hosted at the Civic Auditorium…

  • Rickshaw Stop in Civic Center, San Francisco

    Rickshaw Stop

    4.5 · 855
    Nightclub· $$

    Indie bands & DJs rock crowds in a small, funky space that also offers food & lounge areas.

  • Zuni Café in Civic Center, San Francisco

    Zuni Café

    4.3 · 2.6k
    Californian· $100+

    Zuni has been at it for more than forty years, and locals and visitors remain drawn to this San Francisco institution.

    Mon
    Closed
    Tue–Thu
    5 PM – 9:30 PM
    Fri
    11 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 9:30 PM
    Sat
    11 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 9:30 PM
    Sun
    11 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 9:30 PM
  • Dumpling Home in Civic Center, San Francisco

    Dumpling Home

    4.5 · 1.7k
    Chinese· $

    You can try the pan-fried baos, poke at the crispy green onion pancakes and sample the hand-pulled noodles, but please, read the room—and the awning that wraps around the building.

    Mon–Thu
    11:30 AM – 2:15 PM, 5 PM – 8:15 PM
    Fri
    11:30 AM – 2:15 PM, 5 PM – 8:45 PM
    Sat
    11:30 AM – 2:15 PM, 5 PM – 8:45 PM
    Sun
    11:30 AM – 2:15 PM, 5 PM – 8:15 PM
  • AJ's Bar in Civic Center, San Francisco

    AJ's Bar

    Bar· $10–20
    Mon
    9 AM – 12 AM
    Tue
    9 AM – 12:30 AM
    Wed
    9 AM – 12 AM
    Thu
    9 AM – 12:30 AM
    Fri
    9 AM – 2 AM
    Sat
    9 AM – 2 AM
    Sun
    9 AM – 11 PM
  • Hôtel Biron in Civic Center, San Francisco

    Hôtel Biron

    4.5 · 179
    Wine Bar· $10–20

    Intimate, candlelit wine bar with a curated wine list, cheese plates & walls with rotating artwork.

    Mon–Tue
    5 PM – 11 PM
    Wed–Fri
    5 PM – 12 AM
    Sat
    5 PM – 12 AM
    Sun
    5 PM – 11 PM
  • DragonEats in Civic Center, San Francisco

    DragonEats

    4.6 · 436
    Vietnamese· $10–20

    Vietnamese spot turning out rolls, bowls & banh mi sandwiches in a small, laid-back space.

    Mon–Fri
    11 AM – 6 PM
    Sat
    11 AM – 6 PM
    Sun
    11 AM – 5 PM

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Civic Center map

Ranked using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.

Map of Civic Center with pinned top attractions (1 through 10)
  1. 1San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center
  2. 2Smuggler's Cove
  3. 3SFJAZZ Center
  4. 4San Francisco Symphony
  5. 5Kiln
  6. 6The Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
  7. 7Heart of the City Farmers' Market
  8. 8Rickshaw Stop
  9. 9Zuni Café
  10. 10Dumpling Home

Other areas in San Francisco

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