Location: Downtown San Francisco
Top Things to do in Downtown San Francisco
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What to do and see in Downtown San Francisco, California (CA): The Best Architectural Buildings
Every neighborhood in San Francisco has its own personality, from the hippie chic of the Upper Haight to the hipster grit of the Mission. The Marina district boasts trendy bistros and postcard-perfect views of the Golden Gate Bridge, while Noe Valley offers quaint and quiet boutiques. Wave hello to the sea lions at Pier 39, and sample local cheese and charcuterie at the Ferry Building. Sit in on a yoga session in Dolores Park or marvel at the Dutch Windmill across from Ocean Beach.
Restaurants in San Francisco
1. Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Room
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
2. San Francisco City Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,024 reviews
The dome of this venerable Government building is a replica of the one crowning St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Reviewed By duck8to - Montville, United States
It is one of the finest city halls I have ever seen. The original city hall was built in 1899 and was destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1906. The present city hall was rebuilt between 1913-1916 it displays an impressive Beaux Arts architectural style. The massive dome in the rotunda is 307' tall some 40' higher then the rotunda in the Nation's Capitol. With a magnificent rotunda of marble and jaw dropping grand staircase this city hall with it's four floor is second to none. Today the San Francisco City Hall has been redesigned to adjust to a possible earthquake that shook it's foundation on October 17, 1989. The 7.1 earthquake moved the structure 4'' and repairs continued until 1999. A state of the art computer controlled LED lighting system was installed which is capable of producing a variety of light shows. If you are in San Francisco, It is a sight to behold. City hall has been the site of of many notable events. Joe D'Maggio married Marilyn Monroe at City Hall in January of 1954. Mascone and Milk were assassinated here in 1979 and the first same-sex marriage was performed here in 2004. It is a National Historic landmark. Docent tours were available pre-COVID-19 on Mon-Fri at 10am, 12pm and 2pm. The tours were 45 minutes long. Sign-up for the tours were at the kiosk Goodlet Place elevator lobby. Admission is free. If you do not want a docent tour, you can enter city hall on your own. I was there prior to COVID-19. Check their website for any COVID-19 rules.
3. Sing Fat Co. building
4. Chinatown Alleys
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By dunadan - Lynnwood, United States
The alleys in Chinatown are so well-known that there are bronzed relief maps detailing all of them embedded in the ground throughout the district. There are some great finds to be had in some of the alleys (fortune cookies, anyone?) and lots of other hidden gems awaiting your discovery. If you are in the area, whether shopping for cheap souvenirs, eating some great food, or taking a tour, be sure to turn that corner down a narrow lane and see where it leads to--it's an adventure!
5. Westin St. Francis (hotel)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
We liked the service, history, and architecture of this classy Union Square hotel in San Francisco. It is at a very good location. The rooms are nice There is also many areas for group functions and meetings. Its on the cable car route so its easy to get around to other areas of San Francisco.
6. 450 Sutter Building
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 19 reviews
Building designed by Timothy Pfleuger in the same art deco architectural style that was used for the Paramount Theatre.
Reviewed By KaskaNowa - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Built in 1920s, 450 Sutter Building was one of the most interesting and off-the-bitten-track things I've seen in downtown San Francisco. From what I gathered, it is an apartment and office building but it's free to enter the lobby and, oh boy, isn't it gorgeous! A must for all architecture buffs and those willing to discover more than Pier 39.
7. Old United States Mint
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 24 reviews
This Greek Revival structure is a trooper of a building, having survived the 1906 earthquake.
8. Don Lee Building
9. Flatiron Building
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
I visited the Flatiron Building in San Francisco. It was built in 1913 and is in the Financial District of San Francisco. The architecture is interesting.
