Financial District
About Financial District
Towers rise along Montgomery Street where the West built its financial empire, and while tech has shifted power southward to SoMa, the grand banking halls and corporate headquarters still define this pocket of downtown San Francisco.
What to See & Do
The Transamerica Pyramid points skyward at the district’s edge, no longer the tallest building in the city but still the most recognizable silhouette on the skyline. The redwood grove at its base offers a surprising pocket of calm between meetings.
The historic banking halls deserve a visit even if you have no business inside. Peek into the City Club at 155 Sansome to see Diego Rivera murals, or admire the marble and gilt lobby of the former Bank of Italy that became Bank of America.
After six the streets empty fast as workers scatter to BART and Caltrain. But that quiet has its appeal. Walk the canyons at dusk when the towers glow against the darkening sky and you have the sidewalks nearly to yourself.
Where to Eat & Drink
Lunchtime brings the energy. Workers pour onto the sidewalks seeking everything from Burmese noodles at Burma Superstar Express to oysters at Tadich Grill, the oldest restaurant in California still serving at the same location since 1849. The bartenders at Tadich have been slinging martinis longer than most tech companies have existed.
The Ferry Building sits a few blocks east when you need waterfront air and farmer’s market produce.
Getting There
Every Muni Metro line stops at Montgomery Station, and BART connects you to the East Bay and the airport. The district sits at the center of San Francisco’s transit network — getting here is the easy part.
Where to Drink
All bars →
Things to Do
All activities →
Lotta’s Fountain
At the intersection of Market, Kearny, and Geary downtown. The annual April 18th ceremony at 5:12 AM marks the 1906 earthquake. Otherwise a quick look on a downtown walk. Free.
Heineman Building
At 130 Bush Street in the Financial District. Only 20 feet wide but covered in ornate glazed terra cotta and hammered copper. Look up as you walk past. A 30-second architecture stop worth noticing.
