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.
Leashed dogs are allowed throughout Civic Center, except at the Heart of the City Farmers Market. Off-leash dogs are allowed at the UN Plaza Dog Run (7am-7pm, 7 days a week); all dog waste must be promptly picked up and disposed of in a garbage receptacle. ADA service animals are allowed everywhere in Civic Center.
The City’s temperature can change drastically when the fog rolls in or out, so layers are always a great option. See today’s weather here.
We suggest visiting the SFMTA site and the 511 Twitter account for the latest information on street closures due to events, roadwork or building construction.
Dispatch for Services: 7 days a week, 7 am to 7 pm; call: (415) 781-4700. You can also email us at: dispatch@sfciviccenter.org.
There are two large city-owned garages (Performing Arts Garage and Civic Center Garage) and many private ones in the area. The Civic Center CBD staffs the elevator access area at the entrance of Civic Center Garage on McAllister Street, Tuesday through Saturday, 6 to 11 pm. There is bike parking at the Civic Center Garage as well as at the Civic Center BART station.
If you’re interested in getting married at City Hall, visit the Office of the County Clerk page of the City site for more information.
Friday, August 1, 2025 – red/white – in recognition of the National Day of Switzerland
Saturday, August 2, 2025 – deep purple/blue – in recognition of Dead & Co celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Grateful Dead Concert in Golden Gate Park
Sunday, August 3, 2025 – City Hall façade deep purple/blue; projection of “tie-dye” color pattern on Dome – in recognition of Dead & Co celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Grateful Dead Concert in Golden Gate Park
Monday, August 4, 2025 – purple – in recognition of Overdose Awareness Month
Tuesday, August 5, 2025 – light blue/pink/white – in recognition of Trans History Month
Thursday, August 7, 2025 – orange/white/green – in recognition of the National Day of Ivory Coast
Friday, August 8, 2025 – red/white – in recognition of the National Day of Singapore
Friday, August 15, 2025 – red/white – in recognition of the National Day of Indonesia
Saturday, August 16, 2025 – red/blue – in recognition of Korea’s National Day of Liberation
Friday, August 22, 2025 – blue/yellow – in recognition of the National Day of Ukraine
Monday, August 25, 2025 – blue/white/yellow – in recognition of the National Day of Uruguay
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 – purple – in recognition of National Women’s Equality Day – commemorating the 1920 adoption of the 19th Amendment
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 – red/black/green – in recognition of Afghan American Heritage Month
Sunday, August 31, 2025 – in recognition of National Overdose Awareness Day
You can find the latest information on City Hall’s color schedule on the City Hall Lighting Calendar via the SFGov site, scroll down to “Lighting schedule.”
There is an extensive array of cafes, coffee shops and restaurants from casual fare to fine dining, visit the shopping & dining portion of the Activities & Events page to find a specific place to grab a bite.
Anytime is a good time to visit! Museums, government buildings and cultural institutions are open year round. Outdoor events hosted by the Civic Center Community Benefit District and partnering organizations tend to occur in Summer, Fall and the holiday season; see our events calendar for more of what’s happening soon.
MUNI bus lines serving Civic Center include Bus Numbers: 5-Fulton, 21-Hayes, 31-Balboa, 47-Van Ness, and 49-Van Ness/Mission.
The MUNI Metro Subway includes all lines (J, K, L, M, N) serving both the Civic Center and Van Ness Stations. For up-to-date route and schedule information contact MUNI at (415) 701-2311 or dial 311 within San Francisco.
BART lines serve the nearby “Civic Center” station at Market and Eighth Streets. For schedule information please contact BART at (415) 989-2278.
North Bay: The Civic Center area is also served by Golden Gate Transit (415) 455-2000
South Bay: Sam Trans (800 660-4287) runs many buses from the South Bay. Cal Train riders may call 800-660-4287 for service information.
East Bay: From the East Bay riders can take AC Transit (dial 511 anywhere in the Bay Area) to the Transbay Terminal, on Mission Street between First and Fremont Streets, and transfer to MUNI lines such as the No. 5 Bus.
See more on our Directions, Parking & Transit page.
