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.
Thursday, May 1, 2025 – red/gold – in recognition of AAPI Heritage Month
Sunday, May 4, 2025 – red – in recognition of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
Monday, May 5, 2025 – red – in recognition of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Woman Awareness Day (The official day of observance is May 5.)
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 – blue – in recognition of San Francisco’s Annual Small Business Week
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – lime green – in recognition of International Maternal Mental Health Day
Thursday, May 8, 2025 – lime green – in recognition of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week
Friday, May 9, 2025 – blue/yellow – in recognition of the European Union’s “Europe Day”
Saturday, May 10, 2025 – lime green – in recognition of AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander) Mental Health Day
Monday, May 12, 2205 – pink/red/blue – in recognition of Women’s Health Awareness Month
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 – blue/orange – in recognition of National Nurses Month
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 – purple – in recognition of Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
Thursday, May 15, 2025 – blue – in recognition of National Peace Officers Memorial Day
Friday, May 16, 2025 – purple – in celebration of the season home opening game of the Golden State Valkyries
Saturday, May 17, 2025 – rainbow colors – in recognition of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
Sunday, May 18, 2025 – green – in recognition of Food Allergy Awareness Month
Monday, May 19, 2025 – blue/white – in recognition of EMS Week
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 – lime green – in recognition of SFDPH’s Behavioral Sciences Client Council’s Mental Health Awareness event
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 – white – in recognition of the Ride of Silence – honoring the lives lost while biking in San Francisco
Thursday, May 22, 2025 – rainbow colors – in recognition of Harvey Milk Day
Friday, May 23, 2025 – purple/gold – in recognition of San Francisco State University’s graduating Class of 2025
Saturday, May 24, 2025 –red/green/blue/yellow – in recognition of Eritrean Independence Day
Sunday, May 25, 2025 – red/white – in recognition of the National Day of Georgia
Monday, May 26, 2025 – red/white/blue – in recognition of the Memorial Day Holiday
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 – orange – in recognition of California Tourism Month
Thursday, May 29, 2025 – green – in recognition of National Arthritis Month
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.
