Financial District/Barbary Coast Neighborhood (94104, 94108, 94111, and 94133) (8b)
The Financial District / Barbary Coast is the financial service center of San Francisco with companies such as Wells Fargo and Charles Schwab. The Financial District is located roughly south of Broadway, north of Sutter/Market Streets and between Stockton/Kearny to the west and the San Francisco Bay to the east. This neighborhood has some of the tallest skyscrapers in San Francisco including the B of A Building, and the Transamerica Pyramid. The Ferry Terminal is located here where ferries leave for Oakland and Alameda. Many companies such as Bechtel, Wells Fargo, and the Gap are headquartered in the Financial District.
Historically the Financial District was a European and American settlement during Spanish and Mexican rule. It was during the Gold Rush when California was annexed that the wealth and business it brought turned it into the financial capital of the West with many banks and financial service companies locating here. The Financial District used to be home to the Pacific Stock Exchange which was eventually bought and merged into the New York Stock Exchange. The Pacific Stock Exchange historical building is now an Equinox Fitness center.
China Town is San Francisco's famous neighborhood that can be found around Grant and Stockton north of Clay Street and south of Jackson with its produce and fresh fish markets, small businesses and restaurants.
The Embarcadero Center - are four large office buildings located on Clay that dominate the San Francisco skyline that contain many upscale retailers, restaurants and a Landmark movie theater.
The Ferry Building dominates the waterfront area of the Financial District with its clock tower and Beaux Arts Building. In 2003 it was renovated and turned into a culinary food center of San Francisco with great restaurants, retail specialty food shops, and a farmer's market on Saturday. The Farmer's market attracts an estimated 25,000 people each week with its locally grown produce and fine meats. This building houses Acme Bread Co., Blue Bottle Coffee, Boccalone Salumeria, Book Passage, Ciao Bella Gelato, Cowgirl Creamery, Far West Fungi, Ferry Plaza Wine Merchants, Frog Hollow Farm, Golden Gate Meats, Hodo Soy Beanery, Imperial Tea Court, La Cocina, McEvory Ranch Olive Oil, Prather Ranch Meat Co., Ricchiuti Chocolates, Scharfenberger, Stonehouse California Olive Oil, amongst others. The Ferry Building is also the home to top restaurants Slanted Door, Boulette's Larder and Il Cane Rosso. The Ferry building is located at 1 Ferry Building (415) 983-8007
Gardens in the Financial District Area. This is a list of 13 gardens in the financial district. Including 100 1st St., 150 California St., 101 California St., 555 California St., City Group Center Plaza at 1 Sansome St., Crocker Galleria at 50 Post St., Embarcadero Center, 50 Fremont St., 1 Kearny St, 555 Mission St., 100 Pine St., 345 Sansome St., and Transamerica Redwood Park.
Golden Gate Tennis and Swim Club is a private club with tennis courts and two swimming pools. They are located at 370 Drumm St, (415) 616-8800
Jackson Square is a neighborhood roughly bounded by roughly Broadway to the north, Washington to the south, Kearny and Columbus to the west and Battery to the east. It is defined as a neighborhood of many antique, art and interior designer shops.
Justin Herman Plaza is the public plaza located at the foot of Market Street at the Embarcadero, just behind the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where during the winter time there is often ice skating. Parkscan Info. Review Yelp.
Landmark Movie Theater is located in the Embarcadero Center at 1 Embarcadero. Showtimes.
Portmouth Sq Plaza is is a one-block park in Chinatown, San Francisco, California, that is bounded by Kearny Street on the east, Washington Street on the north, Clay Street on the south, and Walter Lum Place on the west. It is named after the U.S.S. Portsmouth. Parkscan Info. Review: Yelp.
St. Mary's Square has lots of trees and bushes, benches to relax on, restrooms and a play structure for kids. It is located at California St. and Grant St. Parkscan Info. Review: Yelp.
Sue Bierman Park is a park across from the Ferry Building that offers benches and a fountain you can walk behind. It is located at 216 Drumm St. Review: Yelp.
Sydney Walton Square has well maintained grass areas, trees and a fountain. It is located at Front St. and Jackson St. Review: Yelp.
Willie "Woo Woo" Wong Playground is a multi-level park built into the side of a hill. It contains two sand play areas, three game and sports areas, a basketball court, ping pong tables, a tennis court, a volleyball court, a community recreation center, and indoor gym. It is located at Sacramento St. and Waverly Pl. Parkscan Info.
Restaurants, specialty food locations and local watering holes in the Financial District include the following:
Barbacco is a bar that serves light Italian fare including house made salumi. They are located at 220 California St. near Front, (415) 955-1919. Reviews: Google/Zagat, SFGate/Bauer and Yelp. For Reservations.
Cotogna is a favorite go to Italian restaurant with a wood burning oven. It offers impeccable service and great views through large open windows of Washington Square. They are located at 490 Pacific Ave near Montgomery St. (415) 775-8508. Revies: Google/Zagat, SFGate/Bauer, and Yelp. For Reservations.
Eastern Bakery opened in 1924 and offers a variety of mood cakes and other pastries. They are well known for their Coffee Crunch Cake which is popular with the locals and they only accept cash. They are located at 720 Grant at Commercial, (415) 982-5157. Reviews: Google and Yelp.
Golden Gate Bakery is a Chinese bakery that merits visiting just for its egg custard tart alone. They are located at 1029 Grant Ave between Jackson St & Pacific Ave, (415) 781-2627. Reviews: Google and Yelp.
Hang Ah Tea Room opened in 1920 and claims to be San Francisco's oldest dim sum house. They are located at 1 Pagoda Place at Sacramento (415) 982-5686. Reviews: Google and Yelp.
Kokkari is a well established Greek style restaurant with a massive fireplace and warm welcoming dining room. They are located at 200 Jackson Street (415) 981-0983. Reviews: Google/Zagat, SFGate/Hu and Yelp. For Reservations.
Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. is best known for their Chinese sausage and cured pork belly. They opened in 1856 and rebuilt to their current location after the 1906 earthquake. They specialize in cured meats and sell over 400 pounds of dry cured pork items every two days. They are located at 774 Commercial St. at Grant, (415) 982-5767. Review: Yelp.
Perbacco offers Italian fare and serve house made salumi. They are located at 230 California St near Battery (415) 955-0663. Reviews: Google/Zagat, SFGate/Bauer and Yelp. For Reservations.
Tadich Grill a seafood restaurant founded in 1849 and the oldest restaurant in San Francisco. It has that old world charm with dark woods and period details. It is located at 240 California St. between Front and Battery, (415) 391-1849. Reviews: Google/Zagat, SFGate/Bonne and Yelp. They do not accept reservations.
Vesuvio is a great bar known for its bohemian ambiance and Tiffany lamps. It is located at 255 Columbus Ave between Broadway and Pacific Ave. Reviews: Google/Zagat, and Yelp.
Wayfare Tavern is Chef Tyler Florence's flag ship restaurant offering turn of the 20th Century cuisine. They are located at 558 Sacramento St. (415) 772-9060. Reviews: Google/Zagat, SFGate/Bauer, and Yelp. For Reservations.
Waterfront Restaurant made a transition from a longshoreman's bar to a restaurant in 1969. It offers a protected outdoor spaces and great views of the Bay. The Waterfront Restaurant is located at Pier 7 (415) 391-2696. Reviews: Google/Zagat, SFGate/Bauer and Yelp. For Reservations.
Churches, Temples, Mosques and other Religious Institutions:
Notre Dame des Victoires is a Roman Catholic Church located at 566 Bush St. between Grant and Stockton. Mass Schedule.
Old St. Mary's Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church located at 660 California St and Kearny. Mass Schedule.
Schools:
Chinese Education Center Elementary School (K-5) is a public school located at 657 Merchant St between Kearny and Montgomery. SFUSD Info. Reviews: Greatschools Rated 2 in 2012 and Yelp.
Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires (K-8) is private Roman Catholic school located at 659 Pine St.between Stockton and Grant. Reviews: Greatschools and Yelp.
St. Mary's School and Chinese Catholic Center (K-8) is a Roman Catholic school located at 838 Kearny Street and Jackson. Review: Greatschools.org
Financial District's Walk Score 98 in 2012.
Additional Financial District Neighborhood and Blog Information from StreetAdvisor Ranked 51st best Neighborhood in SF in 2012
Financial District NabeWise Archived Schools and Stats
Financial District San Francisco Demographic Neighborhood Statistical Information from the 2009 Census
Historically the Financial District was a European and American settlement during Spanish and Mexican rule. It was during the Gold Rush when California was annexed that the wealth and business it brought turned it into the financial capital of the West with many banks and financial service companies locating here. The Financial District used to be home to the Pacific Stock Exchange which was eventually bought and merged into the New York Stock Exchange. The Pacific Stock Exchange historical building is now an Equinox Fitness center.
China Town is San Francisco's famous neighborhood that can be found around Grant and Stockton north of Clay Street and south of Jackson with its produce and fresh fish markets, small businesses and restaurants.
The Embarcadero Center - are four large office buildings located on Clay that dominate the San Francisco skyline that contain many upscale retailers, restaurants and a Landmark movie theater.
The Ferry Building dominates the waterfront area of the Financial District with its clock tower and Beaux Arts Building. In 2003 it was renovated and turned into a culinary food center of San Francisco with great restaurants, retail specialty food shops, and a farmer's market on Saturday. The Farmer's market attracts an estimated 25,000 people each week with its locally grown produce and fine meats. This building houses Acme Bread Co., Blue Bottle Coffee, Boccalone Salumeria, Book Passage, Ciao Bella Gelato, Cowgirl Creamery, Far West Fungi, Ferry Plaza Wine Merchants, Frog Hollow Farm, Golden Gate Meats, Hodo Soy Beanery, Imperial Tea Court, La Cocina, McEvory Ranch Olive Oil, Prather Ranch Meat Co., Ricchiuti Chocolates, Scharfenberger, Stonehouse California Olive Oil, amongst others. The Ferry Building is also the home to top restaurants Slanted Door, Boulette's Larder and Il Cane Rosso. The Ferry building is located at 1 Ferry Building (415) 983-8007
Gardens in the Financial District Area. This is a list of 13 gardens in the financial district. Including 100 1st St., 150 California St., 101 California St., 555 California St., City Group Center Plaza at 1 Sansome St., Crocker Galleria at 50 Post St., Embarcadero Center, 50 Fremont St., 1 Kearny St, 555 Mission St., 100 Pine St., 345 Sansome St., and Transamerica Redwood Park.
Golden Gate Tennis and Swim Club is a private club with tennis courts and two swimming pools. They are located at 370 Drumm St, (415) 616-8800
Jackson Square is a neighborhood roughly bounded by roughly Broadway to the north, Washington to the south, Kearny and Columbus to the west and Battery to the east. It is defined as a neighborhood of many antique, art and interior designer shops.
Justin Herman Plaza is the public plaza located at the foot of Market Street at the Embarcadero, just behind the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where during the winter time there is often ice skating. Parkscan Info. Review Yelp.
Landmark Movie Theater is located in the Embarcadero Center at 1 Embarcadero. Showtimes.
Portmouth Sq Plaza is is a one-block park in Chinatown, San Francisco, California, that is bounded by Kearny Street on the east, Washington Street on the north, Clay Street on the south, and Walter Lum Place on the west. It is named after the U.S.S. Portsmouth. Parkscan Info. Review: Yelp.
St. Mary's Square has lots of trees and bushes, benches to relax on, restrooms and a play structure for kids. It is located at California St. and Grant St. Parkscan Info. Review: Yelp.
Sue Bierman Park is a park across from the Ferry Building that offers benches and a fountain you can walk behind. It is located at 216 Drumm St. Review: Yelp.
Sydney Walton Square has well maintained grass areas, trees and a fountain. It is located at Front St. and Jackson St. Review: Yelp.
Willie "Woo Woo" Wong Playground is a multi-level park built into the side of a hill. It contains two sand play areas, three game and sports areas, a basketball court, ping pong tables, a tennis court, a volleyball court, a community recreation center, and indoor gym. It is located at Sacramento St. and Waverly Pl. Parkscan Info.
Restaurants, specialty food locations and local watering holes in the Financial District include the following:
Barbacco is a bar that serves light Italian fare including house made salumi. They are located at 220 California St. near Front, (415) 955-1919. Reviews: Google/Zagat, SFGate/Bauer and Yelp. For Reservations.
Cotogna is a favorite go to Italian restaurant with a wood burning oven. It offers impeccable service and great views through large open windows of Washington Square. They are located at 490 Pacific Ave near Montgomery St. (415) 775-8508. Revies: Google/Zagat, SFGate/Bauer, and Yelp. For Reservations.
Eastern Bakery opened in 1924 and offers a variety of mood cakes and other pastries. They are well known for their Coffee Crunch Cake which is popular with the locals and they only accept cash. They are located at 720 Grant at Commercial, (415) 982-5157. Reviews: Google and Yelp.
Golden Gate Bakery is a Chinese bakery that merits visiting just for its egg custard tart alone. They are located at 1029 Grant Ave between Jackson St & Pacific Ave, (415) 781-2627. Reviews: Google and Yelp.
Hang Ah Tea Room opened in 1920 and claims to be San Francisco's oldest dim sum house. They are located at 1 Pagoda Place at Sacramento (415) 982-5686. Reviews: Google and Yelp.
Kokkari is a well established Greek style restaurant with a massive fireplace and warm welcoming dining room. They are located at 200 Jackson Street (415) 981-0983. Reviews: Google/Zagat, SFGate/Hu and Yelp. For Reservations.
Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. is best known for their Chinese sausage and cured pork belly. They opened in 1856 and rebuilt to their current location after the 1906 earthquake. They specialize in cured meats and sell over 400 pounds of dry cured pork items every two days. They are located at 774 Commercial St. at Grant, (415) 982-5767. Review: Yelp.
Perbacco offers Italian fare and serve house made salumi. They are located at 230 California St near Battery (415) 955-0663. Reviews: Google/Zagat, SFGate/Bauer and Yelp. For Reservations.
Tadich Grill a seafood restaurant founded in 1849 and the oldest restaurant in San Francisco. It has that old world charm with dark woods and period details. It is located at 240 California St. between Front and Battery, (415) 391-1849. Reviews: Google/Zagat, SFGate/Bonne and Yelp. They do not accept reservations.
Vesuvio is a great bar known for its bohemian ambiance and Tiffany lamps. It is located at 255 Columbus Ave between Broadway and Pacific Ave. Reviews: Google/Zagat, and Yelp.
Wayfare Tavern is Chef Tyler Florence's flag ship restaurant offering turn of the 20th Century cuisine. They are located at 558 Sacramento St. (415) 772-9060. Reviews: Google/Zagat, SFGate/Bauer, and Yelp. For Reservations.
Waterfront Restaurant made a transition from a longshoreman's bar to a restaurant in 1969. It offers a protected outdoor spaces and great views of the Bay. The Waterfront Restaurant is located at Pier 7 (415) 391-2696. Reviews: Google/Zagat, SFGate/Bauer and Yelp. For Reservations.
Churches, Temples, Mosques and other Religious Institutions:
Notre Dame des Victoires is a Roman Catholic Church located at 566 Bush St. between Grant and Stockton. Mass Schedule.
Old St. Mary's Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church located at 660 California St and Kearny. Mass Schedule.
Schools:
Chinese Education Center Elementary School (K-5) is a public school located at 657 Merchant St between Kearny and Montgomery. SFUSD Info. Reviews: Greatschools Rated 2 in 2012 and Yelp.
Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires (K-8) is private Roman Catholic school located at 659 Pine St.between Stockton and Grant. Reviews: Greatschools and Yelp.
St. Mary's School and Chinese Catholic Center (K-8) is a Roman Catholic school located at 838 Kearny Street and Jackson. Review: Greatschools.org
Financial District's Walk Score 98 in 2012.
Additional Financial District Neighborhood and Blog Information from StreetAdvisor Ranked 51st best Neighborhood in SF in 2012
Financial District NabeWise Archived Schools and Stats
Financial District San Francisco Demographic Neighborhood Statistical Information from the 2009 Census