Van Ness / Civic Center Neighborhood (94102 & 94109) (8f)
The Van Ness / Civic Center Neighborhood of San Francisco has many of the government buildings, City Hall, the Supreme Court of California, the War Memorial Opera Building, and Davies Symphony Hall. It is the neighborhood that is roughly California St/McAllister to the north and Market St to the south between Gough St to the west and Polk St./Market St. to the east. Many dining, retail, hotel and cultural buildings are all located in this neighborhood including many hi-rise condos.
The Van Ness / Civic Center area contains many hi rise condos and apartments, and a few sparser low-rise and single family buildings. There are some modern apartments but also many older ones with that 1950s feel Hitchcock like feel. This neighborhood is the truly the epicenter of the City's culture and arts. The Van Ness Coridor known as 101 contains a smorgasbord of award winning restaurants, various retail establishments and home to many of the San Francisco Academy of the Arts buildings.
AMC Theatres Van Ness 14 is a movie theater located at 1000 Van Ness Ave between Geary and O'Farrell streets.
Art Institute of California specializes in instruction in game programming, video production, audio production, interactive media, and computer animation. They are located at 1170 Market St between Hyde St and 7th St.
Asian Art Museum is a collection of over 18,000 Asian Art works spanning 6000 years of history. They are located at 200 Larkin St. at McAllister St., (415) 581-3500,
City Hall re-opened in 1915 after being destroyed in the 1906 earthquake. The structure is a Beaux-Arts monument designed by Arthur Brown Jr, that contains the fifth largest dome in the world. It is located at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl. which is on the block between Van Ness and Polk and between McAllister St and Grove St.
Bill Graham Civic Center Auditorium is a concert auditorium located at 99 Grove St between Larkin St & Polk St.
Civic Center Plaza is a tree lined lawn area surrounded by government buildings located at Polk St & McAllister St
Davies Symphony Hall is the home of the San Francisco Symphony. It is located at 201 Van Ness Ave. at Grove St.
Heart of the City Farmer's Market is a farmer's market located at San Francisco's UN Plaza on Wednesdays and Sundays from 7am to 5pm,
Herbst Theatre is a cornerstone of San Francisco performing arts, with more than 200 stage shows presented every year. The United Nations Charter was signed in the Herbst Theatre in 1945. It is at 401 Van Ness St near McAllister St.
Opera Plaza is located at 601 Van Ness Ave and contains a 4 screen movie theatre, a grocery store, some retail and dining establishments and large residential high rises.
Orpheum Theatre was built in 1926 as a showcase for theatre by magnate Alexander Pantages. It has featured vaudeville, silent films, motion pictures, musical comedy and other theatrical entertainment. It is located at 1192 Market Street near 8th St. For information about what is playing at the Orpheum Theatre and tickets.
San Francisco Conservatory of Music provides instruction in music studies and hosts music concerts and events. It is located at 50 Oak St between Franklin and Van Ness streets.
San Francisco Public Library Main Branch is San Francisco's main library located at 100 Larkin St at Grove St.
Supreme Court of California is located at 350 McAllister Street near Larkin St.
United Nations Plaza was built in 1975, in 1987 was declared a national historic landmark, and is a 2.6-acre pedestrian mall extending from Market Street to Hyde Street.
War Memorial Opera House was designed by Arthur Brown Jr., and opened in1932. It is home to the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Ballet.
Some great restaurants, food specialty stores and watering holes in the Van Ness / Civic Center Neighborhood include the following:
Crustacean opened in 1991 and was heralded by food critic Michael Bauer as the birthplace of fusion cuisine. They have a bistro style feel with and outdoor patio dining area. They are known for their seafood dishes and are located at 1475 Polk St. (415) 776-2722
Hemlock Tavern is a bare bones bar/music venue with plenty of personality and attitude. There is a long bar, a smoking room off the bar area and a small stage in the back. They are located at 1131 Polk Street near Sutter St., (415) 923-0923,
Nojo is a restaurant specializing in Japanese skewers and pub food. Their Chawanmushi (Nameko Mushrooms, Dungeness Crab, Chives & Sudachi) and almond pork rice balls are exceptional. They are located at 231 Franklin St near Hayes (415) 896- 4587.
Philz Coffee offers 20 different blends of gourmet coffee and specializes in customized blends. They are located at 748 Van Ness Ave between Turk and Eddy, (415) 292-7660.
Tommy's Joynt is hofbrau institution in the City well known for its eclectic decor, beer list and generous servings of meat including an excellent oxtail. It is cash only and open daily until 1:45 am. 1101 Geary Blvd. at Van Ness Ave (415) 775-4216.
Zuni Cafe is a hip restaurant known for their roast chicken, burgers, cesar salad and espresso granita. They are open Tuesdays through Sundays. They are located at 1658 Market St., between Franklin and Gough, (415) 552-2522.
Schools:
Chinese American International School (PreK-8) is a nonsectarian private school located at 150 Oak St. Between Franklin and Gough. Reviews Greatschools and Yelp.
City College of San Francisco is at 750 Eddy St.
French American International High School (9-12) is nonsectarian private school located at 150 Oak St between Franklin and Gough. Reviews Greatschools and Yelp.
French American International School (PreK-8) is a nonsectarian private schoo located at 150 Oak St between Franklin and Gough. Reviews Greatschools and Yelp.
Van Ness / City Center 's Walk Score 96 in 2012
Additional Van Ness / City Center Neighborhood and Blog Information from StreetAdvisor Ranked 69th best Neighborhood in SF in 2012
Van Ness / Civic Center San Francisco Demographic Neighborhood Statistical Information from the 2009 Census
The Van Ness / Civic Center area contains many hi rise condos and apartments, and a few sparser low-rise and single family buildings. There are some modern apartments but also many older ones with that 1950s feel Hitchcock like feel. This neighborhood is the truly the epicenter of the City's culture and arts. The Van Ness Coridor known as 101 contains a smorgasbord of award winning restaurants, various retail establishments and home to many of the San Francisco Academy of the Arts buildings.
AMC Theatres Van Ness 14 is a movie theater located at 1000 Van Ness Ave between Geary and O'Farrell streets.
Art Institute of California specializes in instruction in game programming, video production, audio production, interactive media, and computer animation. They are located at 1170 Market St between Hyde St and 7th St.
Asian Art Museum is a collection of over 18,000 Asian Art works spanning 6000 years of history. They are located at 200 Larkin St. at McAllister St., (415) 581-3500,
City Hall re-opened in 1915 after being destroyed in the 1906 earthquake. The structure is a Beaux-Arts monument designed by Arthur Brown Jr, that contains the fifth largest dome in the world. It is located at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl. which is on the block between Van Ness and Polk and between McAllister St and Grove St.
Bill Graham Civic Center Auditorium is a concert auditorium located at 99 Grove St between Larkin St & Polk St.
Civic Center Plaza is a tree lined lawn area surrounded by government buildings located at Polk St & McAllister St
Davies Symphony Hall is the home of the San Francisco Symphony. It is located at 201 Van Ness Ave. at Grove St.
Heart of the City Farmer's Market is a farmer's market located at San Francisco's UN Plaza on Wednesdays and Sundays from 7am to 5pm,
Herbst Theatre is a cornerstone of San Francisco performing arts, with more than 200 stage shows presented every year. The United Nations Charter was signed in the Herbst Theatre in 1945. It is at 401 Van Ness St near McAllister St.
Opera Plaza is located at 601 Van Ness Ave and contains a 4 screen movie theatre, a grocery store, some retail and dining establishments and large residential high rises.
Orpheum Theatre was built in 1926 as a showcase for theatre by magnate Alexander Pantages. It has featured vaudeville, silent films, motion pictures, musical comedy and other theatrical entertainment. It is located at 1192 Market Street near 8th St. For information about what is playing at the Orpheum Theatre and tickets.
San Francisco Conservatory of Music provides instruction in music studies and hosts music concerts and events. It is located at 50 Oak St between Franklin and Van Ness streets.
San Francisco Public Library Main Branch is San Francisco's main library located at 100 Larkin St at Grove St.
Supreme Court of California is located at 350 McAllister Street near Larkin St.
United Nations Plaza was built in 1975, in 1987 was declared a national historic landmark, and is a 2.6-acre pedestrian mall extending from Market Street to Hyde Street.
War Memorial Opera House was designed by Arthur Brown Jr., and opened in1932. It is home to the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Ballet.
Some great restaurants, food specialty stores and watering holes in the Van Ness / Civic Center Neighborhood include the following:
Crustacean opened in 1991 and was heralded by food critic Michael Bauer as the birthplace of fusion cuisine. They have a bistro style feel with and outdoor patio dining area. They are known for their seafood dishes and are located at 1475 Polk St. (415) 776-2722
Hemlock Tavern is a bare bones bar/music venue with plenty of personality and attitude. There is a long bar, a smoking room off the bar area and a small stage in the back. They are located at 1131 Polk Street near Sutter St., (415) 923-0923,
Nojo is a restaurant specializing in Japanese skewers and pub food. Their Chawanmushi (Nameko Mushrooms, Dungeness Crab, Chives & Sudachi) and almond pork rice balls are exceptional. They are located at 231 Franklin St near Hayes (415) 896- 4587.
Philz Coffee offers 20 different blends of gourmet coffee and specializes in customized blends. They are located at 748 Van Ness Ave between Turk and Eddy, (415) 292-7660.
Tommy's Joynt is hofbrau institution in the City well known for its eclectic decor, beer list and generous servings of meat including an excellent oxtail. It is cash only and open daily until 1:45 am. 1101 Geary Blvd. at Van Ness Ave (415) 775-4216.
Zuni Cafe is a hip restaurant known for their roast chicken, burgers, cesar salad and espresso granita. They are open Tuesdays through Sundays. They are located at 1658 Market St., between Franklin and Gough, (415) 552-2522.
Schools:
Chinese American International School (PreK-8) is a nonsectarian private school located at 150 Oak St. Between Franklin and Gough. Reviews Greatschools and Yelp.
City College of San Francisco is at 750 Eddy St.
French American International High School (9-12) is nonsectarian private school located at 150 Oak St between Franklin and Gough. Reviews Greatschools and Yelp.
French American International School (PreK-8) is a nonsectarian private schoo located at 150 Oak St between Franklin and Gough. Reviews Greatschools and Yelp.
Van Ness / City Center 's Walk Score 96 in 2012
Additional Van Ness / City Center Neighborhood and Blog Information from StreetAdvisor Ranked 69th best Neighborhood in SF in 2012
Van Ness / Civic Center San Francisco Demographic Neighborhood Statistical Information from the 2009 Census