Civic Center

Why go

Civic Center is defined by the form, materials, and setting of Civic Center. Another layer comes from the sightlines that connect Civic Center with its surroundings. Plan Civic Center by remembering to confirm public access to Civic Center and local conditions. After Civic Center, choose a geographic companion near Civic Center; this keeps Civic Center geographically coherent and avoids forcing Civic Center into an unrelated crossing.

What to look for

• Look closely at the form, materials, and setting of Civic Center.
• Notice the sightlines that connect Civic Center with its surroundings.

The full story

The Civic Center is bounded by Market Street on the south, Franklin Street on the west, Turk Street on the north, and Leavenworth and Seventh streets on the east. The Civic Center is bounded by the Tenderloin neighborhood on the north and east and by the Hayes Valley neighborhood on the west; Market Street separates it from the South of Market or "SoMa" neighborhood. The Civic Center was built in the early 20th century after an earlier city hall was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake and fire. Although the noted architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham had provided the city with plans for a neo-classical Civic Center shortly before the 1906 earthquake, his plans were never carried out. A temporary city hall was put up on Market Street, but planning for a more permanent structure and civic center did not take place for several years. The current civic center was planned by a group of local architects, chaired by John Galen Howard.

Useful to know

• For Civic Center, confirm public access to Civic Center and local conditions.
• Pair Civic Center with a geographic companion near Civic Center when the route and opening conditions align.

Your next visit

Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.