Moscone Center

Why go

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

What to look for

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

The full story

Moscone Center /mɒsˈkoʊni/ is the largest convention and exhibition complex in San Francisco, California. It comprises three main halls: Two underground halls underneath Yerba Buena Gardens, known as Moscone North and Moscone South, and a three-level Moscone West exhibition hall across 4th Street. It was initially built in 1981 by architects Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum as one single hall, Moscone South, and named after San Francisco former mayor George Moscone, who was assassinated in November 1978. The South of Market Area where Moscone Center was built was claimed by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, and a protracted battle was fought by the displaced low-income residents during the 1960s and 1970s. Although the Center is named after the murdered mayor, Moscone opposed the development of the area when he served on the SF Board of Supervisors in the 1960s because he felt it would displace elderly and poor residents of the area. As mayor, Moscone convened a special committee of proponents and opponents of a convention center. Hearings were held throughout SF seeking citizen input. A compromise was reached which was supported by Moscone. He put the matter on the ballot and it passed overwhelmingly.

Useful to know

• For Moscone Center, confirm public access to Moscone Center and local conditions.
• Pair Moscone Center with a geographic companion near Moscone 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.