Discover San Francisco’s Secret But Public Terrace Gardens
High above-crowded streets in San Francisco’s Financial and Soma Districts, secret rooftop and terraced gardens are open to the public. Warm and sunny urban plazas hide behind sweeping staircases and colonnade entrances at street level, all thanks to planning laws that mandate open spaces amongst the concrete and glass in SOMA and the Financial District.
343 Sansome Street
The Sun Terrace on the 11th floor of 343 Sansome Street, behind the Loews Regency Hotel, has spectacular views of downtown San Francisco all the way across Treasure Island to the hills of the East Bay. A photographer’s delight, the terrace blends hardscape urban design perfectly with Mediterranean plantings of olive trees, native ferns, and large-leaved perennials. A warm and sunny spot that’s not well known, it’s often people-free, except for the occasional smoker taking a break. Although quite secret, there’s a Starbucks off the grand Art Deco lobby downstairs where archeological artifacts unearthed locally are displayed.
Open 10am-5pm Monday-Friday.
Fremont Center
Park
Open all times.
California Street
Park
Open 9am-6pm Monday-Friday.
Pine Street
Building
Open 9am-6:30pm Monday-Friday.
The CitiGroup Center, 1 Sansome Street
Building, Park
Open all times.
Crocker Galleria, 50 Post Street
Building, Shopping Mall, Market
Rooftop open 10am-5pm every day.
First Street
Park
Open all times.
Westfield Sky Terrace, 835 Market Street
Park, Shopping Mall
Open 9am-6pm Monday-Friday.
Kearny Street
Park
Open 10am-5pm every day.
By Brixton Key