The Transamerica Pyramid
The equivalent of the Empire State Building in New York City, the Transamerica Pyramid is the tallest skyscraper in the San Francisco skyline. Built in 1972, this historic building is an amazing sight and a must-see for anyone new to San Francisco (or any locals wanting to revisit a historic sight from their hometown)!
Transamerica Pyramid, 600 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA, USA, +1 415 500 6637
![1:02 [Ferry Building] | © Sonny Abesamis/Flickr](https://cdn.theculturetrip.com/images/56-3986934-1445646006ee7ca719477d47d6be3444153f8abca9.jpg)
The Ferry Building
The Ferry Building is a beautiful blue building that has an immense clock tower, 245 feet tall, with four clock dials that have an impressive diameter of 22 feet. Walking through this terminal gives you a beautiful sense of wonderment, and when you get through the entire building (which is filled with restaurants that vary from Mexican to Seafood), you are welcomed by the view of the beautiful Bay Bridge. A great spot for photos, a good meal, and the relaxing sound of the the bay waves crashing onto the coast.
Union Square
Union Square is a public plaza at the center of Financial District. It is bordered by restaurants, great shopping centers, hotels and small inns, as well as off-Broadway, and single-act theaters. A booming area that has something for everybody in San Francisco.
Cable Cars
On the corner of Market Street and Powell Street, you can see the ‘turn around,’ the spot where the Cable Car (one of the three that are in existence to date) is turned around to start its route again. This fun sight can be enjoyed even more by buying a ticket and taking a ride through one of the most historic parts of San Francisco.
Punch Line Comedy Club
After a long day of sightseeing and people-watching, one of the best ways to relax after a hectic day in the Financial District is to have a good laugh and see where celebrities like Robin Williams, Ellen Degeneres, Drew Carey and Chris Rock learned their craft and got their big breaks!
Punch Line San Francisco, 444 Battery St, San Francisco, CA, USA +1 415 397 7573
Neiman Marcus Last Call
Who doesn’t love the sense of buying high-end clothing for a not-so-high-end price? One block up from Powell Street and 3 short blocks from Union Square Park is Neiman Marcus Last Call. This bargain store holds out favorite name-brand clothing for a cheaper price! The atmosphere is friendly, warm, and the amount of clothes available is phenomenal.
Neiman Marcus Last Call, 767 Market St, San Francisco, CA, USA, +1 415 671 7800
Exploratorium
The Exploratorium experience is one memory that will last a lifetime; with a combination of art, science, and fun for the kids, everyone will enjoy it here! This unique museum will teach you new things, show you wonderful sights, and give you an overall fantastic experience.
Exploratorium, Pier 15, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA, USA, +1 415 528 4444
Blue Hawaii Açaí Café
After enduring the warm sun rays of California, what better to do than heading to Blue Hawaii Açaí Café and cooling off will a cold açai bowl from one of the most laid-back spots in SF! A healthy bowl of açai kick-starts your immune system and gives you the boost you need to see more sights in the financial district! Not to mention how yummy it is…
Blue Hawaii Açaí Café, 2 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA, USA, +1 415 248 0011
Wayfare Tavern
Four words: Ridiculously good fried chicken. Wayfare Tavern is the place to go for a nice sit-down meal in the Financial District. Away from the hustle and bustle of the commuter foot traffic on Market Street, this quaint spot holds food near and dear to our heart, and hopefully near and dear to your mouth!
Wayfare Tavern, 558 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA, USA, +1 415 772 9060
Anywhere, San Francisco
My last, and favorite spot is any place in the city: take a seat on any surface in Financial District and look up to see an incredible view of one of the greatest cities in the world, San Francisco.
By Ayah Mouhktar