About South of Market
There are a lot of things to see in the area known as South of Market, San Francisco, CA. This part of San Francisco is frequently called SoMa. Its boundaries are Market Street, Highway 101 and the Embarcadero. The Embarcadero is a street next to the eastern waterfront of the city.
SoMa was a wealthy residential district during the middle of the 19th century. It became a middle class neighborhood and was mostly demolished during the 1906 earthquake. The area was then occupied by warehouses and factories. There are now museums and parks here.
Some of the museums in the area are the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, the Cartoon Art Museum and the Museum of the African Diaspora. Zeum is a children's museum with interactive exhibits. Small children can use soft blocks to build things. Older children can participate in a Digital Workshop.
The Esplanade has trees, flowers and grassy areas. The Cho-En Butterfly Garden is located here. The Sister City Gardens in the Esplanade have plants that are native to San Francisco's sister cities. Visitors can see plants from China, Australia, Japan and South Korea here.
Visitors who want to see the water can walk along the Embarcadero. Restaurants here with waterfront views include Java House and South Beach Café.
The South of Market area can be reached by car, bus, streetcar and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains. Nearby Attractions include San Francisco State University, San Francisco Airport, Chinatown, and Pier 39.
