Since the Gold Rush, San Francisco has been reinventing itself. Today, the city’s Financial District stands as a hub of business, culture, and community, with recent upgrades including the revamped Transamerica Pyramid Center, an expanded Redwood Park, California’s first entertainment zone, and a new contemporary art museum. Discover the latest developments, what is new and noteworthy in one of the largest and oldest financial districts in the Western United States.
Transamerica Pyramid Center ‘Remastering’ Ushers in a New Era for the Icon
Erected in 1972, the Transamerica Pyramid became a San Francisco icon. After a $400 million renovation by SHVO, the ground floor now features a public lobby, reading area, Sightglass Coffee bar, exhibition space, and the restored Transamerica Redwood Park, open daily.
Paying homage to the district’s artistic history, SHVO launched Pyramid Arts, an initiative featuring biannual exhibitions. Debuting in September, the first exhibit showcases over 20 sculptures by French duo Les Lalanne, displayed in the Transamerica Redwood Park and Pyramid lobby, running through January 28, 2024.
New Museum and Galleries Reignite FiDi’s Creative Spirit
Before becoming the “Wall Street of the West” and home to the Transamerica Pyramid, the area attracted artists and writers. The Montgomery Block hosted Beat writers and artists, while Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo resided nearby, with Rivera completing murals at local landmarks.
This October, the Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco (ICA SF) will move to The Cube at 345 Montgomery St., expanding its exhibition space. Opening Oct. 25, the free museum will feature shows by Larry Ossei-Mensah, Maryam Yousif, and Kathleen Ryan.
California’s First-Ever Entertainment Zone
Rooted in the Gold Rush era, San Francisco’s Financial District, once home to the Barbary Coast’s lively dance halls and jazz clubs, now has California’s first entertainment zone. Front Street establishments can sell alcohol for outdoor consumption during special events.
The inaugural event in the Front Street Entertainment Zone is Oktoberfest, held on Sept. 20 from 2 to 10 p.m.
Night Markets, Light Installations
Back for its second year in 2024, the Bhangra & Beats Night Market features South Asian Bhangra and popular Bay Area music, street food, cocktails, and local artisans spanning three downtown city blocks. The fourth and final night market of 2024 will take place on Nov. 15.
Let’s Glow SF, the country’s largest holiday projection event, will return from Dec. 6 to 15 with the free outdoor holiday event using high-tech projectors and lasers to showcase large-scale pieces of animated art across the facade of four iconic SF buildings.
Reimagined Historic Alleyways
Launched in fall 2023, the Landing at Leidesdorff transforms two historic alleyways near the Transamerica Pyramid into a pedestrian-friendly space featuring outdoor dining, live music, cultural programs, and murals.
Where to Stay
• The Jay Hotel: Opened in late 2023 near Jackson Square, The Jay, redesigned by AvroKo, features its brutalist frame with warm, textured interiors, and 360 rooms, a garden terrace, and Prelude, Omakase Restaurant Group’s Southern-inspired restaurant.
• Four Seasons Embarcadero: Opened in 2022, the 155-room Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco with two Michelin Keys, offers luxury with dramatic city views, superior service, and stylish interiors atop a 48-story landmark in the Financial District.
• Hyatt Regency San Francisco: Renovated in 2022, the property’s guest rooms and suites offer a sophisticated urban-modernist haven. The hotel sits at the intersection of the California Cable Car line and historic F-line street cars.
• 1 Hotel San Francisco: Located near San Francisco’s iconic Ferry Building, 1 Hotel San Francisco is a 200-room retreat that embraces the beauty of Northern California featuring reclaimed woods, native greenery, a wellness spa, and outdoor dining.
Culinary& Cocktail Experiences: From Historic to Michelin-Starred
The Financial District’s culinary scene offers a mix of some of the country’s oldest institutions alongside new and diverse dining experiences-
• Old Ship Saloon: Established in 1851 and built on the ruins of a Gold Rush-era ship, the Old Ship Saloon is the city’s oldest bar.
• Prelude: Opened in August inside The Jay Hotel, Prelude is a new Southern-inspired restaurant concept from the Omakase Restaurant Group.
• Quince: To mark the 20th anniversary of the celebrated three Michelin-star restaurant, Quince underwent a yearlong renovation and reopened in late 2023.
• Tadich Grill: A neighborhood landmark, Tadich Grill is the oldest continuously run restaurant in California and the third oldest in the United States.
• Verjus: A casual spinoff from Michael and Lindsay Tusk of Quince, local favorite wine bar Verjusis slated to reopen in October after a four-year closure.
• Local bakeries: Bay Area favorites Devil’s Teeth Baking Company, Rosalind Bakery and Boichik Bagels have all opened locations in the Financial District this year.
• Holbrook House: Anchoring the expansive century-old Conservatory at One Sansome, Holbrook House features a jaw-dropping bar and sumptuous environmental design.
• Heartwood: Opened by the team of industry vets behind FiDi’sThe Treasury in 2023, the name refers to the innermost part of a tree and the Transamerica Redwood Park.
• Bar Sprezzatura:A bustling lunch spot by day and an aperitivo and cicchetti bar and restaurant at night, Bar Sprezzatura was inspired by the casual elegance of coastal Italy featuring stunning design inspired by mid-century Venice and Italian food and drinks.
• The Vault Piano Bar:An extension of the swanky, below-street-level, high-end The Vault Steakhouse, this ode to the classics features a moody interior and bites and plates designed to pair well with cocktails.
• Dawn Club:The art deco-inspired design of the Dawn Club evokes a historic and glamorous 1930s jazz club. The bar features an extensive drinks menu and live music.
• Terrene:The signature restaurant of 1 Hotel San Francisco focuses on seasonal, small plates that reflect the refinement and natural simplicity of 1 Hotels.
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