36 minutes near Civic Center/UN Plaza Station

Last Updated On Aug. 18, 2022

Photo courtesy of Michelle Robertson.

When you suddenly emerge from the depths of the Civic Center/UN Plaza Station, you rise into a bustling city of activity and energy: Market Street, San Francisco.

An underrated neighborhood bursting with good eats and a profusion of culture, Civic Center sometimes gets a bad rap. But if you stop and look around your surroundings, you’ll be inundated with the scent of, say, handmade empanadas from local favorite Chao Pescao, and the sight of fabulously ornate arts and government buildings (Asian Art Museum and City Hall – we’re looking at you).

So hop on BART, lace up your walking shoes, and gird your appetite – let’s explore the secrets (and not-so-secret spots) near Civic Center Station.

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Photo courtesy of Yelp.

We begin our journey the only way we know how – with coffee. Though there’s plenty of coffee shops to choose from, we like Telescope Coffee (451 9th St), a woman-owned business that opened just last year. Here, you can taste everything from a rose latte with fresh petals atop to a sweet honeycomb latte, bubbling with foam and fresh honeycomb. The pastries can’t be missed either, including the s’mores cake with crisped marshmallow topping and the peaches ‘n cream choux that bristles with fresh peach slices. All baked goods are made in house, too.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Robertson.

Don’t eat too much at Telescope, as you’ll want to save room for some of the delights to be found at Fermentation Lab (1230 Market St) – a 14-minute walk from Telescope. Here, you’ll find a resplendent selection of beers and brews, mostly made locally (Fieldwork and Ghost Town are a few of the fan-favorite breweries on the rotating menu), as well as a delightful menu of elevated bar food (think duck fat fries and deviled eggs with whiskey maple bacon marmalade).

Photo courtesy of Michelle Robertson.

From the lab, meander one minute down Market Street to the Orpheum Theatre (1192 Market St), the home of Broadway hits and rousing theatrics. Opened in 1926 and built to externally resemble a 12th-century French cathedral, the theater plays home to a rotating cast of world-class entertainment. With “Moulin Rouge!” and Disney’s “Frozen” on the docket for this year, you’re certain to find a show that tickles your fancy.

Photo courtesy of Yelp.

If rock ‘n roll is more your jam, walk about four minutes to the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (99 Grove St), known for hosting big-name acts like Lil Nas X and The 1975, and electronic music afficionados such as Zedd and Deadmau5. The venue was built in 1915 – a part of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition – and later named for impresario Bill Graham, a man deemed largely responsible for the rock n’ roll movement in Sixties-era San Francisco.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Robertson.

Once you’ve had your fill of live entertainment, walk one minute to San Francisco City Hall (1 Dr Carlton B. Goodlett Pl) for another form of amusement. At the park out front, Civic Center Plaza, grab a table and munch on goodies from in-plaza coffee shop, Assembly (52 Grove St), then meander inside the city hall. If you’re lucky – and it doesn’t take much luck – you might spy a wedding (or weddings) during your visit. City Hall is said to host more thousands of nuptials each year.

Photo courtesy of the Asian Art Museum.

Just a two-minute jaunt across Civic Center Plaza lies the Asian Art Museum (200 Larkin St), home to a world-class collection of art from around Asia. With more than 180,000 artworks, you’ll be whipping your head around trying to take all the inspiring pieces in. And if you don’t want to pay for admission ($20 for adults), at least drop by the Cha May Ching Museum Boutique, boasting “one-of-a-kind” objects from around the Asian continent.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Robertson.

Just across the street from the museum lies a gem of San Francisco, the Main branch of the San Francisco Public Library (100 Larkin St). Peruse books and other media to your heart’s content, or partake of some of the library’s manifold programs for kids, adults, and seniors alike. Free tours are conducted the first Tuesday of each month at 12 pm if you need a hand wrapping your head around it all.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Robertson.

Finish your Civic Center visit with some Latin-Caribbean food at Chao Pescao (272 McAllister St), the Chilean way of saying, “See you later, alligator!” Order a selection of bocadillos – juicy, grilled elote and Colombian-style chicharron, to name a few – or try a housemade empanada or arepa. Just be sure to fill up for your ride home – Civic Center Station is just a four-minute walk away. Bon voyage!

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