What to Do in San Francisco If You’re Here for Business (2025) Leave a comment

You’ve most likely learn loads of latest information tales about how San Francisco is a failed metropolis. Our infrastructure is crumbling, our streets are scary, our social material is torn and frayed. Most of that stuff is fake. Sure, San Francisco has points, however they’re the identical issues almost all US cities are going through as they wrestle to reorient themselves to our new, post-pandemic financial actuality. The “doom loop” narrative that’s usually repeated within the nationwide press is a gross exaggeration.

The reality is that San Francisco is prospering. We’re on the epicenter of the machine intelligence revolution, because the forces of change draw tech wizards, entrepreneurs, and VC megabucks into our metropolis like a neodymium magnet. Our counterculture roots are nonetheless sprouting, and the reigning ethos is one which encourages free thinkers to blaze their very own path.

The town is small and walkable—simply 49 sq. miles, surrounded by water on three sides—and wealthy with pure inexperienced areas. It’s numerous, with thriving Asian, Pacific Islander, and Latin American communities. It’s additionally a mecca for queer of us and a sanctuary for trans and nonbinary younger folks. It can spoil you with tradition, delicate climate, and positively killer views from the tops of the famously ample hills.

In the event you’re coming to city for a job interview, a convention, a VC pitch tour, a brand new job, or in case you’re simply right here to take in the vibes, that is the place to go, what to do, and methods to discover your folks.

The place to Keep

Union Sq. Motels

Courtesy of Palisociety

417 Stockton Road, (415) 400-0500

You’ll discover this entry within the Palisociety resort chain on the sting of Union Sq., tucked between the mouth of the Stockton tunnel and SF’s large flagship Apple retailer. The lately renovated historic constructing is brimming with old-timey appeal (together with the 110-year-old Otis elevator, one of many oldest within the metropolis) however has fashionable conveniences, like the truth that concierge requests are made and resolved over textual content message. The Pali can be inexpensive; a single queen room is never over $150. On the second ground is the spacious and chill Bar Maritime, which includes a knockout menu of nautical-themed craft cocktails and small plates. The total-service Maritime Boat Club restaurant within the again, with a seafood-focused (however vegetarian-friendly) seasonal menu, additionally shouldn’t be missed. High locations in close by neighborhoods—the bustling eating places of Chinatown and the full of life bars and nightclubs of North Seaside—are 10 to twenty minutes away on foot. A brief stroll within the different course leads you to the Moscone Conference Heart and the company places of work south of Market road within the SOMA district.

Courtesy of Z Motels San Francisco

545 Submit St, (415) 563-0303

On the other facet of Union Sq., you’ll discover this boutique resort that takes its inspiration from San Francisco’s historical past as a rock music hub. Yeah positive, Led Zeppelin is British, however you’ll discover loads of Janis, Jerry, Sly, and Carlos on the partitions and within the overhead audio system right here. On-site facilities are ample—24-hour sport room; respectable burgers within the bar; strong health middle; and goodie luggage for pets, who’re welcome—and the situation is near the Mid-Market district that Uber, Reddit, and numerous tech corporations name dwelling. The Moscone Heart and the Salesforce tower are every a 20-minute stroll. A wide array of rooms can be found, from easy queens for round $200 to deluxe suites at $350 and up, however even the queen rooms are spacious and funky … in a Summer season of Love-via-City Outfitters kind of method.

Close by: Union Sq. is stuffed with big-name retailers, however San Francisco’s theater district unrolls simply steps to the west. There you’ll discover conventional Broadway-style musicals, in addition to the Warfield Theater, which hosts nationwide headliners like TV on the Radio, Rubbish, and Earl Sweatshirt. There’s good meals on each block, however highlights are Hinodeya Ramen on O’Farrell Road, the Sudanese Arabic menu at Z Zoul Cafe, and two-Michelin-starred superb eating at Sons & Daughters. Attempt for a walk-in seat on the bar at Kin Khao, presently within the working for the very best Thai meals in SF with a cocktail menu that can make you lose feeling in your extremities. Get your Guiness on at Johnny Foley’s, one of many nicer Irish pubs within the metropolis. And along with that enormous Apple retailer, the five-story Macy’s, and all of the high-end boutiques ringing Union Sq., the town’s first Nintendo retailer simply opened on the identical nook Tippi Hedren walks throughout within the opening shot of The Birds.

{Photograph}: Smith Assortment/Getty Pictures

181 third Road, (415) 777-5300

This high-rise is a favourite of visiting tech execs and convention attendees, because it’s proper throughout the road from the sprawling Moscone Heart, the place the Dreamforce, Workday Rising, and Microsoft Ignite conferences all happen. Rooms are effectively appointed with accessible workspaces, calming views of the afternoon fog creeping over Twin Peaks, and costs at round $350 to $550 most weeknights. (Costs go up the weeks of the large conferences.) The gymnasium appears to be like like one thing out of a Paul Verhoeven film however has loads of cardio machines. This department of Marriott’s W chain is a well-liked venue for company conferences, with 17 giant occasion rooms on the decrease flooring, together with a breezy indoor-outdoor terrace.

Close by: In the event you’re in search of a extra luxurious keep, attempt the St. Regis Hotel simply two blocks up third Road towards downtown. Rooms there begin round $700. This nook of SOMA is wealthy with cultural establishments; the SFMOMA and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts are on the identical block of third Road as each accommodations. Meals can be ample: Attempt Lao Table for Southeast Asian fare and Delarosa Downtown for strong pizza and pasta. The Grove is an efficient spot for a simple soup-salad-sandwich lunch, and likewise the very best spot within the space for grab-and-go breakfast. For cocktails, attempt the subterranean Local Edition, the library-like Novela, and the charmingly old-school House of Shields.

12 4th Road, (415) 348-1111

Staying in SOMA however venturing slightly additional west, we suggest this good-looking resort on the nook of 4th and Market streets, proper throughout the road from the boarding zone for the world-famous Powell Road cable automotive. Zelos has a classy and trendy vibe, with giant and daring paintings on show all over the place, even the rooms. Pets are welcome, and the health middle has Peloton bikes. Rooms with king beds begin at slightly over $300 an evening. The resort’s restaurant, Dirty Habit, serves a kind of maximalist tackle California delicacies, however the true draw is the 640-plus-bottle number of whiskies. In the event you can’t resolve which tipple to sip, go for one of many curated whiskey flights.

Close by: Different accommodations within the space we’d suggest are the InterContinental and the Marriott Marquis. Each are comparable in worth to the Zelos. Meals is ample round right here. Meatheads have to attempt the burger at Marlowe, a 15-minute stroll down 4th Road. We wouldn’t suggest venturing additional west than seventh road—issues get dicey after darkish—however in case you head towards sixth, you’ll discover unbelievable Vietnamese meals. Tin Vietnamese is fashionable and recent, and Miss Saigon is a few greasy, flavorful goodness with an environment that may be finest described as Santa’s Electrical Acid Backyard. For completely happy hour, go to The Harlequin in Mint Plaza or attempt Press Club, one of many higher wine bars in downtown SF. The Powell Road cable automotive will take you on a fairy-tale experience up and over Russian Hill (proper previous OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s megamansion) and all the best way to Fisherman’s Wharf, the place you possibly can watch the ocean lions, watch the vacationers, and watch your pockets.

Coworking and Assembly Areas

San Francisco is awash in coworking areas; it’s the land of the startup, in spite of everything. There are many WeWorks and established coworking manufacturers—particularly downtown and in Mid Market—however listed here are some spots we suggest you attempt first.

Courtesy of Noisebridge

272 Capp Road

This isn’t your typical desks-and-chairs coworking area. Noisebridge is a neighborhood of makers, hackers, DIY advocates, and hands-on tinkerers of all stripes. To get in, go to the door on a facet road within the Mission District, ring the bell, then wait a couple of minutes (actually, possibly a number of minutes) for one of many volunteer members to welcome you. Inside you’ll discover desks, workbenches, Wi-Fi, instruments, and fabrication tools, all free to make use of. In the event you’re in search of a spot to hone your 3-D printed prototype, breadboard a circuit in your subsequent {hardware} demo, or sew some LEDs into your Burning Man outfit, Noisebridge is the place. Queer-friendly, scrappy, and slightly punk rock, it’s the spot the place you’ll discover your inspiration.

595 Pacific Avenue, plus two extra areas

In the event you’re sticking round for per week or two, try one of many three Cover areas within the metropolis. They’re very comfortable, with workplace furnishings by Herman Miller and August, and the perks are plentiful. Cover’s enterprise mannequin is geared towards longer stays; you pay by the month, both in your personal desk ($1,100) or for an area on the neighborhood desk ($700). In the event you’re simply on the town for per week or two, the very best deal is the Hybrid membership: $445 for any 10 days per thirty days. Small convention rooms and boardrooms are additionally obtainable.

1540 Market Road, (415) 463-3998

This brightly appointed, quiet-but-lively area in SF’s Mid Market neighborhood is the very best spot to go in case you simply want a desk for a day or two. Memberships for longer stays can be found, however a day cross is simply $25, and also you get a reduction in case you purchase a three-day cross. Anchor has a tidy kitchen, non-public cellphone cubicles, free printing, and even a podcast studio.

Ferry Constructing, 1, Suite 201

Ascend to the highest ground of SF’s historic waterfront Ferry Constructing to search out Shack15. Expansive, unique, and at all times bustling, the area is simply as a lot of a social hub as it’s a coworking area. There are two giant rooms, one is quiet and stuffed with desks, the opposite is extra social. Night occasions vary from guide readings to DJ units to yoga sound baths. It’s a members-only membership, however you possibly can apply for a day cross or ask a member to deliver you as a visitor for a day. The gang is mostly effectively related and effectively funded by VC money; maintain your pitch deck useful.

Finest Cafés and Coffices

The town’s café tradition isn’t as sturdy as New York or Portland, however we do have wonderful espresso and comfy spots the place you possibly can work all day. Simply know, some espresso retailers purposely eschew Wi-Fi and disable their electrical conduits to maintain distant staff from lingering. Most, nevertheless, will welcome you with open arms so long as you retain shopping for refills—and maintain tipping generously.

{Photograph}: San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Pictures

181 Fremont Road, seventh Ground (415) 375-5984

This café is nestled in a constructing proper subsequent to Salesforce Park, a cool city inexperienced area on the roof of the town’s large bus terminal subsequent to the town’s tallest skyscraper, the Salesforce Tower. It sounds odd, however the vibe is extra “verdant sun-dappled oasis” than “roof deck with espresso store.” Andytown is a neighborhood roaster with a number of areas across the metropolis, and the espresso drinks listed here are wonderful. This location has loads of indoor seating, some outside seating, and good Wi-Fi.

3049 twentieth Road

Located within the coronary heart of the neighborhood the place the entire metropolis’s AI corporations have arrange camp, Atlas has been round since effectively earlier than the Internet 1.0 growth. Low-key and spacious with indoor tables and a lined patio, the café serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so it’s open till the early night—an anomaly in a metropolis the place espresso retailers shut at 3 pm. The meals is tasty; attempt the grilled Cubano, the smoked trout sandwich, or one of many many vegan choices.

375 Valencia St., (415) 935-0604

In the event you simply want a clear, well-lighted place to work and also you don’t want Wi-Fi, go to 4 Barrel, certainly one of our many roastery-cafés, and among the many finest in SF. The espresso drinks are supplemented by scrumptious pastries, and the tasting bar close to the entrance door usually pours uncommon single-origin roasts. The parklet out on Valencia road, with ebikes and driverless robotaxis whizzing by, is a well-liked spot for casual two-person conferences.