Big business is alive and well in the Financial District of
San Francisco, the city's major business hub. Skyscrapers dominate the skyline, housing big company headquarters, vital financial institutions, and the like. This is where the corporate world reigns supreme in the Bay Area, largely similar to the more famous Wall Street in New York City. If you work and live here, it means you've made it big in the business and finance worlds. You're right at the heart of the hustle and bustle, rising up the corporate ladder, and securing a bright future for your professional and personal life. Doesn't that sound like a great place to stay?
Where is the Financial District in San Francisco?
San Francisco's Financial District lies in the eastern part of the city, right by the Embarcadero waterfront. The district is located so close to the latter that they're often regarded as one big area, but the two remain technically separated. Embarcadero is one of the many
central neighborhoods in San Francisco that border the Financial District. The coastal spot lies east of the district, while Chinatown is to its west, Jackson Square is to its northwest, Union Square is to its southwest, and Bayside Village is to its south.
Is it Safe in San Francisco’s Financial District?
Much like the rest of the city, the Financial District stars generally safe during the day. It gets busy throughout the day, with locals and tourists alike flooding the streets and buzzing about. Come nightfall, however, the area becomes less secure and can even feel desolate on most nights. It doesn't necessarily turn into the most dangerous part of the city, but if you spend a couple of nights here, you'll eventually understand why
San Francisco's crime rates tend to skew high. Unfortunately, the Financial District is also where many homeless people loiter and sketchy characters frequent after dark.
What's The Vibe in San Francisco’s Financial District?
The Financial District flourishes as the major business hub of San Francisco. This is where the corporate scene reigns supreme, with skyscrapers standing tall, housing offices, companies' headquarters, and other workspaces. True to its name, the Financial District virtually serves as the Bay Area's counterpart to the more famous Wall Street in New York City, where big business and big money dominate every corner of the neighborhood. Hence, if you're
moving to San Francisco to climb up the corporate ladder, you'll be spending most of your time working here. You might as well settle down in the area, too!
Is it Expensive in San Francisco’s Financial District?
Without a shadow of a doubt! If
San Francisco's living costs already generally skew high, it's no surprise that its main business district is one of its most expensive neighborhoods. While it's not exactly the most affluent area in the city, it's still right up there. It's even to the point that most of those who can afford to live in the Financial District are the businessmen, bankers, and the like who already work there. You'll undoubtedly need a high salary to afford the district's average rent of about $3,850.00 per month and the typical dining costs of around $30.00 to $40.00 per meal.
What to See in San Francisco’s Financial District
The best thing about sightseeing in San Francisco's Financial District is that you get to enjoy not one, but two neighborhoods' famous landmarks. As mentioned previously, the
Embarcadero waterfront is located so close to the business hub that it’s widely regarded as one big district. Hence, you can easily get famous landmarks like the historic Ferry Building and the very modern Buckyball sculpture from here. And if you stay within the Financial District yourself, you can bask in the architectural glory of the iconic Transamerica Pyramid, which served as the Bay Area's tallest building for a while.
What to Do in San Francisco’s Financial District
If you're not part of San Francisco's corporate scene, you're probably not working in the district's many offices or rushing from one client to another. So what are you most likely to do in the Financial District? For one thing, you can spend time at the Embarcadero waterfront and enjoy its countless frivolities. If you prefer a more upscale cultural experience, you can always visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and browse its fascinating displays and exhibits. And of course, you can forget about the neighborhood's fabulous hotspots, from the most acclaimed restaurants to the coolest bars.
The Best Restaurants in San Francisco’s Financial District
Speaking of
San Francisco's best restaurants, you likely won't be surprised to know that the Financial District has a couple of them. This is where many businessmen take out their clients and colleagues for important lunch meetings or dinner galas, so of course, the places to eat here have to be exceptional. The Shota on Sansome Street is one such example, as it serves some of the best sushi in all of San Francisco, even compared to the more authentic spots in Japantown. Leo's Oyster Bar on Sacramento Street, on the other hand, is the seafood staple in the district, perfect for sealing the deal with your client on a lovely afternoon.
Don’t miss out on any or all of the Financial District’s best hotspots listed below:
- Boulevard on Mission Street
- Cotogna on Pacific Avenue
- Kokkari Estiatorio on Jackson Street
- Leo's Oyster Bar on Sacramento Street
- PABU Izakaya on California Street
- Perbacco on California Street
- STK Steakhouse in One Market Plaza on Market Street
- Tadich Grill on California Street
- The Shota on Sansome Street
- Wayfare Tavern on Pine Street
What to Know About Renting in San Francisco’s Financial District
As already mentioned, it's expensive to rent in San Francisco’s Financial District. The average rent here is already higher than the city-wide average, with the former being $3,850.00 per month while the latter is $3,400.00 per month. And such figures only apply to smaller
luxury apartments to rent in San Francisco, namely studio flats and one-bedroom rentals. If you want a bigger place in the Financial District, expect to pay more, possibly as high as $8,900.00 for a four-bedroom home. It's not even far-fetched to encounter rentals here that'll cost about $10,000.00 per month!
Get into San Francisco’s hustle and bustle by exploring or even staying in the Financial District. Big money and big business reign supreme here, vigorously alive within this urban oasis of skyscrapers, crowded streets, and upscale restaurants.
