

Yerba Buena Gardens
The Basics
There’s no need to make a special trip to Yerba Buena Gardens. It’s within a few blocks of some of the city’s top museums, shopping centers, and entertainment venues, including San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), the Contemporary Jewish Museum, the Museum of the African Diaspora, the California Historical Society, the Children’s Creativity Museum, Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center, Westfield Shopping Centre, and the Metreon complex with restaurants and movie theaters.
In addition to pairing a visit to Yerba Buena Gardens with a museum visit or other amusements, tourists can enjoy the gardens as part of a guided walking tour, or an independent excursion via Segway or a classic VW Bug.
Things to Know Before You Go
There are several places to eat and drink around the gardens, mainly along Yerba Buena Lane, on the gardens’ Upper Terrace, and at the Metreon.
Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the gardens.
There is a management office on the second level, near the Howard Street pedestrian bridge, in case you have any special needs or questions.
How to Get There
The Yerba Buena Gardens are bordered by Mission, Howard, 3rd, and 4th streets in the city’s South of Market (SOMA) district. It’s a short walk to the gardens from the BART and MUNI train stations on Powell and Montgomery streets. By city bus, take the 14, 15, 30, or 45 route. Metered street parking is available around the gardens, but check posted signs for limits.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The gardens are open daily from 6am until 10pm. Special events, such as an Easter egg hunt and Halloween Hoopla, and the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, showcase musical and cultural programs throughout the year.
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
This cultural center, spread across two buildings—the YBCA Theater and the Gallery & Forum Building—features music and dance performances, contemporary art exhibits, art installations, and film screenings. The Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is open Tuesday through Sunday.
- Things to do in California
- Things to do in Sausalito
- Things to do in Napa & Sonoma
- Things to do in Yosemite National Park
- Things to do in Paso Robles
- Things to do in San Luis Obispo
- Things to do in Pismo Beach
- Things to do in Santa Barbara
- Things to do in Santa Monica
- Things to do in Los Angeles
- Things to do in Long Beach
- Things to do in Anaheim & Buena Park
- Things to do in La Jolla
- Things to do in Nevada
- Things to do in Oregon
- California Historical Society
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMoMA)
- Contemporary Jewish Museum
- Children's Creativity Museum
- Market Street
- Union Square
- Barbary Coast Trail
- San Francisco Playhouse
- Marrakech Magic Theater
- Transamerica Pyramid
- San Francisco Chinatown
- Huntington Park
- Nob Hill
- Grace Cathedral
- Ocean Beach San Francisco