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Yerba Buena Gardens: An Urban Oasis

Discover art, culture, and recreation in the heart of San Francisco at Yerba Buena Gardens, a vibrant urban oasis for all ages.

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Yerba Buena Gardens is a vibrant, two-block public park in the heart of San Francisco's SoMa district, offering a blend of art, culture, and recreation. Built atop the Moscone Center, it features gardens, public art, museums, and family-friendly attractions, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

A brief summary to Yerba Buena Gardens

  • Monday 6 am-10 pm
  • Tuesday 6 am-10 pm
  • Wednesday 6 am-10 pm
  • Thursday 6 am-10 pm
  • Friday 6 am-10 pm
  • Saturday 6 am-10 pm
  • Sunday 6 am-10 pm

Local tips

  • Check the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival schedule for free performances and events, running from May to October.
  • Visit on a weekday for a less crowded experience and a more serene atmosphere.
  • Explore the public art installations, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and various sculptures.
  • Bring sunscreen and a scarf, as the weather in this outdoor venue can change quickly.
  • Take advantage of the gardens' accessibility features, including wheelchair-accessible entrances, restrooms, ramps, and elevators.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Powell Street BART station, walk south on Fourth Street for two blocks. The gardens will be on your left, between Mission and Howard Streets. This is a free and straightforward walk.

  • Public Transport

    Take the SFMTA to the new Yerba Buena/Moscone station. Alternatively, several MUNI bus lines, including the 8X, 8AX, 8BX, 14 Mission, 30 Stockton, and 45 Union/Stockton, stop near Yerba Buena Gardens. A single ride on MUNI costs $3. Both options will leave you within a short walking distance of the gardens.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    Request a taxi or ride-share to 750 Howard Street, San Francisco. This will drop you off directly at Yerba Buena Gardens. A short ride from downtown San Francisco typically costs between $15 and $25, depending on traffic and surge pricing.

  • Driving

    From the East Bay, take I-80 and exit at Fremont Street. Take an immediate left onto Howard Street and turn right on Third Street. Yerba Buena Gardens will be on your left. Several parking garages are available near Yerba Buena Gardens. Parking costs range from $16 to $65. Garages offering the closest access to Yerba Buena Gardens are Yerba Buena Garage, Moscone Garage and Hearst Parking Center. Meter parking is also available nearby.

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Discover more about Yerba Buena Gardens

Yerba Buena Gardens, nestled in San Francisco's bustling South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood, offers a refreshing escape with its blend of green spaces, art installations, and cultural attractions. The gardens are divided into two main sections connected by a pedestrian bridge over Howard Street. The original block, opened in 1993, features the Yerba Buena Esplanade, a large green space with smaller gardens, including the Sister Cities Garden with plants from San Francisco's sister cities. A key feature is the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, where excerpts from his speeches are etched on glass panels behind a cascading waterfall. The second block, opened in 1998, caters to families with attractions like the Yerba Buena Ice Skating & Bowling Center, the Children's Creativity Museum, and the LeRoy King Carousel. The gardens also host the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, a series of free performances from May to October, reflecting the Bay Area's diverse cultures. Art enthusiasts can explore various public art installations throughout the gardens, including sculptures and murals. Historically, the area was once an industrial zone known as "South of the Slot". In the 1960s, city planners envisioned a space where art, nature, and community could flourish, leading to the development of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and the gardens. Today, Yerba Buena Gardens stands as a model for urban revitalization, offering a mix of open space, cultural facilities, and community engagement. The gardens are owned by the City and County of San Francisco and managed by the Yerba Buena Gardens Conservancy.

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