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Visiting South of Market

February 28th, 2008 by amy c

AT & T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants Photo uploaded by Bitterman

South of Market, or SoMa as it is mostly referred to, is an up and coming neighborhood that got its start in the dot com era. Now it is a booming center for contemporary art and pop culture. The neighborhood boasts of fashionable nightclubs, a beautiful baseball stadium–home to the San Francisco Giants–and unusual museums that high light emerging artists from around the Bay Area and the eclectic feel of the city.

Though SoMa has much to offer locals and visitors alike, it is important to have a plan before you approach this sprawling and ever-developing neighborhood. To the unfamiliar explorer, the area may appear to be little more than busy streets and nameless buildings. But don’t let the sometimes-industrial exterior fool you, SoMa is quickly gaining recognition as one of the best places to become culturally enriched by day and entertained by night.

Perhaps start your SoMa experience after a stroll through the Embarcadero, which will put you close to the famed and recently renovated AT&T Park. During the summer you can spot droves of baseball fans, sporting their orange and black walking along the water toward this architectural landmark. Sneak a behind-the-scenes peek at the AT & T Park Tour and catch the breathtaking views of the bay and city that rival the action on the field.

Another must see is where fine art meets pop culture at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. The center acts as an exciting venue for visual art, dance, theater, music and film. Basically, this is your one-stop shop for anything eclectic, exciting, provocative, and amusing.

After all this sightseeing, you’ll need a place to relax. Try the Thirst Bear Brewing Company nearby. Famous for its tapas and specialty beers, the restaurant also offers a friendly ambiance in a beautiful, historic brick building. A full service bar and a wide selection of beer and wine, offers the perfect place for cocktail lovers and beer connoisseurs alike to mingle over a delicious meal.

SoMa is also a great place to experience unusual and exciting nightlife. Swanky bars get a cultural edge when fine art infiltrates the cocktail scene at 111 Minna. This premiere gallery venue transforms into a perfect place to spend happy hour and dance into the night as it transforms once again into a nightclub.

If you are looking for live entertainment, head to Slim’s, which opened in the late 80’s by musician Boz Scaggs. Touring bands from around the world play here in the friendly, dive-bar atmosphere. It also has great food, beyond the usual fries and nachos.

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