Welcome to South of Market (SOMA)
An industrial community with a cool developing urbane lifestyle
South of Market, commonly referred to as SOMA, is a neighborhood in San Francisco located just south of Market Street. It is a hip and trendy neighborhood filled with boutiques, art galleries, and popular bars. SOMA was originally filled with warehouses and industrial buildings. Then the high-tech boom happened in the 1990s, and tech-savvy hipsters filled the area. They converted the warehouses and industrial buildings into lofts and office space and regenerated the area. Now, it is an area where trends are made and set.
Residential real estate in SOMA consists of high-rises and modern condominiums, with some brick walk-ups and Victorian homes dotting the area. Buildings are denser and have more office space, retail, and entertainment venues closer to Market Street. Further south of Market Street, there are fewer commercial spaces and more residential properties. SOMA is centered around Yerba Buena, a hub of shops and museums with a large garden, an indoor ice skating rink, and a bowling alley.
What to Love
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A vibrant and bustling urban center
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Active nightlife
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Easy access to all parts of San Francisco
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High-end shopping and top performances in entertainment
Local Lifestyle
Residents in SOMA enjoy the active nightlife. It is a busy, lively area ripe for technology start-ups. SOMA has a youthful vibrance and attracts young entrepreneurs and professionals. Technology companies continue to move into the area, and SOMA continues to evolve into its own community, rich with opportunity. Transportation to other parts of the city is easy with BART and the light rail.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
The Cake Gallery is a long-standing bakery that creates fun custom cakes for all types of celebrations. All the cakes are handcrafted and custom-made into any requested design. People have ordered cakes that look like characters from popular movies, funny images, sports teams, and more.
For a fine dining experience, Birdsong has an evolving menu that incorporates the season's freshest foods. The restaurant boasts a gorgeous design with a classy atmosphere served by a friendly staff. They’ve received Michelin Stars for providing flavorful dishes every time.
The Westfield Shopping Mall is in the Yerba Buena area and provides a great way to spend the day shopping with several options for eating along the way. Patrons of the shopping center can catch a movie or partake in one of the many events that the stores hold. The Westfield Shopping Mall houses over 200 businesses, many of which have on-the-go mobile shopping assistance.
Metreon shopping center, located beside the Yerba Buena Gardens, is a four-story mall with some of the most trendy stores in California. The movie theater has 16 screens, including an IMAX, and always plays the newest and most popular flicks. A venue on the top level offers a room for reserved events.
Things to Do
SalesForce Park is a fantastic urban rooftop garden with a beautiful green space for residents. A gondola can take visitors to the top to find play equipment and a cafe terrace. The garden is nearly a four-block stretch and is atop the Salesforce Transit Center.
Another way to enjoy nature is at the Yerba Buena Gardens. Walking trails cut through the park, taking visitors through the different flower gardens and the many dining options along the park. Several events include outdoor music and festivals.
For anyone who enjoys art, the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco displays some of the best modern art from around the world. The artwork in the museum changes regularly to provide something new to explore on each visit. The museum holds events regularly to help educate the public on the displays in the gallery.
The Contemporary Jewish Museum features art, history, and culture from the Jewish community. The museum collaborates with national and international cultural institutions to create the exhibits that they have on display. They offer programs for all different age groups to help inspire and educate.
Schools
The neighborhood of SOMA (South of Market Street) is within a short distance of several highly notable schools, both public and private.
