Local Highlights

SoMa SF: Where to Eat, Drink and Play

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You’ll find no shortage of activities in SoMa SF

Each neighborhood in San Francisco is unique, but the SoMa SF neighborhood stands out among the rest. Also known as South of Market, you can find this neighborhood just south of Market Street. As you explore the area, you’ll find that it houses several popular sub-neighborhoods, including Rincon Hill, South Beach and Yerba Buena. SoMa SF is also close to downtown San Francisco and makes it easy for young professionals to head downtown to the financial district or business center. 

While in SoMa, you’ll find more than one way to stay entertained. Foodies and fans of the drink can find tons of places to enjoy some of the best bites and beverages in San Francisco. As for activities, the SoMa neighborhood offers everything from nightlife and shopping to nature and arts. Coliving in San Francisco can let you take advantage of what makes this area so great.

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SoMa SF is home to countless mouth-watering eateries

San Francisco is known for its thriving food scene, and SoMa is no different. The eateries in this neighborhood are nothing short of impressive. The dining offerings span the full range of culinary cultures from Asian to Italian. Best of all, the restaurants in this area feature the best of local ingredients and cooking skills.

Miss SaiGon brings distinctive flavors to San Fran, straight from deep in the heart of Vietnam. If you don’t know where to start, we recommend turning to some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes. You can turn to the Goi Cuon Spring Rolls, the Butter Garlic Noodles or the Bun Bo Hue. No matter what you get in this dining room, you and your stomach are sure to be happy.

What’s better than oysters and shellfish? Ones that came from sustainable farming efforts. This dining establishment is a favorite amongst locals for its healthy and environmentally friendly food. Hog Island Oyster Co brings patrons delicious seafood from its farm on Tomales Bay. It doesn’t get more local than that. When you aren’t snagging a bite to eat, you can enjoy seafood-friendly cocktails made with craft spirits and fresh herbs and botanicals.

Fans of Creole and Cajun cuisine should make their way to Voodoo Love. You can find options that include the Smoked Gouda Mac, Caribbean Whipped Yams and Dat Fuqin Seafood Roll. Not only is the food delicious, but the restaurant also offers vegetarian and vegan options. In fact, 80% of the menu fits into one of these categories. If you’re planning an event, you can arrange for personally delivered catering from the eatery.

Death by Taco is a relatively new kid on the block, as it was established in 2019. Offering the “Best Tacos in San Francisco,” you can find delicious options that the team makes using organic and non-GMO ingredients. You can enjoy $8 margaritas all day on Tuesday and during happy hour for the rest of the work week. If margaritas aren’t your style, you can find 75 types of tequila and mezcal, not to mention some of the best craft beers from California.

If you live for cheese, then II Casaro Pizzeria & Mozzarella Bar is perfect for you. Since 2014, the pizza makers have been serving up delicious and affordable pizza to all. Famous for its “perfect Neapolitan-style pizza,” every pizza from the restaurant is complemented by specially imported Italian cheese from the establishment’s mozzarella bar.

For those who want something on the upscale side, Birdsong is a great place to visit. Offering heritage cuisine inspired by the Pacific Northwest, you can find familiar offerings like fish and chips and fried chicken as well as unique offerings like purple cornbread and morel mushrooms. 

You’ll never struggle to find a drink in SoMa

Nothing goes better with a mouth-watering meal than a delicious beverage. Every taste is different, both when it comes to drinks and the establishments to enjoy them in. Luckily, the SoMa neighborhood brings a wealth of options to the table when it comes to bars and lounges to get your drink on.

Lovers of craft cocktails should make Alchemist Bar & Lounge a regular stop in the SoMa district. As the name suggests, this establishment has a magic charm about it, offering specialty craft cocktails in a space filled with steampunk and vintage décor. While you enjoy your drink, you can take in the comfortable, laid-back environment, play some shuffleboard and kick back in some of the cool lounge seating.

Tempest has been a part of the bar scene in SoMa SF since 1991. Eric and Darla Kubala created this space to serve as a hideaway bar for locals and visitors alike. In 2010, the bar passed to the Pour Guys who have ensured that the Tempest remains one of the cheapest and friendliest dive bars in the city. The welcoming feel of the bar encourages people to get to know each other while they enjoy a $2 Pabst.

If you like to enjoy great views with your drink, Everdene is for you. Patrons praise the space for offering some of the most-beautiful open air views in San Fran. The bar features live music and a cool ambiance that make it a fun space for drinkers and non-drinkers alike. If you’re looking for a beverage, you can snag a cocktail or wine. The space also offers food and light bites. This is a great alternative to a nightclub for a low key but unique evening experience. 

Everybody loves the fun and intrigue of a speakeasy, which is part of the reason why The Pawn Shop has become such a popular SoMa SF spot. A secret entrance and multiple passageways will help you make your way through the bar. Inside, you’ll find more than 50 wines and 20 beers as well as Spanish tapas. Be sure to check out the excellent happy hour specials and yummy late night bites.

Some of the best nights happen in dive bars. At least that’s what The Rumpus Room believes. As every good dive bar should, the establishment is home to good company and good vibes in a laid back atmosphere. You can also pick up affordable beers, drinks and shots, with specials regularly available at the neighborhood bar.

From nightclubs to nature, it’s easy to stay busy in SoMa SF

The best neighborhoods in San Francisco have one thing in common. They all offer a wealth of fun and exciting activities to keep residents and visitors entertained. Each person has different interests, and SoMa SF seems to know this, offering everything from museums to baseball games in and around this neighborhood. After finding easy street parking, a short walk can take you to any number of fun activities in the SoMa district.  

Take in a bit of culture by visiting a museum or two. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, or SFMOMA, was the first major museum to splash onto the SoMa scene. This world-class arts institution has incredible collections that span the 1500s through modern times. You can also regularly find special exhibitions at the San Francisco museum featuring inspiring artists and innovators. The neighborhood is also home to two other museums, including the Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM) and the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD).

At the border of SoMa and Mission Bay, you can find AT&T Park, which is home to the San Francisco Giants. This beloved baseball team brings life and excitement to the streets of both neighborhoods when game day rolls around. You can grab a seat in the stands or watch the game from a TV in a standing-room-only bar. Either way, you’ll find yourself getting into the Giants spirit and displaying some San Fran pride.

As far as parks in San Francisco go, SoMa gives you easy access to the beautiful Yerba Buena Gardens. Visitors view this park as a “treasure” and a “restful spot” in San Fran. At Yerba Buena Garden, you can find five acres of shade trees and relaxing fountains in close proximity to the Moscone Convention Center. Nothing is better than roaming the gardens and people-watching in the middle of this busy city on a beautiful day. Yerba Buena Garden is one of the most popular spots in the soma neighborhood. 

Also in Yerba Buena, you can find the only year-round ice skating rink in the city. Yerba Buena Ice Skating & Bowling Center provides you with access to it all for an affordable admission price. You can also rent ice skates at the rink if you don’t have a pair of your own. Before you go, just verify that someone hasn’t already rented out the rink for a private party or event.

If you’re looking to get a little taste of history, you can walk the Barbary Coast. In an area that was once San Fran’s Red Light District, you can find bronze markers and signposts that allow you to walk through the area and learn about the neighborhood’s past brothels and dance halls. However, not everyone who comes to the area is a history buff. In fact, many people flock to this district to pop into the many boutiques and bars that line the historic streets. Either way, there’s something for just about everyone in the SoMa district.

Make your home in the heart of it all in SoMa

Does SoMa SF sound like the perfect place for you to call home? A coliving space in SoMa may be exactly what you’re looking for. You can enjoy city living for an attainable price by renting a private room in a beautiful shared suite within a friendly home. Explore coliving spaces in San Francisco today.

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