What to Do in San Francisco If You’re Here for Business (2025)

You’ve probably read Lots of recent news about how San Francisco A failed city. Our infrastructure is crumbling, our roads are scary, our social fabric is torn and frayed. Most of that material is false. Yes, San Francisco has problems, but almost all US cities are facing the same problems as they struggle to rebuild themselves in our new, post-pandemic economic reality. The “doom loop” narrative that is often repeated in the national press is a gross exaggeration.

The truth is that San Francisco is thriving. We are at the center of the machine intelligence revolution, as the power of change attracts tech wizards, entrepreneurs and VC megabucks to our city like a neodymium magnet. Our counterculture takes root still germinatedAnd the principle of kingship is one that encourages free thinkers to blaze their own trails.

The city is small and walkable—just 49 square miles, surrounded by water on three sides—and rich in natural green space. It is diverse, with thriving Asian, Pacific Islander and Latin American communities. It’s a mecca for queer people and a sanctuary for trans and nonbinary youth. It will spoil you with culture, mild weather and positively killer views from the famously plentiful mountaintops.

If you’re in town for a job interview, a conference, a VC pitch tour, a new job, or if you’re just here to soak up the vibes, here’s where to go, what to do, and how to find your people.

where will you stay

Union Square Hotel

Courtesy of Pallysociety

417 Stockton Street, (415) 400-0500

You’ll find this entrance to the PaliSociety hotel chain on the edge of Union Square, tucked between the mouth of the Stockton Tunnel and SF’s massive flagship Apple store. The recently renovated historic building has old-time charm (including a 110-year-old Otis elevator, one of the city’s oldest) but modern conveniences, such as door requests and solutions via text message. Paleo is affordable; A single queen room is rarely more than $150. The second floor is spacious and cool Bar Maritimewhich features a knockout menu of nautical-themed craft cocktails and small plates. Full service Maritime Boat Club The restaurant at the back, with a seafood-centric (but vegetarian-friendly) seasonal menu, is not to be missed. The neighborhood’s top destinations—the buzzing restaurants of Chinatown and the lively bars and nightclubs of North Beach—are a 10- to 20-minute walk away. A short walk in the other direction takes you to the Moscone Convention Center and corporate offices south of Market Street in the SOMA district.

Courtesy of Z Hotel San Francisco

545 Post St., (415) 563-0303

On the opposite side of Union Square, you’ll find this boutique hotel that draws inspiration from San Francisco’s history as a rock music hub. Yes of course, Led Zeppelin is British, but you’ll find plenty of Janis, Jerry, Sly and Carlos on the walls and overhead speakers here. On-site amenities are plentiful – 24-hour games room; decent burgers at the bar; Solid Fitness Center; And goodie bags for pets, who are welcome—and the location is close to the mid-market district that calls Uber, Reddit and countless tech companies home. Moscone Center and Salesforce Tower are each a 20-minute walk away. A wide range of rooms are available, from simple queens to deluxe suites priced at $350 and up, but even the queen rooms are spacious and fun … in a way to dress up summer love-via-urban outfits.

nearby: Union Square is filled with big-name retailers, but San Francisco’s theater district is just a few steps west. There you’ll find traditional Broadway-style musicals, as well as the Warfield Theater, which hosts national headliners like TV on the Radio, Garbage and Earl Sweatshirt. Every block has good food, but there are highlights Hinoday Ramen On O’Farrell Street, with a Sudanese Arabic menu From Zoul Cafeand in two-Michelin-starred fine dining sons and daughters. Try for a walk-in seat at this bar who eatsCurrently in the running for the best Thai food in SF with a cocktail menu that will make you lose the feeling in your arms. Get your Guines at Johnny FoleyOne of the nicest Irish pubs in town. And besides that massive Apple store, the five-story Macy’s and all the high-end boutiques ringing Union Square, the city’s first Nintendo The store opened on the same corner Tippi Hedren walks across in the opening shot the bird.

Photo: Smith Collection/Getty Images

181 3rd Street, (415) 777-5300

This high-rise is a favorite with tech execs and conference attendees, as it’s across the street from the sprawling Moscone Center, home to the Dreamforce, Workday Rising, and Microsoft Ignite conferences. Rooms are well-appointed with accessible workspaces, serene views of the afternoon mist over Twin Peaks, and prices around $350 to $550 most weeknights. (Prices go up during big convention weeks.) The gym looks like something out of a Paul Verhoeven movie, but has lots of cardio machines. This branch of Marriott’s W chain is a popular venue for corporate meetings, with 17 large event rooms on the ground floor, including a breezy indoor-outdoor terrace.

nearby: If you are looking for a more luxurious stay, try St. Regis Hotel Only two blocks to 3rd Street towards downtown. Rooms there start around $700. This corner of Soma is rich in cultural institutions; D SFMOMA And Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Both are on the same block of 3rd street as the hotel. Food is also plentiful: try it Bring the table For rent in Southeast Asia and Delarosa Downtown For solid pizza and pasta. Grove It’s a good place for a simple soup-salad-sandwich lunch and one of the best places in the area for breakfast. For cocktails, try the underground local versionLike a library the novelAnd charming old school Slope house.

12 4th Street, (415) 348-1111

Staying in SOMA but a little further west, we recommend this handsome hotel on the corner of 4th and Market streets, across the street from the boarding zone for the world-famous Powell Street Cable Car. Zelos has a chic and fashionable vibe, with big and bold artwork displayed everywhere, even in the rooms. Pets are welcome and the fitness center has peloton bikes. Rooms with king beds start at a little over $300 per night. hotel restaurant, dirty habitsserves a maximalist take on California cuisine, but the real draw is the 640-plus-bottle selection of whiskey. If you can’t decide which tipple to sip, go on one of the curated whiskey flights.

nearby: Other hotels in the area we would recommend Intercontinental And Marriott Marquis. Both Zelos are comparable in price. There is plenty of food around here. The burger at Meatheads is a must try Marlowe15 minute walk to 4th Street. We wouldn’t recommend going further west than 7th Street—things get rowdy after dark—but if you head to 6th, you’ll find great Vietnamese food. Tin Vietnamese Modern and fresh, and Miss Saigon Some greasy, flavorful goodness with an atmosphere that can best be described as Santa’s Electric Acid Garden. For happy hour, go Harlequin Try Mint Plaza or Press ClubOne of the best wine bars in downtown SF. The Powell Street cable car takes you to a fairytale and over Russian Hill (just before OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s megamansion) and up to Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can see sea lions, watch tourists and watch your wallet.

Coworking and meeting spaces

San Francisco is afraid of coworking spaces; After all, this is the land of startups. There are plenty of WeWorks and established coworking brands—especially downtown and midmarket—but here are a few spots we recommend you try first.

Courtesy of Noisebridge

272 Cap Street

This isn’t your typical desk-and-chair coworking space. Noisebridge is a community of makers, hackers, DIY advocates and hands-on tinkerers of all stripes. To enter, go to a side street door in the Mission District, ring the bell, then wait a few minutes (really, maybe a few minutes) for one of the volunteer members to greet you. Inside you’ll find desks, workbenches, Wi-Fi, tools and fabrication equipment, all free to use. If you’re looking for a place to build your 3-D printed prototype, a circuit breadboard for your next hardware demo, or sew some LEDs onto your Burning Man costume, Noisebridge is the place to be. Queer-friendly, scrappy and a little punk rock, this is the place to find your inspiration.

595 Pacific Avenue, two other locations

If you’re nearby for a week or two, check out one of the city’s three canopy spaces. With office furniture from Herman Miller and August they are very comfortable, and the amenities are plentiful. Canopy’s business model is poised to last; You’ll pay by the month, either for your own desk ($1,100) or a spot at the community table ($700). If you’re only in town for a week or two, the best deal is the hybrid membership: $445 for any 10 days per month. Small conference rooms and boardrooms are also available.

1540 Market Street, (415) 463-3998

This brightly appointed, quiet-but-vibrant space in SF’s Mid Market neighborhood is the best place to go if you just need a desk for a day or two. Memberships are available for longer stays, but a day pass is only $25, and you get a discount if you buy a three-day pass. The anchor has a tidy kitchen, private phone booths, free printing and even a podcast studio

Ferry Building, 1, Suite 201

Head upstairs to SF’s historic waterfront Ferry Building to find Shack15. Sprawling, exclusive, and always busy, the space is as much a social hub as it is a co-working space. There are two large rooms, one quiet and filled with desks, the other more social. Evening events range from book readings to DJ sets to yoga sound baths. This is a members only club, but you can apply for a day pass or ask a member to bring you as a guest for a day. VCs are generally well connected and well funded by VC cash; Have your pitch deck handy.

Best Cafes and Coffees

The city’s cafe culture isn’t as strong as New York or Portland, but we have great coffee and cozy spaces where you can work all day. Just be aware, some coffee shops intentionally turn off Wi-Fi and disable their electrical connections to prevent remote workers from lingering. Most, however, will welcome you with open arms as long as you keep buying refills—and keep tipping generously.

Photo: San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images

181 Fremont Street, 7th Floor (415) 375-5984

The cafe is located in a building right next to Salesforce Park, a fun urban green space on the roof of the city’s major bus terminal next to the city’s tallest skyscraper, the Salesforce Tower. It sounds weird, but the vibe is more “green sun-oasis” than “coffee shop roof deck.” AndyTown is a local roaster with several locations around town and the coffee drinks here are excellent. This location has plenty of indoor seating, some outdoor seating and good Wi-Fi.

3049 20th Street

Located in the heart of the neighborhood where all of the city’s AI firms have set up camp, Atlas predates the Web 1.0 boom Low-key and spacious with indoor tables and a covered patio, this cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, so it’s open late into the evening – in a city where coffee shops close at 3pm. The food is delicious; Try the grilled Cubano, smoked trout sandwich or one of the many vegan options.

375 Valencia St., (415) 935-0604

If you need a clean, well-lit place to work and you don’t need Wi-Fi, visit Four Barrel, one of our many roastery-cafes and one of SF’s best. Coffee drinks are complemented by delicious pastries, and the tasting bar near the front door often pours rare single-origin roasts. The parklets on the streets of Valencia, where ebikes and driverless robotaxis roll by, are a popular place for informal two-person meetings.