SalesForce Transit Center Walking Tour

Tour description

The Salesforce Transit Center is an exciting and important addition to San Francisco’s Downtown South of Market neighborhood. We’ll talk about its role facilitating transportation to and through the city and how it has been designed to accommodate needs for a future in which we seek ways to adapt to global climate change. SalesForce Park sits atop the Transit Center and adds much-needed public space to the neighborhood. We’ll reveal favorite ways to make the most of a building designed to meet a great many needs.

The Transit Center is situated in an area that has seen a great deal of San Francisco history. Once the home of native Ohlone groups, it became a fashionable address in the 19th Century only to fall into decline following the ill-advised project known as the “2nd Street Cut.” The great San Francisco architect Timothy Pflueger built the TransBay Terminal, which was originally the terminus for Key Route trains coming from the East Bay. From the current building, we get a clear view and will discuss a building many (including us) believe to be Pflueger’s greatest design.

I have a web page with notes on the Transit Center including nearby restaurants, privately owned public open spaces (POPOS) and historic maps of the area.

Following the 1.5 hr. tour, Rodney plans to lead anyone who is interested to another nearby location for a 30-min. bonus tour related to the neighborhood’s history. Note that this is entirely optional.

City Guides recommends but does require participants register in advance for the tour and suggests a donation of $15. Click here for the tour page that lists dates. Note that I am one of several guides who lead this tour — if you want my tour, please make sure you see my name listed next to the date.

The tour meets next to the ground-level entry of the gondola that takes people up to SalesForce Park (though it’s not currently operating). This location is easy to find near the corner of Mission and Fremont Streets next to the SalesForce Tower. Because this area can be noisy, we will only stay there for a short time before commencing the tour.

Getting There

Since we'll be discussing transit, I recommend coming by public transportation if that works for you. The Ferry Building and BART Embarcadero Stations are nearby, and AC Transit and MUNI buses take you right to the Center. Caltrain’s 4th St. station is 1.3-miles away.

If you drive, please allow ample time for traffic and parking. Here are nearby buildings with paid parking:

• 505 Howard: Valet only, $5 for 2 hrs.

• 400 Howard: Valet only, $3/hr.

• SFMOMA Parking, 147 Minna: $4 per 30 minutes, $26 up to 10 hours, $35 up to 24 hours