5 STARS for the Public Toilet! The big green kiosk-like enclosed structure that SF provides for FREE! It was immaculate after a self-cleaning. Whoever thought of installing these, at various places in the City, deserves a medal especially during these Covid times when almost all restaurants don't let you use their restrooms. And the SF sanitation workers who were standing outside were nice enough to explain to me that I needed to wait a minute or two while it was doing its self-cleaning mode inside. read more

Embarcadero Plaza - the center of the waterfront neighborhood! Today Torani Italian syrups is holding a pop-up with a mini-tasting truck! Make your own drink based on your preferences. This will be here tomorrow too...same time! A San Francisco flavor tastemaker - Torani! read more

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I write to say simply that urban planning of a bygone era was misguided. Embarcadero Plaza and the whole area is a wonderful public space now. But for a couple of generations, 480, the Embarcadero Freeway, ran along the waterfront, and it took the 1989 earthquake to destroy what blighted a city. The other story about recovery from the natural disaster, now forgotten, is the deal made by civic leaders to construct a subway line to Chinatown: it took 25 years to make good on the promise, to serve a neighborhood that has been part of the city since it was a city, but which was deliberately underserved throughout that history. If you hang out at Embarcadero Plaza, take a look at the news articles. There are persuasive accounts about all of this. I have posted a simple summary. It shows how much the built environment can lift or crush the spirit. read more

Embarcadero Plaza - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Big open space that sometimes has events. The area is at the end of the financial district and across from the Ferry Building. If you work in the area a good place to enjoy some sun while eating lunch and people watching. Valentines pillow fight, laser light shows, protests - there are events held here but on a normal day its just people walking through or eating lunch. Maybe a group of kids skateboarding or a juggler. Not uncommon to find a street musician adding to ambiance. When the president was in town the place was absolutely immaculate. Everything power washed and sparkling clean. It was all palm trees and sunshine... Today it isn't exactly that as there are signs of homeless people and their tents scattered around. Not too many but just enough to keep as a reminder that not all the people in the city are wealthy tech workers or the well off traveling the world on vacation. read more

The Embarcadero Plaza, home to the Vaillancourt Fountain!! Yes, that big ugly fountain is what stands out here. But I've seen this large open space used for everything from free concerts to Expos!! Sometimes I come here and it's full of people and I don't even know what's going on!! During the Holidays, they put an Ice skating rink here. It's not fancy like the one in Union Square, but it's decent. This used to be called Justin Herman Plaza, but for some reason the name got changed. Either way, the skateboarders love this big open space, and it's always very clean here!! I still like to come here when I'm in the city!! read more

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Nestled between the ferry building, market street, and the Embarcadero center, this fountain plaza area is known for quite a few things. Protests, Valentines day pillow fight, holiday ice skating rink and the start of several different parades are all gathered here. Unfortunately, the actually fountain smells. The water is clearly not cleaned out. There is mold everywhere. This is also a popular place for the homeless to get a good bath in. read more

Great spot to walk around or veg out on the stone steps. check Alot of fun booths and random events like the annual pillow fight and the wintertime ice skating rink. check cheap places to get a bite for lunch or a treat for dessert. check. Oh and the classic water sculpture that you can walk across....check. Did I miss anything? read more

I've been working New Years Eve for the last fourteen years. But last night, I had a RARE night off. Therefore I wanted to spend the final night and hours of 2010 with my daughter. We've decided to spend New Years Eve at busy Justin Herman Plaza. As always, the Embarcadero is always busy every NYE. Every year while on-duty prior till the 2010 year, I only watched people scattered around looking for a spot to count down the New Year following with a firework show to begin the New Year. Last night, my daughter and I were among those people as well. A change I've ever not often encountered in reverse. Last night, we counted down the seconds to end 2010 and begin 2011. As soon as the clock turned midnight, many people cheered and couples kissed, hugged and embraced. While my daughter and I, hugged and kissed as a father/daughter couple. We've enjoyed the fireworks show. "Baby, you're a firework!" I'm not going to sing Katy Perry's song! Normally my daughter would've been asleep by 11pm. But she gutted out and stayed up late just to spend a New Years Eve and also my birthday with the now "old man". read more

Conveniently located in front of our hotel, the Plaza is a great place for people watching, especially on a nice day. During our overnight stay here, we saw some handicraft booths set up, skateboarders and roller skaters, street musicians and performers. It's so quintessential San Francisco with the palm trees lining the plaza, the Ferry Building in front of you and oh yeah, it's aint' San Francisco if you don't have at least a few pan handlers stopping you. If it's a nice day, get your food at the Ferry Building, then walk over here, plop yourself down and do some people watching. Much less crowded than inside! read more

Justin Herman Plaza lies in between the Ferry Building (and the Embarcadero) and the start of Market Street. It was named after Justin Herman, who was once the head of San Francisco's the Redevelopment Agency in the 1960s. During my occasional visits over the years, I have gone ice skating in the winter, hung out at the nearby Hyatt and Embarcadero shopping area, watched the skateboard crowd bust their moves, and climbed around that weird fountain. It's a nice place to hang out on a nice day or to meet someone to start yet another San Francisco adventure. read more

5 STARS: Was here yesterday for the Sanrio 50th Anniversary - Small Gift Mobile Pop-Up Shop Tour; met Hello Kitty =) Very spacious, Great place to take pics of the buildings for artwork reference. They had vendors selling artwork; jewelry; knitted hats; and etc... 2 STARS: BEWARE OF VENDORS - Especially the lady selling the knitted hats/beanies! My friend had a bad experience with one vendor selling knitted hats, The lady was selling her hats for $20; and my friend bargained with her and the lady said 2 for $28! great deal?! we thought so... till the lady came looking for us (that was 5-10 min after purchasing the hat - she found us in line waiting for Hello Kitty) and told us that she made a mistake and it should have been $38! .... Isn't it once you sell something final price?!?! The lady kept saying that she made a mistake and that she was losing money! hello?!?! is that our problem?!! ... We kept telling her that was not our problem. I told my friend to just give her back the hats and ask for her money back!... My friend really liked one of the hats, so she kept one and returned the other and the lady gave back her $8.... Seriously lady, you left your little kiosk looking for us to tell us that you made a mistake??!?! what if someone stole a hat while you were gone?!?! read more

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It's great for a Sunday morning stroll along the waterfront. Because space in SF is so tight, it's nice to walk along the waterfront and at least have a feeling of spaciousness. And you can't beat the people watching in this spot. Yes, there are tourists but not like the Wharf. Today there was a lone gentleman obviously from out of town trying to take a picture of himself by stretching out his arm - I stopped and asked, "would you like me to take a picture of you with this beautiful view of the Bay Bridge?" I took a couple for him as he posed and we both smiled - it felt good - and what could be wrong with that. read more

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one of the benefits working in the Fidi area, close by to Justin Herman plaza. Enjoying the ferry building view, vendors, bridge, events going on. Sunny days are the best to sit around with everyone during lunch or a stroll around. during winter, the ice ring is available. I never went in, they usually get busy, holiday music all around. For Valentine's day, everyone meets here for the yearly pillow fight. read more

This spot is used for all sorts of events like the ice rink during winter, the Valentine's Day Pillow Fight, etc. The rest of the time it's a good spot to meet people to walk to lunch, local vendors, and the different public transit. One of my favorite parts of the plaza is the water fountain. You can sit at the steps near it or climb the stairs to see above it. If you really want to risk getting wet you can hop from one square slab to another under most of the fountain. There are homeless people that live or sleep around the plaza, but they normally pretty harmless. If anything they do leave you alone. Overall, it's still a good place to hang out. read more

This brick and concrete plaza lies in between the Ferry Building and the start of Market Street. Named after the head of San Francisco's the Redevelopment Agency in the 1960s, Justin Herman Plaza spans four acres and serves as a place for gatherings or just somewhere to take a walk during lunch or after work. This place has ice skating in the winter, an intricately shaped Vaillancourt water fountain that you can walk across, and great views of the buildings San Francisco Embarcadero while you sit and relax. This place is great for viewing New Year's fireworks if you don't have other plans for that evening. However, this place does have its unfair share of issues, such as vagrants occupying the area and vendors lining the area that sell may or may not have deals for you. Overall, this place can be relaxing and fun if you don't encounter vagrants or come here to shop for bargains. read more

The Justin Herman patio, Park, fountain is a real nice big wide open space. Come early and you will virtually have the space to yourself. Come on the weekends come on a bright sunny day and it will attract hundreds if not thousands of people. People on the way to Fisherman's Wharf people on the way to the harbor building people just out wandering around amongst the vendors who will lay their Wares out everywhere. Now with water in the fountain it's beautiful to hear and see and often times there will be music. But that's something I can't tell you when or where I just know that sometimes it happens and when it does enjoy. It's always nice to walk through on the way to somewhere but for me it's always nice to sit and watch the parade of people of every kind you can imagine. Enjoy your day. Enjoy your stroll read more

A nice open space at the foot of the Embarcadero Center. The large brick plaza makes it warmer than the surrounding territory, and the stairs flanking it become benches for the crowds that meet for lunch on sunny days. Even in midwinter it exudes an air of warmth and calm. The best view of the park is from the top of the stairs of Embarcadero Four. The fountain on the left reminds me of an industrial sewage outfall, especially when it's running, but this is just one of the things you get when the public supports art. It's a mixed bag. Below you is the colony of lunch restaurants and the outdoor tables and chairs. Before you lies the brick plaza, the grass median and streetcar lines, and then the Ferry Building. Although you are right on the Embarcadero, a major thoroughfare, the air is remarkably quiet. Summer or winter, noontime or evening, weekdays or weekends, it's a nice place to relax. read more

This is one of my favourite spots in SF. There is a real sense of space and I love being near the water. Of course any sight of the Ferry Building brings a smile to me face as I love my food. So far, I've not managed to come when the market's on but that's on my list of things to do. The traders set up opposite the Ferry Building are interesting to browse round I love the palm trees and the F line trams give it an air of a typical seaside town, reinforced by the ferries coming to and fro. There's the eclectic fountain and usually a few kids around pulling tricks on skateboards and bikes. Lastly, there's the mighty Bay Bridge, which to me is even more magnificent that the Golden Gate Bridge. Many happy memories of holidays here and the Embarcadero Plaza brings a smile to my face read more

Stuff: 1) Best lunch ever spent here with some yelpers watching a free concert. Jefferson Starship!!! They didn't even play "We built this city", but it rocked none the less...all we did was laugh...more like point and laugh 2) The start of every critical mass...I've only done one, but it was Halloween, so all the freaks lined the plaza in costume and raised hell... 3) other free shows....I saw Tea Leaf Green and i boogied. 4) its a great place to sit in the sun....during a hectic day, and just mellow. 5) there is a fountain...and weird art and people....tons of people to watch! 6) The pillow-fight I have yes to participate in cuz I'm always working on that evening, but know that i would love it soooo much. Next year i guess...stupid valentines day. :end of stuff. read more

I like this place. Monday through Friday it's full of (mostly) business people meeting up, having lunch, taking a break from work. Great people watching. And unlike being in a restaurant -proper you can tell your lunch-mate secrets and not fear the table two inches from you is also hearing them. I brought the kids through here today on the way to the Farmer's Market, I wanted them to see the fountain. But, it had no water in it. Make Lemonade: "Hey kids, look at that huge play structure!" I was their hero. read more

What do a pillow fight, an ice rink, a SF Symphony concert, a zipline, a 49ers rally, vendor kiosks, and an Occupy SF camp have in common? They were or are held in Justin Herman Plaza. How cool is that? There are plenty to love about Justin Herman Plaza. But aside from the numerous (although very incomplete) fun events mentioned above, I love it because I have plenty of days that go like this: The mild weather. The beautiful, clear San Francisco sky. The graceful architecture of the Ferry Building. The magnificent beauty of the Bay Bridge beyond. The lively, pulsating blues music. The sultry voice of the singer. The people clad in their professional clothes, dancing to the music seemingly without cares or worries. The energy radiating from the crowd walking about. The enticing smell of food coming from the kiosks and the restaurants. The pigeons hopping around the tables. An empty table! The interesting small talk between friends I can't help but overhear. The comforting sound of the water coming from the fountain. The velvety soup warming up my body. The crisp, cool salad greens with its creamy dressing. The scrumptious-looking chicken pesto sandwich sitting right in front of me, waiting to be consumed. Oh, what a delightful lunch! So yes, Justin Herman Plaza is as good as it gets in my book! read more

When I was the go-to uncle for my visiting-from-Southern California eleven-year-old niece a couple months back, I wondered about Justin Herman Plaza. I was definitely going to bring her here, and I think I had actually been here with her before when she was younger, but what would she think about it now? Would she be scared? Excited? She's at a very particular age, so I was really curious. So we exited at Embarcadero, climbed the steps, and. And. She looked through the various jewelry stands. She looked through some of the posters. She looked up and said, "Uncle John, why are we here?" And it was philosophical like that, but also pragmatic, because the kid is very much like I was when I was a little bit older than she is now: I thought too much, but nowhere near as much as I think now. It was a good balance, and I need to find a way to strike it again. We went to the sculpture, but it was closed, and the water was turned off and emptied. She felt bad for the pigeons and the homeless people, not in that order. She was slightly scared, but not really. She knows me too well to think that I would ever put her in any real danger. She thought it was dirty. We walked through the Embarcadero Towers, and she was shocked that all these people ("Like Daddy on his lunch break") were sitting around, eating the food they brought from home or paid too much for in this subterranean non-mall. She didn't understand the juxtaposition of falling-apart and always-clean, and that's something I have on her--I understood that very well at her age. So here's to nieces, and how they're always surprising me with their eloquence and cleverness. I don't actually like the word "clever," but it really does apply to my other niece, in a non-European way, even though she's kinda half-European, in a way. Ze plaza is fine. I just hope they don't make it worse. San Francisco has a way of ruining everything by trying to make it better. But I guess that makes sense. read more

On a gorgeous San Francisco day I really enjoy spending my only free moments in the sun during the work hours. A great spot to meet other FiDi friends for lunch! There are so many restaurants around that everyone can pick and choose what their little hearts desire and reconvene in the Plaza. LOVE IT! Almost makes me forget that I'm in the middle of a work day. :o) read more

"I love yooou....for so many reeeea-sons..." Don't know this song? Come on! It's classic oldies! Ahh, well that's not the point. I love relaxing here at lunch time. The view is gorgeous and is quinticentially San Francisco. I reminds me of everything I love about my city. There is plenty of seating so you can bring your lunch here, or you can stop in to one of the sandwich, sushi or Thai spots in the plaza. It's the type of place that offers a slightly different experience each day. If the weather permits, you can feast your eyes and senses on the wide array of street vendors at the plaza - artists, knitters, jewelry makers. Sometimes companies come and set up shop here and give away free samples! Case in point - Meow Mix set up a tent here two summers ago and they gave away unlimited samples of kitty wet food and treats. Un-li-mi-ted!! Okay I can see you rolling your eyes at me right now. But most pet food sample giveaways downtown are for dogs only, so I was a little overenthusiastic. Oooh! This is a little off topic but...I really enjoyed watching the filming of Trauma here last summer. They had some pretty HOT actors (raises eyebrow seductively). Anyway, they filmed a disaster scene here with a downed helicopter, and ambulances crashing through street vendors. I thought it was real when I first saw it! I also recall stumbling into the middle of the Tibet versus China protest here two summers ago during the Olympics... And the Valentine's Day pilow fight... And the ziplining... I stumble upon alot of things here, unexpectedly. Definitely an interesting place! read more

I used to skate here in high school and college before it got revamped so I'm a little biased. Pillow fights on Valentine's Day at 6pm exactly - if you haven't gone before, you have to try it once at least. And get into the crowd, don't just sit on the sidelines. Nice place for lunch, plenty of restaurants around. They often have events here too. Perfect shortcut to cut across for BART or if you're walking down toward the piers. read more

I remember coming here with co-workers or to meet friends during my lunch breaks. It was a nice place to people-watch, although most of the people to watch were suits, just like us. Other than being a nice place to bathe in the sun while eating lunch., there's not much to see or do here. The fountains and steps are popular places to sit and I remember there being random street vendors. It's best to come here during the San Francisco summer (aka California winter). Pretty dead during the weekday evenings/weekends. read more

An awesome place to sit down for lunch without feeling too crowded by tourists. It's a great place to read a book, photo ops, just sit and watch people and catch up with friends in their busy lives. Absolutely love this open area. The walk through the fountain area is pretty neat too! read more

Embarcadero Plaza - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I miss recess. I miss playing football. I seriously played football almost every single day (excluding summers) from 5th grade through 8th grade. The other day, I played frisbee on my lunch break with Labonee and Jake at Embarcadero Plaza, that glade of grass by the big fountain at Embarcadero and Market. I have written a poem to express some of my thoughts on the matter: Recesses The bestest How I miss thee My dear recesses Where we once had exercise breaks We now have but our smoking breaks Either that or coffee breaks Quite the opposite of recess breaks. Yes, recesses are what's missing in our lives Beneficial clean fun that's even healthy Liesurely hanging out with friends, what great times. Recess, Why have we forsaken thee. Oh recess, recess, wherefore art thou? It all came back, the utter glee. I had forgotten thee, but how? 'Til the disk of joy reminded me. So allow me please to break this down Our recesses have remained indeed Though the exercise has been replaced With the likes of caffeine and nicotine. Vanished are the giant slurpees And the days of drinking Squeeze-Its Instead we take down kamikazis While someone behind me is yelling "Chug it!" Naptime would allow us voluntary slumber Now stimulants allow us daytime waking And depressants like booze cause us involuntary slumber While two random people in the room are making... Out with childhood, In with adulthood Yet to resurrect the past there are so many ways. Like recess, I shall never forget thee again Those were the days. read more

I love that it's right in front of the Ferry Building and the Embarcadero(s) so we're close to food and shops. Pick up some cheese from the Cowgirl Creamery and some bread from Acme, instant picnic! You can see the water, but it's not exactly a fabulous view. The grassy areas are kinda gross, more trash than you'd expect for place in this location. There's a lot going on here: vendors, tourists, locals, lots and lots of skateboarders (one section is nicknamed "Skateboard Hill"). Critical Mass (if you don't know, you need to know) congregates here monthly before their journey. The ginormous pillow-fight is held here every Valentine's Day...a good time! Tons of promotional events are held here. Several marathons have their registration and gift tents set up here. That's about it. read more

Pros: Great location in the center of the city with ice skating and other fun stuff. Lots of restaurants all around although the best restaurants are in the Ferry Building. Cons: Vagrants roaming around the plaza can scare people some times. Fun: I think they had Peter Pan here, ziplining, and they do other crazy things some times. read more

I'm not really sure if I should be yelping about the parking lot here, but since it's underneath the plaza, I figure it's close enough. We took forever to park, and when we finally found a spot under the Embarcadero Plaza, we were astounded by the stupidity of the parking structure layout. WHY are the poles in the MIDDLE of the lane? They block the lane so only one car can go at a time, and they block parking spots! I had to do a three point turn to park backwards in a spot that should require the easiest left hand turn! It's like the structure was built for minis and smart cars only. So yes, I have to gripe about the lot cause it's retarded. GAH. read more

I am very happy that the ice skating rink is open again! I am not the best skater in the world, but I have a LOT OF HEART and I have a good time out on the ice. Once the lights are lit on the buildings around EC it will be really nice to skate at night. Hooray for the ice skating again! read more

Yet another great place to relax and people watch during a nice sunny weekend afternoon. The ferry building is always buzzing and it's a open refuge from the large close buildings of the Financial District. The Vaillancourt Fountain looks pretty ugly when it's not on but when the water is flowing it does hold some sort interesting fascination for me. read more

I've only been to this place twice... each time I've had a pillow in my hand. View the madness here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5quWvePPC4 So needless to say, I've got nothing but good things to say about this patch of land. Hmmm.. how do you rate a plaza.. Roomy... Check Pretty Setting.... Check Cool Art.... Check Close to the Water... Check Interesting people sprawled everywhere you look... Check I really need to check this spot out during the day, when I can breathe without inhaling feathers - but from what I could see its generally a good time. The area itself is really inviting. So If you're in the area getting mashed at a bar, you might as well check this place out before you go home.. AND BRING A PILLOW!. Its got a pretty sick view of the bridge at nighttime too, read more

I grew up here.... straight UP 5 stars. Justin Herman Plaza was one of the best places for skateboarding in the United States at the time... I watch all the big names rip around on that damn brick. And the fountain is sick! In the end, I must say this: I saw a free 1995 concert from KITS (I worked for them at the time) with Trash Can Sinatras opening for an acoustic Radiohead, followed by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. What sort of crazy lineup is that? It was so fun... middle of the day, people looking from their offices, sunny day... life is so good in this city I cannot help but gush a bit! read more

You know that scene in the Planet of the Apes sequel where Charlton Heston is walking on the beach and he finds the statue of liberty in rubble, washed over by years of erosion, and he realizes what's actually happened to humanity and he starts screaming and it's pretty brutal screaming and then I think the movie ends? Well, if I'm ever on some ape planet, and I'm walking along a beach, and I realize it's Justin Herman Plaza 4,000 years in the future, looking all fucked and cracked and destroyed, I wouldn't anticipate that I'd be very happy, either. read more

A veritable dead zone in terms of landscape architecture and feng shui. I've seen eastern block housing developments with more life and design savvy. You could always seek refuge by jumping into the Bay or escaping to the darkness of the Embarcadero Theater. It's time to go back to the drawing board with Justin Herman Plaza. read more

I spent about an hour trying to figure my way through a huge crowd of screaming hippies to find my friend Sara. Big antiwar/antiBush rally. Sigh. Maybe it's just cuz I'm totally politically apathetic that I could never live in San Francisco (also I don't recycle...oooohh!! Badass!!). Actually, crazed hippies kind of frighten me. But not as much as pigeons. There weren't any of Ed's pigeons, maybe they are scared of hippies too, but I would have hated it even more if they had been there. I, too, am terrified of pigeons. You are not alone, Ed. Except hippies scare me too. read more

Kind of ugly, modernish plaza across from the Ferry Building. It's only draw is the large fountain that looks like large bent pieces of scrap metal thrown together. If you want to check it out then go right ahead, it's just not that interesting. read more

Embarcadero Plaza - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place would be perfect if it weren't for the name (which needs to be changed ASAP) along with the fact that this rink is a bit smaller than other rinks I've gone to in the past (Berkeley Ice Rink, Central Park in NYC, the former ice rink at Fashion Island, and the rink at Yerba Buena Gardens). I didn't even bother to skate here since it's not hard to bump into people. However, if you want a spot to hang out with some friends, this is the place to be. read more