Dear SoMa aka South of Market, Thanks for all the good food, lively streets, colorful discolor, unique aromas, tasty drinks, fun shops, great bars and easy to navigate grid like streets. Being a visitor rather than a local I understand my perspective is very outsider, but I'm self aware like any major city you're not perfect, but you're really gritty, bougie, rundown and done up all at once. Fun night at F8, burritos at El Capitan, a pop into The Willows, all the fun at SF Eagle, easy sidewalks to strut, catch a rideshare, bus or take in the sites. Housing is out of this world in terms of pricing, a six figure job or roommates is the best way to stay afloat with rent as high as 2 to 3k for a studio alone... You have great business to support public health, both mentally and physically including the San Francisco City Clinic. And are known for some of the biggest gatherings in the world including the Folsom Street Fair (established in 1984) - bringing informative awareness to the LGBTQ+ community, fighting stigma and supporting healthy adult practices. Presidio Knolls School is a highly rated school for education from preschool to high school level, not to mention higher learning facilities such as Academy of Art University, Golden State University and City of College of SF. - Sincerely Quintin E. aka Hottesome #GGwithluv read more

See all

SOMA is many things, kinda depends what section you're talking about. The stretch from 5th through about 8th is dicey and depressing, full of tents and mostly out of it people hanging out on the sidewalk next to liquor stores SROs. The nightclub area is being slowly invaded by pricey condos & some really nice cafes for the techies. There's been culture clashes. Nightclubs are loud, that's why they thrived in non-residential places. And then along comes the building boom of pricey apartments & predictably, the new folks complained about the noise. Duh. And so we're witnessing the decline of nightlife. By 9:30pm most of the city has already gone to bed. I love to walk through during the day and photograph all the great street art. That happens a lot these past 2 week going to jury duty. read more

See all

Picking my least favorite part of San Francisco is like picking the least beautiful part of a unicorn. Of course, there are parts of San Francisco that are a hassle to get to on public transit, or that are so difficult to park in that it's not worth going, or that are very depressing, or that are so richy-rich that it annoys me to be there because of all the richy-riches I see prancing around and proving that taxes are still far too low. But can I really say there are parts of San Francisco that I hate? Fisherman's Wharf would be one, but I love the sea lions, so. . . . What about Treasure Island, which global warming will swallow whole? It still has its decrepit charms, plus one of the finest views of Downtown San Francisco there is. And the Marina and Pac Heights, for their exclusivity, and the TL for its depressingness, and Union Square for the same, except. So I don't know. But if I had to pick a neighborhood that I don't like after all those, it has to be SoMa. Look, I really like parts of SoMa. This is a relative thing. But I don't think I could ever live here--I said that about the Mission too, but I really loved living in the Mission--I definitely can't park here, and I don't like how long the blocks are, how harried the streets are, how skull-crackingly dangerous the alleys look, how the meat and grit of the city exists in a particular way here. Even the TL and Civic Center, while really depressing, are right next to other, less depressing parts of the city. SoMa isn't as depressing as either of those two neighborhoods, but you can be in the middle of SoMa, in the midst of the worst of urban decay, and you can walk blocks and blocks and blocks and still not be out of SoMa. So I guess SoMa is my least favorite large San Francisco neighborhood. It's also weird that everything on the south side of Market Street is technically in SoMa--duh!--but in my mind the neighborhood doesn't really begin until Mission Street, at least in terms of its northern border. It's also annoying that SoMa as a name made it OK for other stupid neighborhood abbreviations like NoPa and WeHo. I know this started a long time ago in New York, but I'm searching for reasons to buttress my dislike of the neighborhood here. Besides Mission and Brannan Streets, I never used to be able to remember the order of the northeast-southwest streets in SoMA. But then I lived in the Mission for almost two years, and all those streets (except for Townsend, and Howard becomes South Van Ness, while Brannan becomes Potrero) bend and turn into the north-south street in the Mission; so I now know it's Mission, Howard, Folsom, Harrison, Bryant, Brannan, Townsend; and I didn't even have to look at a map! read more

#133/2016 Moons ago I was on the board of the Yerba Buena Alliance, giving input to the sweeping changes that used to be a desolate area of the city. Where the SFMOMA was? Empty lot. Ditto Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the Jewish Museum, Metreon and the gardens adjacent to it. The controversial design of the Mexican Museum? Well, 20 years later and it's yet to be built. (The architects didn't like when I weighed in and pointed out the gift shop took most of the square footage of the main floor and its red brick, lack of windows and high tower made it look like Auschwitz). The ballpark? Didn't exist. "South Beach"? Nothing past the Third Street Bridge and now, a mile of multi-million dollar condos with a mix of high-end restaurants, a Whole Foods and more stretched down King Street. (Remember that scene from the movie "Basic Instinct" when Sharon Stone's lover sails her car into a construction pit? Yeah, that's where Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is now.) It used to be des-o-late. SoMa was no man's land through the mid-90's. Except for Fringale, Bisou, South Park and the Flower Mart: Those were always oases in the madness that used to be SoMa. Despite its quantum changes, I want to like SoMa more. But when I walk down its sidewalks, they're decorated with piles of human feces and apparent retail workers shooting up in between their toes before their shifts. You see this most after you cross 5th street. (As I walked down Folsom at 9:45 this morning, this pleasant guy asked me "if I had a hair tie for a random dude" and I almost answered, "To tie off or for your hair?") I know this lingo from movies and "Law & Order". Sigh. As I drive or especially walk around, I feel sorry for the hard-working businesses who must have to hose down their sidewalks and entryways with bleach every morning. The garbage and waste..are significant. SoMa feels like a dumping ground for the mentally ill, troubled, homeless or alcohol/drug-addicted. It is. But it's now also home to many arts institutions, posh eateries and a 5-star spa inside Westfield Center, a W Hotel and more. But, the neighborhood disintegrates as you move past 5th street. Towards 7th, 9th, 13 streets, SoMa is full of hard-working electrical supply companies, mechanics, bars, clubs, The Hall of Justice and bail bondsmen, custom furniture manufacturers, off price food marts like Costco, Foods Co. and our local gem, Rainbow Foods, with a few good restaurants thrown into the mix of this working man's stretch. SoMa used to be home to some of the city's most popular bath houses (330 Ritch Street, to name one) that SF Chronicle writer Randy Shilts ("And the Band Played On") strenuously urged the city to close down as the AIDS crisis caught fire. I know this from the few who survived the scorched earth that AIDS left behind as it burned through the city. There is so much sadness in SoMa. I know many stories second-hand; it hurts my soul. It also hurts my heart that neighborhood anchor The Stud may be closing down because the rent just skyrocketed- again. It seems so much of the city's LGBTQ scene is being homogenized or wiped out by high rents. For me, SoMa represents so much of my start in San Francisco: home to my first jobs (the second in the Call Building (now chic condos not offices, featured in "The Game" and a block from Yelp! HQ) and stomping grounds to many of my arts clients and one of my fav beauty spots, SFIEC/Paul Mitchell School for awesome hair and facials on a shoestring. For me, it's a complicated affair: Not love but not hate. I can't quantify it. I think that's what makes it almost great, a constantly changing kaleidoscope just like this city. read more

See all

SOMA is like all of the different SF neighborhoods roll into one. Within its blocks are reminders of each well-known parts of the City; small shops, restaurants and bars, high-rise and under-construction buildings, office workers mixing in with tourists, microclimates, even the grimyness, unsafe blocks, and traffic. NoSoMa is close to the Embarcadero. SoSoMa is close to the Castro and the Mission. No other neighborhood can claim all of that. Away from SOMA, it's walkable to Union Square and some tourist destinations. The proximity to AT&T Park gives SOMA a coolness factor even if you're not a baseball fan. Note many small side streets and alleys have 1hr-free street parking, and there are plenty of meter-parking available. Other than that, there are some expensive parking lots but also some cheap lots if you're willing to walk extra blocks to your destination. read more

Think..... Times Square with beautiful graffiti everywhere. Tons of restaurants from Mexican to Thai. Shops galore. Pharmacies, entertainment venues, hotels, churches, skyscrapers, treacherous hills, loads of culture, landmarks & me. A visit to San Fran just isn't complete without exploring SOMA, sorry. ~Christy read more

SOMA is quite a lot like a crazy Thanksgiving when all your cousins, aunts, and uncles come from the east coast to see you and want to see your tiny small studio apartment. It's a mixture of life, messiness and chaos. Plenty of restaurants, cafes and small antique shops. The homelessness is increasing here (obviously), so I recommend you don't park here. Plenty of car break in. This area is also under construction. So it's always packed!!! Noisy and during commute hours, its a complete mess. read more

There is a lot to do in SOMA. Go to a Giants game, a movie, SF Museum of Modern Art... It is a great neighborhood. On the flip side there are few trees, lots of homeless and the problems that come with them. I am sure many here wish they were somewhere else. Their is lots of mass transit, new condos under construction all over, grocery stores. For some of the residents its just home. I come as a tourist, getting toothpaste. Catching Cal-tran to San Jose, picnicking in the park across the street before heading into MoMA. For me it is fun, I see the shops and the nightclubs as I explore. It's not my favorite neighborhood in SF, yet somehow I always wind up here at some point. read more

See all

My second home. I spend more of my life here than in my home 'hood' because I work here, and it's SUCH an awesome place to work. You are walking distance to the Ferry Building, a short bus ride from Powell Street and shopping, and you're surrounded by a seemingly infinite number of cafes and restaurants. And, SOMA has some of the best weather in the city. San Franciscans know that SF has lots of mini climates, and this is one of the areas that's fortunate enough to see more sunshine than some other districts. It's also an area of politically charged events, demonstrations and protests, many of which will stick me with forever. I've been working in SOMA for 3 years and there are still so many places I want to try out for lunch. It never gets boring. And having lived in SF all my life, I've witnessed parts of SOMA really transform. Some might be shocked to know that the 4th and Mission area used to be sketchy back in the 90s. But it's not an ugly duckling anymore. I heart SOMA! read more

SoMa - Local Flavor Near Me

See all

SOMA is my second home. Apart form being in Seattle for work practically year-round, I find myself in SOMA half a dozen times each year. Not only to my folks live in SF but my office is there! In walking distance to Union Square, tourist spots, hidden gems, and home to parks, museums and of course my rad job, I love visiting SOMA and finding new places to eat and shop when I'm in town. read more

What a dump. And I mean that figuratively and literally, it's becoming a dumping ground for various kinds of excess. The area right off the Bay Bridge has become the epitome of what's wrong with construction in in San Francisco. As you come off the bridge, you can see no less than 6 high rises under construction, there's a constant barrage of noise, the roads are closed off in various ways. The signage on 101 too is in your face, disctracted driver stuff. Sure, there's a couple of cool places down here - Source, StEat food, but don't stray too far, and stay away from the alleys around 6th and 7th. San Francisco, you should be ashamed. You can do way better than this. read more

Perhaps 3.5 stars. The location of SoMa is great, it's close to the highways and downtown and transportation. There are a number of good restaurants around as well. However it's just not what you think of when you think of SF. True, the weather is nicer in this part and it's flat here. That's the thing, it's flat here, SF and it's hills. read more

Soma is a neat neighborhood inside of San Francisco. They have lots of bars, cafes and trendy things to do. Very neat neighborhood read more

See all

My recommendation for parking is towards 3rd street on weekend nights but that means you'll have to walk or get a cab. I found a motorcycle was best but during rainy days or if needing to haul more than a bag of groceries, it's unfeasible. Other than the ballpark, possibly the mission during the day, it's not really a family friendly area, whether pushing a stroller or in the attitudes of neighbors, etc. Then again, the entire city for the most part (outside of the Asian neighborhoods) is not really conducive towards family living, especially if you have more than 1 child. What I've found over time is that people in SOMA think they're the hip, in, down and edgy but the reality is most are just wierdos who didn't fit in back in their hometowns (including myself to a degree) or self-styled troublemakers with the lofty self-given title of revolutionaries, whether that's for the typical activism or for hedonism. In short, the people are full of themselves and in a way, trying to hold onto youth without the Los Angeles cosmetic surgery approach. I used to be a fan of SOMA but I grew bored with it. There are museums, dance clubs, bars, events and BDSM stores, dungeons, BDSM clubs and even a BDSM coffee shop. But the novelty wears off and if you travel, you put it all in perspective and see it for what it really is. read more

Ahh, SoMa. I wil miss you. But I won't miss the random human feces all over my alley. Love, Matthew read more

This part of SF is the only part which actually looks like The Future. Be proud of this one. It's my favorite SF district. Here's where most of the new skyscrapers are being built. I don't know what they'll do when SOMA runs out of space, maybe turn The Mission into SOMA? SOMA also has the best nightclubs. 1015 Folsom and DNA Lounge hello. Everybody has fun here. I have fun here. read more

Great part of San Francisco to eat, drink, and shop in! Cool live music venues, the train station, and the ball park! I also work here, so I'm partial to the neighborhood.....I'll be back! read more

Up and coming area with fun and delicious restaurants, lots of workout places, great city views, active and upbeat community with many young professionals and students. Good Hospitals, like top rated UCSF and a handful of schools nearby. Would highly recommend. read more

SoMa - Local Flavor Near Me

There are reviews of the Marina, so why not reviews in the 'hood of Yelp HQ and my home for more than three years? Pros: 1. If it's sunny anywhere in SF, it's here. First. 2. The concept of "a quick trip to Macy's" is actually a reality for me. 3. I don't have to fight traffic coming home from a Giants game (unless I have to go somewhere else.) 4. My car is super clean because if I leave anything in it, it will be stolen 5. Whole Foods a block away. Nuff said. 6. Again, "a quick trip to the farmer's market" is a reality in my world 7. Pretty much a quick trip to anywhere is a reality with BART, Cal-Train, Muni, and a short walk to just about anywhere. 8. I happen to think Assless chaps and leather sex shops are a beautiful symbol of Freedom. This means you, folsom street fair and Mr. S. Leather. Cons: 1. Rents are rising as other people figure this out. 2. Wayyy too many cookier cutter developments coming in (see point 1 above) 3. Too many silicon valley yuppies coming into the neighborhood because of Cal Train. :::sigh::: 4. The constant sight of homeless people 5. The utter lack of the feeling of knowing your neighbors. This is urban living in all its glory. read more

I'm here all the time for Giants games, and love to head in to this neighborhood for brunch, farmers market, drinks, etc. As mentioned in other reviews, always really nice weather, cleaner than other spots, so many new places to try, and you can walk anywhere all the time. Super convenient for those of us on the other side of the Bay to Bart in and hang out by the water, take in the shopping sites, hit up a Giants game, 21st Amendment patio parties, deluxe grilled cheese, and lust after the boats in the harbor. read more

The bra that I purchased seem like a perfect fit in the store, actual wore it out of the store but after a few hours seem tight around the chest. So I tried to order extender online and even call the Soma Customer Service line. They don't make it. I have tried online/in different stores, even tried to find a custom made extender and I have been unable to find one that matches the bra. Cannot wear the bra. What a waste and I really liked the way the bra fit and the lift! It would be great if the company would make different widths of bra extender to fit their bra. read more

i live in the Soma Area back in 05-07 and come to this area for school. this area is going threw many changes and i feel that the future of soma has a bright future ahead. read more