Spend the Day
Itineraries
It’s easy to fill your day with adventure at Yerba Buena Gardens. There’s lots to discover for all ages and interests. Whether you crave culture, want your kids to have some fun, or simply want to relax, you can carve out your time at the Gardens to your liking. Choose one of these themed experiences and make it your own.
Day of Culture
- Start at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial’s majestic waterfall and its inspirational
words, poems, and images. - Take a public art walk to see the Green Glass Ship or the interactive robotic sculpture, Urge.
- Visit SFMOMA and the Contemporary Jewish Museum.
- End your day with an unforgettable performance at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts or
an IMAX movie at Metreon.
8 a.m.
9 a.m.
Warm Up
Start your morning with a delicious specialty cup of coffee or imported tea at Peet’s Coffee + Tea located right at the top of Yerba Buena Lane.
9 a.m.
noon
Celebrate Diversity
Stroll around The Great Lawn and through the colorful gardens checking out all the unique public art works. Spend time at the Martin Luther King , Jr. Memorial, and share his legacy in the rich displays under the waterfall. Head over to the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the Contemporary Jewish Museum, the Museum of African Diaspora, or the California Historical Society to share some of San Francisco’s rich cultural diversity.
noon
2 p.m.
Enjoy World-Class Performance
You can catch a free concert from world-class performers at one of the acclaimed Yerba Buena Gardens Festival events. Or just enjoy lunch at one of the many international restaurants in the Metreon or on Yerba Buena Lane serving cuisine including Japanese, Indian, Mexican, Jewish, Korean, and more.
2 p.m.
5 p.m.
Absorb Inspiration
Head back through the East Garden to the recently expanded SFMOMA. You’ll be both inspired and amazed by contemporary works from renowned artists including Rothko, Close, Stella, Richter, Lichtenstein, and more.
5 p.m.
7 p.m.
Savor, Sip, and Unwind
Relax and unwind with a cocktail and dinner at B Restaurant and Bar on the Upper Terrace. Enjoy the city lights and a great view of the Gardens in this unique spot that San Franciscans voted the best happy hour.
7 p.m.
9 p.m.
Kick back
Finish off the day with the latest feature film, some popcorn, or a tasty snack at one of the Metreon’s 3 IMAX theaters equipped with Dolby Cinema surround sound.
Day of Fun
- Ride the historic Looff designed LeRoy King Carousel built in 1906.
- Sign up for a Children’s Creativity Museum class to ignite your child’s imagination.
- Ice skate or bowl.
- Unleash the kids at the Children’s Garden with its massive play area. The Tot Lot and Learning Garden has pint-sized play structures and organized gardening, crafts, music, and more.
9 a.m.
noon
Let Loose
At the Yerba Buena Children’s Garden and Play Circle, your kids will have a blast in all the interactive and engaging areas that emphasize discovery, nature, and play. For even more fun, there’s a 100-year-old hand-carved 1906 carousel that young kids just can’t get enough of. For the less physically active, the Children’s Creativity Museum offers a one-of-a-kind, interactive art and technology museum designed just for kids.
noon
1:30 p.m.
Fuel Up and Recharge
Head over to the Metreon for a casual meal at one of the many restaurants and cafes featuring international cuisine and great desserts in the food court.
noon
5 p.m.
Chill out
The Yerba Buena Ice Skating & Bowling Center features year-round ice skating 7 days a week with public sessions, skating school, and youth/adult hockey. And for the more competitive, the Bowling Center offers 12 lanes, Saturday dance club, Ultra Bowl, and even a pro shop.
5 p.m.
7 p.m.
Relax and Regroup
Relax and regroup with an easy stroll across Mission Street to Yerba Buena Lane. It’s home to unique, specialty restaurants and even a seasonal farmers’ market featuring locally grown foods.
7 p.m.
9 p.m.
Wind down
Finish off the day with the latest feature film, some popcorn, or sweet treats at one of the Metreon’s 3 IMAX theaters equipped with Dolby Cinema surround sound.
Afternoon of Green Relief
Find your place amid the Great Lawn, with Butterfly and Reflection gardens tucked at its edges.
- Enjoy a free midday Garden’s Festival performance during Spring and Summer.
- Admire the Green Glass Ship sculpture in the tree-lined Crepe Myrtle Garden.
- Gaze upon the glimmering crescent pool and dramatic city views from the Upper Terrace and Sister Cities Gardens.
- This green relief is all free year-round and with our great weather you receive a healthy dose of vitamin N (nature), where flora and fauna abound.
9 a.m.
noon
Open up downtown
Head over to the heart of the city’s cultural district to enjoy the only open green space in downtown San Francisco. It’s the perfect place to play, dine, shop, or just relax.
noon
2 p.m.
Experience World-Class Performance
Bring a lunch and a blanket and kick back on the green grass with friends, family, or work-mates. Between May and October, listen to free music by local and international world-class artists presented by the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival. These seasonal performances are guaranteed to make your afternoon one to remember.
2 p.m.
4 p.m.
Chill out
Experience dramatic views of downtown San Francisco strolling along the Upper Terrace with its large crescent-shaped reflecting pool and distinctive granite paving. Enjoy the colorful and fragrant native plants and shrubs that surround Yerba Buena Gardens and complement the unique and delightful public art.
4 p.m.
5 p.m.
Relax and Unplug
Put down your mobile and sprawl out on the sun-drenched lawn for an afternoon nap. There's no better place to relax and unwind in the cultural heart of San Francisco.
5 p.m.
7 p.m.
Share a Bite
Head over to Yerba Buena Lane to enjoy a tasty cocktail and dinner at one of the many international restaurants that include Japanese, Indian, Mexican, Jewish, Korean, and other cuisine.
