SOMA (South Of Market)/South Beach

Now: From the foot of the Bay Bridge to the South Beach Marina and China Basin, this is an area of high glass office towers, condominiums and lofts, angular late-20th century development, and sidewalks swept clean by by half-hearted gentrification attempts.

Then: Long a desolate area of the city, the industrial warehouses along the south waterfront largely empty and run down by the 1970s. The conversion to offices through the 1990s dot com boom, and then the construction of the ballpark in 2000 brought a makeover that is still ongoing.

How To Get There: The N-Judah and T-Third Street Muni lines continue on past Embarcadero and stop and 2nd/King Street (by the Ballpark) and 4th/King Street (by the Caltrain Station). The 30 and 45 bus lines run up and down 3rd and 4th Streets, and may be boarded at Market Street. Parking is generally not too difficult, except when ball games are happening, when it becomes impossible.

The end of Market Street, at the Embarcadero
One Market Restaurant, on Market at Embarcadero
Boulevard, at the end of Mission Street at the Embarcadero

Perry's, facing Embarcadero
Chaya Brasserie, on the Embarcadero between Howard and Mission Streets
Audiffred Building, housing Boulevard Restaurant at Embarcadero and Mission

Lightening Foods Sandwich Shop, on Mission Street at Spear Street
Rincon Center, on Mission Street at Spear Street
Inside Rincon Center

Tables inside Rincon Center
Courtyard between One and Two Rincon Center
The Cosmopolitan Lounge on Spear Street at Mission Street

Lee's Deli, on Spear Street
Howard Street at Spear Street
Epic Roasthouse, on the Embarcadero between Folsom and Harrison Streets

Waterbar, next to Epic Roasthouse, on the Embarcadero
The Bay Bridge, from the Embarcadero
The Embarcadero, south of Market Street, facing north

Cupid's Span, at the Embarcadero
Lofts on 3rd Street, south of Market Street
O'Neill's Irish Pub, on 3rd Street between King and Townsend Streets

AT&T Ballpark, at King Street and 3rd Street
The ballpark, from the south harbor walkway
Ballpark and giant glove and bottle

Boats in the south harbor
Walkway along the edge of the south harbor
Java House on Pier 40, on the water near the ballpark

Red and silver art object in the lawn near the south harbor
Town Hall American Cuisine, on Howard Street between Fremont and Beale Streets
Town's End Restaurant and Bakery, at the end of Townsend Street at the Embarcadero

Steuart Street at Mission Street, where the 14-Mission bus stops
The 14-Mission Street Bus at Steuart Street and Mission Street
Mission Street between Steuart Street and Embarcadero

The Embarcadero at Folsom Street
Folsom Street Muni Station on the Embarcadero
T-Sunnydale Muni train on Embarcadero at Folsom Street

View of the Bay Bridge from the back window of the T-Sunnydale Muni train
Inside the T-Sunnydale Muni train, on King Street
China Basin, at 3rd Street south of Berry Street and the ballpark

Amici's East Coast Pizzeria, on King Street near 3rd Street
The Caltrain Station, on King Street at 4th Street
K&L Wine Merchants, on 4th Street at Bluxome Street, between Brannan and Townsend Streets

Coco 500 Restaurant, on 4th Street at Brannan Street
Fringale French Restaurant, on 4th Street near Brannan Street
Zuppa Italian Restaurant, on 4th Street near Brannan Street

The Palms Condominiums, on 4th Street near Bryant Street
Salt House, on Mission Street between 1st and 2nd Streets
Mixt Greens, on Mission Street between 1st and 2nd Streets

Murphy's Deli, off of Mission Street