The Moscone Center boasts over two million square feet of building with 700,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space. There are six primary exhibit halls spread throughout the three different areas. Moscone South is home to exhibit halls A, B and C. Combined these three halls offer 260,560 sq. ft. Exhibit halls D and E are located in Moscone North and offer 181,400 sq. ft. of space. Moscone West, the newest addition to the Moscone Center is a three-story high freestanding building that rises 110 feet above street level. It has one main exhibit hall on level 1 offering 99,916 sq. ft. of space with extra room on levels 2 and 3. The Moscone Center also has 106 meeting rooms and 123,000 sq. ft. of lobby space. The Moscone Center's North, South, and West layout along with its numerous exhibit halls make it ideal for holding several events at a time.
The Moscone Center is located in the Yerba Buena neighborhood, a vibrant area known for its museums, galleries, hotels, and shops. The center is easily accessible by several means of public transportation. The BART and MUNI Metro both provide access with stops at Montgomery Station or Powell Station. The Caltrain has several stations that are all within walking distance of the Moscone Center and the Ferry Building is just a short streetcar ride away.
Shopping Options
The Westfield Center
The Westfield San Francisco Center is a large indoor mall that has a stunning design and some very unique indoor architecture. The mall has large open skylights as well as an area where there is a tall domed ceiling supported by columns. There are stores located on every one of the five levels of the center. Hundreds of shops are available including specialty manufacturer outlets, department stores, and niche shops that target collectors of music, toys, or jewelry. Visitors who want a fast bite to eat will find most of the food being sold in the concourse although there are a few vendors scattered around the first and second levels.
San Francisco Museum Of Modern Art (MOMA) Gift Shop
The San Francisco MOMA is very close to the Moscone Center. Visitors who do not have the time to tour the entire museum can stop inside and visit the unique gift shop. The gift shop includes a variety of different art-related items including prints, postcards, and books. There are also some more distinctive items such as umbrellas, aprons and buttons that celebrate the museum itself and some of the artists that are on display.
Napa Valley Winery Exchange
This is much more than just a simple wine shop. The Napa Valley Winery Exchange deals almost exclusively in California wines from small and specialty makers. Visitors are able to purchase wines that were made in nearby vineyards and that are representative of California. There are wine tastings for shoppers and official tasting panels where the newest wines in the store are judged and then given awards based on the scores.
Metreon Mall
The Metreon Mall is a very modern shopping center that is located just a short distance from the Moscone Center. It has been recently renovated and now has a very bright and sunny appearance. Shoppers will find a spa, a bookstore, and an urban department store inside. Like most of what is around the Moscone Center, however, the Metreon Mall contains mostly restaurants and cafes. Visitors can eat in the newly opened dining terrace. There is also a large modern movie theater accessible from within the mall.
Embarcadero Center
The primary theme of the Embarcadero Center is fashion, luxury, and gourmet living. Most of the stores that are located within this center are high-end fashion shops for both men and women. There are also many jewelry sellers scattered throughout the space. Several of the shops are gourmet boutiques selling everything from beauty products to toys. Visitors who will be spending part of the day in the Embarcadero Center will find a wide range of restaurants and cafes both in the center and just outside.
Attractions
AT&T Park
Found right near the waterfront, AT&T Park is the home base of the San Francisco Giants. In this beautiful facility, this Major League Baseball team plays for visitors and for proud Bay Area residents. For hungry game attendees, the ballpark food is delicious. Exploring the venue is also rewarding, and the views of the Bay are stunning. All stadium seats are good even during a sold-out game. Arriving early for an event is recommended.
Cable Car Museum
An intriguing little museum about one of the landmark transportation options in San Francisco, the Cable Car Museum has something interesting for all ages. The admission is free. Displays tell the history of the cars, and the pictures and memorabilia are captivating. Visitors even can tour underground where the moving cable is installed. The tour takes about an hour.
China Town
A fantastic place to take a self or guided stroll, visitors can find the best in Asian cuisine as well as souvenirs and cultural enrichment. The beautiful and unique architecture is fascinating. The many shops sell everything from clothing to cookware. Wonderful teas, spices, and medicinal herbs are found at excellent prices as well. Museums, the place where fortune cookies are manufactured, and other worthwhile attractions can all be found within China Town.
Grace Cathedral
On California Street on top of Nob Hill, Grace Cathedral is the largest Gothic styled church in the city and takes up an entire block. Where a welcoming contemporary Episcopal congregation worships, guests soon feel at home. An Aids memorial chapel is found to the right of the front door. Open to the public, evening musical concerts include those given by a men and boys' choir and other groups. Visitors are free to take self-tours when no event is taking place. A garden labyrinth is on the front grounds. The church also has an indoor labyrinth and inspiring stained glass windows.
SS Jeremiah O'Brian
A Historic ship that saw action in World War II, children and adults will enjoy exploring this huge vessel docked at Fishermen's Wharf. An audio tour expands the understanding and appreciation of the significance of this ship and its history. Notable features are the size of the interior rooms, the layout on deck and below, and the three-cylinder engine. A tour takes an hour or less. From the deck, the view of the Bay is amazing any time of the year.
Getting Around
San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority streetcars are one form of transportation in San Francisco near the Moscone Center. Visitors can take the F line from Castro Street or Fisherman's Wharf. This Muni streetcar stops on Market Street approximately two blocks from the Moscone Center. Passengers who arrive in San Francisco by ferry can take this streetcar from the ferry terminal to the center.
Travelers can also reach the Moscone Center by taking Muni cable cars. The Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde routes stop on Market Street approximately half a mile from the center. Both routes travel between Market Street and Fisherman's Wharf. The Powell-Hyde route terminates near Ghirardelli Square.
A few city bus routes stop near the Moscone Center. Travelers looking for buses that go right past the center should take Routes 8X, 30, 45 or 76. Passengers can catch Route 30 and Route 45 at the San Francisco Caltrain station. Route 12 stops a block from the center on Harrison Street. Route 10 stops a block away from the center on Second Street. Routes 5, 9, 21 and 71 stop on Market Street two blocks from the center. These routes also stop within a few blocks of The Embarcadero.
Buses operated by SamTrans will take travelers close to the Moscone Center. Route KX takes passengers north from Stanford to San Francisco. It stops on Mission Street a block away from the center. Routes 292 and 391also stop at this location. Route 292 travels from San Mateo to San Francisco. Travelers can take Route 391 north from Redwood City to San Francisco.
Golden Gate Transit is another bus company that operates bus routes close to the center. Travelers coming from other cities in Northern California may find these buses convenient. Route 10 stops in Sausalito on the way to San Francisco. Route 70 starts in Novato. Routes 80, 101 and 101X will take travelers from Santa Rosa to San Francisco. Route 101X only operates on weekdays.
Two Bay Area Rapid Transit train stations are on Market Street within half a mile of the center. One is the Montgomery Street Station, and the other is the Powell Street Station. Four BART lines stop at these stations. The Pittsburg/Bay Point line stops at San Francisco International Airport. The other lines will take passengers to Fremont, Daly City, Pleasanton, or Richmond.
Dining Nearby
Here are some of the best dining establishments in San Francisco, near the Moscone Center:
Boulevard Restaurant
Popular and located on Mission Street, Boulevard is a fine dining restaurant with medium to upper pricing. Serving Continental European as well as American and local cuisine for lunch and dinner as well as late night, the establishment has fantastic presentations and a classy dining room. Seared calamari, red abalone, and soft shell crabs are on the menu. The dessert menu offers exquisite plates of freshly baked and decorated cake as well as dishes of berries. The ice cream and sorbet are made daily. The atmosphere is a unity of sophistication and comfort, and the service is professional.
HRD Coffee Shop
On 3rd Street, HRD Coffee Shop serves a full diner-styled menu of scrumptious food. American food and Asian food with a twist, this little shop serves up meals with generous portions besides great coffee. The atmosphere is fun and friendly. Breakfast burritos, kimchee, and Mongolian cheesesteak are on the menu. Burgers are made to order with optional side such as mushrooms or avocado. The mix of flavors and choices is delightful perfection.
Kokkari
With terrific Greek and Mediterranean foods and specialties, Kokkari is an upscale restaurant with an inviting and warm atmosphere. The large restaurant is attractively laid out for privacy for individuals and couples as well as room for groups. Servers are experienced and know the menu. Some of the items on the menu are stuffed grape leaves, lamb meatballs, lentil soup, and lemon and oregano chicken.
Perbacco
Italian fine dining right in the financial district, Perbacco offers an elegant dining experience. The ambience captures the city vibe, and the establishment is perfect for business engagements at lunch or dinner. Food is freshly prepared and the menu has many options from which to choose. Some examples from the dinner menu are quail breast served with mushrooms and potatoes, roasted duck breast with stone fruit and seared scallops with roasted grapes. Reservations are highly recommended.
The Grove
Serving great American food near Market Street, The Grove brings in droves of people. The food is fabulous. The small place is uniquely trendy and attractive. Outdoor dining is also available. Open for all three meals, the cuisine is a combination of traditional American and natural gourmet. Examples from the menu are granola, omelettes with hash browns, beet salad and chicken pot pie. The menu also features a long list of regular, gourmet and organic coffees and espressos.