The tallest in a gleaming forest of 20th century high-rises flanking the
eastern waterfront, the 853-foot-tall Transamerica Pyramid is a symbol of
the financial and banking center of the West that was established in the
mid-1800s when gold and silver was discovered in the Sierra foothills. The
templelike Pacific Coast Stock Exchange was founded in 1882, the Federal
Reserve Bank rose in the 1920s, and, primarily in the 1970s, the five towers
of Embarcadero Center became a six-block powerhouse complex of offices,
hotels, restaurants and shops connected by elevated walkways and garden
terraces.
One of the annual events held at the foot of the Center, in Justin Herman Plaza on the palm-fringed Embarcadero, FallFest, in October, features noted chefs, wineries and culinary-related activities. Mid-November through December, the Plaza becomes the Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink. Walkers, cyclists and baby strollers share the salty air and the sea breezes along the Embarcadero, one of the grandest waterfront promenades in the world.
A few blocks away from the bustle of the Financial District, in the Jackson Square Historic District are rows of pre-1906-earthquake red brick buildings on narrow streets shaded by London plane trees. Within genteel shops are rare European antiques and objects d’art, and thousands of books in the West Coast’s premier architectural bookstore, William Stout’s. Annually in March, music, spirits, lectures and special exhibits are enjoyed at the Historic Jackson Square Art and Antique Dealers Promenade.
| The article on this page is adapted from guidebooks written by Karen Misuraca, the author of Our San Francisco, Fun With the Family in Northern California, and other travel books. Available for purchase on Amazon. |  |