Justin Herman Plaza

Justin Herman Plaza is the intruiging median in-​between Embarcardeo BART and the Ferry Building. There is plenty to shop for, including things to eat and lots of public transporation. It will be easy to notice that the water is in close proximity. It can be rough with the vagrants here and the fast pace, but this is bigger than it may seem.
I have been to Justin Herman Plaza several times. It is an elegant way to enter the Ferry Building. You can really take a break from your day. Lots of art products are sold here, adding to the local flavor. I like it.
Justin Herman Plaza contributes positively to San Francisco

Kind of ugly, modernish plaza across from the Ferry Building. It’s only draw is the large fountain that looks like large bent pieces of scrap metal thrown together. If you want to check it out then go right ahead, it’s just not that interesting.

This is for SF Magazines Fall Food Fest! Totally awesome charity event and a great location!

When I was the go-​to uncle for my visiting-​from-​Southern California eleven-​year-​old niece a couple months back, I wondered about Justin Herman Plaza. I was definitely going to bring her here, and I think I had actually been here with her before when she was younger, but what would she think about it now? Would she be scared? Excited? She’s at a very particular age, so I was really curious.
So we exited at Embarcadero, climbed the steps, and. And. She looked through the various jewelry stands. She looked through some of the posters. She looked up and said, «Uncle John, why are we here?»
And it was philosophical like that, but also pragmatic, because the kid is very much like I was when I was a little bit older than she is now: I thought too much, but nowhere near as much as I think now. It was a good balance, and I need to find a way to strike it again.
We went to the sculpture, but it was closed, and the water was turned off and emptied. She felt bad for the pigeons and the homeless people, not in that order. She was slightly scared, but not really. She knows me too well to think that I would ever put her in any real danger. She thought it was dirty. We walked through the Embarcadero Towers, and she was shocked that all these people («Like Daddy on his lunch break») were sitting around, eating the food they brought from home or paid too much for in this subterranean non-​mall. She didn’t understand the juxtaposition of falling-​apart and always-​clean, and that’s something I have on her – I understood that very well at her age.
So here’s to nieces, and how they’re always surprising me with their eloquence and cleverness. I don’t actually like the word «clever,» but it really does apply to my other niece, in a non-​European way, even though she’s kinda half-​European, in a way.
Ze plaza is fine. I just hope they don’t make it worse. San Francisco has a way of ruining everything by trying to make it better. But I guess that makes sense.

What can I say about Justin Herman plaza that has not been said?
A wide open space located near the Embarcadero Center and is across the Ferry Building, this is the place where lots of magic happens. The ice skating rink is here during the winter, several concerts have been held here, the Valentines Pillow Fight is held here, zip-​lining happens here, and loads more events.
True that the area is often inhabited by homeless and sketchy people, but if you keep to yourself they won’t really bother you most of the time. Seagulls and pigeons often fly about here and release their nature calls randomly, so be careful about that LOL.
There are always little vendors here so if you’re into local art and knick knacks, this is your place. There are also LOADS of eateries around here, don’t be afraid to explore your options.
This area is nice in the day. The Vaillancourt Fountain, which is the large fountain that looks like a crazy maze (it kinda is like a maze) is beautiful when water pours through it. The Ferry Building stands across, with the clock tower. To the right of this building (if you’re looking at it from Justin Herman plaza) is a view of the Bay Bridge. The Embarcadero Center and Hyatt Regency stand to the other side of the fountain.
This place is pretty nifty, even for a local like me.

This spot is used for all sorts of events like the ice rink during winter, the Valentine’s Day Pillow Fight, etc. The rest of the time it’s a good spot to meet people to walk to lunch, local vendors, and the different public transit. One of my favorite parts of the plaza is the water fountain. You can sit at the steps near it or climb the stairs to see above it. If you really want to risk getting wet you can hop from one square slab to another under most of the fountain.
There are homeless people that live or sleep around the plaza, but they normally pretty harmless. If anything they do leave you alone.
Overall, it’s still a good place to hang out.

I used to skate here in high school and college before it got revamped so I’m a little biased.
Pillow fights on Valentine’s Day at 6pm exactly — if you haven’t gone before, you have to try it once at least. And get into the crowd, don’t just sit on the sidelines.
Nice place for lunch, plenty of restaurants around. They often have events here too.
Perfect shortcut to cut across for BART or if you’re walking down toward the piers.

One of my favorite spots in the city.

What do a pillow fight, an ice rink, a SF Symphony concert, a zipline, a 49ers rally, vendor kiosks, and an Occupy SF camp have in common? They were or are held in Justin Herman Plaza. How cool is that?
There are plenty to love about Justin Herman Plaza. But aside from the numerous (although very incomplete) fun events mentioned above, I love it because I have plenty of days that go like this:
The mild weather. The beautiful, clear San Francisco sky. The graceful architecture of the Ferry Building. The magnificent beauty of the Bay Bridge beyond. The lively, pulsating blues music. The sultry voice of the singer. The people clad in their professional clothes, dancing to the music seemingly without cares or worries. The energy radiating from the crowd walking about. The enticing smell of food coming from the kiosks and the restaurants. The pigeons hopping around the tables. An empty table! The interesting small talk between friends I can’t help but overhear. The comforting sound of the water coming from the fountain. The velvety soup warming up my body. The crisp, cool salad greens with its creamy dressing. The scrumptious-​looking chicken pesto sandwich sitting right in front of me, waiting to be consumed. Oh, what a delightful lunch!
So yes, Justin Herman Plaza is as good as it gets in my book!

one of the benefits working in the Fidi area, close by to Justin Herman plaza. Enjoying the ferry building view, vendors, bridge, events going on.
Sunny days are the best to sit around with everyone during lunch or a stroll around.
during winter, the ice ring is available. I never went in, they usually get busy, holiday music all around.
For Valentine’s day, everyone meets here for the yearly pillow fight.

This brick and concrete plaza lies in between the Ferry Building and the start of Market Street. Named after the head of San Francisco’s the Redevelopment Agency in the 1960s, Justin Herman Plaza spans four acres and serves as a place for gatherings or just somewhere to take a walk during lunch or after work.
This place has ice skating in the winter, an intricately shaped Vaillancourt water fountain that you can walk across, and great views of the buildings San Francisco Embarcadero while you sit and relax. This place is great for viewing New Year’s fireworks if you don’t have other plans for that evening.
However, this place does have its unfair share of issues, such as vagrants occupying the area and vendors lining the area that sell may or may not have deals for you. Overall, this place can be relaxing and fun if you don’t encounter vagrants or come here to shop for bargains.

Great spot to walk around or veg out on the stone steps. check
Alot of fun booths and random events like the annual pillow fight and the wintertime ice skating rink. check
cheap places to get a bite for lunch or a treat for dessert. check.
Oh and the classic water sculpture that you can walk across… check.
Did I miss anything?

Justin Herman Plaza lies in between the Ferry Building (and the Embarcadero) and the start of Market Street. It was named after Justin Herman, who was once the head of San Francisco’s the Redevelopment Agency in the 1960s.
During my occasional visits over the years, I have gone ice skating in the winter, hung out at the nearby Hyatt and Embarcadero shopping area, watched the skateboard crowd bust their moves, and climbed around that weird fountain. It’s a nice place to hang out on a nice day or to meet someone to start yet another San Francisco adventure.

Pros:
Great location in the center of the city with ice skating and other fun stuff. Lots of restaurants all around although the best restaurants are in the Ferry Building.
Cons:
Vagrants roaming around the plaza can scare people some times.
Fun:
I think they had Peter Pan here, ziplining, and they do other crazy things some times.

I’ve been working New Years Eve for the last fourteen years. But last night, I had a RARE night off. Therefore I wanted to spend the final night and hours of 2010 with my daughter. We’ve decided to spend New Years Eve at busy Justin Herman Plaza.
As always, the Embarcadero is always busy every NYE. Every year while on-​duty prior till the 2010 year, I only watched people scattered around looking for a spot to count down the New Year following with a firework show to begin the New Year. Last night, my daughter and I were among those people as well. A change I’ve ever not often encountered in reverse.
Last night, we counted down the seconds to end 2010 and begin 2011. As soon as the clock turned midnight, many people cheered and couples kissed, hugged and embraced. While my daughter and I, hugged and kissed as a father/​daughter couple.
We’ve enjoyed the fireworks show. «Baby, you’re a firework!» I’m not going to sing Katy Perry’s song!
Normally my daughter would’ve been asleep by 11pm. But she gutted out and stayed up late just to spend a New Years Eve and also my birthday with the now «old man».

5 STARS:
Was here yesterday for the Sanrio 50^th Anniversary — Small Gift Mobile Pop-​Up Shop Tour; met Hello Kitty =)
Very spacious, Great place to take pics of the buildings for artwork reference. They had vendors selling artwork; jewelry; knitted hats; and etc…
2 STARS: BEWARE OF VENDORS — Especially the lady selling the knitted hats/​beanies!
My friend had a bad experience with one vendor selling knitted hats, The lady was selling her hats for $ 20; and my friend bargained with her and the lady said 2 for $ 28! great deal?! we thought so… till the lady came looking for us (that was 5 – 10 min after purchasing the hat — she found us in line waiting for Hello Kitty) and told us that she made a mistake and it should have been $ 38! … Isn’t it once you sell something final price!!! The lady kept saying that she made a mistake and that she was losing money! hello!!! is that our problem?!! … We kept telling her that was not our problem. I told my friend to just give her back the hats and ask for her money back… My friend really liked one of the hats, so she kept one and returned the other and the lady gave back her $ 8…
Seriously lady, you left your little kiosk looking for us to tell us that you made a mistake!!! what if someone stole a hat while you were gone!!!

I love that it’s right in front of the Ferry Building and the Embarcadero (s) so we’re close to food and shops. Pick up some cheese from the Cowgirl Creamery and some bread from Acme, instant picnic! You can see the water, but it’s not exactly a fabulous view. The grassy areas are kinda gross, more trash than you’d expect for place in this location. There’s a lot going on here: vendors, tourists, locals, lots and lots of skateboarders (one section is nicknamed «Skateboard Hill»). Critical Mass (if you don’t know, you need to know) congregates here monthly before their journey. The ginormous pillow-​fight is held here every Valentine’s Day… a good time! Tons of promotional events are held here. Several marathons have their registration and gift tents set up here. That’s about it.

«I love yooou… for so many reeeea-​sons…» Don’t know this song? Come on! It’s classic oldies! Ahh, well that’s not the point.
I love relaxing here at lunch time. The view is gorgeous and is quinticentially San Francisco. I reminds me of everything I love about my city. There is plenty of seating so you can bring your lunch here, or you can stop in to one of the sandwich, sushi or Thai spots in the plaza.
It’s the type of place that offers a slightly different experience each day. If the weather permits, you can feast your eyes and senses on the wide array of street vendors at the plaza — artists, knitters, jewelry makers. Sometimes companies come and set up shop here and give away free samples! Case in point — Meow Mix set up a tent here two summers ago and they gave away unlimited samples of kitty wet food and treats. Un-​li-​mi-​ted! Okay I can see you rolling your eyes at me right now. But most pet food sample giveaways downtown are for dogs only, so I was a little overenthusiastic.
Oooh! This is a little off topic but… I really enjoyed watching the filming of Trauma here last summer. They had some pretty HOT actors (raises eyebrow seductively). Anyway, they filmed a disaster scene here with a downed helicopter, and ambulances crashing through street vendors. I thought it was real when I first saw it!
I also recall stumbling into the middle of the Tibet versus China protest here two summers ago during the Olympics…
And the Valentine’s Day pilow fight…
And the ziplining…
I stumble upon alot of things here, unexpectedly. Definitely an interesting place!

This is one of my favourite spots in SF. There is a real sense of space and I love being near the water.
Of course any sight of the Ferry Building brings a smile to me face as I love my food. So far, I’ve not managed to come when the market’s on but that’s on my list of things to do.
The traders set up opposite the Ferry Building are interesting to browse round
I love the palm trees and the F line trams give it an air of a typical seaside town, reinforced by the ferries coming to and fro.
There’s the eclectic fountain and usually a few kids around pulling tricks on skateboards and bikes.
Lastly, there’s the mighty Bay Bridge, which to me is even more magnificent that the Golden Gate Bridge.
Many happy memories of holidays here and the Embarcadero Plaza brings a smile to my face

I’m not really sure if I should be Unilocaling about the parking lot here, but since it’s underneath the plaza, I figure it’s close enough.
We took forever to park, and when we finally found a spot under the Embarcadero Plaza, we were astounded by the stupidity of the parking structure layout.
WHY are the poles in the MIDDLE of the lane? They block the lane so only one car can go at a time, and they block parking spots! I had to do a three point turn to park backwards in a spot that should require the easiest left hand turn! It’s like the structure was built for minis and smart cars only.
So yes, I have to gripe about the lot cause it’s retarded. GAH.