Civic Center

San Francisco, California's Civic Center is north where of Van Ness Avenue and Market Street intersect by a few blocks. It has several of the largest cultural and government institutions in the city of San Francisco. There are various numbers of classical architectural designed buildings in the district including two large plazas. United Nations Plaza and Civic Center Plaza are in the district.

The early portion of the twentieth century saw the construction of the Civic Center to provide a home for the Hall of Records and the City Hall. In 1906 an earthquake destroyed both of these buildings. Daniel Burnham an urban planner and architect did the layout for the planning and rebuilding of the buildings. A neo-classical designed was used as a theme for the rest of the city's rebuilding although the only portion actually constructed was the Civic Center.

In 1915 the Exposition Auditorium and City Hall were completed in time to see the Panama-Pacific Exposition. In the 1920s and 1930s the Old Federal and State buildings and Main Library were rebuilt. Today City Hall is the Civic Center's centerpiece. Situated on Polk Street the facility covers two city blocks. The area offers a number of architectural wonders for visitors to enjoy.