Yerba Buena Gardens

Yerba Buena Gardens is the name for two blocks of public parks located between Third and Fourth, Mission and Folsom Streets in downtown San Francisco, California. The first block bordered by Mission and Howard Streets was opened in 1993. The second block, between Howard and Folsom Streets was opened in 1998. A pedestrian bridge over Howard Street connects the two blocks, sitting on top of part of the Moscone Center convention center. The Yerba Buena Gardens are owned by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency and were planned and built as the centerpiece of the Yerba Buena Redevelopment Area.

Yerba Buena was the name of the town in the Mexican territory of Alta California that became the city of San Francisco, California, after it was claimed by the United States in 1846.

Public art

The original block opened in 1993 contains several public art installations. The Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial is located behind a waterfall, which is the largest fountain on the West Coast. The memorial consists of large, etched glass excerpts of King's speeches in the languages of San Francisco's sister cities. On the terrace level above the waterfall is the sister cities garden, where visitors can see an expertly manicured garden with plants representing each of San Francisco's sister cities, as well as a partial view of the downtown skyline.

Other attractions

Located in the Gardens proper are the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, a contemporary arts center in the  North block, and......
Read More