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Discover Embarcadero Plaza, a San Francisco landmark for over 50 years. Located right on the waterfront where Market Street meets the Ferry Building, it’s the perfect place for locals and visitors to soak up the city's energy.

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Fountain vertical view
Plaza crowd 1971-04-22
Overview of the plaza
Fountain vertical view
Fountain 1971-05
Aerial view of the plaza
Image credits: Private donors, SF Planning, SFPL
Outdoor park and plaza space
3.6 acres
Unique outdoor fine art
4 pieces
Open every day, rain or shine
24/7/365
2025 aerial

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Open every day of the year!

Step into history - Timeline

  1. Early port of San Francisco

    The early building and transit center on the waterfront served a crucial role in commerce.

    Ferry Building
    Ferry Building, 1879. (San Francisco History Center, SFPL)

  2. New Ferry Building and transit modes

    With the construction of the Ferry Building in 1896, new transportion modes begin to occupy Market St at its front.

    Market Street, in front of the Ferry Building
    Market Street, in front of the Ferry Building, 1905. (San Francisco History Center, SFPL)

  3. 1906 earthquake

    The 1906 earthquake devastates much of the city, yet the Ferry Building stands.

    View of rubble on Market Street to Ferry Building after the 1906 earthquake and fire - Turrill & Miller
    View of rubble on Market Street to Ferry Building after the 1906 earthquake and fire - Turrill & Miller, 1906. (San Francisco History Center, SFPL)

  4. Pedestrians at the forefront

    Foot traffic increases, with a pedestrian bridge elevating people over the busy roadway.

    Commuters converging on the Ferry Building in late afternoon
    Commuters converging on the Ferry Building in late afternoon, 1920s. (San Francisco History Center, SFPL)

  5. Waterfront continues to develop

    Well into the 1920s, the mix of road traffic, waterfront traffic, and pedestrian traffic continues.

    Ferry Building
    Ferry Building, 1928. (San Francisco History Center, SFPL)

  6. Maritime Federation meeting

    Use of this public space as a site of activism and public engagement started early on in its history.

    Maritime Federation meeting
    Maritime Federation meeting, 1938. (Fang family San Francisco examiner photograph archive)

  7. Space acquired by San Francisco

    San Francisco Redevelopment Agency acquires and clears the space that now makes up Embarcadero Plaza.

    Golden Gateway map
    Golden Gateway map, 1959. (San Francisco Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure)

  8. Embarcadero Freeway begins construction

    The now-controversial Embarcadero Freeway begins construction.

  9. Embarcadero Freeway opens

    The freeway fully opens, an imposing structure separating the waterfront from downtown.

    Embarcadero view of Bay Bridge and Ferry Building from tower - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency
    Embarcadero view of Bay Bridge and Ferry Building from tower - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, 1965-1985. (San Francisco History Center, SFPL)

  10. Early models of Golden Gateway

    Early models are highly futuristic and call for the demolition of the Ferry Building, leaving only its central tower.

    Golden Gateway model of Ferry Park (1) - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency
    Golden Gateway model of Ferry Park (1) - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, 1959-1970. (San Francisco History Center, SFPL)

  11. What to do About Market Street

    Lawrence Halprin describes five distinct districts of Market Street in the 1962 report What to do About Market Street.

    Market and Sacramento Streets facing Ferry Building - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency
    Market and Sacramento Streets facing Ferry Building - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, 1962-1969. (San Francisco History Center, SFPL)

  12. Later models of Golden Gateway

    Later models scale back ambition, retaining the Ferry Building and beginning to look like the ultimate outcome.

    Embarcadero Center Plaza model - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency
    Embarcadero Center Plaza model - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, 1960. (San Francisco History Center, SFPL)

  13. Fountain design competition

    A design competition for the fountain at Embarcadero Plaza kicks off. Five international sculptors submit designs: Armand Vaillancourt, James Melchert, Reuben Nakian, Jacques Overhoff, and Alicia Penalba. The competition’s jury is composed of Lawrence Halprin, John Savage Bolles, and Mario Ciampi.

    Embarcadero Plaza and fountain drawing - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency
    Embarcadero Plaza and fountain drawing - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, 1968-1971. (San Francisco History Center, SFPL)

  14. Vaillancourt Fountain selected

    The design by Armand Vaillancourt, a Québecois sculptor, wins the competition the Embarcadero Plaza fountain.

    Vaillancourt Fountain model - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency
    Vaillancourt Fountain model - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, 1968-1971. (San Francisco History Center, SFPL)

  15. Vaillancourt Fountain construction begins

    Construction involves the installation of 710 tons of material, with some of the concrete elements weighing over 10 tons each.

    Vaillancourt Fountain construction - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency
    Vaillancourt Fountain construction - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, 1970. (San Francisco History Center, SFPL)

  16. Vaillancourt Fountain is completed

    The fountain is completed at a cost of $310,000, with a dedication attended by local and national leaders. When running, the fountain circulates 30,000 gallons of water per minute.

    Vaillancourt Fountain dedication at Embarcadero Plaza - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency
    Vaillancourt Fountain dedication at Embarcadero Plaza - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, 1971. (San Francisco History Center, SFPL)

  17. Embarcadero Plaza is completed

    It features the European piazza-inspired bricks, angled grass seating, dynamic geometry, and the iconic Vaillancourt Fountain. The plaza was designed by Lawrence Halprin & Associates in a joint venture with Mario Ciampi & Associates and John Bolles & Associates.

    Southern aerial of Embarcadero Plaza - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency
    Southern aerial of Embarcadero Plaza - San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, 1971. (San Francisco History Center, SFPL)

  18. Plaza renamed as “Justin Herman Plaza”

    Until this point, the plaza has been known as Embarcadero Plaza. It is renamed after the former Executive Director of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency.

    Embarcadero Plaza and Ferry Building Area with Embarcadero Freeway in Front of Ferry Building
    Embarcadero Plaza and Ferry Building Area with Embarcadero Freeway in Front of Ferry Building, 1975. (Municipal Railway Photographer, SFMTA Photo Archive)

  19. La Chiffonnière sculpture installed

    La Chiffonnière (“Rag Woman”) by Jean Dubuffet is installed in Embarcadero Plaza. The sculpture is part of the privately-owned Embarcadero Center art collection.

  20. Renovation of the brick portion of Embarcadero Plaza

    This renovation, led by William Turnbull of the firm MLTW/Turnbull, includes tiered seating, expanded steps, and an outdoor stage platform.

  21. World-renowned skateboarding

    The plaza becomes an international sensation during the rise of modern street skateboarding in the late 1980s.

  22. U2 takes over the plaza

    U2 performs a free concert at Embarcadero Plaza. Bono climbs on the Vaillancourt Fountain during the performance.

  23. Loma Prieta earthquake damages the Embarcadero Freeway

    The Loma Prieta earthquake severely damages the Embarcadero Freeway.

  24. Demolition of the Embarcadero Freeway begins

    After the damage of the Loma Prieta earthquake, the Embarcadero Freeway is demolished beginning in 1991. At the same time, plans for a renovation of Embarcadero Plaza are discussed.

    Embarcadero Freeway demolition
    Embarcadero Freeway demolition, 1991. (Wikimedia Commons user Octoferret)

  25. Embarcadero Plaza almost disappears

    Early renovation designs in the 1990s called for new plaza and removal of the Vaillancourt Fountain. The plans are eventually scaled back.

    ROMA site plans (Embarcadero - Roadway Project 1990-2001)
    ROMA site plans (Embarcadero - Roadway Project 1990-2001), 1993. (San Francisco Recreation and Park Department)

  26. Digitally skating Embarcadero Plaza

    A model of the plaza is included in the popular Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video game due to its skateboarding fame.

    Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater “Streets” level
    Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater “Streets” level, 1999. (Screenshot of the game. Developed by Neversoft, published by Activision)

  27. Plaza renovation

    Between 1998 and 2001, substantial renovations take place across the entire plaza. At the same time, Harry Bridges Plaza is constructed between the two directions of traffic on the Embarcadero.

    ROMA site plans (Embarcadero - Roadway Project 1990-2001)
    ROMA site plans (Embarcadero - Roadway Project 1990-2001), 1998. (San Francisco Recreation and Park Department)

  28. Fountain threatened then turned back on

    Supervisor Aaron Peskin introduces a resolution to explore the possible removal and replacement of the Vaillancourt Fountain. The water, which had been turned off, is turned back on, which had been the true intent of the resolution.

  29. Abraham Lincoln Brigade Monument installed

    Designed by Ann Chamberlain and Walter Hood, it is dedicated to the Americans who volunteered to fight fascism in Spain during the 1930s. The monument is 40 feet long and 8 feet high, with 44 translucent panels displayed in a large steel frame.

  30. Bocce courts added

    With community funding and labor, two bocce courts are installed on the Southern portion of the plaza.

    Bocce courts in Embarcadero Plaza
    Bocce courts in Embarcadero Plaza, 2025. (Friends of Embarcadero Plaza)

  31. Market Street Cultural Landscape District

    Embarcadero Plaza becomes a contributor to the Market Street Cultural Landscape District, a historic resource listed on the California Register of Historical Resources. The California Register program encourages public recognition and protection of historic resources.

    Event in Embarcadero Plaza
    Event in Embarcadero Plaza, 2010. (Flickr user seat850)

  32. Renamed back to Embarcadero Plaza

    The plaza is renamed from “Justin Herman Plaza” back to its original Embarcadero Plaza name.

  33. Remastered digital skating

    The remaster of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 features the Embarcadero Plaza-inspired Streets level.

    Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 “Streets” level
    Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 “Streets” level, 2020. (Screenshot of the game. Developed by Blizzard Albany, Neversoft, Iron Galaxy)

  34. Abraham Lincoln Brigade Monument repaired

    The monument is repaired between 2018-2020, after which it is returned to Embarcadero Plaza.

  35. Skater XL video game reveals iconic Embarcadero Plaza level

    Skater XL, a video game released in 2020, features EMB as a new level.

    EMB map from Skater XL
    EMB map from Skater XL, 2021. (Screenshot of the game. Developed by Easy Day Studios)

  36. Temporary padel courts installed

    Temporary, privately run padel courts are installed next to the Vaillancourt Fountain on the brick of Embarcadero Plaza.

    Padel courts in Embarcadero Plaza
    Padel courts in Embarcadero Plaza, 2025. (Friends of Embarcadero Plaza)

  37. More remastered digital skating

    The remaster of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 features Embarcadero Plaza again.

    Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 EMB-inspired level
    Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 EMB-inspired level, 2025. (Screenshot of the game. Developed by Iron Galaxy, published by Activision Blizzard)

  38. Continuing public art installations

    Embarcadero Plaza hosts temporary public art installations, with the most recent being R-Evolution by Marco Cochrane in 2025.

    Abraham Lincoln Brigade Monument
    Abraham Lincoln Brigade Monument, 2025. (Wikimedia Commons user SFHistoryNerd)