San Francisco - Financial District

The Bank Exchange Saloon stands on a site formerly occupied by the Montgomery Block, demolished in 1959. When erected 106 years earlier it was the first major building complex in San Francisco.

This small park in front of the Hyatt Regency Hotel was created in the course of developing the Embarcadero Center. It is popular with office workers from the nearby skyscrapers, who gather here during the midday break to eat their lunches and be entertained by assorted musicians and street actors.

A notable feature of the park is the Vaillancourt Fountain, constructed by the Canadian sculptor Armand Vaillancourt out of colossal concrete blocks on which it is possible to clamber.

The Merchant's Exchange Building in San Francisco was designed by William Polk in 1903 and rebuilt after the earthquake of 1906.

Founded in 1873, the Pacific Stock Exchange in San Francisco now occupies buildings designed by the architects Miller and Pflueger and erected in 1930. The exuberant decoration bears witness to the date of construction. The sculptures are by Ralph Stackpole.

During trading hours it is possible to go into the gallery and watch at close quarters the hectic activity of the stockbrokers. However, intending visitors are required to have a recommendation from a San Francisco stockbroking firm.

ATTRACTION IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

The Rincon Center in San Francisco is a shopping center with restaurants featuring cuisine from all over the world: Mediterranean, Indian, Italian, Thai, Chinese, and Korean.