343 Sansome Rooftop Deck

I have yet to find a better public rooftop in downtown San Francisco. It is located close to Chinatown and offers close views of three great skyscrapers: the Transamerica Pyramid, 555 California, and 345 California! You are surrounded by other buildings as well, and you can easily watch the streets below. It is very urban. There is a good amount of seating and a few tables, which are clean and comfortable. Overall, a noteworthy spot. 4/5.

This was one of the better rooftop POPOS in the FiDi. The building has a marker on the wall by the entrance welcoming all guess to the rooftop. There is plenty of seating and open space to relax or just take in some fresh air. There is also a obelisk structure and what looks like a sundial on the ground. If you walk over to the right side of the view terrace you can get a really nice view of the Transamerica building.

Great "hidden" rooftop garden, open to the public. Although sparse in vegetation there are patches of shade to be found. Great midday spot to bring a box lunch. Just take the elevator to 15th floor and enjoy.

open terrace at roof level for public use

Little hidden gem in the city. Good views of the skyline especially the world famous Trans America Pyramid from the fifteenth floor of the building. There are chairs to have lunch here. The flowers were pretty and colorful.

Great POPOS to enjoy lunch. Even if it is not a warm day, this clean rooftop Privately Owned Public Open Space is a nice place to recharge during the work day. Say hello to security in the lobby and ride elevator to second from top floor to 15th floor. Potted trees with benches, tables & chairs, and views await.

The view is ok, but definitely not what everyone else has been posting about, nice place to take your lunch or a date but not THE BEST rooftop's views as some folks claimed it to be.

Stellar views and completely empty at 3pm on a Monday. Definitely a best kept secret.

It's once again open for the public to enjoy. Definitely one of the best views of downtown and the Transamerica Pyramid.

It's worth seeking this hidden rooftop space a little earlier than the lunch hour just to have the ability to roam freely without running into FiDi office drones parking themselves on the many available benches. Unless you work in the building or you're a POPOS (Privately Owned Public Open Spaces) aficionado, you would likely be unaware of this space and the fact that you can take the elevator up to the 15th floor to get here. Bring a lunch because you'll want to hang for a while looking at local landmarks like the Transamerica building (photo: http://bit.ly/2SGqB6A), focus on the Four Seasons Obelisk, the defining art rooftop piece (photo: http://bit.ly/2UQHfTW), or appreciated the well tended flora (photo: http://bit.ly/2SGP0ZW). A rooftop respite worth keeping confidential just between you and me. . RELATED - Exploring the FiDi? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2F02OZN

I worked in this building a very long time ago. At the time, I didn't fully appreciate how nice it was to have an atrium in the heart of the city--at least in the beginning. I used to take my breaks up there and every so often, eat my lunch up there. Looking back, I really should have taken advantage of it more. The views are fanatastic and on a bright, warm day I was always grateful to have it in the building. Yes, there are walking tours and the mobile phone converations--and sometimes they can be a but much--so it's coin-toss if you decide to go there and don't work in the building. But it's definitely worth a look if you are in the area (it's free). There's a Starbucks on the ground floor. So, for the time it takes to drink a cup coffee, you will have a nearly 180-degree view of downtown. It's a nice way to have your latte. I worked there for a few years and will never forget how much I liked it up there. During Fleet Week I would go up and watch the Blue Angels practice--very cool. The roar of those F-18 Super Hornets would echo throughout the canyons and it was amazing. I miss working there, sometimes.

As far as these POPOS goes this one is pretty cool. The best I've been to. None of them that I've been to have amazing views because the other buildings around are too tall and block the view. But this one also has a pretty darn good view of the TransAmerica pyramid which is kinda cool in itself. Nice flowers and trees up there. You do not have to check in with security - just get in the elevators and go to the 15th floor - so it's pretty easy. Decent number of people there at lunch time on a Wednesday, but not overwhelming.

Lovely roof top garden, with lots of seating, trees and flowers. Great view of Transamerica Tower and of Sansome street. Situated on the 15th floor, it has some of the better views compared to other roof top gardens in the area. Definitely worth a visit!

Ya, no. All the glamour shots on the page are just that. It's rated too high for a typical SF lunch break. If you like overhearing business calls, getting leaned over by tourist groups and think tanks or on and off overcast with a sundala that's half-working--this is the place for you. Not to mention the view: maybe a peakaboo of the water, dirty old rooftops and the TransAm Tower you can peer on the roof's small corner. It's one of those spaces you loosen your skin turtleneck over like in those ACME cartoons. It'll still be crowded sun or no sun so you're not gonna get any better than the photos already posted. I'd rather lunch by the piers.

My secret escape has finally been exposed. You know how you would have that one place that you only take special people to? Or the place that you want to keep alllll to yourself? This is that place for me. It's comforting, enclosed, and high enough to give me a sense of freedom. I love having lunch here or just coming to get away from the hectic rumble of downtown. I hate to expose my sanity station, but yelp has helped me locate it today and I can do nothing more but to share it Enjoy!

Highly recommend coming here for a quick escape within the city! It's free for public access during the week, so I'm sure the people who work in this area would frequently come here for a quick break or lunch during the day. And as for tourists *like me!*, this rooftop deck gives you a great photo op to snap a pic of the Transamerica Pyramid. Since it's located on the 15th floor, you do get a pretty good view of SF's FiDi (Financial District hehe). Plus, there's also a small rooftop garden that makes a great contrast in this busy downtown part of the city.

I love discovering more and more POPOS in San Francisco! They make great lunch locations. Located on the 15th floor of 343 Sansome, this rooftop deck has a colorful obelisk thing with small tables lining the massive mosaic floor. I didn't venture into the pretty gardens in the shade, but I will next time. My roommate and I came here after grabbing plates of food from the Halal Cart on California St. It wasn't crowded at all, and we got to enjoy beautifully sunny weather while overlooking the San Francisco Financial District. Very peaceful and calm. Come check it out!

I managed to impress my girlfriend by surprising her with this hidden rooftop deck garden lunchspot which is in the building next to her office. There are tons of tables, benches, and places to sit, which is frankly fantastic. There's a weird obelisk with bushes painted on it, which I was not a fan of. Walking tour groups went through, and I found them rather charming rather than obnoxious as some other reviewers have mentioned. This is a beautiful spring/summer lunch spot. Hats off to another great POPOS of the city! 5/5, would visit again!

As you walk around The City, you might start to realize that there are a bunch of small areas that just seem to be there that are really cool and really beautiful. Are these SF Parks? Are these spots exclusively for the people that work at or near these office buildings? The answer is: No. One of the things that might sneak past the more casual observer is the concept of a POPOS. It's an acronym: Privately Owned Public Open Space. Did you know that a certain amount of Downtown development has to include a percentage-contribution to public space and public art? True story. As a result, there are 65+ little spots around that meet this criteria. Long story longer... Yes, you may have heard of 343 Sansome. This access here is not restricted during the workday. You are welcome to come here. You may not have heard of this either. It's a rooftop deck at on the 15th floor in the thick of the FiDi. The patio up top is huge. There are a bunch of trees with circular benches around them on the west side, and a very open space with tables and a center "Mini Obelisk" piece of art. The views of the urban canyons are pretty striking up here. You have an up close view of the Transamerica Pyramid. You can see quite a bit and it's worth coming up here just to check it out so you can come back and really enjoy it. It's free. And, it's easy to get to. If you are in this neck of the woods, it's a great place to get to-go and eat your lunch. If you are a visitor, especially on a budget, this is something you won't find everywhere. I would also recommend looking into the POPOS's, because there are more of these. I aim to get to many many more. But, this is definitely the coolest so far, despite strong competition. ... sigh. Too many cool things to do in SF.

In this busy, noisy, bustling city, sometimes all you need is a little peace and quiet. The hidden gems in San Francisco aka POPOS (privately owned public open spaces) in San Francisco are great for this purpose! Located on the 15th floor of this building, this rooftop deck offers sunshine, many bench seating, cool views of neighboring buildings, and a cool sundial. It is quite a cute little place to eat your lunch or just chill with friends. It does close at 5pm though! And this place isn't opened on the weekends.

Don't be intimated to hop on the elevator to head on up to the 15th floor of the 343 Sansome building for the rooftop deck. It's open to the public as long as you go during building hours (9am to 6pm). It's one of the nicer POPOS (Privately Owned Public Open Spaces) in the area. You can sometimes spot a hummingbird. There's no rats of the sky (pigeons). It's an awesome way to soak in some sun and provide nice views of the city while on lunch break.

There is nothing like enjoying an In-N-Out burger** [Make friends with someone who might bring you an In-N-Out burger all the way from either Daly City or North Beach - good luck with this one!] and a Vietnamese iced coffee [Pick one up at Les Croissant down the street at 2 California. They are deliciously strong!] on a rooftop terrace underneath the sun in what feels like 70 degree weather with friends and great conversation in the middle of the work day. I really hope it doesn't become overcrowded now that I've gone and Yelped it. *fingers crossed* Save me a seat! In case you are inclined to check this spot out, it is open to the public from 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. You can take any elevator, except for the first one on the left [according to the security guard], when entering from the Sansome Street side. Head up to the 15th floor [Sign in the elevators will remind you.]! There are tables and benches and spectacular views of the surrounding buildings. PS - When you enter from the Sansome side, there are a set of elevators to your immediate right. Those aren't the right elevators. In fact, they do not appear to even have buttons for pressing! PPS - This is one of several POPOS ["Privately-Owned Public Open Spaces"] in San Francisco. Cool, huh? PPPS - Wear sunscreen if you do not plan on sitting in the shade. You don't want your coworkers to know that you've gotten so much sun in a short period of time! They don't call it "Sun Terrace" without reason; without sunscreen, you will probably return to the cube/office with a sunglass tan. Hot Stuff! ** Feel free to substitute the In-N-Out burger with another food item of choice.

I'm tempted to tell everyone AVOID THIS PLACE so it doesn't get more crowded, but I'd be lying....it's the Financial District's best lunch spot. A large roof that gets all the sun on nice days. Weird art you can laugh at. Seats with cushions to sit on if you're lucky. Can't get much better than that. It's open to the public, so grab some food at Chez Fayala around the corner (best sandwich place ever), walk into 343 Sansome, get on an elevator going up, and press the button for floor 15. Your workday lunches will never be the same again. Guaranteed.

A serene getaway from the hustle and bustle of the financial district. Go through the doors of building 343 Sansome and take the elevators up to the 15th floor. Cushioned chairs & tables line one side of the rooftop and seating around planters on the other end. Smokers come up here for a quick smoke, but there's enough space for everyone... at least in the wintertime just before lunch. The views are of buildings, with a peek of Transamerica building & the bay between 2 skyscrapers. Good place to go if you need a break and to catch up with a friend during the day.

Oh, rooftop parks. You know, I was thinking of taking a date here and go around trying to find rooftop parks. But I have to say, Sansome was definitely one of the best rooftop parks in the city in my opinion. This is because I have several things that this place meets: 1. This place is mad unknown to the normal eye. You have to actively search for this place. I wouldn't have known where it was, I only did because I had photos to guide me to where it was. Luckily, Yelp came in handy with a ton of photos. 2. This park is on a higher level, in my opinion, than the other parks. 3. Plenty of seating both in the shade, and not in the shade. You get to have your choice! 4. It was pretty empty when I was there, but maybe this place does get packed but I sure didn't see it during lunch time. If I am ever find myself needing to find a place for a date or to eat lunch, this rooftop deck will definitely be a place to eat at.

I've been wanting to visit the rooftop park for a long time, and I finally got the chance to the other day. I brought my quiche and coffee from a local place nearby and ate it as I looked at Karl the Fog hug the Transamerica Pyramid. It was a nice way to spend time in-between appointments. And it was great way to view the city from another vantage point. I saw a building with strange statues, and luckily a tour group passed by explaining why they were there. I can imagine this POPOS being really busy on a warm day. Luckily for me, it was cold so it was pretty empty and quiet despite all the traffic noise below.

A cute little rooftop where you can sit and hang out for a while. There are some tables & also some benches. The views are underwhelming, though. Mostly you just see buildings all around you -- if you stand at certain spots near the edge of the deck & especially if you lean over and crane your neck, you might be able to see some slivers of the bay. If you're looking for somewhere to pass some time & have nowhere to go, then stop by. However, I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to come here.

I love going here. It is usually quiet, has a bit of a bay view and is the perfect place to bring your lunch. There are always nice flowers and there are a decent amount of seats. I've been coming here for a while on and off. Originally I was going to review it, but I didn't want to "blow up the spot" and bring in more people. I wanted to keep it a secret. I just came across the listing for it, so I decided to give my props. This place is about 4 1/2 stars, but I'll just give it 4. It is not exactly perfect. There are garbage cans and recycling cans, please USE THEM and keep this rooftop area looking good.

Recipe for a great lunch experience. Ingredients: 1 part beautiful SF day. 1 part in-n-out burger and fries (substitutable). 2 parts good friends who'll bring you drinks. 1 part relaxed, pleasant conversation. 1 part POPOS on 343 sansome street 15th floor. A dash of sunscreen to taste (per Adam W's request). Instruction: Combine all ingredients. Mix, do not stir. Enjoy. p.s. I tried to re-create the experience at home. Got the same in-n-out stuff, made my own vietnamese coffee (with the help of the fabulous yelpers http://www.yelp.com/topic/daly-city-diy-vietnamese-coffee), and opened my balcony door as wide as possible. It's still not the same. Leave your office chair and go to 343 sansome rooftop when you can!

Walk through the doors all the way pass the security guard, make a right, and take the elevator to the 15th floor. What do you find? An insane rooftop garden in the middle of the city with slight views and a many empty seats where you are welcomed to have lunch or just take a break from your hectic work schedule. Great place to go if you need a little breather, but don't go out of your way as there is not much of a view.

343 Sansome St POPO (privately owned public space) created by a law by the city of San Francisco. Check online at San Francisco City Planning Dept. for a list of POPOs and where and what they have. Walk into the lobby, pass the security guard, and get into one of the elevators to the 15th floor. It's got lots of benches and seating areas around large planters, plus, there's an awesome view of the Transamerica Pyramid, a great view of the Bay, and a sundial for those who still don't wear a watch. Good place for lunch or taking pictures. Or for checking with the sundial to see if your watch is correct.

Thanks to my co-worker for letting me in on his secret lunch spot. What a hidden gem and located less than a block away from our office. This is the place to go to just get away from the corporate office. Sit back and enjoy the afternoon sun.

15 floors above the all the douchebags doing their blackberry-walks right in front of you when you're trying to get from point A to point B lies this rad little outdoor area. Great lunch spot when the sun's out. Beats the hell out of eating your take-away at the Embarcadero Promenade, sitting on the old Federal Reserve Building's steps, fighting for a square foot at Justin Herman Plaza, or just about any other public outdoor space in the area. I'm sold. But yeah, myself included, folks shouldn't be alerting everyone to this secret gem. I only feel obliged to comment because that's how I found out about it. And guess what, I'm a smoker and I'm gonna smoke there too! Do your fake cough at me if you must, but your favorite lunch spot is my favorite smoke spot. So suck on that Bay Area prudes!

I came with some coworkers around 1pm one afternoon and we had a nice time just getting away from the office and getting some fresh air. At that time, there wasn't too much of a crowd and I think I remember one or two free tables. You could certainly find a spot to have your lunch if you wanted to. It's a shame how much better the view would be without those pesky buildings surrounding it.

I went to the rooftop for lunch and it was beautiful. Not the tallest skyscraper but it is an amazing view and the garden they have adds a great visual. I would definitely recommend coming here for lunch to get a little stress release from work.

Just another public green area on top of a nice building in the middle of the city. This spot has tables and chairs for you to each lunch. Only a few seats have a nice view. But regardless a nice spot to eat outdoors. It is cold and windy in the winter time so dress appropriately or wait for spring/summer.

Great place to hang out in the financial district. The security guard in the lobby was grumpy but besides that, this rooftop deck is a great place to be especially on a sunny day.

Reflections. Still one of my favorites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeHca_AW4OE Now one of my favorites: To the left you can see the actual Transamerica Pyramid. To the right you can see a reflection of the Transamerica Pyramid in the FiDi buildings. Either way it's a serene scene of seats and benches to enjoy lunch while taking a respite from the ever growing bustle of the city below. Reflect and enjoy.

What a treasure. Get yourself a salad or sandwich and waltz on up to the 15th Floor rooftop deck to enjoy views and sunshine. Bring your laptop fully charged and work for a few hours. Meet a friend. This place is a wonderful, but unknown treasure. A peaceful refuge right in the middle of downtown SF. A free spot in the middle of the financial district. Take advantage of it. It's here for YOU. The public. And it's delightful.

I don't know if I'm too picky or what, but I thought the spot was just okay. My office is just next to the Crocker Galleria, so maybe it's because I've been spoiled by the rooftop garden there. The space is somewhat smaller than I had imagined, but it's still nice and sunny, and a big place is that there are shady places to sit. You get a little sliver of the bay, but for the most part, it's surrounded by buildings that are much much taller.

This place could be a quiet little sanctuary in the city - a chance to get away from the overwhelming urban environment and relax. Or it could be a giant ash tray if the smokers have their way...

Twas a rare gorgeous day in San Francisco so I brought my whole company up here to have lunch. It definitely helps that we're outdoors breathing fresh air and getting some Vitamin C. I've even see folks tan shirtless up there before. There are a few tables but plenty of bench room. It's a getaway from the busyness that is downtown SF!

Yet another testament to how amazing San Francisco is! This little rooftop is tucked away on the 15th floor in FiDi. My coworker and I found this place via the SPUR Secret Places app. Sweet spot for a sunny day! We went during lunch hour and it was quite crowded. We didn't have a problem finding a seat, but if you'd like a table for two, head over early.

I agree with Annie S. that the Crocker rooftop is better, but that is because of the amazing smells from the restaurants, as for views this location is better. Take advantage of these free locations. Nice respite from the crazy loud streets.

Awesome place to go for a a meal or just to get away from the office, by yourself or with a group. I love rooftops! Overall its has a nice view from 2 different angles. A few chairs/small tables, and cement benches.

I love hanging out here It not only has a great view it's also always nice to escape the fAst pace of the city A local treasure for sure I personally just love great views Have fun and enjoy our city view You will not regret it oh and it does not smell like piss up here

A peaceful spot among the hustle of the financial district. Even at lunch hour this roof-deck wasn't crowded-- they have benches and small tables on top if you have food or work to do. Living on a student-intern budget has my lunch budget cheap, so my recommendation is to pack a lunch, grab a coffee at bluebottle down the street, and take in any sweet city sun! (Tip: closes at 5 so unfortunately don't try this as a sunset spot.)

Such a cool and secluded spot! Great place to chill for a bit, have lunch, or coffee!

I once watched a special on Popos on a local Bay Area program. No, I'm not talking about the show Cops. POPOS: Privately Owned Public Open Spaces. These are all over downtown SF and the majority are on building rooftops. They are best kept secrets of urban oases sprinkled all over FIDI. For a nice getaway from the office without having to go too far, these popos are the perfect quick escape on a lunch or break. 343 Sansome (15th floor sun terrace) has tables, chairs and benches for public use. It is landscaped nicely where you can feel the tranquility and peace of being momentarily away from the hustle and bustle. I'm diggin' the popos!

Walk in with confidence & go up to the 15th (yep - not the 16th!) floor. Really nice place to eat lunch. Just wish there were more / better lunch places around here.

Beautiful. And lots of tables to eat lunch at. Take the elevator to the 15th floor.

You just can't go wrong by visiting the privately owned public space at 343 Sansome on the 15th floor. It's quiet, the people are friendly (or just don't care) and the view is wonderful.

I visited about five rooftop gardens - this was my favourite. Lots of seating. I could see the ocean. Security guard was friendly and happily directed me to the elevator. Very well-maintained. There were even cushions on the chairs.

Pretty cool place for lunch. The entrance of the building is not very fancy or conspicuous, so I had to pay attention to the numbers to find this place, but I am so glad I did. Love the height (15 floors!) and being able to munch my lunch while observing the hustle-bustle down below. If you are in need of a quick get-away, this is as good as it gets!

Awesome lunch spot with a view of the downtown skyline. It's nice and quiet with plenty of tables and chairs to eat at.

The rooftop here is one of the best ones in the city in terms of location, space and cleanliness. Despite the size, it's very relaxed and peaceful. It gets packed on sunny days given the location but pretty open during off peak times (great for coffee breaks etc.). It does get windy up here so make sure your lunch/trash does not fly away.

I love this place so, I really should not be telling anyone. It is a great place on a sunny day and even on a semi cloudy day. I love that within moments I can be transported away from the noise of SF. It is a great place to take lunch or meet a friend.