When I organize a lunch outing for my co-workers, my go-to spot is Crocker Galleria. The food court offers a variety of dining options, which always goes over well with a large group, and on Thursdays there is a Farmer’s Market on the first floor. However, the best part of this mall isn’t actually a part of the mall – it’s the two secret rooftop terraces that connect the Galleria to the adjacent Wells Fargo Bank. These terraces are a part of a network of 68 Privately Owned Public Open Space (POPOS) across downtown San Francisco.
This POPOS can be accessed by a staircase in the northwest corner of the Galleria’s top floor. With plenty of seating in shaded areas, it’s perfect for large groups. And the real treat is by exiting through Wells Fargo Bank. The public can take the elevator down to the basement, where they can get an up-close glimpse of the bank vault. Layers of heavy metal gates prevent people from entering, however it’s completely worth the visit to see the series of safety deposit boxes inset into the wall.
