San Francisco is famous for its Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and beautiful steep streets, but it’s also the home of thriving businesses. Excellent transport networks, restaurants, Chinatown, North Beach, Victorian mansions, the iconic Lombard Street, and Fisherman’s Wharf make San Francisco an excellent place to work. The city became a financial center of note since the first sprinkles of gold dust were discovered in California, and today it hosts the Pacific Stock Exchange and numerous banking headquarters, including Wells Fargo. If you are a freelancer, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better place to work from.
Renting a coworking space gives you a focused area where you can concentrate and really get into a “work mindset” without investing in expensive office space of your own. It also gives you an opportunity to mingle with other small business owners and freelancers who may become collaborators (or even clients!) in the future.
We’ve compiled a list of the best coworking spaces in San Francisco, in no particular order, to make it easier for you to find your spot.
The 22 Best coworking spaces in San Francisco
What makes a coworking space the best? The answer varies from freelancer to freelancer. You might be looking for a swanky office to impress clients, or just a friendly space where you can enjoy coffee (and bring your dog!) while you work. The list we’ve compiled is very diverse to reflect those differences, but you will definitely find something that meets your needs.
1. Trellis
Source: Trellis
The previous tenants, Covo, were something of a San Francisco institution offering highly collaborative coworking spaces for freelancers in the city. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic closed their doors, but Trellis has seamlessly picked up where they left off. Whether you run a team or work on your own, Trellis offers flexible and exciting workspaces to foster productivity and creativity. There are six bookable meeting rooms, as well as a bar where baristas serve fresh coffee and espresso (along with latte art with your name on it, literally) during the day and craft beers and wine at night.
Trellis is open 24/7, with options to rent a private office, dedicated desks, or open hotdesk seating. Monthly membership starts at $275 per month for open seating, dedicated desks from $375 per month, and private offices at $675. However, if you just need a desk for a day or two each week, you can buy a day pass for $28.
2. Werqwise
Source: Werqwise
Located within walking distance of the BART Montgomery Station, Caltrain 4th, and King Station, and just over 12 miles from the SFO airport, Werqwise offers a convenient coworking space for freelancers on the move. Private offices are available, but you can also spread out in the pod-like lounge and work without disruption for as long as you like.
Werqwise is in the middle of the SoMa district, with plenty of lunch and shopping options when you leave work. Lounge passes start at $45 per day, but you can also book a private office for the day for $100 when you really need to hunker down and concentrate.
3. Galvanize San Francisco
Source: Galvanize Coworking Space
San Francisco is located in the trendy East Cut of SoMa and offers five floors where freelancers can work and collaborate with innovators and creators. Being San Francisco, it’s highly tech-focused, offering indoor and outdoor venues, fast Internet, and conference rooms. There’s bike storage, full air conditioning, and a wellness room when you need some time out. The view from the rooftop is said to be spectacular, but the entire space has been beautifully decorated. It’s also pet-friendly, so you can bring Rover to work with you if you want to. Open seating will cost $350 per month, while a reserved desk comes at a cost of $550, and a private suite will set you back $800.
4. Mindspace San Francisco
Source: Mindspace San Francisco
Mindspace San Francisco is located inside the Market Center Building, between FiDi and SoMA. It offers more than 36,000 square feet of space, spanning three floors of private offices, comfortable loungers, and a large event space. It’s easily accessible for commuters stopping at the Montgomery Station or Transbay Terminal, and also within walking distance of hotspots like the Moscone Center, Ferry Building, or Union Square. Like all Mindspace offices, the decor is warm and friendly but highly professional. Amenities include refreshments, reception assistance, bike storage, phone booths, and meeting rooms.
5. Ecosystem Coworking
Source: Ecosystem Coworking
Ecosystem Coworking is a creative community that offers all the perks you need to keep your inspiration flowing as a freelancer. From Temple Nightclub on the first floor to the Skyline Lounge on the rooftop, there is plenty of art and music to enjoy in this coworking space. Members get VIP access to the Mirus Art Gallery, discounts at the EcoSystem Cafe, a business mailing address, bike parking, and lockers. There are also conference rooms and plenty of event spaces to hire for bigger events.
6. Industrious San Francisco
Source: Industrious Coworking Space
Industrious is known for their ultra-modern and convenient workspaces, and the San Francisco branch is no different. Located in the heart of the financial district, in Union Square, the space offers beautiful and contemporary office space with spectacular views over the city. Members can enjoy a game room, wellness room, unlimited color printing, and fruit-infused water on tap, along with gourmet tea and coffee. Access to public transportation, high-end shopping, and San Francisco’s buzzing restaurant scene is easy, and coworking options are flexible, so you are never locked in.
7. WeWork Salesforce Tower
Source: WeWork Salesforce Tower
Your WeWork membership will connect you to any of these locations and their services, which include access to high-speed Internet, IT assistance, daily maintenance, office supplies, 24/7 access to facilities, printers, and postal services. There are also the signature WeWork touches, including artisan beer on tap and micro-roasted coffee. There are 24 WeWork coworking spaces located around the city, but the Salesforce Tower location is truly special.
The space is located across three floors on the 36th–38th floors of the tallest building on the West Coast. Commuting is easy through the Transbay Transit Center next door, BART (two blocks from the office), and the freeway. There’s onsite parking and bike storage as well. The space has a full-service barista, three-story atrium, and floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s also a meditation room when you need a break.
8. Minnesota Street Project
Source: Street Project Coworking Space
The Minnesota Street Project is located in the Dogpatch area of San Francisco and offers coworking opportunities for artists. It was founded by two entrepreneurs, Deborah and Andy Rappoport, who wanted to support contemporary artists by providing cheap studio space. The area is perfect for freelancers who work as artists as you’ll be surrounded by art galleries and NGOs. The ever-popular San Francisco Art Book Fair is also hosted there. You’ll gain access to amenities like high-speed Wi-Fi, private rooms, community events, printers, scanners, and more to keep the business end of your art going, as well as security to keep your work safe.
9. Regus Mid-Market
Source: Regus Mid-Market
Regus Mid-Market in the Civic Hub district offers comfortable, affordable work spaces, a fitness center, and all of the amenities you’d expect, including access to printing, meeting rooms, and refreshments. There are 27 coworking desks along with numerous conference rooms and private offices to rent. The Mid-Market Regus is directly opposite the street of the likes of Twitter and Uber, so you’ll be in good company. Transport is accessible, but there is also secure underground parking if you need it.
10. Canopy Financial District
Source: Canopy Coworking Space
Canopy was designed by Yves Béhar, so you know the interiors are real works of art. Everything at Canopy is state of the art, from ergonomic Herman Miller chairs, Juicero juice presses, and video conferencing facilities to keep you connected. Members can enjoy fast Wi-Fi, technology consulting, desk phones, postal service, and printing. There are also regular events, including talks, seminars, and debates to enjoy. There are two other locations to choose from if the Financial District space doesn’t suit your commute: Jackson Square and Pacific Heights. Another branch will open in Silicon Valley soon.
11. Bespoke
Source: Bespoke
Bespoke, in downtown San Francisco, is the best spot to position yourself as a freelance retail-tech professional. Located at the Westfield Mall, which houses 200 shops and cafes, there are ample networking opportunities for you. Bespoke is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There’s Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, consumer-facing pop-up stores, a rock climbing wall, and regular events. Bespoke will support you through Beta testing, connections, and growth model as well. We especially love the digital facades they use, which will remind you of Times Square. Day passes sell for $35, but you can buy a monthly hotdesking package for $416 or a dedicated desk for $644 per month.
12. Anchor Coworking Space in San Francisco
Source: Anchor Coworking Space
Anchor is located right in the Central Business District. Unlike many of the coworking spots we’ve examined, Anchor doesn’t charge membership fees. Instead, you can book floating workstations on an as-needed basis without any long-term obligation on your part. They also offer try-before-you-buy spots if you are new to coworking and want to try it out. Monthly booking starts at around $225, which includes color printing, AppleTV, access to meeting rooms, a meditation space, games tables, and more. Day passes are available at only $20. Talks and activities are scheduled all the time, so you’ll be able to learn and network while on the job.
13. Center for New Music Coworking Space in San Francisco
Source: The Center for New Music
Freelancers who work in the music industry will love this coworking space. The Center for New Music offers coworking space for aspiring musicians, singers, composers, and business executives in the music industry to help one another. There are also regular art displays, concerts, and other events you can enjoy as a member. You can rent a workstation or rehearsal room, or just relax in the Library.
14. RocketSpace
Source: RocketSpace San Francisco
RocketSpace is a great place to be if you want to work with tech clients. RocketSpace offers free Cloud computing credits, and more than half of their clients operate on an international level. Aside from incredible views and hot showers, this venue offers 150 rise-fall desks, white boards, lounges, valet parking, and easy access to the Embarcadero Station. The space focuses on more established businesses as well as freelancers and start-ups, taking coworking from a place to sit to a place to grow. There are also regular workshops and classes for entrepreneurs that want to access seed funding to take their work to the next level. If you are a freelancer but want to grow your business into a larger company, this is the place to be.
15. Runway San Francisco Coworking Space
Source: Runway
Runway falls somewhere between an accelerator and a hotdesking spot. The company focuses on the tech industry and forming connections between startups, freelancers, and corporate companies through targeted networking events. There are also additional benefits, including Google Cloud credits. Packages are closely tailored, so it’s worth investigating what you can get for your budget. The company relocated from Market Street to the 10th floor of 160 Spear Street, close to the Transbay Terminal, the Embarcadero BART, and Muni Stops for your convenience. The downstairs building features a beautifully sheltered, plant-filled courtyard which is perfect for lunch meetings or working outside on a sunny day. There is the Rincon Center, a huge food hall with cafes and counter-serve meals, plus local and organic grocery stores across the street. You’re always walking distance from the Ferry Building and waterfront.
16. The Port Workspace
Source: The Port Workspace
The Port is an iconic three-story building at the entrance of the Jack London Square. Dating back to 1909, this landmark was built astride the terminus of the first Transcontinental railroad. Inside, it’s as modern as it gets. You can bring your dog to work with you to enjoy the outdoor terrace, or take advantage of the makerspace, event venue, educational programming, and networking opportunities. Pricing starts at around $500 per person.
17. Connections
Source: Connections San Francisco
Connections San Francisco is located in Club Quarters Hotel in the Clay Street precinct, just two blocks from the Transamerica Pyramid. It’s bold, colorful, and energetic. It boasts a great transit score, excellent support staff, a stunning lobby, and access to fitness rooms and meeting spaces. There are regular networking events for savvy freelancers to mingle and meet. Hot desks are priced at $400 per month, dedicated desks start at $450, and there are private offices for rent as well.
18. Spaces Mission and 3rd
Source: Spaces San Francisco
Spaces Mission & 3rd in the SoMA neighborhood offers a colorful space inside the Paramount building where creative freelancers can work and collaborate. Just three blocks from the Financial District and Union Square, this is an excellent base to launch a business or acquire new clients. There are plenty of restaurants for working lunches, art galleries, and festivals to enjoy after hours, too. Just a stone’s throw from Yerba Buena Gardens and its greenery, you’ll be sure to draw inspiration from this space.
19. WeWork Waterfront Plaza
Source: WeWork Waterfront Plaza
This North Beach coworking space is described as “drenched in sunshine and seabreeze” on the WeWork website. Those traveling via rail can access the space with a mere 4-minute walk from the Embarcadero and Sansome Street stations, or use the shuttle from the Montgomery BART Station, and there’s parking two blocks away if you travel by car. For the more active, Ford GoBikes can be found nearby as well. WeWork Waterfront Plaza is equipped with modern meeting rooms, private offices, and all the amenities you need to do your work. There are several excellent restaurants in the area, including Pier 39 (where you can watch the sea lions) and the Hillstone eatery.
20. Carr Workplaces Embarcadero
Source: Carr Workplaces Embarcadero
Carr Workplaces Embarcadero is set in the heart of the Embarcadero Center, a perfect touchdown spot to meet your Silicon Valley or FiDi clients. There are spectacular views overlooking Ferry Park and amenities that include 24/7 security, in-building parking, and rapid access to the BART Embarcadero Station.
Final thoughts
Coworking can save money, but it can also open up doors for you. Many of San Francisco’s modern coworking spaces offer a lot more than free coffee and after-work beers. They offer excellent opportunities to network, classes, and mentorship. Whether you are just starting out your freelancing career, or looking for some guidance to grow even more, coworking can help. Don’t forget that Indy has a range of tools you can use to keep track of your contacts and projects while you are on the go!
Indy is a one-stop-shop for all your business needs. Create contracts, send invoices, share files, and track your hours, all from the same easy-to-use yet powerful dashboard. Start your free trial today and see it for yourself.
