Van Ness Avenue

Van Ness Avenue

Van Ness Avenue near San Francisco City Hall in 2024
Former name(s)	Marlette Street
Part of	US 101 between the Central Freeway and Lombard Street
Namesake	James Van Ness
Maintained by	San Francisco DPW, Caltrans
Length	4.2 mi (6.8 km)[1]
Nearest metro station	Van Ness station
South end	Cesar Chavez (Army) Street
Major junctions	US 101 south to I-80 east Mission Street Market Street Geary Boulevard US 101 north / Lombard Street
North end	Aquatic Park Pier

Van Ness Avenue is a north–south thoroughfare in San Francisco, California. Originally named Marlette Street, the street was renamed^[when?] in honor of the city's sixth mayor, James Van Ness.^[2][3]

The main part of Van Ness Avenue runs from Market Street near the Civic Center north to Bay Street at Fort Mason. South Van Ness Avenue is the portion of Van Ness south of Market Street, continuing through the city's South of Market and Mission districts to end at Cesar Chavez Street. This southern segment was formerly a continuation of Howard Street, having been renamed by resolution of the Board of Supervisors on August 22, 1932.^[4]

The route is designated US 101 from the Central Freeway at the convergence of South Van Ness, Howard Street, and 13th Street, north to Lombard Street.^[5] Landmarks along the route include the San Francisco City Hall, the War Memorial Opera House, and Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall.