Union Square San Francisco
Located deep in the heart of the City of San Francisco, Union Square is the acknowledged shopping, hotel, and theater Mecca of the city. It has the largest collection of classy boutiques, large department stores, souvenir shops, and salons in the West Coast. Its grand hotels and quaint inns, as well as its repertory, off Broadway, and single-act theaters contribute to the areas lively 24-hr. scene.
Union Square derives its name from the 1 block park positioned along the streets of Post, Geary, Powell, and Stockton. Its history dates back to the Civil War era when it started out as a simple marker deep within the city. Through the years, Union Square has undergone a few yet significant changes: the 1906 San Francisco earthquake destroyed most of the buildings surrounding it; the early 1940s saw the installation of a large underground parking area and the reconstruction of the park above it; and in the 1990s, the square was remodeled again to create more paved surfaces for easier maintenance and the installation of outdoor cafes.
Union Square has also been the ceremonial center of San Francisco, serving as the choice location of many outdoor public concerts, impromptu protest rallies, moving speeches by visiting dignitaries, and the annual Christmas Tree and Menorah. It could be easily accessed through the 2 cable car lines that pass the square on Powell Street. It is also served by numerous trolley and bus lines and the F Market streetcar. The Muni Metro and BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) subway systems both serve the area at the nearby Powell Street Station. During large gatherings, public views of the park can be had from such high places as the Saint Francis Hotel tower, the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, Macy’s top floor, and the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
Union Square Information
Aside from the park proper and its immediate vicinity, Union Square has also come to describe the general shopping, dining, and theater sub-districts within the surrounding blocks. The Geary and Curran theaters one block west on Geary anchor the theater district; at the end of Powell Street two blocks south is a growing retail corridor that leads to the Yerba Buena Gardens; with its own arts and entertainment centers, more large hotels, the Moscone Convention Center and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Also south of Market near Yerba Buena Gardens is the US Mint, built in 1874. Nob Hill, with its grand mansions, apartment buildings and hotels, stands to the northwest of Union Square. This area is also home to some of the most upscale luxury hotels in San Francisco. To the north is Chinatown, with its gate at Grant Avenue and Bush Street, one of the largest Chinese communities outside Asia. To the east, along Bush Street is the historic French Quarter, home to the city’s first French settlers. Directly east of the Square is Maiden Lane, a narrow alley of exclusive shops and cafes that leads to the Financial District.
Union Square is the ideal focal point of a tour of San Francisco due to its proximity to numerous attractions and the amenities it provides.