Union Square Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Union Square which includes a skyscraper and a city
Union Square showing city views, signage and street scenes
Union Square showing central business district, a city and street scenes
Union Square showing street scenes and a city as well as a large group of people
Union Square featuring central business district, a city and street scenes
Packed with a treasure trove of upmarket boutiques, designer labels and department store, shoppers will love this huge shopping plaza.

Union Square is one of the largest shopping plazas in the United States, and always a huge draw for visitors to San Francisco.

Visitors to Union Square will find themselves among some of the finest upmarket and glamorous names in the world of fashion. High-end labels like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Burberry and Hugo Boss all have a presence here. A few blocks away, you can pick up the latest designs straight from the catwalk. Alongside, you’ll also find both quaint and expensive antiques and jewellery. Shopping in Union Square is a popular pastime all year round thanks to the choice of shops and San Francisco’s temperate climate.

In addition to the designer stores, there is a fair share of local colour and character. If you make a beeline for Gump’s, a particular popular haunt for locals, then you can pick up some of the most stylish home decor that money can buy.

Union Square was dedicated by the first mayor of the city, John Geary, back in 1850, and named after the pro-union Civil War rallies which were held here. The name itself refers to the park in San Francisco, which was originally created as a green haven and public plaza within the increasingly bustling cityscape.

A few decades later, this location had developed in a chic and fashionable residential district. However, disaster was to strike the region early in the twentieth century, when the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 devastated the area’s hotels and shops. The community and area was rebuilt, though, and today the area is better than ever a prime shopping and dining region, with a unique, colourful character.

The plaza also features the totemic Dewey Monument, a tall Corinthian column which features a bronze statue of the goddess Victory accompanied by a trident. A number of modern art sculptures are also on display in the square.

Parking can be tricky in this area. The best way to Union Square is by taking one of the characterful antique streetcars which pass by Union Square at regular intervals.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Union Square Hotel Deals

Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
3.5 out of 5
433 Powell St, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$205 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
AU$205
includes taxes & fees
13 Apr - 14 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,659 reviews)
"The hotel is an older completely remodeled facility. The amenities in the room were excellent, adequate lighting, chairs and electrical outlets. Room is fairly small but adequate. Parking in the area is a major challenge, and very expensive. Parking furnished at extra cost by the hotel was valet ..."

Reviewed on 30 Mar. 2025

Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
Parc 55 San Francisco - A Hilton Hotel
Parc 55 San Francisco - A Hilton Hotel
4 out of 5
55 Cyril Magnin St, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$254 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
AU$254
includes taxes & fees
11 Apr - 12 Apr
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,291 reviews)
"Rooms are dated for the price. But clean and exceptional customer service."

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2025

Parc 55 San Francisco - A Hilton Hotel
Hotel Nikko San Francisco
Hotel Nikko San Francisco
4.5 out of 5
222 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$390 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
AU$390
includes taxes & fees
5 Apr - 6 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a nightclub, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,280 reviews)
"We stay here at least once a year. The property is immaculate, comfortable, well maintained, with great amenities. One of the reasons this is our favorite place to stay is the Japanese breakfast option. The main reason we return year after year is because of the staff. Without exception, every staff ..."

Reviewed on 30 Mar. 2025

Hotel Nikko San Francisco
Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel
Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel
4 out of 5
450 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$382 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
AU$382
includes taxes & fees
11 Apr - 12 Apr
Stay at this 4-star historic hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,327 reviews)
"super nice! staff was amazing and breakfast (although pricey) was delicious!"

Reviewed on 29 Mar. 2025

Beacon Grand, A Union Square Hotel
Handlery Union Square Hotel
Handlery Union Square Hotel
3.5 out of 5
351 Geary St, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$279 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
AU$279
includes taxes & fees
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,310 reviews)
"Everything was good"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2025

Handlery Union Square Hotel
citizenM San Francisco Union Square
citizenM San Francisco Union Square
4 out of 5
72 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is AU$260 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
AU$260
includes taxes & fees
13 Apr - 14 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,187 reviews)
"Our new favorite property in the City. Yes, the rooms are small but very quaint and has everything you need. Great location and wonderful "hanging out" area on the 3rd floor. Outstanding value."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2025

citizenM San Francisco Union Square
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Union Square

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Downtown San Francisco

3/5(34 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Francisco. Top attractions like Oracle Park and Chase Center are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

Downtown San Francisco
Chinatown showing street scenes

Chinatown

4/5(20 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Chinatown. Dragon's Gate is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Chinatown-Rose Pak Stop or Powell St & Clay St Stop to see more of San Francisco.

Chinatown
Nob Hill showing street scenes and a city

Nob Hill

4/5(59 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from Grace Cathedral to SF Masonic Auditorium – discover Nob Hill, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Nob Hill
Financial District - Ferry Building

Financial District

4/5(16 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants Chinatown and top sights from Embarcadero Center to TransAmerica Pyramid – discover Financial District, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Financial District
South of Market which includes skyline, a park and cbd

South of Market

3.5/5(101 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants great entertainment and top sights from Oracle Park to Chase Center – discover South of Market, a destination also famous for its shopping.

South of Market
North Beach which includes skyline and a city

North Beach

4.5/5(124 area reviews)

Travellers love North Beach for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Columbus Ave & Lombard St Stop or Columbus Ave & Chestnut St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay.

North Beach


Union Square Travel Guide

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