Union Square

San Francisco

Union Square featuring a city and a skyscraper
Union Square featuring a city, street scenes and signage
Union Square featuring a city, a monument and a square or plaza
Union Square showing street scenes and a city as well as a large group of people
Union Square showing street scenes, a city and signage

Fashion puts on its finest face in one of the country’s largest shopping plazas.

Union Square, located downtown, is a fashion nexus of department stores and upscale boutiques. Shop for high-end labels like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Burberry and Hugo Boss. For a uniquely San Francisco shopping experience, head to Gump's where the well-heeled come for home décor. Within a few blocks you can pick up the latest looks from the catwalk, as well as classic antiques and jewellery. Shopping in the square is a year-round activity, with early morning being the quietest period to hit the stores.

The city’s central hub of retail was dedicated by its first mayor John Geary in 1850 and named after the pro-union Civil War rallies that were held here. The name, Union Square, refers to the park that is bordered by Geary, Powell, Post and Stockton streets. It was conceived to be a green oasis and public plaza.

By the 1880s this was a smart residential district, but the famous San Francisco fire and earthquake of 1906 devastated the area’s hotels and shops. It was rebuilt, better than ever, and today Union Square is a premier shopping and dining area with a lively and historic character.

At the centre of this public plaza is the impressive Dewey Monument, a tall Corinthian column topped by a bronze statue of the goddess Victory bearing a trident. This landmark commemorates Admiral George Dewey’s decisive win at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish American War. There are also modern art sculptures to view, as well as plenty of spots in the sun, at cafés or on the stone steps, to just watch the world go by.

Parking is tricky but the best, if pricey, option is the parking station right underneath the square. Completed in 1934, it was the world's first underground parking structure. Or, hop on one of the quintessential antique streetcars that pass Union Square at regular intervals.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Union Square Hotel Deals

Hilton San Francisco Union Square

Hilton San Francisco Union Square

4 out of 5
333 O'Farrell St., San Francisco, CA
The price is CA $170 per night from Aug 28 to Aug 29
CA $170
CA $256 total
Aug 28 - Aug 29
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy 2 bars/lounges, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,069 reviews)
"Amazing stay. The employees are so nice and helpful"

Reviewed on Aug. 12, 2025

Hilton San Francisco Union Square
Handlery Union Square Hotel

Handlery Union Square Hotel

3.5 out of 5
351 Geary St, San Francisco, CA
The price is CA $188 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
CA $188
CA $222 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,619 reviews)
Okay Stay - Wasn’t Amazed
"Six-night stay while vacationing in the Bay Area. The hotel is conveniently located close to public transit, shopping, and restaurants. It is a bustling area with a lot of street noise, so the higher up you can get on the floors, the better. I was lucky to be on the top floor, but one of biggest ..."

Reviewed on Aug. 14, 2025

Handlery Union Square Hotel
Hotel Nikko San Francisco

Hotel Nikko San Francisco

4.5 out of 5
222 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
The price is CA $248 per night from Sep 13 to Sep 14
CA $248
CA $355 total
Sep 13 - Sep 14
includes taxes & fees
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! (2,501 reviews)
"Room was so clean and large, has shower and buthtub which was great!"

Reviewed on Aug. 13, 2025

Hotel Nikko San Francisco
Chancellor Hotel on Union Square

Chancellor Hotel on Union Square

3.5 out of 5
433 Powell St, San Francisco, CA
The price is CA $136 per night from Aug 19 to Aug 20
CA $136
CA $160 total
Aug 19 - Aug 20
includes taxes & fees
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! (2,876 reviews)
"Staff was great at every step. Wonderful location. Off site parking was a breeze."

Reviewed on Aug. 10, 2025

Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
citizenM San Francisco Union Square

citizenM San Francisco Union Square

4 out of 5
72 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is CA $205 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
CA $205
CA $241 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,325 reviews)
"Small but well equipped rooms. Good breakfast."

Reviewed on Aug. 7, 2025

citizenM San Francisco Union Square
The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square

4.5 out of 5
335 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA
The price is CA $232 per night from Sep 5 to Sep 6
CA $232
CA $331 total
Sep 5 - Sep 6
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,518 reviews)
"Got off to a terrible start with an incredibly long wait at check in but everything else more than made up for it. Great location, excellent service and helpful staff."

Reviewed on Aug. 10, 2025

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on 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

Default Image

Downtown San Francisco

2.5/5(84 area reviews)

Serving as San Francisco's central business district, this area boasts Northern California's two tallest buildings, the Salesforce Tower and Transamerica Pyramid. Explore shopping malls like the Embarcadero Center and enjoy parks such as Sue Biermann Park, all easily accessible via Muni bus and rail lines.

Downtown San Francisco
Chinatown showing street scenes

Chinatown

4/5(26 area reviews)

Dragon's Gate and Spofford Alley are top sights in Chinatown, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Chinatown-Rose Pak Stop or Powell St & Clay St Stop to see more sights in the area.

Chinatown
Nob Hill featuring street scenes and a city

Nob Hill

4.5/5(124 area reviews)

Luxury hotels, historic mansions, and Michelin-starred restaurants abound in this upscale area. Explore Union Square shopping district, Grace Cathedral, and the SF Masonic Auditorium for a taste of culture and history.

Nob Hill
Financial District - Ferry Building

Financial District

4.5/5(76 area reviews)

Enjoy the popular shops in Financial District. Embarcadero Center is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at California St & Front St Stop or California St & Battery St Stop to see more of San Francisco.

Financial District
South of Market showing skyline, a city and city views

South of Market

3.5/5(292 area reviews)

Oracle Park and Chase Center are top sights in South of Market, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Yerba Buena-Moscone Station or Fourth-Brannan Station to see more sights in the area.

South of Market
Civic Center

Civic Center

1/5(1 area review)

Noted for its shopping and restaurants, there's plenty to explore in Civic Center. Top attractions like Asian Art Museum of San Francisco and Civic Center Plaza are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Van Ness Station or Market St & Van Ness Ave Stop to see more of the city.

Civic Center


Union Square

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