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Union Square
About
A shopper's paradise, this bustling square near the theater district has everything from upscale department stores and boutiques to discount houses. After a $25-million facelift in 2002, the cosmopolitan hub boasts a huge amphitheater, granite pedestals on which street entertainers perform and a tree and flower-lined environment in which to enjoy an espresso or an elegant meal.
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Top ways to experience Union Square
The area
Neighbourhood: Downtown San Francisco
How to get there
  • Powell St • 4 min walk
  • Powell St • 5 min walk
See what travellers are saying
  • andyh67186334
    Coalville, United Kingdom10,913 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Shopping and Dining
    Union Square was four blocks down from my hotel, and was useful for retail and dining purposes. There is plenty of choice, but tailored more to the mid to luxury budget range. I used Macy's for shopping and the Cheesecake Factory for dining.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 21 January 2024
  • Laurence P
    Newhaven, United Kingdom285 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Iconic Square
    A lot of people say stay clear, but we went and had grea fun. It has a good range of high end stores. The square itself is iconic and has a good vibe. We passed through a good few times when int heis part of town.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 18 August 2024
  • Thomas V
    Oakland, California18,221 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Old Center, Times are Changing
    I do love this area, even though it is going through a rough patch. Traditionally the center of retail and shopping, but times have changed as people shop from home. There are some stores around. And there are big hotels. The square in the middle is very grand with things going on and places to sit. Very attractive. Times are changing.
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 29 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles2,191 reviews
Excellent
691
Very good
970
Average
407
Poor
79
Terrible
44

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Jack
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
I provide free walking tours for SF City Guides, a nonprofit program affiliated with the SF Public Library. I end my tour at Union Square. Over the years I have brought hundreds of domestic and international tourists to the square. Prior to Covid I know the Union Square Alliance positioned security personnel on the square to ensure a "high quality visitor experience". Can you please explain to me if there has been a change in policy as since Covid I have witnessed the proliferation of skateboarders on the square? This afternoon I saw five or so skateboarders doing tricks off the northeast steps of the plaza. Clearly placing themselves and square visitors at risk. I was too embarrassed and fearful for the safety of my walkers to enter the plaza from the northeast corner.
Written 12 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Munir D
Toronto, Canada704 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Couples
We stayed at the Hilton Hotel which was a walking distance from the Union Square. This is a good area with many department stores like Macy’s, restaurants and theatres. The park is resplendent with palm and yew trees, flowers and stone benches.

One often sights flower vendors here along with street artists and musicians. There also are a lot of pigeons.

There are a lot of homeless people in the area. It’s best to overlook them or assist them in a small way if they are not on drugs.

Munir D.
Written 6 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sharrongeg
Henderson, NV3,776 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021
Whenever we visit The City, we end up on Union Square looking at the seasonal decorations. This year we chose to arrange to meet family here and it was a piece of cake. “Meet at the Christmas Tree in Union Square”

This year they had a small ice skating rink set up with holiday music playing over the speakers.
Written 1 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rosalie M
Laguna Beach, CA4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023
San Francisco is still a beautiful city by the bay. Don't believe what the media says. Enjoy a weekend at the Orchard Hotel on Bush Street, a very central location. Close to Union Square, Nob Hill, China Town, North Beach, Embarcadero and Ferry Building. Great Jazz at numerous hotspots, great restaurants, SFMOMA is wonderful and you can walk all over the city. Walked 9 miles in one day and didn't even realize it. Golden Gate Park is also a must. Enjoy your visit.
Written 30 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nicko Bondar
17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Solo
I had a fantastic experience at Union Square in San Francisco. Here are excellent shops and restaurants. Its central location makes it a perfect starting point for exploring the city, either on foot or by taking the cable cars nearby. The palm trees and the surrounding architecture make this place unique. I had some concerns about cleanliness and closed storefronts, but I found Union Square to be still a vibrant and convenient destination for a memorable visit to San Francisco.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AndreaUbok
Florida4,120 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Couples
An attractive public space in the middle of an upscale shopping district With lots of comfortable spaces to sit and talk. Coffee shop, florist, ort display, musical performance & beautiful foliage.
After hours it began to get a little seedy With beggars, people screaming and cursing and others on microphones yelling about Jesus.
Written 12 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Arun K
Nagpur District, India3,374 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Couples
Union Square is a public plaza in the down town of SF , surrounded by the plaza of several blocks & is referred as centre for shopping, eateries & theatres .
Generally a very safe area for tourist to visit & spend positive time , as it is in the neighbourhood with abundant retail therapy, not to mention the fine hotels, great meals and green space to sit outside & enjoy San Francisco’s pleasant climate .
A public place with great environment !
Written 20 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hinahina
東京2,334 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
It was a park (square) that was an easy landmark to find even for beginners looking at a city map.

There were umbrellas and it felt like a place to relax in the center, but when I visited in the evening, I saw a lot of homeless people.

I didn't see anything particularly dangerous, but it seems best to avoid it during times when there are fewer people around.
Google
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Traveleator
Singapore, Singapore1,152 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
Union Square is the city center which has quite a lot of good shopping options. There are many hotels and restaurants in the vicinity. I didn't see as many homeless people as I had feared (most of them were along Market). The square isn't a beautiful sight to behold. Just a nice place to watch people go by either living their lives or vacationing like you and I. Chinatown isn't too far and deserves a visit.
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GlobeTrotterChicago
Palos Park, IL218 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Friends
Union Square is San Francisco’s high-end shopping area. My niece and I made a point of going over, since it gets great reviews. If you’re from NYC or Chicago and short on time, don’t bother. Been there done that on a grander scale. From anywhere else, give it a look and stop at the Cheesecake Factory for some cheesecake at their rooftop restaurant.
Written 13 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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UNION SQUARE (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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