Union Square
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Monday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Friday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
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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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Union Square
Originally home to rallies supporting the Union Army in the Civil War, this grand square has become the city's premier shopping and entertainment district containing the largest number of upscale department stores, chic boutiques, art galleries and theatres in the city. It's a large open area where tourists and locals gather, watch cable cars and crowds go by, enjoy a snack, or plan their day of shopping and sightseeing, If feeling the pulsating energy of the city is on your agenda, Union Square is the place to soak it in.
How to get there
  • Powell St • 5 min walk
  • Powell St • 5 min walk
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • Pranav Balachandar
    Tampa, Florida103 contributions
    City Centre of SF
    SF's prime area to enjoy evening & night life. Gets decorated during festive seasons like Hanukkah & Christmas. The place can get really crowded at times & finding free parking around the area can be a hassle. There's a coffee shop over there & a public restroom.
    Visited December 2022
    Written 7 March 2023
  • TravelingSoccerLoon
    Saint Paul, Minnesota3,188 contributions
    Shopping, Dining and Entertainment Area
    Lively area with large city plaza surrounded by high-end shopping, restaurants and the city's theater district. Beautifully decorated for Christmas in the winter with an outdoor ice-skating rink. The Cable Car turnaround is nearby.
    Visited October 2022
    Written 7 May 2023
  • Rosalie M
    Laguna Beach, California3 contributions
    San Francisco is still a beautiful city
    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.
    Visited May 2023
    Written 30 May 2023
  • Kelvin
    Dunedin, New Zealand574 contributions
    Very nice.
    We stopped off here while on a hop on hop off bus. The square is bustling and interesting and we as felt safe as here. We had a coffee and then just took in the atmosphere. A very nice way to spend a short time just walking around.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 July 2023
  • Thomas V
    Oakland, California16,415 contributions
    Still Beautiful and Full of People
    There has been a lot of bad press lately about this part of the City. I found the Square to be as pretty as ever, nicely decorated with lots of flowers and some outdoor art. Lots of people around on a sunny afternoon. The architecture surrounding remains grand. The only sad feature is that so many storefronts are empty as stores have closed. Come and sit and enjoy, it's safe and beautiful.
    Visited August 2023
    Written 14 August 2023
  • Nicko Bondar
    9 contributions
    Iconic place
    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.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 30 September 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.0
2,176 reviews
Excellent
687
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966
Average
401
Poor
78
Terrible
44

StephenCross
Dublin, Ireland18,410 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Union Square is the centre of the shopping area in San Francisco. The square itself is interesting with a monument in the middle.
Written 5 October 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
9 contributions
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.

Earnest L
9 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Great food shops and restaurants as well as hotels. Great location and availability. So much to see and do all in walking distance or take the trolley
Written 24 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.

A W
18 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This was my 4th time to SF and this place has gone down the toilet.

Union Square, whilst never the cleanest place is now quite disgusting. Closed down shops, many more homeless people and very dirty streets. There is a feel that local government have given up completely on what used to be one of the best cities in the world.

We headed down to Fisherman's Wharf which is in a similar state. Crappy markets everywhere selling, disgusting hotdogs and other foods. Couldnt wait to uber out of there.

What on earth happened to this place. We hid in our hotel room until it was over...
Written 15 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.

Eric
Boulder, CO3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Very fun square with lots of shopping opportunities! Just be cautious of pickpocketers, there are a few people trying to do that.
Written 27 August 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.

Thomas V
Oakland, CA16,415 contributions
Aug 2023
There has been a lot of bad press lately about this part of the City. I found the Square to be as pretty as ever, nicely decorated with lots of flowers and some outdoor art. Lots of people around on a sunny afternoon. The architecture surrounding remains grand. The only sad feature is that so many storefronts are empty as stores have closed. Come and sit and enjoy, it's safe and beautiful.
Written 14 August 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.

Catriona
New York City, NY3 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
The view and atmosphere were amazing, especially with San Francisco's year-round mild weather. Lots of stores and other attractions to tour, as well as places to walk around and take pictures. Overall, amazing vibes, I would come here again.
Written 14 August 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.

Jholman22
Maple ridge25 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
It’s a nice place to sit for a coffee, etc. surrounded by various shopping opportunities. A good photo op. Some homeless people settled there after dinner time.
Written 10 August 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.

DipuKV
Pune, India2,221 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
One of the nice locales in SF, Union Square lures you with a convenient location, shops aplenty & good spots for views & clicks.
Written 5 August 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.

Kelvin
Dunedin, New Zealand574 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We stopped off here while on a hop on hop off bus. The square is bustling and interesting and we as felt safe as here. We had a coffee and then just took in the atmosphere. A very nice way to spend a short time just walking around.
Written 4 July 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.

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Union Square (San Francisco) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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