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
Neighborhood: 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 theaters 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 travelers are saying
  • TravelingSoccerLoon
    Saint Paul, Minnesota3,476 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    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 May 7, 2023
  • Rosalie M
    Laguna Beach, California3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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 May 30, 2023
  • Kelvin
    Dunedin, New Zealand574 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    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
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 4, 2023
  • Thomas V
    Oakland, California16,858 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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 August 14, 2023
  • Nicko Bondar
    9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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
    Traveled solo
    Written September 30, 2023
  • andyh67186334
    Coalville, United Kingdom6,835 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
    Traveled solo
    Written January 21, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles2,178 reviews
Excellent
686
Very good
967
Average
402
Poor
79
Terrible
44

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 February 12, 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, Canada645 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 August 6, 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, NV3,291 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 January 1, 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, CA3 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 May 30, 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
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 September 30, 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
Florida2,730 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 June 12, 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, India2,933 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 July 20, 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.

Traveleator
Singapore, Singapore1,209 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 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 February 20, 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, IL205 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 June 13, 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.

Pranav Balachandar
Tampa, FL110 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
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.
Written March 8, 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 - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Union Square

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