Maiden Lane
Maiden Lane
3.5
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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.
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3.5
27 reviews
Excellent
5
Very good
12
Average
7
Poor
3
Terrible
0
jimnhelen
Brisbane, Australia1,964 contributions
Jun 2015 β’ Solo
Maiden Lane is one of the oldest streets in San Francisco and originally it used to lead to the original port in San Francisco where the dock workers and prostitutes used to ply their trades! It is only a small street with some interesting shops along the street. The Romper Room is near the corner of Maiden Lane and is a funky bar and cafe which at night no doubt is a great little cosy bar. During the day it advertises that they serve the best coffee although this is debatable as it was fairly standard American coffee! (There is also an excellent camera store around the corner if you are a photographer)
Written July 28, 2015
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.
mini
Fremont, CA212,259 contributions
Mar 2015 β’ Family
Maiden Lane used to be part of the red light district. Now it is a peaceful pedestrian street during the late morning to evening with a handful of upscale stores, art gallery, and cafes. There are some business offices on the street as well.
Its key to know that Maiden Lane runs between Geary and Post Streets to see the lane (or one could just see part and wonder where some of the better known places are.). You will need to cross a street to see the entire Maiden Lane.
There is also a gate that closes from 11 - 6 that makes this a pedestrian mall walking area and makes it peaceful and a good place to walk.
There are relaxing cafes I have enjoyed on a sunny day such as Mocca; later in they day for cocktails Romper Room.
For shopping, for fine colorful fabrics, Britex Fabrics. For high end Asian Folk Art, Xanadu Gallery. One can also enter Gumps from Maiden Lane. (i.e. several of the stores have an entance on other streets in San Francisco as well.)
its very close to Union Square area. Its not a place where one will find multiple shops like a shopping mall, but its a peaceful oasis to walk and I enjoy Maiden Lane especially mid week on a sunny day.. A couple of streets over on the big streets one will find traffic, busy sidewalks, etc. Its more like an "oasis" in the middle of the shopping area with a few places to go.
There is also a Frank Lloyd Wright on the street.
Some might rate it average if they are looking for action; for me its very good as its peaceful and a good place to walk during the day between busy areas. On a sunny day its nice to enjoy a relaxing lunch.
Its key to know that Maiden Lane runs between Geary and Post Streets to see the lane (or one could just see part and wonder where some of the better known places are.). You will need to cross a street to see the entire Maiden Lane.
There is also a gate that closes from 11 - 6 that makes this a pedestrian mall walking area and makes it peaceful and a good place to walk.
There are relaxing cafes I have enjoyed on a sunny day such as Mocca; later in they day for cocktails Romper Room.
For shopping, for fine colorful fabrics, Britex Fabrics. For high end Asian Folk Art, Xanadu Gallery. One can also enter Gumps from Maiden Lane. (i.e. several of the stores have an entance on other streets in San Francisco as well.)
its very close to Union Square area. Its not a place where one will find multiple shops like a shopping mall, but its a peaceful oasis to walk and I enjoy Maiden Lane especially mid week on a sunny day.. A couple of streets over on the big streets one will find traffic, busy sidewalks, etc. Its more like an "oasis" in the middle of the shopping area with a few places to go.
There is also a Frank Lloyd Wright on the street.
Some might rate it average if they are looking for action; for me its very good as its peaceful and a good place to walk during the day between busy areas. On a sunny day its nice to enjoy a relaxing lunch.
Written March 12, 2015
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.
bbb57aolcom
san francisco1,106 contributions
Jun 2014 β’ Solo
THE HISTORY --- Check out their website (maiden-lane.com)
Prior to the 1906 earthquake, the street was called Morton Street and was the center of San Franciscoβs red-light district. There was often one murder a week in this area. The earthquake, which leveled much of the city, rendered this two-block stretch rubble.
Once rebuilt, it was renamed Maiden Lane by an enterprising jeweler who wanted to conjure the Maiden Lanes of London and New York which explains a great of the resemblance to the SoHo neighborhood in New York City.
TODAY
The street is closed to vehicle traffic so it is now a pedestrian-only street. There are a number of shops and restaurants (outdoor seating on the street is allowed) and reminds me of the city squares in Europe.
Prior to the 1906 earthquake, the street was called Morton Street and was the center of San Franciscoβs red-light district. There was often one murder a week in this area. The earthquake, which leveled much of the city, rendered this two-block stretch rubble.
Once rebuilt, it was renamed Maiden Lane by an enterprising jeweler who wanted to conjure the Maiden Lanes of London and New York which explains a great of the resemblance to the SoHo neighborhood in New York City.
TODAY
The street is closed to vehicle traffic so it is now a pedestrian-only street. There are a number of shops and restaurants (outdoor seating on the street is allowed) and reminds me of the city squares in Europe.
Written June 13, 2014
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.
Kittygal πΊπ¦ π»
Los Angeles, CA8,776 contributions
Mar 2022 β’ Solo
Back in the days when I lived here as a grad student, Maiden Lane was already an exclusive shopping area. I patronized Britex for my sewing needs, and visited Orvis during their sales. And I experiencing the only Frank Lloyd Wright designed building in the city, at No. 140.
On my recent visit, I had a wander down the familiar lane. It looked the same: polished, exclusive, regal. The shops are decidedly more expensive now, and the pandemic has limited easy access to No.140, perhaps forever.
Kind of a bittersweet time walk for me, but the spot is looking as nice as ever, and well worth a stroll.
On my recent visit, I had a wander down the familiar lane. It looked the same: polished, exclusive, regal. The shops are decidedly more expensive now, and the pandemic has limited easy access to No.140, perhaps forever.
Kind of a bittersweet time walk for me, but the spot is looking as nice as ever, and well worth a stroll.
Written March 17, 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.
byrl12345
Calgary12 contributions
May 2013 β’ Solo
Please go to this little gem of architecture tucked away on a sweet street, Maiden Lane, not far from Union Square.
Written May 15, 2013
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, CA17,691 contributions
Mar 2017
A pedestrian street just off Union Square with some shopping, food and drinks. Being away from traffic is a pleasure.
Written April 4, 2017
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.
StanleyandMarie
Ontario, Canada1,154 contributions
Jan 2016 β’ Couples
We visited this spot as part of a Hitchcock tour (yes, this area was filmed in one of his movies. It was also known as the "red light district" many years ago with more than 1200 prostitutes walking this tiny area. The only building Frank Lloyd Wright designed in SF is also here (an art gallery now). Worth taking a look if you are in Union Square area simply for its history.
Written January 31, 2016
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.
Rumples
Tucson, AZ11,716 contributions
Jan 2016 β’ Couples
This short street runs for two blocks from Stockton at Union Square to Grant and from Grant to Kearny. It features cafes and upscale shops, such as Chanel, Hermes and Prada. Maiden Lane closes to vehicular traffic between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and I find it fun to stroll here during those hours in nice weather when the cafes offer outside seating and there is much activity.
The lane's history includes a notorious period before the 1906 earthquake when it served as the city's red light district. As an architecture buff, however, I like the tangible evidence of what happened here in 1948. That's when the only Frank Lloyd Wright building in San Francisco went up at #140. It features the interior ramp theme that Wright used in New York City's Guggenheim Museum and exterior arched brick work to lure potential customers inside rather than traditional windows for displays.
On each of my San Francisco visits, I go to Maiden Lane to look at Wright's work. On this trip, I was surprised to see that its most recent tenant, the Xanadu Gallery, had left and the space was for lease. I hope the next tenant will have a business that allows passersby to enter the airy interior.
The lane's history includes a notorious period before the 1906 earthquake when it served as the city's red light district. As an architecture buff, however, I like the tangible evidence of what happened here in 1948. That's when the only Frank Lloyd Wright building in San Francisco went up at #140. It features the interior ramp theme that Wright used in New York City's Guggenheim Museum and exterior arched brick work to lure potential customers inside rather than traditional windows for displays.
On each of my San Francisco visits, I go to Maiden Lane to look at Wright's work. On this trip, I was surprised to see that its most recent tenant, the Xanadu Gallery, had left and the space was for lease. I hope the next tenant will have a business that allows passersby to enter the airy interior.
Written January 19, 2016
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.
Netta
Stevenage, UK179 contributions
Jan 2016 β’ Solo
Although Maiden Lane has a relatively interesting history (being the red light district once upon time) today this small pedestrian lane is rather dull. Yes there are some designers stores, Marni and Channel etc, but there aren't that many and the street itself is pretty dull and dark.
Written January 17, 2016
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.
Houston N
Franklin, TN1,734 contributions
Aug 2015 β’ Couples
One of the oldest streets in San Fran with a colorful (red light) history. You will enjoy strolling along Maiden Lane and seeing some of the upscale shops.
Written September 3, 2015
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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