Union Square

San Francisco

Union Square which includes a high rise building and a city
Union Square featuring signage, street scenes and a city
Union Square which includes a square or plaza, a city and central business district
Union Square which includes a city and street scenes as well as a large group of people
Union Square which includes central business district, signage and street scenes

Packed with a treasure trove of upmarket boutiques, designer labels and department store, shoppers will love this huge shopping plaza.

Union Square is one of the largest shopping plazas in the United States, and always a huge draw for visitors to San Francisco.

Visitors to Union Square will find themselves among some of the finest upmarket and glamorous names in the world of fashion. High-end labels like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Burberry and Hugo Boss all have a presence here. A few blocks away, you can pick up the latest designs straight from the catwalk. Alongside, you’ll also find both quaint and expensive antiques and jewellery. Shopping in Union Square is a popular pastime all year round thanks to the choice of shops and San Francisco’s temperate climate.

In addition to the designer stores, there is a fair share of local colour and character. If you make a beeline for Gump’s, a particular popular haunt for locals, then you can pick up some of the most stylish home decor that money can buy.

Union Square was dedicated by the first mayor of the city, John Geary, back in 1850, and named after the pro-union Civil War rallies which were held here. The name itself refers to the park in San Francisco, which was originally created as a green haven and public plaza within the increasingly bustling cityscape.

A few decades later, this location had developed in a chic and fashionable residential district. However, disaster was to strike the region early in the twentieth century, when the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 devastated the area’s hotels and shops. The community and area was rebuilt, though, and today the area is better than ever a prime shopping and dining region, with a unique, colourful character.

The plaza also features the totemic Dewey Monument, a tall Corinthian column which features a bronze statue of the goddess Victory accompanied by a trident. A number of modern art sculptures are also on display in the square.

Parking can be tricky in this area. The best way to Union Square is by taking one of the characterful antique streetcars which pass by Union Square at regular intervals.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Union Square

Handlery Union Square Hotel

Handlery Union Square Hotel

3.5 out of 5
351 Geary St, San Francisco, CA
The price is P9,370 per night from Aug 29 to Aug 30
P9,370
P11,028 total
Aug 29 - Aug 30
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! (2,562 reviews)
"Excellent"

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2025

Handlery Union Square Hotel
Hilton San Francisco Union Square

Hilton San Francisco Union Square

4 out of 5
333 O'Farrell St., San Francisco, CA
The price is P7,169 per night from Aug 28 to Aug 29
P7,169
P10,820 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! (1,064 reviews)
"Loved the 24 hr convenience store in lobby."

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2025

Hilton San Francisco Union Square
Hotel Nikko San Francisco

Hotel Nikko San Francisco

4.5 out of 5
222 Mason St, San Francisco, CA
The price is P10,827 per night from Aug 27 to Aug 28
P10,827
P15,418 total
Aug 27 - Aug 28
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! (2,492 reviews)
"It had great bonus perks if you got the upgraded rooms."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 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 P7,800 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
P7,800
P9,194 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
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! (2,854 reviews)
"It was clean room and their service was good I could get apples and delicious cookies with coffee anytime. It was very useful and helpful while traveling. But the room was quite small and little bit uncomfortable for staying 4 family members. Plus, it was very noisy whenever passing by cable cars ..."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Chancellor Hotel on 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 P10,333 per night from Aug 22 to Aug 23
P10,333
P14,577 total
Aug 22 - Aug 23
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! (2,533 reviews)
"The room was very spacious & also the bed was very comfortable. We got some great rest."

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square
Taj Campton Place

Taj Campton Place

5 out of 5
340 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA
The price is P10,353 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
P10,353
P14,194 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in San Francisco. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"It was fine, nothing bad but nothing spectacular either."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Taj Campton Place
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

4/5(1 area review)

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops, and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Downtown San Francisco. Top attractions like Oracle Park and Chase Center are major draws. Catch the metro at Market St & 5th St Stop or Market St & Taylor St Stop to see more of the city.

Downtown San Francisco
Chinatown which includes street scenes

Chinatown

5/5(1 area review)

Dragon's Gate and Portsmouth Square 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(1 area review)

Travelers love Nob Hill for its popular shops, and you can see more of San Francisco by jumping on the metro at Washington St & Leavenworth St Stop or Washington St & Jones St Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Grace Cathedral and SF Masonic Auditorium.

Nob Hill
Financial District - Ferry Building

Financial District

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 central business district, skyline and a garden

South of Market

3/5(2 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
North Beach featuring a city and skyline

North Beach

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

Pier 39 and San Francisco Bay are top sights in North Beach, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Columbus Ave & Lombard St Stop or Columbus Ave & Chestnut St Stop to see more sights in the area.

North Beach

Union Square