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Union Square

Union Square

Pedestrian Plaza and Plaza
Downtown San Francisco-Union Square, San Francisco
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8.5/10
4,332
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    The experts at Michelin Travel & Lifestyle and The Corcoran Group recommend this place
    • Michelin Travel & Lifestyle
    • The Corcoran Group
  • Tips
    Michelle A.
    "Ice skating , cold weather, Christmas decors... Perfect!"(14 Tips)
    Jose P.
    "Great spot for people watching"(12 Tips)
    Valentine's Day Movie
    "Try to get a spot on the outside of the car for the best views."(13 Tips)
    Sokenbicha Tea
    "nice relaxing outdoor cafe with free WiFi"(5 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon368 Tips and reviews
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  • Joseph Y.heart icon on user image
    Joseph YamsanoodleJuly 5, 2015
    From Christmas season. Exciting atmosphere, appealing architecture and an essence of curiosity lingers all around. You might find more than you are looking for.
    Upvoted Sep 14
  • Westfield S.
    Grab the next cable car straight for Westfield San Francisco Centre to celebrate 75 years of this city! Corazon Under the Dome is our new free animated 3D light spectacular you have to see to believe.
    Upvoted Sep 30
  • The Corcoran Group
    The Corcoran GroupJune 19, 2011
    An inviting oasis that is a perfect spot for a picnic, people watching, a leisurely stroll or to take work outdoors as there’s free Wi-Fi here.
    Upvoted Oct 20
  • Taylor L.
    Taylor LeeJuly 31, 2018
    Find some of the best shops in Union Square - during the week you can find different art showings, and celebrations unique to San Francisco, perfect for a lunchtime stroll.
  • Mike C.
    Mike CamptonAugust 6, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    Grab some lunch, take a seat on one of the benches in the square and just enjoy watching the throngs of tourists walking around. Make sure you arrive/leave by cable car.
  • Meshari
    MeshariAugust 16, 2016
    I loved this place, reminds me of London streets to some extent.. Good for shoppers..but make sure u know the locations of the stores that you're looking for.
  • Muratheart icon on user image
    MuratMay 21, 2019
    Great park/sq for a rest while walking around. Surrounded by chic, designer and famous shops. City tour buses stop here. Great for people watching, especially in good weather.
  • Sarah L.heart icon on user image
    Sarah LizJune 15, 2017
    Been here 100+ times
    Walk around and see 4 of the Hearts of SF. They're on each corner or Union Sq. 131 in SF, find them all.
  • NJD .heart icon on user image
    NJD 🏇🏻September 11, 2016
    Lori's Diner is a must for a good old fashion American Breakfast. Try the Cable car breakfast on your 1st visit!🍳☕️👌🏼💙
  • Michael A.
    Michael AlbaAugust 24, 2014
    Grab a snack at a nearby eatery and snag a seat on the stairs in the square to people watch, listen to music, check out the paintings, and watch life flow by.
  • Greg K.
    Greg KJanuary 2, 2015
    Nice place to sit and rest. Leftovers from Christmas: ice skating ring and huge Christmas tree. :)
  • Mary Ann L.
    Mary Ann L.April 15, 2013
    All high end stores here, parking conveniently under the Square. Hop a trolley at Powell for either Powell-Hyde (ends at Ghiradelli Squ) or Powell-Mason (ends at Bay St, Fisherman's Wharf) lines.
  • Jason W.
    Jason WilliamsSeptember 22, 2011
    Tons of shopping, Macy's store is huge (second largest department store in the country, after Macy's in New York). Seems like there is always an art festival. Easy meeting place for travelers.
  • Dan G.
    Dan GonzálezSeptember 8, 2014
    Trees have power outlets near them, so if you need to charge your phone or laptop, you can do it while you seat on the grass.
  • Filip L.heart icon on user image
    Filip LazarevskiFebruary 23, 2016
    Been here 100+ times
    There is a Free Walking Tour every day at 10AM starting from the red heart on Union Square! Be sure to go! It's awesome! :)
  • Nathan
    NathanSeptember 3, 2012
    A switch between the 9th and 10th step will open a portal to the Union Square in NYC. But the switch slightly to the right of it will transport you to the Union Square in Denver.
  • Yoplait
    YoplaitSeptember 6, 2011
    Check out Union Square for great art and shopping and hop on the cable car with your family to get some beautiful and iconic city views.
  • Inma S.
    Inma SerranoJune 6, 2012
    Union Square is meaninfull for me, this is the first place that I visited in SF! and where I like frequently to came back for relax, shopping and restaurants...
  • Karenheart icon on user image
    KarenJanuary 14, 2023
    Beautiful plaza. Lots of shopping in the area. Get your credit cards ready!
  • Keith B.heart icon on user image
    Keith BarrowsSeptember 25, 2014
    Night time is very beautiful a lot of history large shops Longview very clean good place to chill.
  • ᴡ R.
    ᴡ RosarioSeptember 4, 2014
    Many stores! Crowded but a great place to shop, eat and just look around. Get there in cable car, is fun!
  • Keith B.heart icon on user image
    Keith BarrowsJanuary 16, 2015
    I like going there late at night your cup of coffee from Starbucks sit there and chill out for a lil bit as I smoke my left hand cigarettes hehehe
  • Steve B.heart icon on user image
    Steve BellamyDecember 29, 2015
    It's a surprisingly pleasant place to relax in the city after a day of shopping in all the signature stores around it.
  • Sokenbicha Tea
    Sokenbicha TeaJune 24, 2011
    Even though the area got its name from Union Army rallies during the Civil War, it now has a nice relaxing outdoor cafe with free WiFi where you can sip your refreshing Sokenbicha tea and relax.
  • Lana V.heart icon on user image
    Lana VenturaJuly 16, 2016
    Been here 5+ times
    Great place with events or art every week end including tango first Sunday of the month!
  • Nouf - Closedheart icon on user image
    Nouf - ClosedAugust 29, 2018
    Never miss the cable car experience👍🏼
  • Vincent P.heart icon on user image
    Vincent PardueAugust 8, 2013
    Been here 50+ times
    While at Union Square, don't stop in the middle of a crosswalk for any reason. People behind you are trying to cross too. By stopping, you're putting yourself & others in danger of being hit by a car.
  • Navjot S.
    Navjot SinghFebruary 10, 2016
    Awesome place to hangout during the day.. Lovely people and#lovely weather.. Feb 2016 there is a whole Lotta construction going on so nothing much to do
  • Bre R.heart icon on user image
    Bre RozApril 14, 2015
    There is some great shopping in this area, but along with the good comes the crowds. Macy's isn't anything to write home about where I am from, but it sure is nice here!
  • Sarah L.heart icon on user image
    Sarah LizNovember 26, 2014
    Been here 100+ times
    Get in and out and hopefully you know your products, unfortunately the sales people aren't much help or knowledgeable. I wonder if this is a training store.
  • René L.
    René LePaulSeptember 22, 2014
    Lots of fun! Plenty if events going on, oh and lots of shopping nearby as well!!! Great SF starting point!
  • Fi V.heart icon on user image
    Fi VeiNovember 12, 2015
    SF main square, surrounded by great shops, restaurants and hotels. Don't miss the ice rink these days!
  • Kushal S.
    Kushal SanghviJuly 27, 2015
    After the pier one of the most popular address on the city!! #must visit
  • Bennett W W.heart icon on user image
    Bennett W WongMarch 10, 2016
    Been here 5+ times
    Nice outdoor spot for concerts and a very excellent spot to eat lunch on nice sunny days
  • Westfield S.
    Take the next cable car to Westfield San Francisco Centre and celebrate the city! Corazon Under the Dome is a free 3D light spectacular you have to see to believe, running through July 7, 2013.
  • Yateema4ever
    Yateema4everNovember 10, 2015
    Loved it here .. It's warm place and good for time out & sitting for awhile & watching everything around you😍
  • Leilani W.heart icon on user image
    Leilani WandJune 11, 2013
    The hearts always have different designs each time I come here and always so beautiful
  • Patrice M F.heart icon on user image
    Patrice M FosterMay 5, 2018
    Watching people rushing bye... Remind me of New York City crowded. Did not like the Marijuana scent that permeate around me in the people clothes on the elevator, everywhere.
  • Ben R.heart icon on user image
    Ben RussoDecember 31, 2014
    Been here 10+ times
    Have a seat. Watch the world go by. Or get on a bus and see the city.
  • Tomas Jr P.
    Tomas Jr PollosoMay 17, 2016
    The best place to shop in San Francisco from luxury goods to discounted stores. Everything is a walk away!
  • Mary M.
    Mary MatlackApril 20, 2012
    Park under the square. It is convenient and fair. They can also accommodate tall vehicles. Use your parking ticket to access the bathrooms on mezzanine. Clean and convenient.
  • Izabellaheart icon on user image
    IzabellaApril 28, 2015
    Great place to take some pictures and you also have a lot of fancy stores
  • Sivi P.
    Sivi PillayJanuary 22, 2013
    Lori's Diner is a must for a good old fashion American Breakfast. Try the Cable car breakfast on your 1st visit!
  • Lakshman P.
    Lakshman PrasadApril 3, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    Grab a lunch to go from one of the hundreds of good restaurants around and have your lunch here. Thats the best way.
  • Philip T.heart icon on user image
    Philip TamMarch 4, 2015
    Beautiful classic spot in San Francisco. Always worth a stop to be away from the clutter.
  • Christina H.heart icon on user image
    Christina HDecember 22, 2022
    Been here 5+ times
    Park at Union Square Garage, eat at 1 of 2 Boudin locations at Macy’s, and visit the actual square!
  • Michelin Travel & Lifestyle
    Santa is taking photos inside Macy’s all day, music starts at 6pm, and the actual tree lighting is around 6:40. – Green Guide Editor
  • Estefanía L.
    The Cheesecake factory roof seating gives you amazing views to the square. Be patient to get a table there, though.
  • Ilya K.heart icon on user image
    Ilya KuznetsovMarch 30, 2018
    Music, city views and peace. Can sit there for hours.
  • Timothy S.
    Timothy SwarbrickOctober 15, 2014
    Everything and sweet Saida who recommends this she's great those are things and places
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