Description

Essentials about Union Square in brief

A visit to Union Square is an absolute must on a trip to San Francisco. This is because the Square is by far the most important and lively square in the city. Union Square is the name given to both the 10,500-square-meter park bounded by Geary, Powell, Post and Stockton streets and the surrounding district, which is San Francisco’s central shopping, hotel and theater district. Nowhere in the western United States is there a higher concentration of large department stores, boutiques, gift stores and eateries than in Union Square and the surrounding streets, making the square a major attraction for tourists but also locals. There is something going on here around the clock.

The history of Union Square

The name Union Square, by the way, comes from the fact that the square was famous for rallies in support of the Union Army during the American Civil War. Created in 1850, the park has been significantly altered a few times over the years. The great San Francisco earthquake of 1906 leveled most of the surrounding buildings.

From 1939 to 1941, a world first was built beneath Union Square: the world’s first underground parking garage. From the 1970s to the 1990s, the square was in a process of creeping decline. Homeless people began camping in the park and Union Square visibly deteriorated. In 1998, city planners therefore decided to fundamentally redesign the square.

A multi-level underground parking garage was built and the “roof” of the parking garage was redesigned with cafés. In 2002, the park was reopened. To this day, Union Square retains its role as the cultural center of San Francisco, serving as a venue for many public concerts, impromptu protests, speeches by dignitaries, and is also the site for the large Christmas tree in December.

The Dewey Monument

The Dewey Monument in the center of Union Square is a representation of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. The 26-meter high monument was erected in 1903 in honor of Admiral George Dewey, an American war hero in the Spanish-American War who decided the Battle of Manila Bay for the United States in 1898.

Shopping on Union Square

Most visitors, however, come to Union Square for shopping. And quite rightly so, because six major department stores alone are located here: Barneys New York, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. In addition, many luxury brands such as Chanel, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Prada have a boutique on the square. If your budget is only enough for window shopping with these labels, you can also find the big international fashion chains such as Abercrombie & Fitch, GAP, H&M, Mango or Zara on Union Square.

Website

visitunionsquaresf.com

Opening hours

None.

Admission fees

None.

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Cable car lines Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason: Stops Powell St & Post St and Powell St & Geary Blvd

Bus lines 2, 3 and 76X: Stop Post St & Powell St

Bus lines 38 and 38R: Stop Geary Blvd & Powell St

BART lines Dublin/Pleasanton – Daly City, Pittsburg/Bay Point – SFIA/Millbrae, Richmond – Daly City/Millbrae and Warm Springs/South Fremont – Daly City: Stop Powell Street Station

Mit dem Auto:

The nearest parking garage is the Union Square Garage.