Neighborhood:
Union Square
Briefly:
The name refers to both the general area and the 2.6-acre park bordered by Geary, Powell, Post, and Stockton Streets. The park underwent a renovation in 2000 and debuted new on July 25, 2002.
Here, concerts are held, speeches, and the annual Christmas tree and menorah. The square can be seen in its entirety from the top of various surrounding buildings, including Macy's top floor and for the finest view, Harry Denton's Starlight Room in the Sir Francis Drake Hotel.
As for the general area of Union Square, it's where the greatest concentration of hotels are, as well as where major shopping can be done, where large department stores and high-end boutiques mix and mingle. It also boasts several fine art and contemporary galleries including Xanadu Gallery, which is housed in the city's only Frank Lloyd Wright building. Theaters like Geary and Curran rock the show. Walk a little further and you will reach the Metreon and the Yerba Buena Gardens of SoMa. To the north is Chinatown and beyond that, North Beach.
What's New:
Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus (the site at times of protests), Gump's, and a sure to be seen Macy's. These are some of the standards of Union Square shopping, and in Fall 2007, Barneys New York joined them, taking up residence in the historic 47 Stockton Street address, which used to be home to FAO Schwarz. The facade was preserved, but the inside, totally redone into Barneys New York's fifth flagship (New York, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Boston). It opened September 19, 2007 and was meant to be a boost to Stockton Street, a connector between Yerba Buena and Union Square.
- California for Visitors - Union Square
Betsy has all the best recommendations.- San Francisco for Visitors - Union Square
A shopping rundown.- About.com San Francisco - Union Square
Ingrid has a wonderful shot of the Square!
When to Go:
There's always activity in Union Square, but Saturday is definitely the busiest. While it's an experience in and of itself to battle so many shoppers, a quieter alternative is to go during the week when the city's offices are filled. The Square opens up (at 10 a.m.) and you can window-shop, shop, walk and sightsee.
Transportation:
For those staying in Union Square, it's all just right outside your door. Walk to your destination, just up (down or across) the street. However, for those visiting (or returning to) Union Square, the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable cars take you to the heart, as do the BART and Muni stops at Powell Street Station.
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