Union Square
Categories: Local Flavor, Parks [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Union Square, Civic Center/TenderloinPowell Street and Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94101
- Good for Kids: Yes
18 reviews
Neighborhood: Outer Sunset
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105 Reviews for Union Square
I like to go here with people and enjoy a cup of coffee while having random conversations. A spacious place to just relax in the middle of the busy shopping center. Really.. so hectic yet so peaceful. It's nice to watch pigeons chase each other and other people enjoying life. Plus during the holidays I feel happy coming here.
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I can't believe all the moaning here.
Union square was created to be a public forum, and that is exactly what it continues to be to this day.
And despite whatever personal distaste you have for the events, where else any where inthis city, or all of california for that matter, can you see free live performances by circus groups from all over the bay all summer long?
That alone would give it super stars ofr me, but combined withthe specific historic and political signifigance of the space, it seems offensively wasteful to whinge on abou the wonderful public resource San Francisco's forefathers opted to have built for their city.
And Free Circus Shows!
Come on people!
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Many people dislike Union Square for many reasons, because it's always super crowded, lots of tourists, or it's not like the one in Manhattan, or else, but I beg to differ.
Not because I love the crowd (I'm asthmatic, crowded place is not good for me, nor that I favor Union Square in NY less (I used to live in UWS, so I heart NY); but simply because it's the only Union Square that we have here in the West Coast.
- I appreciate the beautiful cement structure that most people dislike it for. It's unique, unusual & different like myself.
- I appreciate all the haute culture boutiques around Union square, where else can I go shop for it around the Bay Area if not for Union Square?
- I appreciate the wonderful event they have weekly & you can check it on their site: http://www.unionsquare....
- I appreciate the tourists & why they come here, because this is a beautiful place & a beautiful city to be in, & I'm proud of it. Their spending make this city a better place to live.
- I appreciate the beautiful Christmas tree that lift up my spirit every single year!
- I appreciate on a beautiful sunny day, I've seen a child chasing a bird with a big smile on his face; I've seen couples kissing each other; I've seen a local bystander helping the tourists to get their way around. I've seen love, I've seen joy, I've seen happiness here!
- I appreciate a day like this, "Father's Day", with my parents sitting at the bench, watching the Byaonics band (www.bayonics.com) playing a song about a father working tirelessly to support his family day in & day out! And while the Byaonics band was rapping it, I don't even think they understand half of the song to be honest! I'm looking at my parents enjoyed themselves after a long shopping day! Then my dad gave my mom & I a big hug, and said "thank you." A day like this at Union Square San Francisco, I wouldn't trade this day for anything!
A day like this at Union Square is simply priceless!
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Good for cutting through when need to go diagonal from Sak's to Neiman's.
Not really somewhere I want to hang out, though it's a handy meeting landmark for friends and the city does put on outdoor movies in the summer.
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After a super long construction period, San Francisco gives us this? Just what is this place supposed to be? A walk-through spot? Empty space for the area to breathe? A giant chess board? Or a spot to relax?
Whatever it is, it's no more than a wasted opportunity. I mean come on, this is San Francisco! There should be some designer willing to give us some oohs and aahhs. I'm not asking for any abstract architecture or random design ideas, just something that sets us apart from everyone else. Big slabs of marble and concrete surely will not accomplish that.
NOT A FAN. I left a few stars up there because I do like the Christmas Tree during the holidays. But then again, Union Square is a GOOD place to AVOID during the holidays.
And I agree that it could hardly be called a park, since they cemented it all in. It's just... not a fun place to be. Downtown in general is not a fun place to be.
I only go here when absolutely necessary. Or when I have a dentist appointment on Post.
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This is just so great to have only a block away from my office... able to just sit out there in the sun, sipping on a Jamba Juice with friends... better yet having a coffee and discussing world politics.
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What happened to the grassy knoll, eh? Why did SF make Union Square into a concrete jungle? Where will the Christmas Tree be installed this Christmas, eh? The hearts on the entrance steps are cool, but kitchy . . . it's like LA sporting their angels, while SF has hearts, I guess.
Sure, it is nice to have that humungous statue commemorating WWII Filipinos in the middle of Union Square, but the ambiance was ruined. My childhood memories of running on the grass are gone. What's with that coffee & tea cafe at Union Square?
Commercialism has consumed Union Square! I'm gonna cry now . . .
O=:-(
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This Union Square is a joke. When I hear "I'm going to Union Square", I will always think about the REAL Union Square - http://www.unionsquare...
But I will say, when I sit in this union square, I feel like I'm back in NYC for a brief moment once again.
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I use to come here and study when all the outdoor seats were taken at Starbucks or they were playing incredibly suicidal music on their XM there. I never thought I was approachable until like, one clear sunny Sunday a whole slew of men started coming up to me making horrible jokes about my studying materials. "You like CPUs? Yeah, I'm totally into CPUs!" "Do you even know what a CPU is?" "No, not really." "Please, leave me alone."
Union Square's events are mediocre and almost ruin my plans if I've come to sit here to eat or study or talk with friends. They have like, crazy loud Vietnamese events which is probably the worst idea ever, putting a Vietnamese on a loud speaker that only amplifies the sound as it hits the windows of Macy's. They also have horrible 60's rock cover bands, where they'll cover "Don't Fear the Reaper" sans the cowbell. I know, should be illegal huh.
Then you get to watch the conspirators (9-11 didn't happen!) tout their beliefs as the anti-fur people protest in front of Neiman Marcus. Oh, and the Scientologists usually set up shop in front of Macy's, giving strangers the "Oxford Capacity Test" which is specially designed so that you fail (and need their "spiritual" services) no matter what answer you give.
Three-ring circus of tourists, lousy hipster art students from Academy of Art, more lousy hipsters who work at the surrounding businesses, and tons of rude old Asian ladies (who WILL shove you out of the way) coming from Chinatown. God bless America.
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OK, I'll admit that I do like walking up Powell Street from Market. It's kind of neat to be among all these tourists spending all this money and creating all these shallow, materialistic memories of San Francisco when they haven't even seen anything interesting. It's really neat when I'm doing all this just to get to a dermatologist's appointment.
All in all, though, Union Square sucks. It's not really a park. There's the things commemorating the town meeting at which San Francisco residents chose to side with the North in the Civil War. But does this place feel historical to you? It's just kind of fancy and boring and gross. I do like catching the cable car here to avoid the turnaround line. I also like jumping on the 38-Geary here. But if Union Square disappeared tomorrow, it wouldn't bother me. At all.
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I love Union Square. All the best stores in one area. And it's close to my work!
Check out the H&M, Lefty O'Douls, Harry Denton's Starlight Room (top floor of the hotel), the cute little boutique shops, etc. Heck, take the cable car! Oh yeah, you can't forget the other major dept stores (Macy's, Tiffany's, the newish Barney's).
Overrrated and not that great of a selections through the upscale trendy stores.Sure it's nice to walk around Union Square and hold hands with your lovey dovey but that's about it.I know Union Square way too well,since I used to work in this district while attending college in the city at the same time.The only time I enjoy visting Union Square is during the Christmas holidays when it puts me in the holiday spirit.I don't do my shopping here during the Holiday madness.It's just a nice place to be there and then and probably the only time that I could actually enjoy what Union Square has to offered.All the department stores have their hoilday displays out on the windows.This is true and remind me of so many different episodes that I've seen on tv with these fake looking Santas outside asking for contrbutions.I get a kick just sitting outside,chillin and sipping my cappuccino while watching all these poor saps trying to get all their holiday shopping done.
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A great parking lot. A really, really great parking lot, although Stockton Street Garage is easier to get in to and cheaper. As a community space, it fails. It's just a large concrete slab with no character. Put out a slew of chairs so that people can sit (yeah, I know the homeless will sit there too, boo hoo Saks Fifth Avenue) and then maybe it will be more inviting.
Union Square, I wish I knew how to quit you. Every time I come down there, its the same damned thing: 15,000 assholes, wandering around aimlessly, bumping into each other and coming to a sudden stop in the middle of the sidewalk. It's enough to make me wish for my own personal cowcatcher (you know, the thing on the front of old-timey trains).
Sadly, too many merchants that I need to regularly visit are located solely at UniSqu. And so, like an irked swallow to San Juan Capistrano, I must return, over and over again, whether I like it or not.
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I don't know where to begin with this review. The summer concert series is the bane of my existence as I can hear - "Suzanne and the midnight ladies of rock" and other bands of that ilk from my office window all summer long. I don't know who does the booking for this public stage but I'm pretty sure they are deaf and/or enjoy high school choirs/group of 6 people from the Mission who are "dancers". If you live in San Francisco you know what I'm talking about, when you ask people what they do and they are like oh I'm an "artist" or I'm a "dancer". No sweetie, you work at the Sharper image during the holidays then you figure out how to pay the rent the rest of the year.
Moving on, once winter arrives the tree goes up and another strange phenomenon begins to occur - The single Asian person photograph. I do not understand this dynamic. I always feel pictures are better with two people in them but last weekend I watched three different Asian duos taking pictures of each other and when I asked one duo if they wanted me to take a picture of them together it seemed like it was the first time they ever considered being in a picture with another person. I then pretended to run away with their camera. I don't know if they were laughing or relieved when I turned around and came back but I think they will cherish the one picture of themselves together in San Francisco.
Two stars but one extra star cause the police don't let homeless people sit in Union Square anymore. It scares the talent - and the Asians.
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Statements that will make my friends offer contrary opinions:
I love Union Square at CHRISTMAStime.
I love it when Macy's puts LIVE ANIMALS in their windows.
I enjoy TAPPING on windows of the above store.
That is all.
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There should be more open spaces like this in SF. A great place to take a break from your errands or shopping. Grab a take-out lunch from one of the many great nearby eateries, and have lunch/dinner at one of the tables, check out the skyline, birds, the scene, and even some people.
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I used to come here to skateboard (before it was remodeled). It was awesome. But, then the cops came and kicked us out.
Years later, I came here to pickup chicks. Fantastic! Lots of hot women! But, then we started using a hidden camera to film our interactions so that we could teach other men how easy it is to just approach a woman that you're attracted to. But, apparently that's not cool either. So, the cops came and kicked us out.
I think it's probably a great place to bring any of my hobbies, but probably eventually the cops will come and kick me out again.
Why do you take from me what I love? :(
Still a good time, especially when the tree goes up for Christmas
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This is a great place to go spend some time in the summer or during Christmas and New Years. If you want to go shopping that's fine too but I'd recommend going to the mall so you don't have to deal with the crowds of tourists unless of course you're going somewhere specific. There's all kinds of places to eat and grab a drink or two and if you're bored you can check out some street show, but don't get your hopes up, I have yet to see anything worth watching like some old guy banging two spoons together. You can definitely make a day of it at Union Square.
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Sweaty tourists desperate to bring home all the "classic" San Francisco they can get their grubby little hands on. Not my idea of fun. Plus, people can't walk fast enough there. They can't. And, every few seconds there is another photo opportunity that just can't be passed up, so they have to stand in the middle of the sidewalk taking a picture of the Forever 21 sign. Gap, Forever 21, Bloomingdales...I think that is not all San Francisco has to offer. Of course, sometimes I need to go there, but I try to limit my visits...
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A shopper's paradise and close by. Whenever I am in the city, I make it a point to drop by Union Square. I love the fact that you can walk to multiple stores both bargain and high end all in a few city blocks. First, it is great exercise and secondly, it is great for the store selections. I always make sure to visit Chanel, Dior,Gucci, and Nieman Marcus. I am in love with their purses, especially Chanel. Dior has great wardrobe and shoes. I also love the vibe at Union Square. Although everyone seems to be in a hurry, they sure do look happy and enjoying their day. Their are lots of different types of people and lots of tourist as well. When I am done shopping, I love to lounge around in the middle of Union Square and just relax. I also find their parking lot both affordable and convenient. I would love to
shop at New York City in the near future, but for now SF Union Square is great. i love this place.
I love walking Union Square, especially at night during Christmas.
Great people-watching.
It's a tourist trap for sure, but sometimes it's nice to pretend to be a tourist for a day and experience the hustle and bustle of this beautiful city.
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It's a pretty decent spot to eat lunch and I like to walk around after work to people watch. As Christine S. says, there are too many annoying tourists, but I try to remember that they are a large part of the economic engine that drives San Francisco. And they can be fun to watch. Nothing says tourist like white sneakers, shorts and a fanny pack.
I like the lobby of the St. Francis hotel and they also have decent bathrooms (to the right).
I also like to try to spot the Brown twins. I've managed a few times. They are so cute - they don't seem real!
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Sometimes I like to put on my blond Afro wig and tie the sleeves of my green cardigan around my shoulders. I would stand in the middle of the plaza and start singing Art Garfunkel songs like an angelic choirboy...
"Since we can no longer make it, girl,
I found a new place to live my life.
It's really no place at all,
Just a lot of concrete, you see.
It's cold and windy but I let it be,
Livin' without you there,
Right on Union Square."
OK, that was "Second Avenue", my children. But it doesn't matter 'cause I lied...I don't busk. However, I do have this fantasy of being that Irish guy in "Once" and singing the hell out of Van Morrison in the middle of Union Square. Gee, any of you remember the opening scenes of "The Conversation" in the old Union Square when Gene Hackman was spying on Cindy Williams (yes, Shirley of Laverne and...)?
OK, so do people at least remember when this place was a pit everyone avoided at night because of the lack of lighting and all the unkempt greenery? But now it's a model urban space well worth hanging out just for the flow of the United Nations delegations streaming by. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, me and Jamie W. would park ourselves on one of those silver benches and make fun of the people walking by like Woody Allen did with Diane Keaton in "Annie Hall"..."Look, there's the winner of the Truman Capote look-alike contest."
Or I'd come early in the morning and watch far healthier-looking people doing tai chi, while I gnaw on my bear claw and slurp my venti-size cappuccino much to the chagrin of the dress shirt I'm usually wearing. Or I'd watch the lovers strolling by at dusk and try to be encouraging..."Look who's gettin' lucky tonight! Wooo-hoooo!!" Anyhow, I love Union Square for its wide open space, terrace seating and the generally genial demeanor of the people who pass by because...
"When you're weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;
I'm on your side ...when times get rough
And friends just can't be found,
Like a park next to troubled retailers
I will lay me down.
Like a park next to troubled retailers
I will lay me down!"
OK, that was "Bridge Over Troubled Water". Work with me, people ...work with me.
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We went to the 18th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Union Square. It was crowded at 4pm even though the event was for 6-7pm. The Jersey Boys were doing a practice run so we were lucky to see them at 4pm.
They were selling commemorative tree lighting pin for $10 to help the UCSF Children's Hospital for children w/ life-threatening illnesses & their families.
PG&E gave out FREE Greenlite LED 35 indoor-outdoor Xmas lights -Cool.
FREE Luna sample tea cakes were given out at the end: Vanilla Macadamia & Berry Pomegranate.
Starbucks were giving out FREE drinks - didn't get any.
At 6pm the crowds were huge..couldn't get close to the stage & we were crammed in like sardines standing & waiting for the show. We couldn't see much.
The Trickster from KOOZA was there. Jersey Boys performed, the SF Boys' Chorus performed, Santa gave a brief appearance. Lights came on for the tree..then it was Crazy trying to get out.
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For the ultimate shopping experience in SF, you must go to Union Square. Many upscale stores which I love, along with the usual more affordable stores, are located around the Square. It can be quite entertaining to sit in the Square to people watch or soak in music or participate in an event--stuff that goes on there on most weekends.
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I live in the city and I always go to Union Square to do my shopping and I always spend over my budget. I love the location and all the designer shops nearby. I used to come here to study and just hang out with friends. It's great accept for the dumbasses that walk so fucken slow and walk aimlessly. It's annoying, well ok I understand it's a tourist spot. But really? the crowd on weekends and nice days are just too much and annoying. If you plan on shopping go on a weekday but not Fridays. It's always crowded and the parking garage is always dayum full. But I still love Union Square it's the place to shop for all your designer goods and such.
This is the best place to shop in Northern Cali! So many choices to pick from... you could spend a week shopping here and not get bored. We try to stay for the weekend a couple times a year and hit up all the faves: Macy's, Urban Outfitters, G-Star Raw, Diesel, Nordstrom, Victoria's Secret, and a lot more!!!
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I came out here and some of the troupe from the cast of Jersey Boys were on stage beltin' out some serious vocals (Oh, what a night~!)
I am a certified People Watcher (in academic circles we're called Anthropologists) and Union Square is a social voyeur's dream.
I initially took off a star for the pigeons that roll 10 deep through the square and will literally jack you for your lunch.
I gave the star back because my friend lost a bet and so he laid on his stomach while we tossed crackers and bread onto his back and watched the madness unfurl. There had to have been about 15+ birds on him.That shit was fuuuuunnnny.
Don't lose bets with me. I'm mean.
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I'm really glad they cleaned up Union Square a couple of years ago. Not it seems like a decent place to chill out. But the truth is, I really wouldn't chill out here anyway. I'm too busy shopping, eating, watching movies, having drinks, etc. Union Suare is one of the most colorful commercial spots in the nation and I'm glad it's part of San Francisco.
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I think Union Square is interesting. Such a mix of tourists and bums! I like to go down during lunch, sit out side and people watch. Yeah, you have to put up with getting asked for change and directions all the time, or to take a picture of a couple. But if you're OK with that, it's not that bad.
How could you not love Union Square? Having a coffee at Rulli and being entertained by the crowd is one of the least expensive shows in town. I also love that the Parks Dept. and others attempt to put on events quite frequently. My first inclination upon remodel was that it was a bit Third Reichish, but I've gotten over that and realize the cement and symmetry are merely functional.
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Outside of the fact that you can rest your overshopped weary feet here after a long day of shopping, eat here, get discount theater tickets, listen to live performances on occasion, watch a movie when movie night in the parks is happening, do some crazy people watching..........
you can yelp here, because, yes, they have free wifi.
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Sadly, I love this place way more at night than during the day. The square certainly has a life of its own. It pulsates with people rhythmically winding in and out to get to opposite sides of the square to go shop hopping and/or purchase tickets to a show or a cable car ride. Yet, for some reason, this place is so much more enjoyable at night when nobody is around. Well, you see people sluggishly coming out of the Cheesecake factory from a hefty meal. You will also see young couples out on a romantic stroll. I highly recommend going to the St. Francis, taking the elevator and checking out the gorgeous view. I might have romanticized it a bit but I can't help it. It's Union Square. Being a native San Franciscan, it's one of the only re-vamped places in San Francisco I actually enjoy.
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egads....
The one star is strictly for public performance art like zombie mobs. Otherwise, AVOID like the PLAGUE. What is worse than tourists shopping?
Locals shopping.
AVOID AVOID AVOID
(I cannot understand why this would be well reviewed, unless the reviews are all by tv brainmushed ambulatory vacuum tubes that are consuming worthless fashion like mindless zombies)
This is a great people watching spot. You only need to sit and watch for 15-30 minutes and I swear you will see the greatest variety of people.
My hubby and I saw people of different ages, races, heights, weights, dress styles, walking styles, moods,etc.
There was one elderly Chinese man wearing a Superman tee shirt. There were women who looked like they stepped out of a time machine from the 50's---dressed up with gloves! There were babies less than a month old. There were grandparents with grand kids. Huge groups of friends. Lots of tweens and teens checking each other out.
My personal favorite was watching and listening to the families who were speaking foreign languages. Although I couldn't even figure out what language they were speaking, I could easily translate what they were "probably" saying by their body language and tones of voice.
Scenario #1:
Husband to wife: Did you have to buy so much stuff?
Wife: Hey, I'm on vacation. I had to get gifts for everyone.
Husband: Then why am I carrying all YOUR bags?
Scenario # 2:
Kid: I am really hungry, I want to eat now!
Mom: No way! I asked you at least 10 times and you said, "No."
Kid: Nooooooooooooooo, I want food now!
Scenario # 3:
Woman: There sure are a lot of strange people in this town. They are pretty scary looking!
Friend: Don't be so paranoid!
Scenario #4:
Woman (pointing to me): Do you think she speaks XXXXX ?
I'm not sure she even speaks English!
Other Woman: I don't know what she is. Let's ask someone else.
And so forth......
Anyway, Union Square is a lively place where people and pigeons are having fun or at least trying to have fun.
Plus they have a Sees Candy store there--only preboxed items , but you can still get their candy bars.
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They just had a zen garden and I missed it! It was there for a total of 1 day. And I missed it. My life will never be complete! Unless you wanna go make out there with me one stary night! I heart this place. Nuff said.
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Ah, Union Square. This is where it all happens. The shopping Mecca of San Francisco. Locals and out of towners alike make their way to Union square for some of the best shopping outside of NYC. I can only imagine how much money get's spent in these establishments on a daily basis. I must admit, while I try to buy local and support small business, especially in the Castro, there are some things that you can only find in Union Square.
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I hate going to Union Square. First, you have to pay for parking. Second, it is crowded with tourists. Third, Macys is awful. Fourth, there are not enough interesting shops around there unless you can afford Chanel/Dior.
