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Visiting Union Square, San Francisco

March 24th, 2008 by amy c

Union Square photo uploaded by Peter Kaminski

Union Square is San Francisco’s shopping and art center. Fine art galleries create beautiful storefronts on Geary, Post, and Sutter streets, perfect for an afternoon of window shopping, while crowds of shoppers take over stores such as Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Forever 21, Anthropologie, and Tiffany’s. Both bargain shopping and high-end locations are crammed into this square for a lively, one-stop shopping excursion.

Though the square underwent a renovation in 2002, creating a modernist platform where you can take in the sights of the cable cars and high rises, the area dates back to pre-Civil War. It got its name because it was the site of demonstrations in support of the union troops. Today, it still makes for a great meeting place as frequent outdoor performances take to the platform in the midst of the bustle. During the holiday season, San Francisco’s holiday tree graces area.

As you duck into stores on Powell and Market Street, you’ll notice the cable car turnaround, where the Mason and Hyde lines terminate and the conductors have to get out and turn the iconic vessels around to face the way they came. Though it serves a practical purpose, the block has become a tourist attraction to glimpse the beautiful cable cars up close. Here in Union Square, you can also pick up your ticket for a Historic Cable Car Ride.

Shopping in this bustling and exciting neighborhood can be tiring. Get away from the urban chaos in the luxurious spa, Fusion Spa, located in Hilton Hotel. After a facial, massage, and time spent in the rooftop pool and sauna, you’ll be feeling refreshed and ready to take on the city.

For the art enthusiast, wander slightly away from the bustle of Union Square to the many galleries that border the area. Here friendly galleries showcase old and modern masterpieces, ranging from the largest selection of Chagall in the world, to Picasso, to Renoir, to Warhol, to Dali.

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