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Union Square

San Francisco

The central shopping district around the square, with department stores, theatres, the Powell Street cable cars and the biggest choice of hotels.

Best for First visit · Business · Budget

Transport
5/5
Sights
4/5
Value
3/5
Quiet
2/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$280/night · 5 min to Union Square

See hotels in Union Square

Union Square on the map

Why stay here

  • BART to the airport and cable cars on the doorstep
  • The widest choice of hotels
  • Shopping, theatres and Chinatown nearby

Who should stay here

  • First-time visitors
  • Shoppers
  • Business travellers

Not ideal if…

  • You want a quiet neighbourhood
  • You'd rather avoid streets near the Tenderloin
  • You want water views

What it's like

Union Square is San Francisco's hotel and shopping hub: department stores and flagships around the square, theatres a block or two west, and the Powell Street cable car turntable on Market Street. Chinatown's Dragon Gate is a short walk north.

It's the most convenient base for a first visit, with BART to the airport and cable cars to Nob Hill and Fisherman's Wharf. The streets to the south-west run into the Tenderloin, which feels rough, especially at night, so check exactly where your hotel is.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Union Square

    Department stores and the square itself.

  • Powell Street

    Cable car line up to Nob Hill.

  • Maiden Lane

    Pedestrian lane of boutiques off the square.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Powell Street and Montgomery BART and Muni Metro stations, the Powell cable car lines and the F-line streetcar on Market Street.
To Union Square
About 5 minutes
From San Francisco International Airport
About 35 minutes: BART to Powell Street.

Nearby attractions

  • Cable car ride

    Board at the Powell and Market turntable; go early to avoid the queue.

  • Chinatown

    The oldest Chinatown in North America, through the Dragon Gate.

  • SFMOMA

    Modern art museum a few blocks south.

Where to eat and drink

  • Hotel bars

    Classic cocktail lounges in the historic hotels.

  • Chinatown

    Dim sum and Cantonese restaurants.

Where to stay in Union Square

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

The Westin St. Francis

Why we like it: Historic hotel facing Union Square.

Typical luxury rate in Union Square: ~$550/night

Check availability

Boutique pick

Kimpton Sir Francis Drake

Why we like it: 1928 hotel on the cable car line.

Typical mid-range rate in Union Square: ~$280/night

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Best value

Hotel Nikko San Francisco

Why we like it: Large modern hotel with an indoor pool.

Typical mid-range rate in Union Square: ~$280/night

Check availability

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Hotels in Union SquareMid-range from ~$280/night

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