Union Square is a 2.6-acre public plaza located in downtown San Francisco, California, bordered by Geary, Powell, Post, and Stockton Streets. Historically, this area has been a major tourist destination and a well-known gathering place, featuring a large collection of department stores, upscale boutiques, gift shops, art galleries, and beauty salons.
Union Square in San Francisco.
The Origins of Union Square
Originally a large sand dune, Union Square was set aside in 1850 to be made into a public park. It got its name from the pro-Union rallies held there on the eve of the Civil War. Union Square was built and dedicated by San Francisco's first American mayor, John Geary, in 1850, named for the pro-Union rallies by Thomas Starr King that happened there before and during the United States Civil War.
Since then, the plaza has undergone many notable changes, including the dedication of a 97 ft (30 m) tall monument to Admiral George Dewey's victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War in 1903. President William McKinley, who had been recently assassinated, was also honored.
The Annual Holiday Ice Rink
One of the most beloved seasonal attractions at Union Square is the holiday ice skating rink. The annual Union Square holiday ice rink is open and the kids seem pretty serious about showing off their skills. The opening of the rink signals the start of the holiday shopping season.
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Union Square Ice Rink.
Organizers say the stores like it because thousands and thousands of people will come here in the next 12 weeks. If you do want to come out and ice skate at Union Square, you do have to reserve your spot. There are only a few exceptions to that, involving certain days near Christmas, where there will be early ice times, allowing for more ice sessions.
In past years we've seen the rink near the Ferry Building and SF City Hall but this year the rink will again be solely located in Union Square.
Ice Skating in Union Square, San Francisco. Check Off This Holiday Bucketlist Item!
Union Square: A Center for Shopping and Tourism
Surrounding Union Square, visitors can access world-class shopping from some of the most coveted names in fashion and jewelry. Travelers will be steps away from several big-name and boutique hotels. Over the years, Union Square became a popular shopping destination. Several department stores sit within the three-block radius of Union Square, including Neiman Marcus, Macy's, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
A mix of upscale boutiques and popular retailers occupy many buildings surrounding Union Square. Among the luxury retailers that front Union Square are Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Bulgari, Loro Piana, Moncler, and jeweler Tiffany & Co.; while flagship Victoria's Secret, Williams Sonoma, Nike, and Apple stores also occupy buildings surrounding Union Square.
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Challenges and Revitalization Efforts
The area became somewhat derelict during the late 1970s and through the 1980s and 1990s as homeless people began to camp in the plaza. The Union Square Business Improvement District was founded in 1999 and focused primarily on cleaning and safety issues.
As of December 2024, Union Square remained in such poor shape that Macy's had been unable to sell and close its Union Square flagship store as planned. On February 27, 2024, it was reported that Macy's would be closing their West Coast flagship store at Union Square as part of a plan to close 150 stores nationwide by the end of 2026. Macy's stated that the store would remain open until the property was sold to a new owner.
Transportation and Accessibility
Union Square is well-served by public transportation. In addition, Union Square is served by many trolleybus and bus lines and the F Market heritage streetcar. The Muni Metro and BART subway systems both serve the area at nearby Powell Street Station on Market Street. In 2012, Muni began building an extension of its Muni Metro system to connect Union Square and Chinatown with Caltrain and other neighborhoods in San Francisco.
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