//
San Francisco, United States
Photo: Flickr user: Peter Kaminski Palo Alto, CA https://www.flickr.com/photos/peterkaminski/, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Union Square-Financial District is an area of Downtown San Francisco, made up of two neighborhoods: the bustling shopping and theater district surrounding Union Square, and the central business district where Market Street meets the bay. This is where you will find many of the city's office buildings, luxury hotels, and department stores, where tourists riding in on cable cars and streetcars cross paths with the weekday commuters who come in through the Market Street Subway. The area is bounded roughly by Market Street to the south, the San Francisco Bay to the east, Chinatown and Taylor Street to the west, and Bush Street (between Taylor and Kearny) and Washington Street (between Kearny and the bay) to the north.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A historic ferry terminal which survived the 1906 earthquake and fire and had 100,000 people pass through it every day before the bridges were built. It was renovated several years ago and now it's a great example of Bay Area "foodie" culture. Inside you'll find little shops selling artisanal bread (Acme), cheese (Cowgirl), chocolate (e.g., Recchiuti, Ghiradelli, Scharffen Berger, etc.), slow-drip coffee (Blue Bottle), and so on. There's even a stand selling vegan donuts! There are also a few excellent little restaurants and specialty markets as well as a large farmers market out front (Tuesdays and Saturdays year-round and on Thursday evenings in the summer). Together with its surroundings, the Ferry Building is beautiful to see, especially at night (although the shops will be closed at night). It's a popular place to visit for downtown office workers and tourists alike.
A long-standing photography gallery with changing museum-quality exhibits featuring the work of many of the medium's masters.
Exhibits in San Francisco's original US Mint Building about the history of the City.
A small but charming museum with exhibits on the history of rail transportation in San Francisco, with a particular emphasis on the streetcar systems. It's a good companion piece to a streetcar ride, with a stop on the F-line just outside the front door.
San Francisco's tallest and most famous skyscraper, controversial when it opened, but now accepted. There used to be an unusual observation deck on the ground floor with 4 big TV monitors, showing live views of the city transmitted from cameras at the top of the building. They now have a happy worker at the bottom that tells you anything and everything you want to know about San Francisco and has some great stories. Then he tells you that they no longer have the 4 big TVs and are building a restaurant where you can view the city from inside.
The most important site is the square itself, which was revamped in 2002 to provide more space for outdoor events and less space for napping homeless people (an earlier version of the square appeared in the film The Conversation). The square now includes a Cafe along with an underground parking garage. For blogging people-watchers, there is free wi-fi provided by the city. Look under the leaves of the greenery in the planters, and you'll find a few power outlets for your laptop.
Union Square is the bustling name-brand shopping area for the city, where high-end chains put their West Coast flagship stores, or at least a major retail outlet. The neighborhood's visual extravaganzas tend to be stores, including the beautifully restored glass dome and rotunda salvaged from the former City of Paris department store (at the Neiman Marcus store that replaced it 1981, at Geary and Stockton), the interior lavishness of the flagship Williams Sonoma, and Niketown on Post. This area of downtown is also a hotbed of Art Deco and Beaux Arts architecture. For a splendid view of all this architecture, take a ride up the exterior glass elevators of the Westin St. Francis Hotel, on the west side of Union Square.
Consists of many buildings between Sacramento and Clay Streets running from the Embarcadero to Battery Street housing a shopping center, offices, and the Hyatt Regency hotel, which has a wonderful 17 story atrium used in the film Towering Inferno.
Offering two gourmet tours of the neighborhood - the Gourmet Chocolate Tour and the Gourmet Chocolate and Wine Tour. Both tours will take you to some of the local businesses where you can sample their delicious fare.
A large, very popular year-round organic farmers market.
The Mechanics Institute is the oldest library organization in San Francisco, dating back to 1854. The collection has around 160,000 items—many of them in the stacks in the building's basement and only accessible through the page desk—concerning a wide variety of topics, with special attention to local history and chess. The institute also hosts the oldest continuously operating chess club in the United States, with classes, tournaments, and scheduled non-competition play. The institute also hosts author talks, film screenings, book groups, and writer's workshops.
A ticket booth run by Theater Bay Area, this booth offers many half-price tickets for local performances if you purchase on the day of the show, and you can sometimes buy full-price tickets in advance here as well.
Built in 1922, this theater was designed by architect Alfred Henry Jacobs. It has a very ornate and well-maintained interior featuring chandeliers and an intricately hand-painted ceilings. It is run by SHN, which focuses on the usual Broadway classics.
Home to the American Conservatory Theater, a Tony Award–winning institution and the largest theater company in the city, who put on many Broadway shows and original performances at this historic theater.
The Phoenix is a small theater that showcases the work of local and international playwrights.
Home to Shelton Studios, SF Playhouse, and Stage Werx.
Plays host to local, regional, and nationally renowned shows.
Serving seasonal, organic cuisine with wines from around the world.
Upscale Cantonese restaurant with views of the bay.
Seafood and steak joint.
This is a very good Indian restaurant at very reasonable prices. Decor and ambiance is average, but high on taste and cleanliness.
Around the corner from the swanky appliances on Macy's basement level is basically a food court, but better than the usual with Boudin, a sushi bar, Ben & Jerry's, Tom's Cookies and more. Beware though, it's usually a madhouse.
Organic food dishes.
Traditional diner fare in a traditional diner setting. If you're looking for a good diner breakfast in the Union Square area, this is the place.
Popular Italian restaurant.
A traditional German beer hall with schnitzel, sausages and other delights (and, of course, a good selection of German beers).
The longest operating restaurant in California, dating back to when three Croatian immigrants opened a grill the Gold Rush. You'll find delicious seafood and a classic atmosphere where groups can sit in their own wood-paneled quarters. Price range is high with most entrees over $20.
Gourmet BBQ: try the New Orleans-style Flounder Po' Boy, BBQ Brisket Banh Mi, and the Bowl O' Red beanless chili made from smoked short ribs, shallots, and creme fraiche.
Across the street from a McDonald's is this all-vegan McDonald's parody restaurant, serving "Frowny Meal"s and "not a hamburger"s. The Andy Warhol–inspired wall art, numerous frowny faces, and booths shaped like takeout boxes complete the eccentric theme. The food is reasonably good too, including what is probably the cheapest vegan burger you'll find of comparable quality in the area.
Small, nondescript bar inside the Hotel G. Walk past the check-in desk, go up the flight of stairs and make a left. Open the door straight in front of you and you're there. Cozy atmosphere, good selection of drinks, and a good deal on raw oysters, which is the only food they have available.
Decked out in an upscale but not trying decor, EO Trading has the kind of cocktail list that impresses but doesn't overwhelm. The menu of small plates and appetizers of Asian fusion cuisine, satay platters and a selection of naan bread is the perfect partner for their lychee martinis and Anchor Steam beers. Happy hour is from 3 to 6PM.
An old-style Irish pub, walls adorned with antiques, with a great selection of whiskey, imports, and microbrewed beer, and good pub food. The Bank has plenty of outdoor sitting, ideal for a warm day.
A good selection of microbrews and imports on tap in a typical sports bar.
Not for a visitor that's light in the wallet, but the view and setting from this lounge are undeniably hard to beat. Opulent is probably the best description. Dress well if going as the crowd that attends is there to be seen.
This two-floor, cash-only bar is a neighborhood staple, where you'll find an eclectic mix of locals downing the very excellent mojitos, shots of Fernet-Branca (the unofficial drink of San Francisco), or egging on the bartenders to make up a new drink.
Stay in the heart of the city and enjoy a gym, well-appointed guest rooms, parking on-site, and more. Dog friendly.
Clean, cheap, safe and fun.
The highest rated and smallest hostel in San Francisco. On the edge of Chinatown and the Financial District. Friendly, clean, modern and safe. Free internet.
94 deluxe rooms, the most spacious accommodations in San Francisco. Elegantly decorated with original Italian art, Travertine marble, Venetian glass and European antiques.
A family hotel with a European flair, and the feel of upscale boutique accommodations providing warm, personal attention. The cable car is located at the corner and attractions are within walking distance.
No pool or free breakfast. Rooms are small but has everything you need for a reasonable price. The cable car, MUNI and BART stations are within walking distance.
The hotel displays the work of contemporary local artists.
A classic hotel overlooking Powell Street. Offers a menu of pillow options for your sleeping comfort.
Hotel features the Redwood Room restaurant, Fredericks for coffee and breakfast, private apartments, penthouse suites and meeting facilities. The wild interior decorating of the lobby and bar has been toned down in the early 2020s.
A boutique hotel with a half-acre private urban park. Good linens, flat-screen TVs and complimentary wine hour.
Situated at the nexus of Chinatown, North Beach and the Financial District, this 27 story hotel has some stunning views over the city and of San Francisco Bay.
At 46 stories tall, this hotel is the tallest hotel in the downtown area and has excellent views over the city. It also has a heated outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi, as well as high-speed internet in all rooms.
Sleek, modern boutique hotel just off Union Square. This place is pretty hip! It's also a non-smoking hotel.
Swanky large hotel with a boutique feel and very large bathrooms. Rooms are equipped with high-speed Internet, stereos and large flat panel televisions, and you can ask for the few rooms with Japanese style amenities. There is also an indoor fifteen-meter heated pool, whirlpool and a 24h gym. Hotel dining includes restaurant ANZU, which serves fresh sushi and excellent steaks. Also located inside the hotel's lobby is the Rrazz Room Theater, with nightly cabaret and R&B and the Imperial Club rooms on the top floors provide some great views of the city.
formerly Hotel Rex
The Hotel Rex, now the Hotel Emblem, was inspired by the San Francisco art and literary salons of the 1920s and 30s. The clubby lobby surrounds guests with distinctive period furnishings, walls of antiquarian books, and a collection of exotic objects, original portraits and murals.
Great boutique hotel, right on the waterfront, across from the historic Ferry Building. Rooms with city or bay views, rooftop day-spa, and a restaurant and bar with outside terrace seating.
A very prominent hotel near the waterfront, famous for its brutalist sci-fi aesthetic, enormous atrium, and glass elevators, with many rooms having lovely views of the Bay. Typically of Hyatts, there are plenty of amenities and very nice rooms. Not to be confused with the Hyatt Regency Downtown SOMA, a generic business hotel a few blocks down Market St.
former Pan Pacific
A AAA four-diamond hotel with lots of amenities and nice rooms.
formerly the Park Hyatt
A luxury hotel that mostly caters to business travelers. Large rooms and very nice furnishings and art work. If you stay at this hotel, make a point not to eat breakfast here, as it is expensive and there are other good options nearby.
A 150-room hotel on the top eleven floors of the First Interstate Center, the third tallest building in the city of San Francisco. The view from the rooms are exceptional, with floor to ceiling windows and great views.
A historic hotel with some elegantly appointed rooms and suites. Fine dining at the Leatherneck Steakhouse & Lounge and performances at the historical Marines' Memorial Theatre on the premises.
A trendy San Francisco boutique hotel. Formerly the Hotel 480, this hotel has been completely renovated to become a Marriott.
A luxury hotel with marble floors and wood paneling in the lobby and very nice rooms.
A stylish 'green' boutique hotel with beautiful rooms and suites, as well as meeting space, a fitness center, and on-site dining - Daffodil Restaurant.
A highrise hotel with large rooms, lots of amenities, and great views of Downtown.
A historic (built in 1928) and rather lavish hotel a block up the street from Union Square. Formerly known as the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, it changed its name in 2022 due to Drake's involvement in the slave trade.
Located just outside Chinatown, directly across from the south gate. Trendy, modern, and a little pricey. But the rooms are nicely appointed, and they offer a free tasting of local wines every afternoon.
Has the feel of an Italian-inspired hotel. Amenities include an onsite bar, Kuleto's Italian Restaurant, a fitness center and a sundry area.
Now a member of the Westin chain, this is an iconic San Francisco hotel. The lavish lobby and cafe area as well as the opulent Bourbon Lounge bar/steakhouse are used as a meeting place by quite a lot of people who aren't guests there, despite the pricey lattes/cocktails and ritzy atmosphere. In a peculiar bit of design, the lobby has a side entrance to the Harry & David store, should you need to pop over for a few chocolate-covered cranberries. A ride on the exterior glass elevators offers a splendid view of the skyline. While it used to be possible to ride the elevators if you weren't staying at the hotel, card readers have been installed in the elevators, requiring a bit more finesse to get in. Although the St. Francis has a reputation for being pricy, it runs off-season specials. Rooms in the original Landmark wing are small and lack views, but have more character, while the newer, much taller Tower wing is bland but offers larger rooms.
Along with a restaurant, this smoke-free hotel has a 24-hour fitness center and a bar/lounge. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include a coffee shop/café, valet parking, and coffee/tea in a common area.
San Francisco's source of luxury housewares, from couches to crystal. Though famous names like Waterford appear on the shelves, the selection emphasizes home furnishings as art, often with an elegant Asian feel. The dominant style is not quite modernist but hardly middle-American traditional. It's difficult to do justice to a native's feelings toward Gump's without sounding like a bad marketing piece. This is the "look" that says one's parents and grandparents went to the right private schools. If your home looks like Gump's, you've not only "arrived"—you've been here longer than just about anyone else. As well as housewares, Gump's sells jewelry, holiday decor, and the odd bit of upscale soap.
Arguably the largest fabric store on the west coast, filling four floors of a narrow building. Don't look for calicos for your quilting project: this is the land of luxury fabrics for faking couture at home. If you've ever wanted to make a cheap sweater look expensive by adding deluxe buttons, head straight for the third floor, where 30,000 styles await your approval (don't even think of touching a button - the clerks do that). Britex is also notable for selling remnants that are big enough for a real project.
The Union Square store is the flagship store of this international chain, and it's a cathedral to the gracious kitchen. Acres of housewares gleam beneath twin spiral stairs that lead to the land of crystal and tablecloths. This isn't your mother's mall-store Williams Sonoma. There are usually pretty good free samples being passed out, too.
This place might seem obsessed with its eponymous color, if you judge by the store displays, but the upscale clothier also knows about white, beige, blue, and yellow.
This is just the place to pop in for a $1,000 jacket, a $500 cashmere sweater, or those delicious Jimmy Choo shoes. Every now and again, there is a major sale on the top floor. You don't need to watch for the sales banners -- just notice when the crowds mobbing into the store look suspiciously like the same people who bussed your table the night before.
This is a gallery for those interested in rock paintings and photographs, and they also sport a large Beatles collection and paintings by Ronnie Wood and Alberto Vargas. A must for music enthusiasts, if you have the budget.
Spanning five city blocks, this center is one of the largest mixed-use centers in the Western United States. It has over 100 stores and a 5-screen movie complex.
Lots of Nintendo merchandise and photo opportunities; this popular store's 2025 opening has been part of Union Square's post-covid revitalization.
By ferry
Several ferry companies operate service from around the bay to the Ferry Building on the waterfront and offer a scenic bay crossing.
By public transit
Extensive public transit is offered through the neighborhood, provided either by the regional BART system or the city-wide MUNI system, which encompasses the MUNI Metro, buses, cable cars, and the…
On foot
From Fisherman's Wharf, take a 25-minute walk down the Emabarcadero, which will take you all the way down to the Ferry Building, at the edge of the Financial District.
By taxi
This is the CBD for San Francisco, so taxis are easy to hail at any time anywhere in this area. Taxi stands exist at major hotels, stores and some tall skyscrapers.
By bike
Market Street is now closed to private cars, which makes biking much easier. Elsewhere, bike lanes are limited and traffic is heavy.
By car
On-street parking is all but non-existent. Parking garages, while plentiful, can be expensive.
Market Street is a joy to walk down. Wide sidewalks, low traffic, street trees and endless stores offer a pleasant stroll.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Oakland · International · OAK
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Union Square-Financial District and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.