Overview
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.
8 sights · 9 things to do · 12 places to eat · 6 bars & cafés · 30 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Union Square-Financial District
Ferry Building
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…
Fraenkel Gallery
A long-standing photography gallery with changing museum-quality exhibits featuring the work of many of the medium's masters.
San Francisco Historical Society
Exhibits in San Francisco's original US Mint Building about the history of the City.
San Francisco Railway Museum
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…
Transamerica Pyramid
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 …
Union Square
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 Conv…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 72°F; winter lows dip to about 44°F. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby San Francisco)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- OAK Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, Oakland — 11 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SFO San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco — 12 mi away (major hub). Directions
Several ferry companies operate service from around the bay to the Ferry Building on the waterfront and offer a scenic bay crossing.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $27–$229 a night (typical $149), from 13 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $15 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$60, mid-range ~$210, comfortable ~$370.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Fraenkel Gallery, Union Square, TIX Bay Area
- Lunch Mr. Charlie's
- Afternoon Shelton Theater, Marines Memorial Theater
- Dinner Macy's Cellar Food Court
- Evening Starlight Room
Day 2
- Morning Ferry Building, San Francisco Railway Museum, Embarcadero Center
- Lunch One Market Restaurant
- Afternoon Architecture, Mechanics Institute Library & Chess Room
- Dinner Harborview Restaurant & Bar
- Evening Royal Exchange
Day 3
- Morning San Francisco Historical Society, Transamerica Pyramid
- Lunch Wexler's
- Afternoon Gourmet Walks
- Dinner Tadich Grill
- Evening Irish Bank
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Though Union Square appears to be awash in cafes, it's one of the more difficult neighborhoods for good eating. Dining selections are crowded and geared toward the tourist market with generally high prices and low quality, though there are a few iconic restaurants that have must-see status just from their fame and age. It's also a center of high-end hotel dining. However, a short side trip west on O'Farrell or Geary to the Tenderloin for bargain Indian or Vietnamese food, a quick walk up Grant to Chinatown or (further) to North Beach may be worthwhile alternatives to fast food, long waits, or $200 a plate meals. In the Financial District there are various restaurants catering to those who work in the surrounding buildings although many close at the end of the business day and offer few dinner choices.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Union Square
Surrounded by upscale hotels, Union Square is one of the largest shopping areas in the U.S. and is home to some of the nation's finest department stores, malls and specialty stores. As if that wasn't enough, it also boasts many fine art galleries, some of the best restaurants in the city, and it also serves as San Francisco's main theater district, featuring many Broadway and off-Broadway shows. The city earmarked the area as a park in 1850, and its name was derived from the many lively, pro-Union Civil War demonstrations that were held there. The square itself, a public plaza, which is bordered by Post, Stockton, Geary, and Powell streets, got a major refurbishment in 2002 when most of its grass was paved over with granite stone. Built in 1903, the monument dedicated to the Goddess Victory remains at the heart of the square. Today, people use the square mostly as a space to relax and soak up a bit of sun, and to wallow in the atmosphere created by the surrounding cable cars, hotels and shoppers.
Financial District
The Financial District is among the top financial centers in the United States and its many skyscrapers add a very impressive skyline to the city. It is home to the headquarters of the 12th District of the United States Federal Reserve, as well as the iconic Transamerica Pyramid building. It also houses the corporate headquarters of many financial giants such as Visa, Wells Fargo Bank, Mckeeson Corporation and Charles Schwab Corporation. Despite the fact that the area was almost completely destroyed by the 1906 earthquake and fire, many of its original skyscrapers have survived. Today the architecture reflects a mix of both contemporary as well as more historic buildings such as the Merchant and Exchange building, the Bank of America building and the Russ building. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities in the area with centers such as the Embarcadero Center and the Ferry Building. It begins at Montgomery, which was once known as the "Wall Street of the West," and ends at the Embarcadero.
Get in
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 F-Line streetcar.
The MUNI Metro line stops at Union Square/Market Street Station.
BART and all other MUNI Metro lines () run under Market Street with three stations serving this part of downtown: the Embarcadero, Montgomery Street and Powell Street. Powell Street Station is just a few blocks from Union Square. The Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable car lines run from Powell and Market past Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf. From the Embarcadero station you can catch the California cable car line.
The F Streetcar Line runs along Market Street and up the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf. There are several streetcar stops along Market Street. Numerous MUNI bus lines run through the area as well starting at the Ferry Building or Transbay Terminal and radiating out to other neighborhoods. They include the 38-Geary (which runs past Union Square) and the 1-California (which runs through the Financial District past the Embarcadero Center). The 10-Townsend, 30-Stockton and 45-Union/Stockton lines run north-south through the district, connecting to Chinatown, North Beach, and Fisherman's Wharf to the north.
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.
From west of the area, it is also easily accessible by getting first to Market Street and then walking eastbound.
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.
Bike share is available from Bay Wheels, Lime and Bird.
By car
On-street parking is all but non-existent. Parking garages, while plentiful, can be expensive. Major parking garages for the Union Square area can be found at the NE corner of Sutter and Stockton, between Ellis and O'Farrell between Stockton and Powell, on Sutter between Kearny and Grant, and under Union Square.
Get around
Market Street is a joy to walk down. Wide sidewalks, low traffic, street trees and endless stores offer a pleasant stroll.
See
See Ferry Building
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.
See Transamerica Pyramid
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.
See Union Square
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.
*
See Architecture
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.
- Water fountains. A quick overview of San Francisco geography is provided by the San Francisco Fountain on the steps of the Grand Hyatt on Stockton just north of Post. This massive wall of sculpture was created by Ruth Asawa, using schoolchildren's bread dough models as a basis for the casting. Another famous water feature is Lotta's Fountain, at the intersection of Geary, Kearney, and Market. Donated by singer Lotta Crabtree in 1875, it is the city's oldest piece of public art. You can also see the controversial Vaillancourt Fountain at Justin Herman Plaza at the foot of Market Street, believed by many to be a parody of the former (and much loathed) Embarcadero Freeway.
- Privately-owned public spaces, various locations downtown. Local building codes have, for many years, required developers to include public spaces in their buildings. Some of them offer great views of downtown, such as the terrace on the 15th floor of 343 Sansome St. Others are just a nice place to take a break and sit, like the Redwood Forest at the bottom of the Transamerica Pyramid. A complete guide, entitled "Secrets of San Francisco", has detailed descriptions on each one.
See Embarcadero Center
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.
Do
Do Mechanics Institute Library & Chess Room
The Mechanics Institute is the oldest library in San Francisco, dating back to 1854 during the initial wild growth of San Francisco. 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.
Performing arts
Most of the theaters and performance spaces are located just to the west in the Civic Center-Tenderloin area, but there's still a few theaters surrounding Union Square:
Do TIX Bay Area
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.
Buy
The purpose of Union Square is shopping. Several upscale national chains can be found in the neighborhood, including Macy's western flagship store on the south side of the square and Neiman Marcus on the southeast corner. Other chains include Victoria's Secret, a four-level Ross, Forever 21 in a restored bank, Armani, and Crate and Barrel.
More interesting are the stores that can't be found in every suburban mall. There are numerous art galleries and a fascinating selection of local or unusual businesses. The Financial District also has some decent shopping centers to choose from.
Shop Gump's
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.
Shop Britex
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.
Shop Williams Sonoma
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.
Shop Wilkes Bashford
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.
Eat
Though Union Square appears to be awash in cafes, it's one of the more difficult neighborhoods for good eating. Dining selections are crowded and geared toward the tourist market with generally high prices and low quality, though there are a few iconic restaurants that have must-see status just from their fame and age. It's also a center of high-end hotel dining. However, a short side trip west on O'Farrell or Geary to the Tenderloin for bargain Indian or Vietnamese food, a quick walk up Grant to Chinatown or (further) to North Beach may be worthwhile alternatives to fast food, long waits, or $200 a plate meals. In the Financial District there are various restaurants catering to those who work in the surrounding buildings although many close at the end of the business day and offer few dinner choices.
Eat Daffodil Restaurant
Serving seasonal, organic cuisine with wines from around the world.
Eat Harborview Restaurant & Bar
Upscale Cantonese restaurant with views of the bay.
Eat John's Grill
Seafood and steak joint.
Eat Little Delhi
This is a very good Indian restaurant at very reasonable prices. Decor and ambiance is average, but high on taste and cleanliness.
Eat Macy's Cellar Food Court
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.
Eat One Market Restaurant
Organic food dishes.
Eat Pinecrest Diner
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.
Eat Puccini & Pinetti
Popular Italian restaurant.
Eat Schroeder's
A traditional German beer hall with schnitzel, sausages and other delights (and, of course, a good selection of German beers).
Eat Tadich Grill
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.
Eat Wexler's
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.
Eat Mr. Charlie's
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.
Drink
Drink Benjamin Cooper
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.
Drink E&O Trading Company
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.
Drink Irish Bank
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.
Drink Royal Exchange
A good selection of microbrews and imports on tap in a typical sports bar.
Drink Starlight Room
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.
Drink Tunnel Top
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.
Sleep
Without a doubt, this is the primary hotel district for San Francisco. While some of the main hotels are in the neighboring Tenderloin district (although they'll vehemently deny it) their proximity to Union Square and public transportation is hard to beat. The range varies greatly from large, international chains to smaller boutiques. With any of these hotels, you are always advised to book far in advance for better prices and selection due to their overall desirability for anyone visiting the city.
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Stay Hotel Nikko
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.
Stay Hotel Emblem San Francisco (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.
Stay Hyatt Regency San Francisco
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.
Stay Westin St Francis Hotel
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.
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