Union Square, San Francisco facts for kids
Union Square is a famous public plaza in downtown San Francisco, California. It's about 2.6 acres in size and is surrounded by busy streets like Geary, Powell, Post, and Stockton. The name "Union Square" also refers to the whole area around the plaza. This district is known for its many shops, hotels, and theaters.
The area got its name because people gathered here to support the Union Army during the American Civil War. This made it an important historical spot. At the center of the plaza, you'll find the Dewey Monument, which features a statue of Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory.
Union Square has historically been a major place for shopping, with many department stores and fancy boutiques. It's a popular spot for tourists and a well-known gathering place in San Francisco. However, in recent years, some stores have closed, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quick facts for kids
Union Square
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Overview of the plaza, 2018
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 Union Square
Location in San Francisco
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| City | San Francisco |
| Population
(2015)
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| • Total | 2,296 |
| Reference #: | 623 |
Contents
History of Union Square
How Union Square Began
Union Square was once a big sand dune. In 1850, it was set aside to become a public park. It got its name because people held rallies there to support the Union during the American Civil War. The monument in the square also honors sailors of the United States Navy.
San Francisco's first American mayor, John Geary, dedicated Union Square in 1850. A big change happened in 1903 when a 97-foot tall monument was added. This monument celebrates Admiral George Dewey's victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish–American War. It also remembers U.S. President William McKinley. The statue on top, called "Victory," was created by Robert Aitken.
Another important change happened between 1939 and 1941. A large underground parking garage was built beneath the square. This meant the park's lawns, bushes, and the Dewey monument were now on the garage's roof! This was the world's first underground parking garage, designed by Timothy L. Pflueger.
Union Square After World War II
For many years, Union Square was one of the biggest shopping areas outside of New York and Chicago. It was a special place for people in the San Francisco Bay Area to visit for shopping and dining. Families would even dress up for a day out "downtown."
However, over time, people started visiting other neighborhoods. Union Square became more for convention visitors and casual tourists. In the late 1970s and through the 1980s and 1990s, the area became less tidy. In 1998, city planners decided to renovate the plaza. They wanted more paved areas for easier care and planned for outdoor cafes. They also wanted to add more levels to the underground garage.
Union Square from 2000 to 2020
In late 2000, the park closed partly for renovations. It reopened on July 25, 2002, with a ceremony led by Mayor Willie Brown. In 2004, a company launched a free Wi-Fi network in Union Square, supported by Mayor Gavin Newsom. In 2016, only 3% of the stores around Union Square were empty.
Union Square from 2020 to Today
In 2020, the number of empty stores in the area grew to 9.4% because of the COVID-19 pandemic. By May 2023, about 47% of the retailers that were open in 2019 had closed.
In March 2024, a newspaper columnist said Union Square looked "in sorry shape" with many empty storefronts. It was also reported that Macy's planned to close its large store at Union Square. This showed that Union Square was becoming less central to the city's daily life.
On August 31, 2024, San Francisco 49ers player Ricky Pearsall was shot during an attempted robbery near Union Square. In October 2024, over 2,000 hotel workers went on strike for better pay. Some strikers were arrested for sitting in the street. These strikes ended in December 2024.
Fun Things to Do and See
Union Square hosts many public concerts and events. You can get great views of the square from tall buildings nearby, like the Sir Francis Drake Hotel or the top floor of Macy's. The Union Square Business Improvement District helps keep the area clean and safe.
During the holiday season, a fun ice skating rink and a big Christmas tree are set up in the square.
Art and Statues
The Dewey Monument is the main statue in Union Square. It's an 85-foot tall column with a 9-foot statue of Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory, on top. The monument honors Admiral George Dewey for his victory in the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898. It was dedicated in 1903.
Since 2009, colorful heart sculptures from the Hearts in San Francisco art project have been placed in each of the square's four corners.
Economy and Businesses
The Tiffany Building is an 11-story building at Union Square. The first two floors have a Tiffany & Co. store. The upper floors have offices, including the North America headquarters for Cathay Pacific airline.
The only hotel right on Union Square is the Westin St. Francis hotel. It's famous for its historic Magneta Grandfather Clock. This hotel is also believed to be the only one in the world that offers a coin washing service for its guests! This service started in 1938 when ladies wore white gloves that could get dirty from handling money.
Nearby Attractions
Union Square is also the name for the shopping, dining, and theater areas around the plaza. The Geary and Curran theaters are just one block west.
Two blocks south, at Market Street, you'll find where the cable cars turn around. This area is growing with more shops. Nob Hill, known for its grand buildings, is northwest of Union Square. Directly northeast is Chinatown, with its famous dragon gate.
San Francisco's historic French Quarter is northeast of Union Square. It has many outdoor French restaurants and cafes. Every year, it hosts a big Bastille Day celebration.
East of the square is Maiden Lane, a small street with fancy shops and cafes. It leads to the Financial District. Here you can see the Xanadu Gallery, the only building in San Francisco designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Its inside design was a model for New York City's Guggenheim Museum. Union Square is also part of the Barbary Coast Trail, which connects many San Francisco landmarks.
Shopping
Union Square has been a very popular place for shopping. Large department stores like Neiman Marcus, Macy's, and Saks Fifth Avenue are all within a few blocks. Bloomingdale's is in the nearby San Francisco Centre mall.
Many luxury stores and popular brands are around Union Square. Some of the fancy stores include Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Bulgari, and Tiffany & Co.. You can also find flagship stores for Victoria's Secret, Williams Sonoma, Nike, and Apple. Other well-known brands in the area include Chanel, Prada, Burberry, and Cartier.
Gap Inc., which has its main office nearby, used to have several stores in the area. Most of these closed in the early 2020s, but a smaller Banana Republic store reopened in October 2023.
On February 27, 2024, it was announced that Macy's would close its large Union Square store. This is part of a plan to close many stores across the country. The store will stay open until the building is sold.
Video game company Nintendo is opening its second U.S. retail store in Union Square in 2025.
Getting Around
Two cable car lines, Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason, serve Union Square on Powell Street.
Many trolleybus and bus lines also serve the area. The F Market heritage streetcar is another option. The Muni Metro and BART subway systems have a station nearby at Powell Street Station on Market Street.
In January 2023, the Central Subway opened. This new subway line connects Union Square and Chinatown to other parts of San Francisco. There is a new station called Union Square/Market Street station that serves the square directly. It is linked to Powell Street station by an underground walkway.
See also
In Spanish: Plaza Unión para niños
- 49-Mile Scenic Drive
- List of upscale shopping districts
- Theatre District, San Francisco
