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    Union Square

    4.1 (515 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

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    Janet T.

    I always love coming to Union Square and shop at Macys and eat at Cheesecake Factory. I was there this past Saturday to celebrate Taiwanese American Festival for Asian American Heritage Month. There were many stalls of food that you can buy and performances on stage. It was quite crowded and hard to navigate between the stalls. I stayed for about an hour and left. There is a parking lot right across from Macys and makes it convenient to go to Union Square. I paid $12 for two hours.

    Chloe F.

    Fun "landmark" to walk through, though not super well maintained. A decent amount of trash throughout.

    Sheeka B.

    Absolutely recommend catching the train for this area just for the experience alone! Also, it's a comfy (albeit bumpy) way to get around SF and to navigate those crazy ass hills. You can pay for one ride or an all day pass, and the trolley from here to any of the tourists locations is worthwhile. There are tons of shops, vendors, and access to the BART nearby. And every restaurant we checked out had delicious smelling food (and very long lines). It's great if you're trying to pick up souvenirs, or you forgot something back home.

    Kim T.

    This is always my places to go shopping whenever I am in San Francisco but I can believe how everything is going out of business as times goes by. If Macy is moving out of here, it is going to be very bad since Macys is the staple of Union Square icon. It is used to be super busy especially on the weekend and holiday for tourist but not anymore. Even though there are a lot of security around the area but it is not safe anymore. San Francisco has a high rate of burglaries and vehicle theft, therefore people feel unsafe shopping around this day. I hope the government fix this as soon as possible otherwise Union Square will no longer be a safe and tourist shopping area.

    Dewey defeated the Spaniards in Manila Bay
    Gerry T.

    Union square is still a nice place to connect with friends and family. I used to attend annual conferences across the street at the Westin, St. Francis, and Union Square's underground parking lot was very convenient. No matter how late I was running, I always knew that it just took a few minutes to park. The shopping and places to eat also make it a convenient spot. But a lot has changed, it's kinda gritty now, and that's during the day. I miss Levi's and all of the other stores that have left. I heard 17 establishments have left since the Pandemic and that's quite a number. With work from home and not too many people downtown, it wasn't busy at all. I learned a bit from the Dewey monument, thank you US Navy for liberating the Philippines from Spain. Muchas gracias!!

    Ivan B.

    Union Square is a very nice chill place to go to. I went there with my friend to shop around Macy's and other places. You can find really good stores and restaurants. It could get crowded at certain times of the days and may find more crowded events. I heard that most businesses are shutting down here, but at the same time hoping that new ones come here. Other than that, you can find good places to take pictures. The vibe is still here since there are still good restaurants, bars, and stores. Maybe in the future, this area can get better just like the good old days.

    Union Square at night.
    Marilu F.

    Located in the center of San Francisco, Union Square has a little bit of everything. There are coffee shops, shopping, and even the cable car passes by through there. We mainly passed by it as we walked it back to our hotel that was nearby. I wish I had seen more of this area, but eh, was very strapped for time. Hoping to do some shopping there next time I visit.

    Maruko X.

    The Union Square ground has frequently served as a choice location for public meetings, including parades, labor protests, and other official celebrations. There's iconic landmarks in the area, such as Macy's holiday windows. I don't particularly vote this place as favorites, one of the reasons it's almost always crowded.

    Chris R.

    Union Square put up their Christmas tree and I believe the lighting was last week but me and my girlfriend got to see drag queens on ice which was a really dope and amazing experience and totally free as well. You can also go up to CheeseCake Factory which is located in Macys and get a nice picture from up there as well

    Phil A.

    Union Square, smack dab in the middle of a lot of high end stores in San Francisco!! Coming here during the holidays you also get to see the Macys Christmas Tree and the holiday ice skating rink. This is a great place to come any time of year though, it's always hustle/bustle here, even in the evenings. At the center of Union Square is the Dewey Monument with the Goddess Of Victory at the top. There's so much to do in this area, shopping, dining, theater, bars, tours, Bart is close, cable cars, famous hotels, high end stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Louis Vuitton. Bart is the best way to get here, you can enjoy it more that way to me!! Some come here and hang out, soak up the atmosphere here in SF!!!

    Afshin A.

    First a tall sand dune, and now this! Union Square was initially a tall sand dune. Then and some point it became the property of Colonel John Geary, the youngest ever Mayor of San Francisco and later a Union general in the American Civil War. In 1850 Geary deeded the land to the city of San Francisco with the stipulation that it would be used for park purposes. For years the Union Square was used for different purposes, but then some time between 1871 and 1880 it was first formally designed as a park. The park was redesigned a number of times until May 14, 1903 when President Theodore Roosvelt dedicated the current monument at the center of the square to Admiral George Dewey a hero of the Spanish-American War. Today Union Square is an elegant plaza surrounded by tall trees, elegant stores and plenty of places to eat or drink. Top activities around the square include shopping, galleries, theater productions and tours. It is also next to the cable car route that take you from this district to Fisherman's Wharf. To read more about the history of the square go here: https://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=A_HISTORY_OF_UNION_SQUARE To see what options are available around the square go here: visitunionsquaresf.com

    The Macy's Xmas tree with Saks Department Store! Holiday 2021
    Joanna T.

    Christmas isn't Christmas without the Macy's Christmas tree in Union Square @UnionSquareSF! The tree is Macy's present to San Francisco! Is this a faux Douglas fir tree? It is Beautifully green. Union Square et al is a great photo op with your family or friends or even co-workers! Celebrate this annual tradition. Stop by and see Union Square yourself! Enjoy the Christmas tree and the ice skating rink too. Lucky us to have our heart of the City be Union Square.

    Jo W.

    The only time of the year that I think Union Square is worth visiting is during the Holiday season, when there's a giant Christmas tree, lights, ice skating rink, and a festive atmosphere. Otherwise, it's just a plaza surrounded by high-end stores. I'm somewhat jaded, probably because I'm a local, so I'll just pass by here and think, "Oh, okay, I know where I am" and continue on with my way.

    Christmastime Union Square 2022

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    Great place to congregate and chill. Beautiful landscaping. The San Fransisco hearts are very picture worthy.

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    There's tons of stores (Apple, Macy's, Nike, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany's etc) restaurants, clubs and hotels.

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    Ferry Building Marketplace - 1/28/25 Happy CNY. FYI. Food & drink options.

    Ferry Building Marketplace

    4.5(2k reviews)
    0.9 miEmbarcadero, SoMa
    $$

    The ferry building in SF is truly iconic and beautiful! Must visit for tourists and locals alike…read more Lots of restaurants, stores, dessert, and coffee inside. They also do weekly farmers markets outside. Upstairs space can also be rented for corporate events. I've had a couple of corporate parties here.

    Whether arriving to or departing from, the Ferry Building in San Francisco is a wondrous experience…read moreall its own. Local artwork can be experienced around every corner. Several languages fill the air as people from all over the world bustle through at any time of the day. And there truly is something for everyone here. There are many types of cuisine with various price ranges to choose from for snack, dinner, or dessert. There are at least three coffee and tea options, a gourmet grocery store with drink options, and a wine bar to choose from when thirsty. Beyond San Francisco souvenirs, there are many little shops with various types of gift options and a bookstore that also hosts author events. Although indoor seating is limited, outdoor seating is plentiful, with several restaurants offering outdoor seating and benches placed throughout the path along the water. Both families, couples, and singles can be spotted at either seating. Dogs can accompany their human friends outside. Whether a native, newcomer, or visitor, the Ferry Building is part of the uniquely San Francisco experience.

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    Ferry Building Marketplace - 1/28/25 Happy CNY. FYI.

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    Saluhall - Dac biet burger

    Saluhall

    4.1(151 reviews)
    0.3 miUnion Square, SoMa
    $$

    I recently had the chance to attend a special James Beard-related event at Saluhall, located inside…read morethe IKEA San Francisco building on Market Street, and it turned out to be such a fun and unexpected experience. I had actually never visited Saluhall before, so walking in for the event was my first impression of the space--and it's beautiful. The whole place has a modern Scandinavian feel with lots of warm wood tones, clean lines, and an open layout that makes it feel both stylish and welcoming. For the event, tables were set up throughout the space with different James Beard-recognized chefs and restaurants serving small bites, and it felt like walking through a tasting tour of incredible Bay Area talent. The room buzzed with energy, great food, and even a few familiar faces in the crowd. There were so many standout bites, but a few really stuck with me: From Kristina Costa -- Babka Bread pudding with labneh creme anglaise and citrus supremes, which was rich and comforting in the best way. From David and Serena Fisher -- a super creative porcini meringue with cold-pressed venison tartare with a spring onion veil bite....I may have had 4. From Sana Rival -- cashew dacquoise with chamomile white rum buttercream was just a flavor explosion and the best way to end the night. There were also amazing vendors pouring and sampling, but if I'm being completely honest... the caviar was one of my favorite bites of the entire night. Simple, elegant, and one of those moments where you just pause and enjoy the indulgence. Helpful tip: If Saluhall hosts ticketed events like this again, grab tickets early. The space works really well for tasting-style events and it's a great way to experience multiple Bay Area chefs in one place. Between the beautiful Scandinavian design, the incredible food, and the energy of a room full of chefs and food lovers, it was one of those nights where you walk out thinking, wow, that was special. And now I definitely want to come back and experience Saluhall on a normal day too.

    Honestly really nice venue overall, but the unpredictable evening hours and lack of food vendors…read morenowadays (most seem closed?) make it frustrating to visit. Good: - Great atmosphere: There is lots of open seating, making it a good place to sit, read, work, and chat with people. - Work-friendly: Wi-Fi is decent and I saw a few people with a laptop watching movies or working while eating. Frustrating: - Early vendor closures: Most of the food options, including the main IKEA vendor, were completely closed by 6:00 PM. And heck it's not like they have that many food/bars here. - Abrupt hall closure: At 7:00 PM, the entire hall suddenly closed without any announcements, or signage about an early closure. So I got asked to leave while still eating :(. The security folks said they just randomly close early sometimes.

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    Saluhall - Beautiful interior

    Beautiful interior

    Saluhall - Strawberry Pineapple Oatly vegan soft serve from Snöberg

    Strawberry Pineapple Oatly vegan soft serve from Snöberg

    Saluhall - Dairy-free soft serve from Snöberg!

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    Dairy-free soft serve from Snöberg!

    Off the Grid Fort Mason Center

    Off the Grid Fort Mason Center

    4.2(1k reviews)
    1.8 miMarina/Cow Hollow
    $$
    Large group friendly
    Outdoor seating

    Attended the last OtG for the year and it was well organized and full of holiday spirit even with…read morethe rain. West Coast Craft coincided and it was moved indoors due to the weather which was nice. There were two full floors of vendors and a great dj spinning all the old school jams. Foodwise the trucks were organized in a square so you can quickly scan the options. There were also awnings to eat under and also seating areas inside Fort Mason and a nice snowflake projection. Had a great time, would come back.

    Come to dance, hang, grub, and support small businesses!…read more Night Market: Hosted as a monthly collab by Off the Grid and West Coast Craft -- this night market (7/18/25 specifically) was very well organized and super lively. There were plenty of craft vendors and food vendors, organized space-wise by category: craft vendors were closer to the entrance, food vendors were farther in. My favorites from the craft side were the amount of curated clothes sellers!! Soooo many cute jackets, dresses, tops, skirts, shoes, and bags. There were also a couple music stages playing music -- I liked that they had enough space between them so the sound didn't overlap when you were trying to listen to the artist(s) at either stage. The stage in the back was more of a DJ set, playing house music, and the stage in front had live music -- they had a full band and even a group playing an Irish jig earlier in the day, which was very fun. There were plenty of alcohol stations all around -- in the back, in the front, lining the whole perimeter of the event. There was also a good variety of crafts and a solid selection of food vendors. My only wish is that there had been more sweet options because there were tons of savory options. But overall, everything was very diverse, looked great, and was interesting and unique -- you had Nepali food, Indonesian food, Indian food, Mexican food, etc. -- very ethnically diverse. Overall, I think this is a great event and opportunity to spend time with loved ones (fun for adults and families alike!), grab a bite, and support local businesses! The friend I came with said the market has grown so much since before the pandemic, so it's lovely to see the community show up and show out for this. I hope OTG and WCC continue to host this market! Capelo's Barbecue: My friend and I ordered from Capelo's Barbecue's food truck. We got the 3-meat plate with beef brisket, pork ribs, and BBQ smoked chicken. First -- that line was hella long. We waited about 30 minutes (not including the wait after for the food), but it was fun since I had my friend to talk to. The layout of the menu and pricing were quite clear, so it was easy to decide what we wanted while we waited in line. Also, no dedicated seating area for the truck (night market!). The meats: beef brisket and pork ribs were an extra $2 each on the meat plate. The beef brisket was my favorite -- super smoky and so tender, almost melt-in-your-mouth, but not mushy. Just the perfect texture. Honestly, I wish it had a little more salt to add another layer of flavor besides just meat and smoke, but I still enjoyed the heck out of that brisket. The pork ribs were solid -- not the most amazing ribs I've ever had, but good flavor and texture. They weren't fall-off-the-bone tender, but they had a satisfying chew. I had to put some effort into tearin' the flesh from the bone with my teeth (as you do with ribs), and I liked that. The BBQ smoked chicken? Honestly, nothing special. It was a good, neutral option compared to the brisket and ribs, but the main flavor I picked up was black pepper. Solid chicken breast, but nothing memorable. Even the skin was meh. For the sides, we chose the baked beans and mac and cheese. The baked beans were wonderfully sweet and savory -- they paired perfectly with the BBQ. The mac and cheese was good and worked well with everything, but it wasn't particularly special on its own. Altogether, I think we paid around $32 for the plate. If I hadn't been splitting it with another person, honestly, I don't know if it would've been worth it -- but it was good in the moment. Quite tasty overall.

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    Off the Grid Fort Mason Center - California's largest nighttime street food festival!

    California's largest nighttime street food festival!

    Off the Grid Fort Mason Center - Ghezal Raouf

    Ghezal Raouf

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    Ferry Plaza Farmers Market - Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

    Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

    4.5(1.1k reviews)
    0.9 miEmbarcadero, SoMa
    $$

    Sometime we will get imperfect produce out of convenience but nothing is ever going to beat local…read moreproduce! If you have time to ride a bike over here like we did for the first time you can make a morning slash brunch out of it! Lots of sweet and savory dishes ready to eat when you arrive! And ingredients you can buy for cooking later. Local vendors have stalls in the back parking lot and surround the ferry building that house more permanent shops. These inside shops were curated by the likes of Alice Waters (chez panisse chef in Berkeley) and are nothing short of beautiful. Be warned there are inflated prices for most things. But you can still find a deal when looking for produce with the farmers.

    The Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market is a San Fransisco staple. Whether you're looking for a quick bite…read moreor some groceries for the week, this farmers market has a little bit of everything. The coffee, baked goods, fruit, and dessert selection is especially exceptional. The market itself is not dog friendly however, people still seem to bring their furry friends along. Honorable mentions: * Brown sugar latte from Painted Leopard (oatmilk) - incredibly creamy and sweet. Coffee taste was mild and well balanced. * Apricot kefir from Achadinha Cheese Company - Creamy, tangy, and pairs so well with fruit. * Thousand layer cake from NUSA - not a typically easy to find dessert. The layers are soft and delicious while not being too sweet. * Pain epi from Acme - the perfect vessel for cheeses and spreads. Light, crispy, and easy to pair with anything whether sweet or savory. This market is such a fun way to experience the local vendors in the area with your taste buds. Come early before 11/12 pm so its not too crowded.

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    Ferry Plaza Farmers Market - Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

    Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

    Ferry Plaza Farmers Market - Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

    Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

    Ferry Plaza Farmers Market - Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

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    Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

    Union Square - publicmarkets - Updated May 2026

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