The Retail Apex: Union Square

Union Square in San Francisco may be short on good many things, but never charm. Or access to top-notch shopping for that matter. Nowhere else, except perhaps Times Square in New York, can you walk out of your Union Square hotel and directly into what amounts to an outdoor mall. Imagine all the world class retailers and boutiques you can stacked cheek-by-jowl in an outdoor disco inferno and you might get close to what this famous square has to offer.

In addition to being the the shopping mecca for the Bay Area, it is also the cultural gathering stop for the city. Like Times Square — the comparisons never end — it’s the place San Franciscans come to celebrate New Year’s Eve and participate in public demonstrations. This is in keeping with the square’s historic significance and purpose.

To belabor the Times Square comparison, Union Square endured something of a rough spot. It fell into ill-repute during the late Seventies and throughout the Eighties and the beginning of the Nineties. It wasn’t until the late Nineties that the square was closed off and gutted to accommodate a gentrified number of retail spaces. Moreover, a parking garage was built to accommodate the expected glut of shoppers.

By the turn of the century, Union Square was open for business. It was was also open to dining, hotels, and tourism. Given that it’s a stone’s throw from the Financial District and the Moscone Convention Center, Union Square has become the de facto place for tourists and business travelers to book their stays. Now, it is not uncommon to see young singles enjoying a glass of wine at any of the bistros tucked in and around the Square.

The rallying point for pro-Union supporters during the Civil War, you would be hard-pressed now few could tell you why the square acquired its name. But it doesn’t really matter — the barrage of lights, signage and shops is enough to make most people forget why they came to the area and reach for their wallets. Whatever brings you to the square at the center of San Francisco, be sure you enjoy, partake, and leave happy.

If you happen to be in San Francisco and in need of a Union Square hotel, you can always find an affordable one online for less!