From San Francisco’s Civic Center side, Union Square is a downtown public park at Post and Stockton streets, surrounded by shopping, dining and cultural destinations. The route and transit details below can help you plan a visit from this part of the city.
- Location: Post and Stockton streets, San Francisco, California 94108.
- Park hours: 5 a.m. to midnight.
- Civic Center/UN Plaza BART station: 1150 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Where is Union Square?
Union Square is a downtown park surrounded by the retail, cultural, dining and public-space uses that make up this central part of San Francisco. The city places the park at Post and Stockton streets.
It is a compact destination to orient around: the plaza is the focal point, with Market Street and Powell Street station useful landmarks when planning the approach. For a broader look at local transit and routes, use this guide to getting around San Francisco from Civic Center.
How do you get from Civic Center to Union Square?
Civic Center/UN Plaza BART station is on Market Street, while Powell Street station serves Union Square and the Powell Street cable car. From Bay Hotel, Union Square is about a 10-minute walk; you can pair a visit to the plaza with the surrounding retail, cultural and dining destinations.
Civic Center/UN Plaza station is served by the Dublin/Pleasanton–Daly City, Antioch–SFIA/Millbrae, Berryessa/North San Jose–Daly City, and Richmond–Millbrae/SFIA lines. If you are planning a fuller day in the city, this one-day San Francisco route starts from the Bay Hotel area.
What can you see around the plaza?
Union Square’s role is broader than a park: the city describes it as a downtown destination for retail shopping, hotels, cultural institutions, public space and dining. That mix makes the plaza a convenient point to orient yourself before exploring the surrounding blocks.
The city also lists Union Square in Bloom as a May event featuring oversized floral displays, alongside annual holiday events including an ice rink, Macy’s holiday windows, a Great Tree and the Bill Graham Menorah. Event details can change, so check the official site before you go.
Transit and access around Union Square
Powell Street station is the BART stop identified for Union Square, and it also connects with the Powell Street cable car. Two cable car lines start at Powell and Market streets and continue toward the Fisherman’s Wharf area; the third begins at California and Market streets and runs toward Van Ness Avenue.
Cable car fares can be paid with MuniMobile, Clipper or exact-change cash. SFMTA recommends paying in advance with MuniMobile or Clipper to avoid lines. Cable cars are not equipped for accessible boarding, and full-size and folding bicycles are not permitted aboard.
See the hotel in San Francisco for more information about Bay Hotel.
FAQs
Where is Union Square in San Francisco?
Union Square is a public park at Post and Stockton streets in San Francisco, California 94108.
Which BART station serves Union Square?
Powell Street station serves Union Square. Civic Center/UN Plaza is another nearby station on Market Street.
Are cable cars accessible?
SFMTA says cable cars are not equipped for accessible boarding. Full-size and folding bicycles are not permitted aboard.