Union Square

I love Union Square during Christmas time! The tree all lit up and the christmas lights in all the shops make for a beautiful tourist spot! It's usually crowded in Union Square during all times of the year. There's a fun little spot there called Gold Dust Lounge which is fun to hit up for a drink after a day of retail therapy!

Not your typical mall area, centering around an interesting multi-story shopping structure with clever glass construction and interesting views, and an excellent cafe at the top in the Nordstrom's, of all places. One reviewer nailed it when s/he called it the part of San Francisco most resembling New York. Still, it's only a shopping district, so I can't give it more than 3 stars.

After nearly being killed (twice!) in the expensive parking garage, my bravery was rewarded with the nice views from the Cheesecake Factory on Macys top floor.

Union Square is the center of the world-class shopping district in San Francisco. Since they finished renovating the square several years ago it has worked well as a public open space and is used for art shows and cultural events. There's a nice big Christmas tree there every year around the holidays and a serviceable parking garage located underneath the square.

Shopping district, nothing very special. Seems to be more generic when I saw it a week ago than the last time I visited.

This is a good visit, and I hear the bums and panhandlers have been cleaned out. It is nothing special however.

Ok for shopping but otherwise it is not all that different from a hundres other city centers.

There's some great shopping around union square, and this area gets mobbed near the Holidays - be prepared for massive crowds. Hit up the Cheesecake Factory above Macy's for rooftop seating and a pretty cool view.

Completely rebuiling (i.e. paving over) the square in 2002 was a definite improvement, giving it a very modern, European look and getting rid of the panhandlers and pigeons. As for the shopping district, it's always been top-notch. Lots of shops and hotels, foot traffic and activity. Great feel around the holidays with the decorations and crowds. When the SF Center expands in 2006 and Bloomingdale's is added, it'll get even better.

Besides New York and maybe Chicago, downtown San Francisco at Union Square is a shoppers paridise. Saks, Neiman Marcus, Macy's and Nordstrom down the street what more could you ask for. Bloomingdales coming in 2006. WOW!!Why on earth would you go to a boring mall. This is by far the best place to shop in the bay area. Chanel, Burberry, Bulgari, Versace, Armani, Polo, Gumps, Escada, Yves Saint Laurent, and the list goes on. By far one of the best downtown shopping destinations in all of North America.

They wrecked it when they paved it over recently. Plus, the best shops aren't what they were years ago [Magnin's Normandy Lane, the old Gumps] The Gourmet Dept has been gutted in Neiman-Marcus....

Neiman Marcus is amazing! Also be sure to go in Gumps as well. Circle gallery (now Xanadu) on the alleyway is cool if you like Frank Lloyd Wright. Macys is like an international airport...avoid! Forget about parking; take mass transit

Sorry native SF shoppers, this is the place for tourists to go if they like shopping. These stores in smaller locations are not even close to being this nice. Neiman-Marcus, Saks and Macy's were worth the day all by themselves. The Levi store was a letdown, but Tiffany & Co was nice. I really like the food area in the basement at Macy's (Wofgang Puck express was nicest). Go when the Christmas tree is up in the middle of the square :)

The best shopping district ever! No other city comes close (except NYC!)! LOVE LOVE LOVE the Macy's!!

I never quite understood the appeal of visiting a city and spending your time there shopping at stores that you can shop at when you're home. And, I imagine that the malls and stores are a whole lot less crowded than Union Square is. Do those of us who live in SF a favor, stay away from Union Square so that when we need to go shopping, it won't feel like we are doing the Olympic slalom as we try to navigate the crowds.

I love Union Square because you can go shopping and at the same time see San Francisco's view! I love how the cable car is in the middle of Union Square; it's so convenient to the Fisherman's Wharf and back! If you're into shopping, this is definitely the best place to go to. But definitely bring cash!

Love it! It makes me feel like I'm in New York City, my second favorite city in the world. I think what gives life to Union Square are the good stores that surround it, like Macy's.

This is the center of all the major department stores in San Francisco. It isn't mandatory to visit this.

An overhyped, overpriced place to shop, Union Square does have some interesting places to see, but I wouldn't suggest buying much there. Chock full of brand name stores, the area is a major tourist trap. Personally, I think the best thing Union Square has to offer is lunch at the Rotunda in Neiman Marcus. A little experience, but worth it just for the experience.

It's one of the most heavily populated areas in the city you can shop. There is a big variety of stores to choose from, such as Nike, a gigantic Macy's, and a brand new Levi's store. There are very nice hotels there and the coolest street performers you'll find anywhere in the city- the silver man to the traveling tap dancers. Also, there's a guy you can pay to jump out of the bushes to scare people.

I highly enjoy shopping here. From Virgin Records to Urban Outfitters, there is a wide selection of stores to spend one's money. It is also a fine place to just take a stroll, have a cigarette, or have coffee with friends.

Union Square is the main shopping attraction of SF. There are shops ranging from Old Navy all the way to Armani and anything in between like Macy's and Banana Republic. It gets pretty crazy down in Union Square especially on the weekends. It is really crowded so if you are in the mood for shopping and crowds, Union Square is the place to go.

I really like Union Square because the stores are hella nice and they are really big. The stores seem to carry more merchandise than the normal mall. As a result, I shop there a lot.

The shopping area is great...there are many brand name stores. In addition, all of the attractions are nearby, so not too much walking is required. However, there is a huge parking problem in the Union Square area. The park itself is full of homeless people who bother you for money. There are also too many pigeons around.

Bad! For being the gateway from the West to American lifestyle, our Union Square is limited and punitive, compared to New York's time square. Who hosts the biggest events in their 'square'? Not Union Square.

Union Square is the place to shop. It has the best shops. You can find clothes to dress up or dress down. Anyone can shop there because of the great stuff. It is a great hang out place where you can meet your friends or just go on a date. At night you can have a great dinner it maybe a little bit expensive but it is worth it. One thing that really gets me is parking. It is so hard to find parking.

Shopping, shopping, shopping! It has practically every single store you can imagine. The area is OK, but the stores make up for it.

Union Square is a great place for shopping. Offers a fast paced environment. Union Square carries apparel for everyone. The trolley runs right into downtown adding more excitement to the area.

Very crowded. S.F. needs to waken the parking woes in this area. I love the shops there, there needs to be more places to eat.

Union Square is a shopper's delight with a flare of the unusual. Regardless of your budget, there is a store for you! The human mannequin show and cable cars are a bonus. Nothing beats the beautiful decorations at Christmas time.

If you love shopping, especially all in one location, shop Union Square. There are a lot of quality stores like Macy's and Victoria Secret, plus a lot of places to eat.

There is something for everyone. Fantastic shopping, nearby food, and museums close by. So many attractions it requires more than a day to appreciate the density of available entertainment.

This is a beautiful place to go, especially on Christmas because of the great Christmas tree. There are also malls and shopping centers within a walking distance.

A nice place to shop and generally a tourists area. The shops are a little pricy and on the high end side, but there are a lot of things to choose from.

I love the stores-the mall. It is fun and the stores are of variety for everybody. It is a fun place for the family to go around and have fun.

Union Square is a perfect place for people to go on a tour. There is a shopping center and restaurants all around.

It's really a good place to go shopping and it's really a good location for a job or business.

With great and wonderful stores all about, it is truly a shoppers paradise. The only problem is parking.

Normally I can't afford this place, but come Christmas time, there's nowhere else I'd rather be. Sales galore, lots of cafe's, and of course the big gigantic Christmas tree in the center.

This is a great place to shop with the family or friends, especially with the addition of the Old Navy store. Still, the shopping is quite expensive around this area.

Union Square is something else! Whatever you could possibly imagine goes on in or around Union Square. If you like excitement, swing by Union Square and just chill.

A great shopping area. Easy access if you prefer using BART to get there.