Located in the heart of the city, Union Square is bordered by
Geary, Powell, Post and Stockton Streets and centers around
a manicured park with the naval monument topped with a
bronze Goddess of Victory, erected in 1903. Union Square was
so named by the city’s first American mayor, John Geary, on
the eve of the Civil War because demonstrations were held
here in support of Union’s troops.
Today the block-square park is bordered by fashionable
stores, major retailers and hotels, and is one the City’s
major shopping areas. The adjoining streets are lined with
restaurants, theaters, boutiques, galleries, shops and
services. Adjacent Maiden Lane is an historic 2-block alley
(infamous as the center of the “red light” district during
the Gold Rush era), extending off Stockton to Grant, now
lined with upscale shops, cafes and salons. Architectural
buffs will be particularly interested in the Frank Lloyd
Wright Building, located at 140 Maiden Lane, built in 1948,
the city’s only Wright-designed structure.
The Financial District and Chinatown are within walking
distance and the criss-cross of public transportation will
take you anywhere in the city. Cable cars run from Market
Street to Fisherman’s Wharf. The Tenderloin, adjacent to
Union Square, is a culturally diverse neighborhood. Savvy
travelers keep heads up and maneuver this section with care.
Coming Soon : Special Highlights in this Neighborhood.
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