Union Square is the most popular place to stay in San Francisco for first-time visitors. It has the biggest choice of hotels, it is the hub for shopping and theaters, and it sits between the cable car turnaround, Chinatown and the BART and Muni lines on Market Street. The trade-off is that the blocks change quickly, so choosing the right street matters as much as choosing the right hotel.
In this guide
This guide is part of our where to stay in San Francisco hub.
Why stay near Union Square
- Central: walk to Chinatown, the Financial District and SoMa, and ride the cable cars to Fisherman’s Wharf and Nob Hill.
- Transit: Powell Street BART and Muni station, the Central Subway and the cable car turnaround are all here.
- Choice: everything from historic grand hotels to budget rooms.
- Shopping and theater: department stores and the theater district on Geary Street.
Historic grand hotels
The Westin St. Francis has faced the square since 1904 and is one of the city’s landmark hotels, with glass elevators in its tower. The Beacon Grand, formerly the Sir Francis Drake, is a 1920s hotel on Powell Street with a lavish lobby and a rooftop-level bar. Both put you right on the cable car line.
Modern and mid-range options
The Grand Hyatt San Francisco on Stockton Street has big rooms and views over the square from its upper floors. Hotel Nikko on Mason Street is known for its indoor pool. Smaller boutique hotels on Sutter, Post and Bush Streets, north of the square, often offer better value and quieter streets.
Which blocks to choose
The streets north and east of the square, toward Nob Hill, Chinatown and the Financial District, are generally the most comfortable to walk at night. The blocks south and west of Powell and Market Streets border the Tenderloin, which has a visible street homelessness and drug use problem. Hotels there can be cheaper, but check the exact address and recent reviews before booking.
Booking tips
Prices rise sharply during big conventions at Moscone Center, so check the convention calendar if your dates are flexible. Many hotels add a nightly destination or amenity fee, and overnight valet parking is expensive. You do not need a car if you stay here. See also our guide to how many days to spend in San Francisco.
Frequently asked questions
Is Union Square a good place to stay in San Francisco?
Yes, especially for first-time visitors who want to be central and near transit. Choose a block north or east of the square for quieter streets.
Is Union Square safe at night?
The square and main shopping streets are busy into the evening. Some blocks to the southwest, toward the Tenderloin, feel less comfortable after dark.
How far is Union Square from Fisherman’s Wharf?
About two miles. The Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable cars connect them.
Do I need a car if I stay at Union Square?
No. Walking, cable cars, Muni and BART cover most of the city’s main sights.
Photo credits
Featured image: Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Modern and mid-range options: Dllu / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.