UNION SQUARE

Most famous (and expensive) among San Francisco's shopping centers is Union Square. Bordered by Geary, Powell, Post and Stockton Streets, Union Square is actually more than just the square itself. The adjoining streets are lined with restaurants, theaters, boutiques, galleries, shops, and services. Its flagship stores include Neiman-Marcus, Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Niketown, and Tiffany's.

For those with sophisticated, urban tastes, Union Square offers unparalleled selection in apparel, jewelry, shoes, and even home furnishings. Don't miss Nordstrom, just a few blocks away on Market Street, or the wonderful boutiques on Maiden Lane.

Amidst so much activity and alluring shopping opportunities, it's easy to overlook some of Union Square's history. For instance, did you know that the Westin St. Francis was the first hotel in the city to offer beds with sheets? Fortunately, the trend caught on. Or that the parking garage underneath the recently renovated Union Square was the first underground parking facility in the country? As you stroll down Maiden Lane, admiring the posh elegance of its boutiques, imagine it lined with bordellos - that's what populated this two-block portion of the square during the Gold Rush era!

Union Square is a fabulous place to shop and dine. With the theater district just a few blocks away, its no wonder so many visitors make Union Square their home base while they're in town.

The New Union Square opened in August 2002. The square's makeover took 18 months and cost $25 million dollars. It includes new palm trees and other updated landscaping, new benches, a new TIX Booth, café, and new open space all surrounding the famous statue commemorating the Spanish-American War.

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