Union Square, San Francisco
Overview of the plaza, 2018 | |
Interactive map of Union Square | |
| Type | Urban square and neighborhood |
|---|---|
| Maintained by | San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department |
| Area | 2.6 acres (1.1 ha; 0.0041 mi2; 0.011 km2) |
| Location | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 37°47′17″N 122°24′27″W / 37.788056°N 122.4075°W |
| Other | |
| Website | Official website |
| Designated | October 22, 1957 |
| Reference no. | 623 |
Union Square is a 2.6-acre (1.1-hectare) public plaza bordered by Geary, Powell, Post, and Stockton Streets in downtown San Francisco, California. "Union Square" also refers to the central shopping, hotel, and theater district surrounding the plaza for several blocks. The area got its name because it was once used for Thomas Starr King rallies and support for the Union Army during the American Civil War, earning its designation as a California Historical Landmark.
The one-block plaza and surrounding area was historically home to one of the largest collections of department stores, upscale boutiques, gift shops, art galleries, and beauty salons in the United States, making Union Square a major tourist destination and a well-known gathering place in downtown San Francisco. The Dewey Monument is situated at the center of Union Square. It is a statue of Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory.
The COVID-19 pandemic in the United States led to an exodus of companies from Downtown San Francisco, particularly affecting the Union Square retail district.