subject: Hotel: Union Square [print this page] When you hit the ground running in the City by the Bay, don't bother just yet with the big-name attractions, like Fisherman's Wharf or the Transamerica Pyramid. The first thing you need to do is get booked into a hotel that puts you right in the center of it all. That means getting into the heart of the city and getting to Union Square. If you're keen on finding a hotel Union Square is the place to find it.
Created by San Francisco's first non-Spanish mayor, John Geary, in 1850, the square got its name from the pro-Union rallies held in solidarity with the Union forces of the American Civil War. From simple square to major rallying point to a ceremonial square, Union Square became the home of the majestic Dewey Monument in 1903. Ostensibly erected to commemorate Admiral George Dewey's victory at the Battle of Manila Bay, the monument has become as emblematic of Old San Fran as the Transamerica Pyramid.
Not surprisingly, the Square has become the ceremonial center of the city. It plays host to the yearly New Year's Eve celebrations and has been modeled in almost every aspect to mimic New York's Times Square. It's the closest most people on the West Coast can get to that Eastern city extravaganza. Hey, there is a reason why San Francisco has been hailed as the "Paris of the West."
With your lodgings squared away your hotel room, you can head out and conquer all seven square miles of the City That Knows How. Fabulous shopping, delicious cafes, and endless hours of people watching are yours to be had. In fact, Macy's flagship store dominates the square, keeping the idea of going on a spending spree constantly on your mind. The Union Square stop on the BART rail brings the entirety of the Bay Area to your disposal.
While some pundits would have you stay closer to the Financial District or North Beach or maybe across the Bay in Berkeley, stick to your guns. The key to enjoying San Francisco is proximity. With a cozy base of operations off the Square you're well on your way to enjoying the shopping, the food and the nightlife of the city. Did I mention the theater? It just so happens that Union Square is the heart of San Francisco's theater district. So much to do and see and so little time.
