Union Square
Cable car turntable, Gump's, John's Grill, the Geary Theater
Union Square has 7 places on the map. It runs from the Powell and Market cable car turntable up to Sutter Street and across to Grant Avenue.
The plaza called Union Square sits at the centre of the shopping district, and the Union Square Alliance's visitor site lists the stores, theaters and galleries around it. Gump's on Post Street sells jewelry, home décor and gifts, and the American Conservatory Theater plays at 415 Geary Street.
Powell and Market is where two of the three cable car lines start. For a meal, John's Grill on Ellis Street, Lori's Diner on Sutter Street and Café de la Presse on Grant Avenue are all within a few blocks.
Getting there
Two cable car lines start at Powell and Market, according to SFMTA, and the third starts at California and Market.
What to see
Start at the plaza and the Union Square Alliance's calendar, then walk to Powell and Market to see the cable car turntable. Gump's on Post Street and the Geary Theater on Geary Street are both a short walk from the square.
Where to eat and drink
John's Grill at 63 Ellis Street is a steakhouse that calls itself historic. Lori's Diner at 500 Sutter Street serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Café de la Presse at 352 Grant Avenue is a French bistro open seven days.
Good to know
Cable car lines run from Powell and Market and from California and Market. Check each place's own site for hours, since they change.
Nearby neighbourhoods
SoMa and Yerba Buena SFMOMA, Yerba Buena Gardens, Salesforce Park, Oracle Park 
Nob Hill and Russian Hill Cable Car Museum and Grace Cathedral 
Chinatown Ross Alley, Grant Avenue shops, Old St. Mary's and Portsmouth Square 
Civic Center and Tenderloin City Hall, the Asian Art Museum, the Opera House, the Tenderloin Museum The best of Union Square
Things to do in Union Square
What's on in Union Square
Local events in the next 30 days, read from the ward, park and organiser pages each one links to.
Architecture Downtown Activities
Thu 12 Nov · Creating Downtown
A guided walking tour led by a Friends of San Francisco City Guides volunteer from Creating Downtown.
14:00 · Map · Source: Friends of San Francisco City Guides tours
John Proctor Is the Villain Theatre and shows
12 Nov to 13 Dec · American Conservatory Theater
American Conservatory Theater stages John Proctor Is the Villain from 12 November to 13 December.
Map · Source: American Conservatory Theater
Secret Improv Society Comedy
Fri 13 Nov · Shelton Theater
Improv comedy show at the Shelton Theater, one block from Union Square, with a printed ticket price of $25.
$25 · 19:45 · Map · Source: Secret Improv Theater
Secret Improv Society Comedy
Sat 14 Nov · Shelton Theater
Improv comedy show at the Shelton Theater, one block from Union Square, with a printed ticket price of $25.
$25 · 19:45 · Map · Source: Secret Improv Theater
A Stab In The Dark Comedy
Sun 15 Nov · Shelton Theater
Improv comedy show at the Shelton Theater, one block from Union Square, with a printed ticket price of $25.
$25 · 18:00 · Map · Source: Secret Improv Theater
Architecture Downtown Activities
Sun 15 Nov · Creating Downtown
A guided walking tour led by a Friends of San Francisco City Guides volunteer from Creating Downtown.
14:00 · Map · Source: Friends of San Francisco City Guides tours
Architecture Downtown Activities
Mon 16 Nov · Creating Downtown
A guided walking tour led by a Friends of San Francisco City Guides volunteer from Creating Downtown.
13:00 · Map · Source: Friends of San Francisco City Guides tours
Show all 40 events
Architecture Downtown Activities
Thu 19 Nov · Creating Downtown
A guided walking tour led by a Friends of San Francisco City Guides volunteer from Creating Downtown.
14:00 · Map · Source: Friends of San Francisco City Guides tours
Peter Pan Goes Wrong Theatre and shows
On now, until 28 Nov · San Francisco Playhouse
Comedy production on the San Francisco Playhouse 2026-27 season, running 26 September to 28 November 2026 at 450 Post Street.
Map · Source: San Francisco Playhouse
Eva Noblezada & Reeve Carney Concert
20 to 22 Nov · American Conservatory Theater
Eva Noblezada and Reeve Carney perform at American Conservatory Theater from 20 to 22 November.
Map · Source: American Conservatory Theater
Secret Improv Society Comedy
Fri 20 Nov · Shelton Theater
Improv comedy show at the Shelton Theater, one block from Union Square, with a printed ticket price of $25.
$25 · 19:45 · Map · Source: Secret Improv Theater
Secret Improv Society Comedy
Sat 21 Nov · Shelton Theater
Improv comedy show at the Shelton Theater, one block from Union Square, with a printed ticket price of $25.
$25 · 19:45 · Map · Source: Secret Improv Theater
Architecture Downtown Activities
Sun 22 Nov · Creating Downtown
A guided walking tour led by a Friends of San Francisco City Guides volunteer from Creating Downtown.
14:00 · Map · Source: Friends of San Francisco City Guides tours
Secret Improv Assembly Comedy
Sun 22 Nov · Shelton Theater
Improv comedy show at the Shelton Theater, one block from Union Square, with a printed ticket price of $25.
$25 · 19:45 · Map · Source: Secret Improv Theater
Secret Improv Vice Comedy
Sun 22 Nov · Shelton Theater
Improv comedy show at the Shelton Theater, one block from Union Square, with a printed ticket price of $25.
$25 · 17:00 · Map · Source: Secret Improv Theater
Architecture Downtown Activities
Mon 23 Nov · Creating Downtown
A guided walking tour led by a Friends of San Francisco City Guides volunteer from Creating Downtown.
13:00 · Map · Source: Friends of San Francisco City Guides tours
Architecture Downtown Activities
Thu 26 Nov · Creating Downtown
A guided walking tour led by a Friends of San Francisco City Guides volunteer from Creating Downtown.
14:00 to 16:00 · Map · Source: Friends of San Francisco City Guides tours
Secret Improv Society Comedy
Fri 27 Nov · Shelton Theater
Improv comedy show at the Shelton Theater, one block from Union Square, with a printed ticket price of $25.
$25 · 19:45 · Map · Source: Secret Improv Theater
Secret Improv Society Comedy
Sat 28 Nov · Shelton Theater
Improv comedy show at the Shelton Theater, one block from Union Square, with a printed ticket price of $25.
$25 · 19:45 · Map · Source: Secret Improv Theater
Architecture Downtown Activities
Mon 30 Nov · Creating Downtown
A guided walking tour led by a Friends of San Francisco City Guides volunteer from Creating Downtown.
13:00 · Map · Source: Friends of San Francisco City Guides tours
Architecture Downtown Activities
Thu 3 Dec · Creating Downtown
A guided walking tour led by a Friends of San Francisco City Guides volunteer from Creating Downtown.
14:00 · Map · Source: Friends of San Francisco City Guides tours
Secret Improv Society Comedy
Fri 4 Dec · Shelton Theater
Improv comedy show at the Shelton Theater, one block from Union Square, with a printed ticket price of $25.
$25 · 19:45 · Map · Source: Secret Improv Theater
Secret Improv Society Comedy
Sat 5 Dec · Shelton Theater
Improv comedy show at the Shelton Theater, one block from Union Square, with a printed ticket price of $25.
$25 · 19:45 · Map · Source: Secret Improv Theater
Accidentally On Purpose Comedy
Sun 6 Dec · Shelton Theater
Improv comedy show at the Shelton Theater, one block from Union Square, with a printed ticket price of $25.
$25 · 14:00 · Map · Source: Secret Improv Theater
Architecture Downtown Activities
Sun 6 Dec · Creating Downtown
A guided walking tour led by a Friends of San Francisco City Guides volunteer from Creating Downtown.
12:00 · Map · Source: Friends of San Francisco City Guides tours
Architecture Downtown Activities
Mon 7 Dec · Creating Downtown
A guided walking tour led by a Friends of San Francisco City Guides volunteer from Creating Downtown.
13:00 · Map · Source: Friends of San Francisco City Guides tours
Architecture Downtown Activities
Thu 10 Dec · Creating Downtown
A guided walking tour led by a Friends of San Francisco City Guides volunteer from Creating Downtown.
14:00 · Map · Source: Friends of San Francisco City Guides tours
Secret Improv Society Comedy
Fri 11 Dec · Shelton Theater
Improv comedy show at the Shelton Theater, one block from Union Square, with a printed ticket price of $25.
$25 · 19:45 · Map · Source: Secret Improv Theater
Secret Improv Society Comedy
Sat 12 Dec · Shelton Theater
Improv comedy show at the Shelton Theater, one block from Union Square, with a printed ticket price of $25.
$25 · 19:45 · Map · Source: Secret Improv Theater
Live music in Union Square
- Biscuits and Blues 44 upcoming gigs
- August Hall 12 upcoming gigs
From the blog
Stay in Union Square
Browse live availability and compare prices around the neighbourhood.
See hotels near Union Square on Booking.comPrices are for the night of Saturday 14 November. You can change the dates on Booking.com. If you book, Roam San Francisco earns a small commission from Stay22 at no extra cost to you.