Be sure to check out what events are going on in Union Square when you visit. There’s usually some sort of improv theatre or jazz night..
Union Square is a public square in downtown San Francisco, but it also refers to the shopping, hotel and theatre district that surround it. It earned its named during the American Civil War when it was used for rallies for the Union Army. Today, it’s raison d’être is rather different: shopping. The area surrounding the square is home to one of the most densely-packed and glamorous selections of stores, boutiques, art galleries and beauty salons to be found in the United States.
Six department stores can be found within three blocks of Union Square, including Neiman Marcus, Macy’s (separate Men’s and Women’s, naturally), Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York. Add to that a small armoury of luxury retailers as well as flagship technology stores, including Apple, of course, and you can see why people are drawn here like moths to a flame.
Even if they no longer cheers the troops here, Union Square is still the ceremonial heart of San Francisco. It is the site of many public concerts and events, protests and parties, as well as the annual winter ice rink, Christmas tree and Menorah lighting. Since 2009, in each corner of the square there has been a painted heart sculpture from the Hearts in San Francisco public art installation. Every year, they are auctioned off and new ones take their place — often the old ones pop up in other parts of the city.
Don’t miss the central pillar either: atop it is the Goddess of Victory, as modelled by Big Alma Spreckles, who volunteered her services when she found out that sugar-baron Adolph Spreckles was in charge of the monument committee. Spreckles eventually became her sugar daddy, and in the end she donated her fortune to build the Legion of Honor.
Immerse yourself in the heart of San Francisco, one of the most iconic cities in the world, on this private full-day tour where you will discover the history and culture of the city before embarking on a journey through some of its most famous landmarks, including a visit to Alcatraz Island to uncover the secrets of the infamous prison.
On your private tour of San Francisco, you will:
Your Private Full-Day Tour of San Francisco Highlights will take you through an urban landscape, set on the northern tip of a peninsula, shaped by glaciers, earthquakes and the Pacific’s rolling waves.
At the top of Nob Hill, soak up an extraordinary cityscape at cable car height. Set on San Francisco's picturesque steep slopes, enjoy a stunning skyline across streets crisscrossed by streetcars, yellow taxis, and jogging trails.
Wander through some world-class shopping malls in Union Square, where big-name brands and local stores nestle amongst chic boutiques.
Lastly, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, lined with seafood cafés, are home to basking sea lions, jugglers, and mime artists, with striking views across the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Angel Island. Enjoy lunch at one of the many eateries on Pier 39 before your guide takes you to Pier 33, where you will board a pre-booked ferry ride to Alcatraz Island.
Please note: your guide will not be joining you on the island, as private guides are not permitted to operate on the island. On arrival at Alcatraz, take an audio tour at a leisurely pace to hear tales of notorious felons such as Al Capone and Robert Franklin Stroud in this former fort, a military prison and maximum-security federal penitentiary. Once you are finished exploring Alcatraz Island (most people spend about 2 hours), you can hop any return ferry to San Francisco, where you will be dropped off at Pier 33.
Dating back to 1776 and considered by many to be the USA’s most beautiful city, San Francisco - a.k.a. The City by the Bay - is a vibrant mix of exotic cultures, and is renowned worldwide for its liberal free-thinking ideals.
San Francisco’s strong historical bonds with Spanish America and Mexico are evident all over the city and reflected in its Hispanic population, vibrant arts, music, and festival scene.
On your private half-day tour, you will:
On this private half-day tour of the best of San Francisco, you will learn about the city’s foundation in the 18th century, when Spanish colonists settled the area during the gold-rush fever, to the city in the modern era, famous for its political activism and social inclusivity the world over.
See first-hand San Francisco’s colourful mix of quaint buildings and modern architecture in a stunning ocean-facing city.
Learn about San Francisco's long-standing progressive stance on activism: the city is credited with trailblazing the “Flower Power” peace movement, and powering the gay rights movement as one of the largest and most prominent LGBT communities in the world.
You will explore this fascinating urban landscape, set on the northern tip of a peninsula, shaped by glaciers, earthquakes and the Pacific’s rolling waves. Set on San Francisco's picturesque steep slopes, enjoy a stunning skyline across streets crisscrossed by streetcars, yellow taxis and jogging trails. Wander through some world-class shopping in Union Square, where big-name brands and local stores nestle amongst chic boutiques.
Enjoy a historic cable car ride from one part of the city, over Nob Hill to the waterfront. At beautiful North Beach, known colloquially as Little Italy, soak up the ambience of the city’s lively historic Italian-American community.
Lastly, Fisherman’s Wharf, lined with seafood cafes, is home to basking sea lions, jugglers and mime artists and enjoys striking views across the Golden Gate Bridge, the infamous island prison on the sea, Alcatraz, and Angel Island.
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