Union Square / Downtown San Francisco Shopping Guide

Union Square is an incredible neighborhood to shop in for many reasons. If you are looking for things to do in Union Square, shopping is definitely one of the main activities in the area and probably what it is known for best. 

It is Walkable

The main shopping area spans a reasonable 6 to 8 block radius. The area is flat, so you won’t have to worry about lugging your shopping bags up any of the city’s infamous hilly streets. The main shopping district is concentrated between Mason Street on the West and Kearny Street on the East and from O’ Farrell Street to the South and Sutter Street to the North.

It is Accessible By All Forms of Transportation

BART, MUNI, the new Central Subway, The Cable Cars, Taxis, Uber, Lyft and, even Waymo Driverless Cars, all can bring you to the Union Square Shopping District. If you would rather drive, there are many safe parking structures nearby to leave your vehicle, including the famous underground parking lot beneath Union Square Park.

The Union Square shopping district was originally designed to be accessible by public transit. With the increased use of the automobile, parking became an issue. As early as 1910, the city began discussing the idea of an underground parking structure to resolve the problem. It faced pushback in the beginning. By the 1930s, the project was approved. The underground parking structure was the first of its kind worldwide. It was designed by architect Timothy Pfleuger and was built between 1939 and 1941. The Dewey Monument was temporarily removed from the square while the parking structure was built. This large parking structure has made parking in Union Square accessible, easy, and safe.

Location of “Only in San Francisco” Historic Originals

Union Square was once a hub of grand department stores, where the who’s who of San Francisco spent a day shopping, complete with lunch, cocktail hour or high tea. Some would come for shopping and a meal, then stay for the nightlife & entertainment. Today, many of San Francisco’s historic department stores, like I. Magnin, The White House, and the Emporium, are gone. A few, however, remain steadfast. They are little portals to yesteryear in the fast-paced, tech-savvy 21st century. The three most significant, with the largest draw, are Gump’s, Wilkes Bashford, and the old “City of Paris” building, which is currently occupied by Neiman Marcus and the Rotunda Restaurant.

Ellen Magnin Newman, the great-granddaughter of the I. Magnin founder, once said, “The best fertilizer is the foot of the owner on the soil.” This quote sums up the difference between shopping at one of San Francisco’s historic grand department stores or independent boutiques and shopping at a national or international chain. The friendly, local, personalized service makes all the difference.

GUMP’S:

This one-of-a-kind business is one of the great San Francisco stores for buying gifts. It is unlike any store, anywhere. Native San Franciscans will wax nostalgic about their childhood memories of Gump’s if you ask them about the place. The business was founded by Solomon Gump, a German immigrant who moved to San Francisco in 1860. The store opened in 1861 under the name David Housemann and Co. It was originally a partnership between Solomon Gump and his brother-in-law, David Haussmann. By 1864, Gump was the sole proprietor. In 1871, Solomon’s brother Gustav became his partner, and they changed the name to S and G Gump. In the beginning, they simply sold mirrors, moldings, and paintings. They became the first to open an art gallery in Union Square, hoping to sell more frames at S and G Gump. Over the years, the business expanded and moved to different locations in the Union Square neighborhood. It was eventually taken over by the sons of Solomon and Gustav. The store became known for fine imported goods, such as exotic art, jade jewelry, and unique Asian imports.

The store was also famous for its Buddha statue. In the early 20th century, a bronze Buddha was displayed in the store. It was donated to the city in 1948, and the Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate Park became its new home. The bronze Buddha can still be seen there today. It was replaced with a large Qing Dynasty gilded wood Buddha carved in the early 19th century. It was the largest of its kind outside a museum.

In the 1960s, Union Square became a destination during the holiday season and the stores started decorating their windows with elaborate holiday displays. The Gump’s window was a local favorite, and seeing their annual window display became a holiday tradition. People would visit the Union Square Tree, get some hot chocolate, and stroll over to Gump’s.

Gump’s nearly closed permanently a couple of times, most recently in 2019. However, the business was saved when new owners took over. They still have a beautiful annual holiday window display, perfect for Instagram posts. The store is a lot of fun to browse, as they offer great local art, fine jewelry, upscale knick-knacks, imports from all over the world, and other splurge-worthy items. Gump’s is a great place for one-of-a-kind gifts for that person who has everything or is hard to shop for. They offer a wide array of expensive things that nobody needs but everybody wants. Sadly, the Buddha was auctioned off at Christie’s in 2019. The business hit hard times, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and almost became a memory of the past. The business was sold and survived, but today, only a mere picture of the Buddha that once adorned the store remains.

Wilkes Bashford:

Wilkes Bashford was a San Franciscan known for his impeccable taste and his seductive personality. He worked in his names sake store from the day it opened in 1966, until the day he died in 2016. Bashford introduced San Franciscans to fine clothing and was the first to bring some of the top fashion brands to the city, such as Georgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Brioni and Versace, among others.

The store attracted many celebrity clients and still does. Former Mayor Willie Brown was blown away when he visited the store on opening day. He met Bashford that day and the two became fast friends. The two would be seen dining together every Friday, sometimes with the late, great, Herb Caen, at nearby Le Central French Restaurant.

People came to the store not only for the fine, quality fashions for sale but for the personalized service. Even after the company was purchased by the Mitchell’s Group of Connecticut, Bashford continued to work at the store. He was beloved by locals. Today the attentive staff carry on Mr. Bashfords legacy, at the Sutter Street location.

If you are in need of that perfect suit for an interview, the perfect outfit for a special occasion or just a quality staple to add to your wardrobe, Wilkes Bashford will certainly deliver. It is one of those only in San Francisco shopping experiences that you rarely find in the hustle of the 21st Century. Make a day of it, complete with lunch at Le Central, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024.

City of Paris Building (currently Neiman Marcus and the Rotunda Restaurant):

The City of Paris was one of San Francisco’s oldest grand department stores, known for fine French Imports, including fine Cognacs and Champagnes. The stores were first opened upon a ship, owned by the Verdier brothers in 1850. In 1896, it moved to the Beaux Arts building at Geary and Stockton.The building survived the 1906 earthquake.

In 1972 the store closed. In 1980 the building was to be demolished for the building of Neiman Marcus. The Rotunda and beautiful stained glass ceiling were spared in the demolition. Today, the Rotunda Restaurant, sits on the top floor, under the beautiful historic ceiling, offering delicious lunch foods and raw bar items to Union Square Shoppers. Although City of Paris is long gone, Neiman Marcus and the Rotunda Restaurant offer a glimpse of Union Square’s past, with this little sliver of architectural history.

It Offers a Great Selection of International Imports

There are specialty boutiques in Union Square offering a selection of international imported goods. From Swiss chocolate to Irish Wool and fine English outerwear to Scottish Whiskey, Union Square delivers. The international boutiques make Union Square a stand out area for a unique shopping experience.

Cable Car Clothiers

Cable Car Clothiers is one of San Francisco’s Legacy Businesses. The store is family owned and has been in business for over 75 years. The store was founded in 1946, by Charlie Pivnick. Initially the store was called Vet’s Mercantile and operated as a military surplus store. In 1954 the store was re-named Cable Car Clothiers and focused on the sale of fine, imported British Clothing and goods. The store moved locations over the years. In the 1970’s they merged with Robert Kirk, another fine English Clothing Shop. At this time they adopted the motto, “A Fine British Goods Store Since 1939”.

Cable Car Clothiers specializes in the total fashion experience for the gentleman, carrying everything in a man’s wardrobe – clothing, slippers, accessories, hats and caps, and other lifestyle products. Today they have incorporated an apothecary into the business, selling fragrances, grooming tools, shaving, hair and body care products. They also offer a 1930’s style in store barber shop. It is the perfect destination for getting the perfect gift or clothing and accessories for your groomsmen or for the Groom and his wedding party to get the perfect shave and haircut before a San Francisco wedding.

Cable Car Clothiers
110 Sutter Street, Suite 108
San Francisco, CA 94104

Dean’s Fine Cigars

This small shop offers a wide selection of premium imported cigars and other fine tobacco products. The cigars are stored in a walk in humidor. They also offer a great selection of fine spirits, craft beer and fine wines. They do not offer a smoking lounge, but the Occidental Cigar Club, a unique venue that allows smoking inside and a bar stocked with a wide array of fine spirits, is in the Union Square neighborhood. They offer cigar ashtrays, cigar cutters and torches to light up with. I recommend popping by Dean’s for your favorite smoke and then heading to the Occidental, where you can enjoy it along with a nice beverage and good conversation with like minded locals and tourists.

Dean’s Fine Cigars
715 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

K Minamoto

This unique pastry shop is certain to deliver an “only in San Francisco” experience. The city is known for its large Asian population and Pan-Asian Cuisine. This adorable boutique offers delicious and beautiful Japanese confections. They specialize in Wagashi, which are traditional Japanese sweets, made from simple ingredients, such as rice, beans, sugar, wheat, agar, and seasonal fruit. They are designed to reflect the changing seasons, in ingredients, color and shape. These sweets are often served during tea ceremonies, special occasions and are traditional Japanese gifts. If you are looking for a unique souvenir to bring back home for friends, family and co-workers, Wagashi are a perfect choice. The only places in the US that they sell their sweets are California, New York and Hawaii.

K Minamoto
648 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94104

Nespresso Boutique

This international coffee boutique sells a nice selection of accessories and equipment for making coffee. They offer their unique espresso capsules and several different machines made to prepare them in. The shop also houses a coffee shop, serving Nespresso Brand coffee drinks and delicious pastries and light lunch and snack items. The Nespresso Coffee Machines are modern, stylish and very easy to use. The coffee is quite delicious as well.

Nespresso Boutique
55 Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Teuscher Chocolates

Everyone knows that Switzerland is known for its fine chocolates. Did you know that Teuscher is considered some of the finest chocolate in the entire world. There are only a handful of Teuscher Boutiques internationally and San Francisco is fortunate to have this premium chocolate boutique in its Union Square neighborhood. Teuscher uses the finest ingredients, including fair trade cocoa beans and never uses chemicals, additives or filters in its chocolate making process. All the chocolate is made by hand in Switzerland and flown to its international boutiques. They offer premium artisan chocolates that can be purchased by the piece, as well as chocolate truffles, candy bars, seasonal creations, cookies, jams and jellies. They also offer beautiful chocolate boxes, including the “San Francisco Box”, made exclusively for the San Francisco boutique, featuring the artwork of Emily Fromm.

Teuscher Chocolates
307 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

William Glen and Son

This shop offers all things Scottish and a few things Irish, as well. They offer clothing, such as Scottish Kilts and Irish Wool Sweaters, among other traditional clothing and accessories from the UK. They have the best selection of Scottish and Irish Spirits, including whiskeys, gins and a few other distillates. The shop also has a small selection of imported chocolates, snacks, teas and the like. It is particularly fun to shop at William Glen and Son on a Friday or Saturday afternoon, as they regularly offer free booze tastings, sometimes with the owner or distiller from the distillery present. If you are craving some short bread or Barry’s Tea, need a new kilt for the Highland Games or simply want to buy a nice bottle of Scotch Whiskey or Irish Gin, this is the place.

William Glen and Son
360 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

It Offers a Wide Array of Products and Brands

No matter what you are shopping for, you will be able to find it in Union Square. There are shops in the area selling everything imaginable.

National Department Stores

Bloomingdale’s
845 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Macy’s
170 O’Farrell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Neiman Marcus
150 Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Sax Fifth Avenue
384 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Local Department Stores

Gump’s
250 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Wilkes Bashford
375 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Luxury Brands

Clothing

Balenciaga
384 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Brunello Cucinelli
114-116 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108

Burberry
110 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Carolina Herrera
45 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108

Chanel
156 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Cop Copine Paris
352 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Couture Uomo
424 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Dior
185 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Dolce and Gabbana
100 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108

Georgio Armani
166 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108

Hermes
125 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108

Louis Vuitton
233 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Maison Goyard
118 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108

Moncler
212 Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Saint Laurent
90 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108

Tory Burch
222 Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Valentino
105 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108

Shoes

Carmina Shoemaker
54 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

John Fluevog Shoes
253 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108

*By Appointment Only

Bottega Veneta
124 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Jewelry

Bvlgari
200 Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Cartier
199 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108

Harry Winston
200 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Tiffany and Co.
350 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Van Cleef and Arpels
140 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Brand Name Retailers

Clothing

Banana Republic
152 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Theory
55 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Victoria Secret
335 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Zara
250 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Sportswear

Nike
278 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Electronics

Apple Union Square
300 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Kitchenware

Williams Sonoma
340 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94108