Union Square / Downtown San Francisco Visitors Guide

Many visitors to San Francisco find themselves staying in a hostel, hotel or bed and breakfast in the Union Square Neighborhood. This neighborhood is conveniently located in close proximity to the Moscone Center, many of San Francisco’s most popular tourist attractions and destinations, and to the largest concentration of shops, restaurants, bars, theaters, music venues and other places of interest to the average tourist or business traveler. Listed below is all the practical information you need to navigate the city, while staying in Union Square.

Location

Union Square is a centrally located neighborhood. To the north you will find the popular tourist destinations of Chinatown and North Beach (San Francisco’s “little Italy). To the south is Soma, a destination for the San Francisco Giants Stadium and the local convention center, known as the Moscone Center. To the east is the San Francisco Ferry Building, which is a destination for shopping, dining, events and Ferry Boat terminals for Sausalito, Larkspur and Tiburon. If you travel northwest along the Embarcadero from the Ferry Building you will eventually end up at Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square. To the west of Union Square is lower Russian Hill, the civic center and Hayes Valley, home of the San Francisco Opera, Ballet and Symphony, as well as the world renown Bill Graham Auditorium.

Accessibility

Union Square is accessible by every form of transportation available in the city. BART Trains, MUNI Buses and the new Central Subway, all have stops in Union Square. The famous San Francisco Cable Cars run through the neighborhood and historic Powell Street Cable Car Turn Around is located there. Union Square is one of the few areas where flagging a cab is still possible and cabbies still accept cash as a form of payment and /or tip. All app car services can be accessed, in Union Square, including Uber, Lyft, Curb, Flywheel and even Waymo, the new driverless car service. There are ample parking facilities, for those driving their own cars. The Ferry Boat Terminal is within walking distance of Union Square. Baywheel provides bike share services in the area and Lime provides both bike share and scooter share services. The area is also very walkable. See the SFMTA website for more information.

Dangers

To the south west of Union Square is a neighborhood called the Tenderloin. It is best to avoid this area for the most part. Particularly stay away from the areas south of O’Farrell Street and North of Market, west of Jones Street and east of Van Ness.There are some attractions in the area, you may not want to miss. Just be on your toes and maybe opt to shell out for a cab or ride service, rather than walking or taking transit. It’s better to pay for a parking lot in this area than to take street parking and have to deal with the hassle and expense of a car break in. The area tends to attract more than its share of homeless and drug addicted people. It is possible to walk through the area safely but it is important to be aware of your surroundings. The downtown is a safe area to walk through, even at night. Just be aware of this 5 square bock radius.

Emergency Numbers

General Emergency Number: 9-1-1

Police Non-Emergency Number: 415-553-0123

General City Services (Non-Emergency): 3-1-1

California Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

Other numbers to keep with you:

Your Country’s Embassy or Consulate
Travel Insurance Provider Details
Roadside Assistance (ask your rental car agency)
Credit Card hotline (for lost or stolen cards)

Internet Access

There are many places to access the internet for free or a modest fee while traveling in San Francisco. Here is a list of places you can access the internet:

HOTELS: Most hotels offer free wifi to hotel guests.

COFFEE: Most Coffee Shops Offer wifi either free or for a modest fee by the hour. Here are a few we recommend.

Capital One Cafe
101 Post St

Capital One Cafe offers coffee, access to an ATM machine, public bathrooms and plenty of seating with free wifi access. The business hours are limited however. They are open 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday, Thursday and Friday and 7:00am to 2:00 pm on Tuesday. They are closed Wednesdays and weekends.

Beanstalk Cafe
724 Bush Street

This neighborhood coffee shop, offers food, coffee and free wifi daily from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm.

Nespresso Cafe
55 Stockton Street

Nespresso Cafe offers pastry, light bites, espresso beverages and free wifi that has a reputation for being quite reliable, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday to Saturday and 11:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday.

Black Sugar Boba Bar
320 O’Farrell Street

Black Sugar offers a variety of tea based beverages and free wifi from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Tuesday to Thursday and 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm Friday to Sunday.

One65 Patisserie and Boutique
165 O’ farrell Street

One65 Patisserie offers French Breakfast and lunch fare, pastry, coffee and tea in a casual setting with free wifi access from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Tuesday to Saturday and from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Sunday and Monday.

THE SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY: All San Francisco Public Library Locations offer free wifi during business hours. Check the library website for hours: sfpl.org.

CO-WORKING SPACES: Co-working spaces are not free but will provide a quiet, professional environment and high speed internet to you, while you are traveling on business or away from home.These spaces can also provide 24 hour access to high speed internet. Prices vary depending on your needs. Here are some Links to Co-working spaces in Union Square:

Industrious: 77 Geary St 5th floor, San Francisco, CA 94108
Website: industriousoffice.com

Dynamico: 447 Sutter St Fl 3 San Francisco, CA 94108
Website: dynamico.space

Legal Stuff

Purchase of Tobacco and Alcohol

To purchase tobacco in the State of California, you must be 18 years of age. To purchase alcohol in the State of California you must be 21 years of age. A Legal Photo Identification card is required to make purchases of alcohol and tobacco. Make sure you have a physical ID with you when going out. Identification cards on your phone are not accepted at local bars or shops selling tobacco products.

Smoking

In the State of California and most States in the United States, it is illegal to smoke inside restaurants, bars, shops and other public buildings. You may smoke on the curb outside, as long as it is 15 feet away from the entrance, vents and windows.

It is illegal to smoke on public transit, and public transit shelters in San Francisco, this includes marijuana and vaping.

It is illegal to smoke in public parks in San Francisco.

It is illegal to smoke in outdoor restaurant spaces that serve food in San Francisco.

It is illegal to smoke on wharfs and piers in San Francisco.

It is illegal to smoke in service waiting lines, including ATM’s, Sporting Events, Concerts, Movie Theaters and Cab Stands.

It is illegal to smoke in a motor vehicle with a minor, under the age of 18 present.

It is illegal to smoke at Farmer’s Markets and outdoor events.

Money

Most businesses in San Francisco take credit cards and Apple Pay but you may want to have some cash on hand, in case your card doesn’t go through or you come across one of the few “Cash only businesses”. Public buses only accept Muni Cards or Cash. Some businesses like nail salons, massage places and the like will take credit card payment for the service but ask that you tip in cash. It is always smart to have a little cash with you, just in case.

Currency Exchange

Please note, there is no longer a currency exchange at San Francisco International Airport. There are however currency exchanges in the city, close to Union Square.

Currency Exchange International
Location:865 Market Street
Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Tipping

In the United States tipping Bartenders, Servers, Cab Drivers, Hair Dressers, Bell Hops and other service industry professionals is customary and is how these hard working individuals earn a living. If you tip appropriately, you will receive better service. Here are the standards for tipping in San Francisco:

Bartenders: 20 percent of the total bill is the standard, a little more for outstanding service
Restaurant Servers: 20 percent of the total bill is the standard, a little more for outstanding service
Bell Hop: $1-$2 per bag and a little more for heavy luggage
Hotel Maid: $1 -$5 per day, a little more for luxury hotels
Counter Service Food: 10% of the bill
Barista: 10% of the bill
Cabs: 10-20% of the fare
Hairdresser: 15-20% of the cost of the service provided

** most tipped employees appreciate a tip in cash

Restrooms

Union Square Public Toilet
Where: Geary and Powell Street

This is a self cleaning, public toilet facility on the street. It has been reported as safe and clean.

Hotels: Most Hotels in the area offer public restrooms.

Department Stores: Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and other department stores in the area offer public restrooms.

Starbucks: Most Starbucks in the area offer restroom facilities, you may be required to make a purchase to use it.

Restaurants and Bars: Most restaurants and bars will allow you to use their restroom if you ask.

The Ferry Building: The Ferry Building offers two public restrooms.

Libraries: The San Francisco Public Library offers restroom facilities.

Postal Service

Fed Ex Office Ship and Print Center (at the Hilton Hotel)
333 O’farrell Street
San Francisco, California, 94102

The Fed Ex Ship and Print Center offers a place to mail and receive packages, while in San Francisco. They also offer internet, printing, laminating, faxing, and notary services.