Union Square Plaza Hotel

Shop 'til you drop!

by Jefie

The Union Square area is mostly known as San Francisco's shopping district. All the big department stores can be found on the streets that border the Union Square Plaza, along with some upscale boutiques and plenty of more affordable stores. Many of the city's most popular hotels are also located around Union Square, mostly thanks to its central location and easy access to public transportation. Union Square itself, a lively plaza at the center of which stands the Victory monument, is a fun place to hang out. We once stopped for lunch at the Emporio Rulli Caffe (http://www.rulli.com/il_caffe.php), located right on the Square. We enjoyed a nice salad and a good glass of wine on their outdoor terrace and had fun watching people walk around with their arms full of shopping bags! I too did my very best to do the whole shopping thing one evening. I even found a store - Forever 21 - that I really liked, but I quickly realized that it's a bit difficult for someone of my height and size to shop in the US, nothing fits! Thank goodness there was a Ghirardelli Chocolate store and a huge Borders bookstore to save the day - in the end I came back to our hotel with plenty of chocolate squares and four new novels :o)

Hill City

by Gillybob

I had a great stay in San Francisco. The Union Square Plaza Hotel was my first location, just two blocks off Union Square and about 5 blocks from Market Street. Its a great location for getting around the sights as its an easy downhill walk to Market Street to board the F Line to take you down to the ferry building, Pier 39 or Fisherman's Wharf.

The one thing to remember, and its self-evident as soon as you get there, is that left, right, forwards, backwards, north, south, east or west you'll either have to walk up or down a hill! There's no going round them!

I spent my first day just having a wander around the Union Square area and getting my bearings (as well as doing a lot of resting after a hectic 4 days in Las Vegas).

Day 2 started with the F Line down to Pier 33 for my tour of Alcatraz. There's a lot of history to this island (and a lot of birds which made it a little bit on the stinky side when I was there). I already knew the fable of the Birdman of Alcatraz (yes folks, its only a Hollywood film) but didn't know anything about the native American occupation or its military history. The tour was interesting and informative and, after the walk up the hill to the main prison building, a nice leisurely stroll. After returning to port, I decided to walk up to Coit Tower - all 400 steps!!! Up here, there are great views in every direction but if you haven't got it in you for the climb, bus number 39 can take you up there instead. I then walked from Coit Tower down Lombard Street to the crookedest street part before boarding the cable car back to Union Square - plenty of exercise!!!

Day 3 was more relaxed with a nice ferry trip over to Sausalito which is really quaint and full of galleries and boutique shops - one for the ladies maybe guys!

Day 4 was another walking day as I decided to walk the length of Golden Gate Park. First was a short stop at Alamo Square to check out the 'painted ladies' before heading onwards to the Golden Gate Park. Its a lovely walk through the park but its quite difficult to make your way through without seemingly always ending back up at the main roads that wander through the park. Of course, that took me close to The Bridge which is a great sight from close up.

My last day in San Francisco (after a 2 day detour to Yosemite) was great. I met up with SFHula_Girl and she showed me North Beach before we went down to the Palace of Fine Arts which I had written off but I'm glad we went as its a magnificent building.

Be prepared when travelling to San Francisco - either get yourself a MUNI pass or be prepared to get plenty of exercise. I lost 10lbs on this trip and the bulk of it was from all the walking up and down hills I did in San Francisco. A MUNI pass will allow you to travel on all but the cable cars so can be great value but I really enjoy walking around cities and seeing them at my own pace.

I had considered a city tour but given that I had 5 full days, I chose instead to see the city at my own pace at the sacrifice of a side trip to Napa Valley.