Image
Union Square, San Francisco

O'Farrell at Powell 1963
(1 of 12) (10904 views)

./Union_Square_San_Francisco_19630000_GearyAtGrant-8_200903_0483BCXS.jpg

Union square can be seen just behind the bus at the right of this photo. Character Candies by Edy's no longer exists as a store.


Union Square Area external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 1963, slide scanned 2009)   •  (Photographer unknown)   •  © 2009 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #200903_0483BCXS
Add a comment or report a mistake

Big model heads
(2 of 12) (6689 views)

./Union_Square_San_Francisco_20080725_175716_MaidenLane_1466BCX.jpg

Construction on Maiden Lane was masked with large photos of model heads. This is where Maiden Lane began just across from Union Square.


Union Square Area external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Tuesday 12 August 2008)   •  (Photo taken 13:57:16 Saturday 2 August 2008)   •  © 2008 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #MaidenLane_1466BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

Barneys New York
(3 of 12) (6676 views)

./Union_Square_San_Francisco_20080802_134020_Barneys_1796BCX.jpg

The corner of Stockton and O'Farrell, kitty-corner from Macys, used to be FAO Schwartz Toys external link for many years. Hard times caused that FAO Schwartz store to close. That store became Barneys New York external link in 2008.


Union Square Area external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Tuesday 12 August 2008)   •  (Photo taken 13:40:20 Saturday 2 August 2008)   •  © 2008 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #Barneys_1796BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

Not steps
(4 of 12) (6795 views)

./Union_Square_San_Francisco_20080802_134510_1804BCX.jpg

After Union Square was remodeled from 2000 to 2002 into its present form. Along Geary street there appear to be steps lining the street. But those steps are actually seating for tourists and lunching workers. Narrow stairs lay between the seating steps.


Union Square Area external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Tuesday 12 August 2008)   •  (Photo taken 13:45:10 Saturday 2 August 2008)   •  © 2008 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134510_1804BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

Much art for sale
(5 of 12) (6656 views)

./Union_Square_San_Francisco_20080802_134728_1811BCX.jpg

Most non-rain weekends, Union Square is filled with art for sale. This happened to be an overcast, chilly day.


Union Square Area external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Tuesday 12 August 2008)   •  (Photo taken 13:47:28 Saturday 2 August 2008)   •  © 2008 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134728_1811BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

Macy's
(6 of 12) (6642 views)

./Union_Square_San_Francisco_20080802_134830_1813BCX.jpg

The San Francisco Macy's store is across Geary Street from Union Square. Each level has broad windows that overlook the square. Enter from Geary and take the escalators up for a free high-level overview of Union Square and downtown San Francisco.


Union Square Area external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Tuesday 12 August 2008)   •  (Photo taken 13:48:30 Saturday 2 August 2008)   •  © 2008 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134830_1813BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

Discount tickets
(7 of 12) (6595 views)

./Union_Square_San_Francisco_20080802_134944_1815BCX.jpg

Beyond the art atop Union Square was the discount tickets building. It was a good place to visit if you were looking for last minute discount tickets to plays and musicals.


Union Square Area external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Tuesday 12 August 2008)   •  (Photo taken 13:49:44 Saturday 2 August 2008)   •  © 2008 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #134944_1815BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

Powell Street
(8 of 12) (6600 views)

./Union_Square_San_Francisco_20080802_135618_PowelStUnion_1817BCX.jpg

The Powell Street cable cars ran right along side Union Square. This view is across Powell from the Powell at Geary corner of Union Square looking toward Sutter Street.


Union Square Area external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Tuesday 12 August 2008)   •  (Photo taken 13:56:18 Saturday 2 August 2008)   •  © 2008 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #PowelStUnion_1817BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

A French pay toilet
(9 of 12) (6809 views)

./Union_Square_San_Francisco_20080802_135754_1818BCX.jpg

A French pay toilet was near the parking entry. These self-cleaning, computerized toilets are made by the French company J.C. Decaux. To use one, pay a quarter. If you lack a quarter, free tokens are available from several non-profit support groups.
Union Square Area external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Tuesday 12 August 2008)   •  (Photo taken 13:57:54 Saturday 2 August 2008)   •  © 2008 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #135754_1818BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

A tour bus
(10 of 12) (6563 views)

./Union_Square_San_Francisco_20080802_135912_1819BCX.jpg

One of many tour busses passed Union Square, traveling west along Geary Street. This one happened to be crossing in front of Macy's.


Union Square Area external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Tuesday 12 August 2008)   •  (Photo taken 13:57:54 Saturday 2 August 2008)   •  © 2008 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #135912_1819BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

A dead end
(11 of 12) (6635 views)

./Union_Square_San_Francisco_20080815_110758_2209BCX.jpg

A man in a business suit walked down a short dead-end alley just off Union Square. Bagley Place is just off O'Farrell Street near Grant Avenue.


Union Square Area external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 11:07:58 Friday 15 August 2008)   •  © 2008 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #110758_2209BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake

A shortcut
(12 of 12) (6612 views)

./Union_Square_San_Francisco_20080816_112354_CorridorOffPine_2231BCX.jpg

A shortcut through a tiny shopping mall was found at Kearny near Sutter.


Union Square Area external link San Francisco, California   •  (Photo posted Sunday 25 April 2010)   •  (Photo taken 11:23:54 Saturday 16 August 2008)   •  © 2008 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #CorridorOffPine_2231BCX
Add a comment or report a mistake


Subscribe to our mailing list for a Sunday summary of the week's stories.
* indicates required
Email Format
home contact topic guide top 25 photos video writing blogs upload terms privacy