I don't like shopping, still Union Square???

I am not into shopping. But keep reading in my research that Union Square is THE place to stay. Why should I as a 52yo Female who does not normally shop for fun stay in Union Square? I am getting that it is a feeling you get from staying there but I am not sure I get it...expain further, please. Thanks, Mindy

I don't like shopping, still Union Square???

Union Square is centrally located with good transit connection to attractions and airports. It has many hotel and restaurant options in all price ranges. The area is also a better mix of local and tourist than Fishermans Wharf.

I don't like shopping, still Union Square???

There is more to Union Square than shopping. Many of the fine hotels are there, and there are unlimited dining options. The theatre district is nearby (there are actually several stage theatres in the wider downtown area, with a couple of them right at Union Square). Public transit will take you anywhere in the City, oftentimes direct with no transfer. The cable car goes to Fisherman%26#39;s Wharf, Chinatown, North Beach, and Nob Hille (some of those are in walking distance); nearby historic streetcar lines go to the waterfront and all along Market Street; and buses go to outlying visitor attractions like Golden Gate Park.

It is true, there is a unique ambience around Union Square. If you live right in Kansas City, you can probably identify its unique ';vibe.'; Union Square is one of the places to experience it in San Francisco. And you can do it almost any time of the day or night, because there is always people out and about and some activity.

And who knows, maybe you%26#39;ll have a fun shopping experience after all. If you think of shopping as Nieman-Marcus, Saks, Macy%26#39;s, Bloomingdale%26#39;s, or Barney%26#39;s--yes, you can find it at or near Union Square. But there are also places that might not come to mind when you think ';shopping.'; For instance, on Sutter Street just west of Union Square is a row of galleries with various artists%26#39; creations. There are custom tailors, Asian fine arts dealers, book stores, and countless other kinds of retailers.

Thanks for the information. Now on to hotel searching. Thanks again.

Hotel shopping. Try the Chancellor. Read the reviews here...

We must be soul sisters; I%26#39;d rather have teeth pulled than go to Macy%26#39;s. So, you might want to think about staying in one of the neighborhoods. Are you traveling alone, couple or group? Looking for sightseeing, culture or romance?

The Washington Square Inn in North Beach might be an alternative. As it%26#39;s name suggests it%26#39;s right on the square and gets high marks on TA. North Beach makes a great central spot to stay.

The Drisco Hotel on Pacific at Broderick is in the middle Pacific Heights. It%26#39;s a residential neighborhood but one of the finest in the city. Shops and restaurants are a few blocks away.

There are a couple of hotels in Japantown which is very close to the Fillmore St. neighborhood with unusual shops and many restaurants. Good jazz at Yoshi%26#39;s a bit south on Fillmore.

The Inn at the Opera is at Civic Center. Close to Opera and Symphony. Easy access to buses to Golden Gate Park and Muni Metro.

So, while Union Square is central to many things travelers want to see it is also the main big store shopping area. If that doesn%26#39;t float your boat, I%26#39;d suggest you check out other parts of town that are more in keeping with the things you want to do and see. It may take a bit more research but there are other options.

Frisco Roadrunner and eephus said it very well, but I think of it this way:

One should not say, ';I don%26#39;t want to ride the cable cars, should I still visit San Francisco?';

As the others said so well, shopping is just ONE aspect of the Union Square area.

That said, no matter where you stay, you will have a great time.

Stay in Union Square_____is it just about shopping____of course not.

As already suggested_____check out the Chancellor____you can%26#39;t go wrong.

Simple_____have a great trip.