Union Square, one of San Francisco's main retail and cultural centers, also refers to the actual park bordered by Geary, Powell, Post and Stockton streets. Set aside as a park in 1850 and named before the start of the Civil War as a tribute to the frequent demonstrations in support of the Union troop, the park got a major renovation and restoration in 2002.

The redesign, which transformed the square from a grassy slope to a granite platform, made the square more accessible in the literal sense (the old configuration had only four entrances, at the corners), but was criticized by some for its aura of emptiness (and also for uncomfortable benches). Though the planned fountain is still on the way, the square has mostly settled in as a spacious meeting spot where people can take in the sights of the cable cars, hotels and throngs of shoppers. There are occasional music and dance performances, a TIX Bay Area half-price theater ticketing booth and a small cafe, and the Macy's holiday tree takes center stage in November.

Sutter, Post, and Geary streets are filled with fine art galleries, some focusing on selling works by big names like Picasso and Chagall, and others devoted to exhibiting works by contemporary artists. San Francisco's only Frank Lloyd Wright building, built in 1949 and currently housing the Xanadu Gallery, is located at 140 Maiden Lane, and features the same circular interior as the famed Guggenheim Museum in New York.

This is also San Francisco's main theater district, with some historic, beautiful buildings housing the performances. Shows range from traveling Broadway and off-Broadway shows on limited runs to smaller local productions.

Views of the square are best from Harry Denton's Starlight Room in the Sir Francis Drake Hotel and from some of the second and third floor galleries and shops surrounding the square.

There's nothing quite like battling thousands of other shoppers for space on the sidewalk, in the dressing room or at a café. If that sounds appealing, then Saturday afternoon would be the perfect time to visit. But if sanity is more your style, hit the stores when most of working SF is tucked safely away in its cubicles, especially weekday mornings. Keep an eye out for wealthy "ladies who lunch." Their job is to shop, and they go to work before noon.

Most stores are open until 8 pm, and some even later. Although it has nightlife options, the area is not exactly saturated with bars. It is, however, a safe and vibrant area to walk around at night, as hordes of tourists and locals shuffle from restaurant to theater to cab.

Take note that many galleries are closed Mondays, and some are shut on Sundays. Some small boutiques are also closed Sundays, though most of the stores are open.