It's a literal square -- three acres squared -- and happens to be the heart of the City by the Bay. Ok, so it's the commercial heart, pumping goods and store credit, but it's still where Bay Area beatniks and brethren gather to spend -- and spend big. It's Union Square and it's a glutted glitz-fest for the ages.
It started out as a square dedicated to Mayor Geary -- the city's first American mayor. Hey, San Francisco was Spanish in more than just name for almost a hundred years before the Americans came on the scene. This was in'50. A decade later, it became a rallying place for Union-minded folks during the Civil War. Mind you, the Civil War never reached California, but it was the support that counted.
Circa'70, the square was a fashionable squatter's camp for vagrants and burned-out hippies. It was only ever cleared out for the epic New Year's Eve celebrations. These celebrations turned out to be more like tidal brawls and fistfights, but the tradition stuck. Today, it's tantamount to the titillating fete Times Square enjoys, only it's on the West Coast.
The Square was shut down, repaved, retrofitted, and renovated to make the area a more palatable gathering place for prosaic pedestrians and citizens alike. Now, it's a gleaming gateway to retail bliss. In fact, the Apple flagship store is located in Union Square, to the hip delight of cool kinder everywhere. It's flagship central, what with Macy's, Armani, Hugo Boss, Levi's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus jockeying for consumer attention.
It's super gloss and polished chrome heaven. It's track lighting, wood panel interiors, and gourmet goodies galore. You've got a svelte selection of Union Square hotels, pubs, restaurants, shops, boutiques, and salons to choose from. It's spending speedway heaven and it's just waiting at the Market Street stop.
It started out as a square dedicated to Mayor Geary -- the city's first American mayor. Hey, San Francisco was Spanish in more than just name for almost a hundred years before the Americans came on the scene. This was in'50. A decade later, it became a rallying place for Union-minded folks during the Civil War. Mind you, the Civil War never reached California, but it was the support that counted.
Circa'70, the square was a fashionable squatter's camp for vagrants and burned-out hippies. It was only ever cleared out for the epic New Year's Eve celebrations. These celebrations turned out to be more like tidal brawls and fistfights, but the tradition stuck. Today, it's tantamount to the titillating fete Times Square enjoys, only it's on the West Coast.
The Square was shut down, repaved, retrofitted, and renovated to make the area a more palatable gathering place for prosaic pedestrians and citizens alike. Now, it's a gleaming gateway to retail bliss. In fact, the Apple flagship store is located in Union Square, to the hip delight of cool kinder everywhere. It's flagship central, what with Macy's, Armani, Hugo Boss, Levi's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus jockeying for consumer attention.
It's super gloss and polished chrome heaven. It's track lighting, wood panel interiors, and gourmet goodies galore. You've got a svelte selection of Union Square hotels, pubs, restaurants, shops, boutiques, and salons to choose from. It's spending speedway heaven and it's just waiting at the Market Street stop.
About the Author:
So, stop contemplating all the socialist talk in the air, and get cracking towards the consumer capital of Northern California. Find a swank Union Square hotel, book a flight, and plan on leaving both your heart and wallet in San Francisco.
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