San Francisco Union

Union Square is one of the most famous locations in one of the most famous cities on earth. Named after the labour demonstrations which took place in San Francisco prior to the Civil War, Union Square is one of San Francisco’s most popular areas and home to many cultural and commercial attractions.

San Francisco, the ‘city by the bay’, is home to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and is served by San Francisco International Airport, just 20kms by car from the city’s downtown area. The best way to explore the city is by rental car but booking online in advance is recommended.

Union Square is at the heart of the city and offers the tourist a great base from which to enjoy the city’s sights and the surrounding area by rental car. Situated at the junction of Geary, Powell, Post and Stockton streets, the galleries on Post and Geary are full of works by famous artists such as Picasso and Chagall. Union Square is also home to the city’s theatre district and is the turnaround junction for two of the city’s famous streetcars.

From Union Square the visitor can also easily get to the famous sights of the city like the celebrated Golden Gate Bridge and seafront harbour with its daytrips around the bay and to infamous Alcatraz Island. Also nearby is San Francisco’s famous Chinatown district, offering a different slice of culture to the tourist.

San Francisco, however, offers the visitor more than its downtown cultural attractions as a journey out in a rental car allows access to some fantastic locations around the city. The world famous wine lands of the Napa Valley are a short drive outside the city limits and allow the wine fan to indulge their hobby among the numerous vineyards of California.

Also nearby and easily accessible by rental car is the stunning natural landscape of Muir Woods, hundreds of acres of unspoilt giant redwood forest offering great walks amid beautiful scenery. A short drive along the coast is Sausalito, an artistic village considered by many visitors to be the prettiest village in America. Sausalito has a pretty waterfront which is home to many art galleries and shops plus plenty of pleasant bars and cafés.

Around an hour by rental car from downtown San Francisco is the legendary Yosemite National Park. Here the visitor can see the breathtaking Sierra Nevada mountain range with its beautiful granite cliffs. Yosemite National Park is a must-see day out from San Francisco.

Downtown’s Union Square is an ideal base from which to enjoy the fascinating city of San Francisco by rental car. Inner city highlights plus great access to roads out around the region make it a great place to base yourself.