Union Square: The Heart of San Francisco

Getting There

• Bus

  From the center of Berkeley, walk to the nearest bus stop at University Ave & Shattuck Ave. Take the AC Transit Bus 1 or 12 heading towards San Francisco. Stay on the bus for approximately 30 minutes. When you reach the stop at Market St & 5th St, disembark and walk two blocks to Union Square, which is a vibrant public square surrounded by shopping, dining, and entertainment.

• BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)

  Head to the nearest BART station, which is Downtown Berkeley. Board a train heading towards San Francisco/Daly City. After about 20 minutes, get off at the Montgomery St Station. Once you exit the station, walk about 5 blocks to Union Square, which is located at the intersection of Geary St and Powell St.

• Bike

  If you prefer cycling, rent a bike from one of the local bike-sharing stations. Start your journey towards San Francisco by heading southwest on University Ave. Continue onto the bike path that leads to the Bay Bridge. Follow the designated bike lanes, and it will take about 40 minutes to reach Union Square. Once you arrive, park your bike at the bike racks available near the square.

• Walking

  If you're feeling adventurous and want to enjoy the scenery, consider walking. Start at the UC Berkeley campus and head southwest on Bancroft Way. Continue straight, which will turn into University Ave. Follow University Ave until you reach the waterfront. From there, take the pedestrian bridge across the Bay to San Francisco. After crossing, continue walking towards Market St, then turn left until you reach Union Square. This walk will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, but you'll be rewarded with beautiful views along the way.