We were in San Francisco over the weekend to visit my oldest son. Had such a great time seeing everything! I took a lot of photos, so will have a blog post or two on the city in the future. For now, I’ll leave you with shots of Union Square decorated for Christmas.
The white column is the Dewey Monument that commemorates Admiral George Dewey’s victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish–American War.
According to Wiki, the statue at the top of the monument, “Victory”, was modeled after Alma de Bretteville, a Danish-American stenographer and artist’s model. She eventually married one of San Francisco’s richest citizens, Adoph Spreckels.
Union Square was built in 1850 and got its name because it was once used for rallies supporting the Union Army during the American Civil War. It is a California Historical Landmark.
The long line of people is for the skating rink (not visible).
The Westin St. Francis Hotel, built in 1908! I love the architecture of San Francisco so much.
I thought the palms in front were lit so beautifully.
This was inside the hotel lobby. It revolved to music and mesmerized everyone.
The Macy’s store is huge and there’s more than one in the square. I thought the windows looked so pretty with the wreaths. Can you imagine hanging all those?
Here you can get an idea of the scale. See the people in the windows? That kind of blew my mind.
Union Square is also where you can buy tickets for most of San Francisco’s performing arts the day of the performance at a discounted rate.
Not sure which store this is, but I love the tree and all the purple.
The Peanuts gang was in a window around the corner:
Random tidbit: Union Square boasts the world’s first underground parking garage and was designed by Timothy Pflueger.
My favorite place to see Christmas decorations is Rockefeller Plaza, but I have to say Union Square is a close second.
Happy Holidays, everyone! I’ll be back after the New Year.
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 
Happy Holidays, Carole.
Love these photos. I’m such a fan of San Francisco. Those palm trees are something else.
It’s a pretty amazing city, Caroline. I loved those palms.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, dear Carole, this post is so so beautiful, shop windows are overwhelming, decorations are so fantastic…I feel Christmas and it’s so great! Happy holidays and take care! Ann
Thanks so much, Ann!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Carole!
Thank you, Bonnie!
These photos make me want to go back to SF for a leisurely mini-vacation. My only time there before was with small children so our sight-seeing was limited (at best). Love the Macy’s windows !
Definitely go back, Susan. We had such a great time because my son knows the city really well. Our own personal tourguide. 🙂
Great photos, Carole! It must have been challenging to get such clear shot with those crowds.The train display is fantastic! Is it a gingerbread house?
Happy New Year to you!
Oh, I got up on cement walls to take photos a few times, Jackie. 🙂 Even though it looks crowded, everyone was really nice and having a great time.
I’m not sure if the display is made of gingerbread or not.
Happy New Year to you too!
Happy Christmas Carole, it is nice to see San Francisco
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
Merry Christmas to you Carole and all of your loved One’s
Thank you, Cornelia. 🙂
Wonderful captures! San Fransisco is a beautiful city. Love how walkable it is and the architecture of some of the older houses. I remember one of the big shopping malls had a Christmas light show in the dome if the roof, but cannot remember which shopping centre is was anymore. They played it with regular intervals and lots of people were lined to to catch it:)
Have not seen that shopping mall, but it sounds amazing. The architecture is my favorite thing in San Francisco. 🙂
I spent September in San Francisco. As an international traveler I talk to a lot of foreigners about their trips to America and I always recommend San Francisco as America’s greatest city.
Cool. I love New York, but SF is probably second on my list.
looks beautiful 🙂
Thank you!