Christmas Shopping in Union Square San Francisco 2025
Union Square is sparkling again for Christmas 2025. See the tree, ice rink, Macy’s windows, the best shopping, and nearby hotel tips.

Union Square is sparkling again for Christmas 2025. See the tree, ice rink, Macy’s windows, the best shopping, and nearby hotel tips.

The White Swan Inn San Francisco is one of the city’s most charming boutique hotels: part 1960s Carnaby Street, part Cotswolds, part grandma’s house. Complimentary breakfast, evening wine and cheese, a fireplace in every room, and a Nob Hill location steps from Union Square. Here’s what it’s really like as a solo traveler.

Curious about United Polaris Business Class? I flew from San Francisco to Rome in Polaris and documented everything—from the luxe lounge to lie-flat seats. Here’s what was worth it, what wasn’t, and tips for booking smarter.

San Francisco had been on my “maybe not” list for a few years, thanks to a steady diet of alarming headlines. So I did what any reasonable person would do: I ignored my own caution and went anyway. What I found was a city that’s still gorgeous, still delicious, and still very much worth visiting solo — if you go in with the right expectations and a hotel with a parking garage.