Union Square

Situated north of SoMa and south of Chinatown, the Union Square neighborhood is a fun and funky rest stop for travelers and locals alike. And at its epicenter is the eclectic Union Square Park, an open space decorated with palm trees. The park is also home to loads of art installations, like the heart-shaped sculptures created by local artists for the Hearts in San Francisco project. Union Square is also popular spot with Broadway babies thanks to the nearby theater district. If this is you, recent travelers recommend you visit the Tix Booth -- it's a great resource for half-price tickets to performances, not to mention free area maps, transit passes and even foodie tips.

Union Square is also a shop-a-holic's delight: Nearby are high-end shops like Prada and Tiffany & Co. among others. And when you've shopped until you've just about dropped, take a break at the park's Emporio Rulli Café, which features plenty of open-air seating.

You can find parking in the garage directly underneath the park as well as throughout the neighborhood, but recent Yelp.com travelers advise against driving altogether. The roads around the Union Square area can be quite congested. Luckily, the BART rail system and the Muni-run buses and cable cars all have stops in the area.