Union Square San Francisco is a central stop for downtown transit, with Powell Street BART, Muni and cable cars nearby. From La Casa Inn, Union Square/Market Street station is about a 6-minute drive, making the area practical to pair with a trip on the cable cars.
- Location: Powell and Market Streets, near Union Square.
- Transit connections: BART, Muni and the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable cars.
- Nearby BART access: Powell Street Station is at 899 Market Street.
What to see around Union Square
Union Square and the surrounding streets are a convenient place to orient yourself to downtown transit. Powell Street Station sits near the square at Powell and Market Streets, putting BART and surface transit connections close together.
The square also works as a starting point for exploring central San Francisco on foot or by transit. For a neighborhood walk beyond downtown, the Russian Hill and Nob Hill walking route covers nearby hills.
How do you get from Russian Hill to Union Square?
Cable cars and city buses offer transit connections from Russian Hill toward downtown. SFMTA identifies Russian Hill as a stop area for the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable cars, along with the 41 Union, 45 Union/Stockton, 30 Stockton and 1 California routes.
If you want to make the cable car part of your downtown trip, the guide to riding San Francisco cable cars from Russian Hill explains the routes.
The Powell-Hyde line runs inbound from Hyde and Beach via Hyde, Washington and Powell to Market. Its outbound route runs from Powell via Jackson and Hyde to Beach. It serves Hyde Street at Union Street and ends inbound at Powell Street and Market Street.
SFMTA’s Union Square transit guide names several bus routes for reaching the square: 38 Geary, 38R Geary Rapid, 30 Stockton, 45 Union/Stockton, 5R Fulton Rapid, 7 Haight/Noriega, 9R San Bruno Rapid, 14 Mission and 14R Mission Rapid. Transit service can change, so check the official site before you go.
How do Powell Street and Market Street connect?
Powell Street BART Station is at 899 Market Street, at the intersection of Powell and Market and close to Union Square and the cable cars. BART identifies four lines serving the station: Dublin/Pleasanton–Daly City, Antioch–SFIA/Millbrae, Berryessa/North San Jose–Daly City, and Richmond–Millbrae/SFIA.
The station connects to Muni and the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable cars. Its street elevator is at Ellis Street and Market Street, and a separate platform elevator provides access to trains. The station has public restrooms and bike racks, but no station parking or bike lockers.
If the Powell Street Station street elevator is out of service, BART’s accessible-path guidance identifies elevators at Union Square Market Street Station, at Geary and Stockton, 0.1 miles away (two blocks). Check BART’s current access information before relying on a particular entrance or elevator.
Planning a downtown visit
For a visit built around public transit, start at Union Square and use Powell Street as the connection point for BART, Muni or a cable car.
The J, K, L, M and N trains go to Powell Station, the T Third Street goes to Union Square/Market Street Station, and the F Market & Wharves streetcar serves 4th and Market or 5th and Market.
Powell Street Station is also a useful point to connect a downtown outing with Russian Hill. The Powell-Hyde line links Hyde Street at Union Street with Powell and Market, while other cable-car and bus routes serve the neighborhood. SFMTA advises checking cable-car travel alerts because upgrade work can affect service.
San Francisco’s cable cars were invented in the city 150 years ago and were named a National Historic Landmark in 1964. For airport-arrival planning, the guide to getting from SFO to La Casa Inn focuses on the route from the airport.
FAQs
Where is Powell Street BART Station?
It is at 899 Market Street, at Powell and Market Streets near Union Square.
Which cable cars connect Russian Hill with downtown?
The Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable cars serve Russian Hill and connect with Powell Street Station. The Powell-Hyde inbound route ends at Powell and Market.
Does Powell Street Station have elevators?
Yes. A street elevator is at Ellis Street and Market Street, and a separate platform elevator provides access to trains. Check BART’s current accessibility information before travelling.