The best garages, real rates, and how to avoid paying the highest prices in San Francisco’s busiest shopping district.
Union Square is San Francisco’s densest hotel and shopping district — and its parking prices reflect that. This is consistently one of the most expensive areas in the city to park. We cover Union Square parking San Francisco. Here’s where to actually go, and how to avoid the worst of it.
Quick answer: The Union Square Garage (underneath the square itself) is the most central option. Booking any downtown garage in advance through a parking app saves 30-50% versus walking up and paying the posted rate.
Best Garages Near Union Square
| Garage | Location | Typical Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Union Square Garage | Directly beneath Union Square | $40–$55/day walk-up |
| Sutter-Stockton Garage | 2 blocks north | $35–$50/day walk-up |
| Ellis-O’Farrell Garage | 2 blocks south | $30–$45/day walk-up |
| Fifth and Mission Garage | 3–4 blocks southeast | $25–$40/day walk-up — often cheaper |
| Pre-booked (any of the above via app) | Same locations | $18–$30/day — the real savings |
Walk-up rates at Union Square garages are consistently the highest in San Francisco — the combination of tourist demand, hotel proximity, and shopping traffic keeps prices elevated. Booking in advance through a parking app is the single most effective way to cut this cost.
Fifth and Mission Garage: Same Neighborhood, Lower Rate
Fifth and Mission is one of San Francisco’s largest parking garages and sits just a few blocks from Union Square proper — an easy 5-8 minute walk. Because it’s positioned slightly outside the immediate Union Square core, rates run noticeably lower than the garages directly on the square.
For visitors willing to walk a few extra blocks, this is consistently the best value option near Union Square.
Book Union Square Parking in Advance
Compare and reserve discounted parking near Union Square before you drive — the savings versus walk-up rates here are significant.
Street Parking Near Union Square
Metered street parking exists around Union Square but is extremely limited and competitive, especially during business hours and the holiday shopping season. Rates run $6-8/hour in this zone — among the highest metered rates in the city. Given the scarcity, don’t plan around finding street parking here; treat a garage as the default.
Holiday Season Pricing
Union Square garage rates typically increase during the November–December holiday shopping season due to the annual ice rink, holiday windows, and heavy shopping traffic. If you’re visiting during this period, book further in advance than usual, as garages fill up and rates rise with demand.
Combining Union Square With BART
If your trip involves both Union Square and other parts of the city, consider parking once near Union Square (or skipping the car for this portion entirely) and using Powell Street BART station — located directly at Union Square — for the rest of your day. See our BART guide for details on the Powell Street stop.
What to Avoid
- Walking up to the Union Square Garage without checking app rates first — the price gap between walk-up and pre-booked is larger here than almost anywhere else in the city
- Circling for street parking — the odds are low and the time cost isn’t worth it given how many garage options exist nearby
- Assuming all nearby garages cost the same — Fifth and Mission is consistently cheaper than garages directly on the square
Quick Reference: Union Square Parking 2026
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Most central garage | Union Square Garage — directly beneath the square |
| Best value nearby option | Fifth and Mission Garage — 5–8 min walk, lower rates |
| Best way to save money | Book in advance through a parking app |
| Is street parking realistic? | Very limited — treat a garage as the default plan |
| Holiday season pricing | Rates increase Nov–Dec — book further ahead |
| BART access | Powell Street station sits directly at Union Square |
| Where to book discount parking | SpotHero San Francisco |
| Full parking overview | Parking in San Francisco: Complete Guide |
Union Square parking is expensive by default — the real savings come from booking ahead or walking a few extra blocks to Fifth and Mission. Either strategy cuts your cost significantly versus the walk-up rate at the garages directly on the square.
Rate or availability changed since we wrote this? Use our contact page and we’ll update it.