San Francisco, California during Black Friday (November 29, 2024)

[@MrDennisCLee]

Union Square SF is a special place in my life, going back a half century. It fills my heart to see it alive and full of human energy again.

[@lornahardin4563]

This was a beautiful night in San Francisco, it looked vibrant. Thanks Bella.

[@caliwalks]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it! 😊

[@DUS-Anne]

Thank you Isabel, it was a very nice tour. ❤ San Francisco by night is awesome. Have a nice week 😊. See you 🤩🎄

[@caliwalks]

Thank you Anne! Happy Thanksgiving to you 🦃❤️

[@DUS-Anne]

@@caliwalks Oh, I'm sorry, I forget it: HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and your family. ❤

[@sanjaybarve8278]

Such a colourful walk... Christmas has arrived... Thank you for sharing this one... ❤❤❤

[@psfca]

Beautiful ❤😊❤

[@anthonysnyder1152]

Looks busy! Lots of articles said Black Friday was the busiest in Union Square since pre-covid, despite lack of stores. Another article said it was quiet except for protestors, obviously that wasn’t true.

[@TohaBgood2]

Union Square retail occupancy is at like 85%. So there's hardly a lack of open stores. Yes, a premium shopping area like Union Square having any vacancies at all, let alone 15% vacancies, is newsworthy but if you listen to the local press it sounds like a majority of stores are closed in Union Square which is outright nonsense. The more touristy section on Powell street got hit hard during Covid, but the rest of the area is all open.

[@anthonysnyder1152]

@ Nordstrom Rack, Forever 21, Old Navy, Urban Outfitters, Uniqlo, J Crew, Express, Disney, Lego, Crate and Barrel, Abercrombie… and more. It’s not just the leasing activity, but the stores that draw activity. If you walk around, you’ll see a lack of stores fronts on the ground floor. Retail vacancies hit 80%, but the leases that are available are concentrated exactly where people need to walk to discover stores, ground level, between Union Square and Market. Look at the old photos down Stockton street, where the Disney store used to be. It used to be covered with stores. Every corner was leased and buzzing with people. I believe it’s got the bones for a great resurgence, but the city literally has done nothing since COVID to fix it. No new streetscaping, no pedestrianization pilots, no vacancy tax, nothing besides some security and cleaning and some pop ups during the holidays. There is a plan to redo Powell street in like 3 years. They’ve focused entirely on FiDi. I know they want to do something but they are SOOO slow at making changes. Streets up and down the Penninsula have made permanent their main streets since COVID, and SF still has 0.

[@caliwalks]

I agree. It’s been too slow to revive Union Square and even Market Street. I’m hopeful though that with the new mayor, we will see a quicker revival as he has connections with big businesses. Lately, the streets are cleaner and there’s more police presence. Even BART feels so safe and cleanliness is given a priority, too. Embarcadero, Montgomery and Civic Center Stations are always packed. Fillmore, Japantown, Chestnut Street, Pier 39 & North Beach are all thriving. I need Valencia to rise up too as it’s one of my favorite spots.

[@californiamade5608]

@@TohaBgood2well down Stockton took a hit too, the former Apple Store that turned into a T-Mobile flagship store is now closed, Disney Store closed, forever 21 closed, crate and barrels, closed.

[@DUS-Anne]

Hello Isabel, I hope everything is ok with you after the Earthquake yesterday. Take care and have a nice weekend. Greetings to all California Citizens 🥰

[@caliwalks]

Thank you, Anne. We’re safe though there was a tsunami warning but was issued then cancelled after a few hours. I’m ready to caliwalk again! Take care ❤️

[@DUS-Anne]

@@caliwalks I am relieved that nothing happened because I had to think about 2004. Back then I sat in the motel in Hayward all night and watched CNN. It was terrible and unbelievable.

[@DUS-Anne]

😊​@@caliwalks

[@herminiodelumen5027]

I like your video Caliwalk my wife want to see Christmas decorations of downtown San Francisco. We enjoy it. We live now 3 hours away from San Francisco.thank you.

[@robbieerta7827]

i love SF !!!