Union Square, one of San Francisco's commerce and cultural centers, also refers to an actual park that became a primary focus for renovation and restoration this past year. The square itself underwent a much needed $25 million facelift, transforming one of San Francisco's oldest patches of greenery into a wide open space for tourists and locals alike. What was done with the space has garnered some mixed, but mostly positive reactions. - www.sfgate.com

Union Square Park... features a large outdoor stage and lots of seating to host the free public performance series: Jewels in the Square. Performances are every Wednesday at Noon and Sunday at 2pm (also monthly evening shows with The Flying Other Brothers) and feature a varied group of San Francisco entertainers, including: blues bands, dance troupes, poets, improv groups and punk rockers... - www.unionsquarepark.us