Now: A blinding swirl of singles bars, eateries, boutiques, spas, Union Street is one place where wealthy young people come to play, and sit in front of tablecloths beside longtime Marina residents. The sound of this area's nighttime merriment is distinctly (Cow) Hollow.
Then: Named for the area's incarnation in the 1800s as a pasture for grazing cattle. The Octagon House was built in 1861, and designed to let sunlight into every room.
How To Get There: The 22 Muni bus crosses Union Street near the end of its long trip down Fillmore Street. If you're already in the Marina, it is easy to jog over from Chestnut Street at Fillmore. You can also turn on to Union Street from Van Ness Avenue, and then try to park right away before the beginning of the commercial area at Gough Street.
Sidewalk on Union Street between Octavia and Laguna Streets
Fillmore Street at Union, looking north towards the bay
Union Street between Webster and Fillmore Streets
Union Street at Laguna Street
Pane e Vino Trattoria on Union Street at Gough
Amici's East Coast Pizzeria
Past Perfect Vintage and Antiques, on Union Street between Fillmore and Steiner
Rose's Cafe on Union Street at Steiner
Bistro Aix on Union Street
Eastside Westside Restaurant
Balboa Cafe on Fillmore Street at Greenwich Street
City Tavern on Fillmore at Greenwich
Real Food Company Market on Fillmore at Filbert
Vedanta Temple building on Webster Street at Fillmore in Cow Hollow
The Octagon House
The Octagon House Museum
Garden on the Octagon House grounds
Allyne Park, at Gough Street at Green Street, next to the Octagon House
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