Cannabis near Union Square, 12 minutes north in North Beach.
Gemme Verdi is the closest 5-star cannabis dispensary to Union Square hotels. 1.2 miles up Powell, a 12-minute cable car ride or 8-minute rideshare. The full STIIIZY lineup, daily Buy 2 Get 1, and 60+ California brands at 899 Columbus Ave in North Beach.
Closer than you think, and the only 5-star option a short cable car away.
Union Square does not have a licensed adult-use dispensary inside its borders. The closest options are scattered across SoMa, the Tenderloin, and North Beach. Of those, Gemme Verdi is the easiest run, 1.2 miles straight up Powell or Stockton, the same direction the Powell-Mason cable car already takes.
For visitors at Union Square hotels, the Westin St Francis, Grand Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott Marquis, the Sir Francis Drake, the calculus is simple. The cable car runs every few minutes, terminates at Bay and Taylor, and from there it is a five-minute walk to the shop. Total trip including waiting time, fifteen to twenty minutes door to door. Faster than walking five blocks down Powell to find an open Tenderloin shop, and in a much better neighborhood for the walk back.
For locals who work in Financial District or live around Russian Hill and Nob Hill, the route is even faster. 5 to 10 minute drive on Stockton or Powell, right on Columbus, free street parking after 6 PM if you are willing to circle once.
What you will find at the end of the trip, the deepest STIIIZY lineup north of Market, daily B2G1 on the 40s 1/4oz, full Heavy Hitters Rosin AIO selection, Kiva edibles in stock, Raw Garden Live Resin carts. 60+ California brands. 250+ products on sale every day. Cash only with an ATM on-site, the Bay Area standard.
From Union Square to your hotel room, in less than half an hour.
1.2 mi
North on Powell
12 min
Powell-Mason cable car
8 min
Rideshare or taxi
60+
California brands stocked
Five ways from Union Square to 899 Columbus Ave.
All five drop you within a five-minute walk of the front door.
The classic San Francisco arrival
Catch the Powell-Mason line at the Powell turnaround at Powell & Market. Ride it all the way to Bay & Taylor, the second-to-last stop. From there it is a five-minute level walk west along Bay Street, then right on Columbus. The cable car runs every 8 to 12 minutes from 6:30 AM to midnight. The most photogenic option, for what it is worth.
The fastest door to door
Uber or Lyft from Geary near the Westin or Grand Hyatt up Stockton, through Stockton Tunnel, into Chinatown, right on Columbus, dropping at 899. Surge pricing matters here, $9 off-peak, $20 plus on Friday and Saturday nights. The shop entrance is on Columbus Ave between Lombard and Greenwich.
The local commute route
Stockton at Geary, board the 30-Stockton heading north, ride through Chinatown to Stockton & Columbus, walk one block west on Columbus. The 30 runs every 8 to 10 minutes during the day. Cheaper than the cable car and locals use it. Skip if you are carrying a lot of shopping bags, the bus is full.
Up Stockton or Powell
From Union Square go north on Stockton through the tunnel, exit on Sacramento, continue north past Broadway, right on Columbus, dispensary is a half block down on the right. Or take Powell up through Nob Hill, right on Vallejo, left on Columbus. Metered street parking on Columbus and side streets, free after 6 PM Monday to Saturday and all day Sunday.
The scenic walk through Chinatown
Walk north on Stockton from Union Square. You will pass through the Stockton Tunnel, into Chinatown around Sacramento, past the Stockton Street markets, through the dragon-gate-adjacent blocks, and up into North Beach where Stockton meets Columbus. Hilly. Worth doing once if you have time, locals do not. The walk back is downhill and faster.
The 8-minute option
Bay Wheels and Lyft Scooter both have docks near Union Square. Take Stockton or Polk north, watch for the 30 bus and the cable car. There is bike parking outside the dispensary on Columbus. Faster than the bus, cheaper than rideshare.
Five things to know if it is your first dispensary.
San Francisco recreational rules in plain English, especially if you are visiting.
01
Bring valid government photo ID, 21 plus
Driver’s license, passport, military ID. Out-of-state and international IDs both accepted. Vertical IDs are fine if you are over 21. The age check is at the door, not at the register.
02
Cash only, ATM on-site
Federal banking rules, all California dispensaries are cash-only. There is an ATM at the front of the shop, it spits twenties. Plan to bring cash or budget for the $3 ATM fee.
03
You do not need a medical card
California legalized adult-use cannabis in 2018. Anyone 21 plus can buy as a recreational customer with a photo ID, no medical recommendation required. Tourists welcome.
04
Order ahead for fastest pickup
Order from our live Meadow menu and your order is bagged and waiting in 15 to 20 minutes. Skip the in-store browsing if you know what you want.
05
Ask the budtenders, that is the point
If you are unsure what to buy, tell the budtender what you are after. Most regulars buy whatever the budtender recommends. They know the menu cold and they will steer you toward what is on sale.
06
Identity discounts do not stack
Medical 20%, veteran or student 10%, industry 15%, birthday 20%, local 20% in 94108, 09, 11, 23, 33. They do not stack with brand B2G1 or BOGO promotions. The register applies whichever saves you more.
What visitors and locals ask.
What is the closest licensed dispensary to Union Square?
Gemme Verdi at 899 Columbus Ave in North Beach is the closest 5-star cannabis dispensary to Union Square. 1.2 miles north on Powell, 8 minutes by rideshare, 12 minutes by Powell-Mason cable car. Union Square itself does not have a licensed adult-use dispensary inside its borders.
How do I get to a cannabis dispensary from Union Square?
Five ways. The Powell-Mason cable car from Powell at Market terminates at Bay and Taylor, a five-minute walk from Gemme Verdi. Rideshare runs $9 to $14 and takes 5 to 8 minutes. The 30-Stockton bus is $3 and 12 to 15 minutes. Driving via Stockton Tunnel and Columbus is 5 to 10 minutes. Walking up Stockton through Chinatown is 25 to 30 minutes.
Can I bring cannabis back to my Union Square hotel room?
Buying cannabis as an adult 21 plus is fully legal in California. Bringing it to your hotel room is also legal. Whether you can consume it inside the hotel depends on the property’s rules. Most San Francisco hotels prohibit smoking of any kind in rooms. Edibles, tinctures, and discreet vapes are the safer choice if you plan to consume in your room.
Is it legal to consume cannabis in San Francisco hotels?
California law allows cannabis consumption on private property with the property owner’s permission. Most San Francisco hotels have explicit no-smoking policies that include cannabis. A few SF hotels are 420-friendly and post that openly. Edibles and tinctures are the most widely tolerated form of consumption since they leave no smoke or smell.
Are there any dispensaries inside Union Square?
No. The Union Square commercial district does not have a licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary inside its borders. The nearest licensed shops are in North Beach (Gemme Verdi at 899 Columbus, 1.2 miles north), the Tenderloin (a few licensed shops in the Polk and Larkin corridor), and SoMa.
Can I take a cable car to a cannabis dispensary?
Yes. The Powell-Mason cable car runs from Powell & Market through Union Square and terminates at Bay & Taylor in North Beach, a five-minute walk from Gemme Verdi at 899 Columbus Ave. Single ride is $8 cash, or free with a Muni Day or Monthly pass.
Do I need a medical card to buy cannabis as a tourist in San Francisco?
No. California legalized adult-use recreational cannabis in 2018. Anyone 21 or older with a valid government photo ID can buy at a licensed dispensary. Out-of-state IDs and passports are accepted. No medical recommendation required.
What forms of ID do California dispensaries accept?
Valid government-issued photo ID showing date of birth. US driver’s license, US passport, US military ID, US state ID, foreign passport. Some shops also accept tribal IDs. Vertical (under-21-formatted) IDs are accepted as long as the date of birth shows you are 21 or older. Photocopies and digital images are not accepted.
What time do San Francisco dispensaries close?
California state law allows dispensaries to operate from 6 AM to 10 PM. Most San Francisco dispensaries close earlier. Gemme Verdi is open 11 AM to 8 PM every day, including weekends and holidays.
Do you accept credit cards or just cash?
Cash only. There is an ATM on-site at 899 Columbus Ave that dispenses twenties. Federal banking rules prevent California cannabis dispensaries from accepting credit cards. Some shops accept debit via cashless ATM workarounds, Gemme Verdi is straight cash with the on-site ATM.
Where can I legally consume cannabis in San Francisco if I am visiting?
California law restricts cannabis consumption to private property with the owner’s permission. Public consumption, including on sidewalks, in parks, and in vehicles, is illegal. A few licensed consumption lounges exist in San Francisco, including Barbary Coast in SoMa and Moe Greens near Union Square. Most visitors who consume in their hotel room use edibles or tinctures to stay discreet.
What deals does Gemme Verdi have for visitors from Union Square?
Daily B2G1 on STIIIZY 40s 1/4oz, B2G1 on Jeeter, B2G1 on Camino gummies, 30% off Raw Garden, 8 for $80 on Iced concentrates, 4 for $20 on Sunset Connect pre-rolls. 19 anchor deals run every day plus rotating day-of-week specials. See the full San Francisco cannabis deals page for the current rotation.
12 minutes north. The full menu, the daily deals, the budtenders who actually know.
Order ahead from our live menu and pick up in 15 to 20 minutes. Or call us if you have questions before you head over, we are happy to help.
Other neighborhoods we serve
Coming from elsewhere in San Francisco?
Gemme Verdi serves cannabis customers from across the city, all from our single shop at 899 Columbus Ave in North Beach. Pick the route that matches where you are starting.
5 min walk down Stockton
8 min up Hyde Street
5 min walk along the Bay
You are already here
10 min along Lombard
12 min up the Embarcadero
10 min north on Columbus
F Market streetcar, 22 min
15 min on the 30 Stockton
15 min via Divisadero
5 min cable car downhill