Union Square Transforms into a Sea of Flowers, San Francisco’s “Tulip Day” Held Grandly

On March 22, 2025, last Saturday, the city of San Francisco held its annual “Tulip Day” in Union Square. Over 80,000 colorful tulips turned the square into a beautiful garden, attracting thousands of Bay Area residents to come and pick flowers. Amidst the scenery of spring, the city’s atmosphere was filled with vibrant energy.

The organizers set the rule that each person could pick 8 tulips for free within 5 minutes. People lined up one after another in groups to enter the garden, enjoying picking flowers, taking photos, and admiring the beauty. Looking down from Macy’s across the square, the colorful field of flowers spelled out the word “Bloom”, creating a stunning sight. Customers inside the department store also stopped by the windows to admire the enchanting floral display.

The event was organized by the Union Square Alliance, with the Executive Director Marisa Rodriguez explaining the challenges faced in sourcing tulips due to California suppliers closing down and adverse weather in the Netherlands, the main source of tulip bulbs. Despite these difficulties, a successful collaboration with van Hoekelen Greenhouses in Pennsylvania ensured the tulips arrived in San Francisco as planned.

Rodriguez expressed her relief that the over 80,000 tulips arrived fresh and beautiful, ready for visitors to pick. She emphasized the importance of picking tulips from the bottom with the bulb attached, encouraging replanting for future blooms.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie attended the event with his daughter. He commended the dedication of friends who queued as early as 5 a.m. and emphasized the importance of community support for the city’s revitalization efforts, with Tulip Day being a part of that initiative.

Dutch Consul General in San Francisco, Theo Peters, highlighted the symbolic significance of the vibrant tulips heralding the arrival of spring and representing optimism, hope, and the friendship between San Francisco and the Netherlands.

Peters also shared that Queen Wilhelmina Garden in Golden Gate Park would host the Dutch National Day celebration on April 26, featuring more beautiful tulips.

Councilman Danny Sauter, representing the Union Square District, reaffirmed the collaboration with the mayor to revitalize San Francisco and encouraged supporting local businesses post-tulip picking. He specifically recommended b. Patisserie, a new French pastry shop in the square.

Sauter teased upcoming developments in the area, including the opening of the second official Nintendo store on May 15 and the launch of a new entertainment area in Union Square this summer.

Additionally, Sauter disclosed plans for a new park and 300 residential units in Lower Nob Hill and the revitalization of Portsmouth Square in Chinatown, with a new library and public health center on Mason Street.

He reassured support for new businesses in Chinatown and collaboration with the Public Works department to enhance cleanliness and waste management, ensuring a cleaner and tidier community.