San Francisco
United States of America
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Alcatraz Island
- Cable cars
- Fisherman's Wharf
- Golden Gate Park
About San Francisco
San Francisco sits at the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay in Northern California. It grew rapidly during the 1849 Gold Rush and was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake and fire.
The Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars climbing steep hills, Alcatraz Island and neighbourhoods such as Chinatown and the Mission give the compact city its character.
How many days do you need?
Allow three days: one for Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz and the cable cars, one for Golden Gate Park and the Golden Gate Bridge, and one for Chinatown, North Beach and the Mission. A fourth day can go to Sausalito or the wine country.
Where to stay
- Union Square — Central, with plenty of hotels and transit links.
- Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach — Near the waterfront and the Alcatraz ferries.
- SoMa — Close to museums and BART stations.
From the airport to the city
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is about 13 miles south of downtown. BART trains run from the International Terminal directly into the city, and the AirTrain links all terminals with the BART station.
Getting around
Muni buses, light rail, historic streetcars and cable cars cover the city, and BART connects it with the East Bay; fares are paid with a Clipper card or a phone. The hills are steep, but many neighbourhoods are walkable.
Good to know
- Alcatraz Island is reached only by Alcatraz City Cruises ferries from Pier 33; tickets often sell out, so book ahead.
- Fog and cool winds are common even in summer; dress in layers, even in July.
- Car break-ins happen; never leave belongings in a parked car. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries need an ESTA. The currency is the US dollar.
Useful links
- San Francisco Travel sftravel.com
- SFMTA (Muni) sfmta.com
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) flysfo.com
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: May–October. The warmest month is September (average high 75 °F); the wettest is December (4.9 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 56.5 | 4.28 | Cool or rainy |
| February | 58.3 | 3.66 | Cool or rainy |
| March | 59.9 | 3.53 | Good |
| April | 63.1 | 1.49 | Good |
| May | 66.6 | 0.70 | Ideal |
| June | 71.1 | 0.24 | Ideal |
| July | 72.5 | 0.05 | Ideal |
| August | 73.8 | 0.04 | Ideal |
| September | 75.4 | 0.18 | Ideal |
| October | 72.0 | 1.35 | Ideal |
| November | 63.5 | 2.17 | Good |
| December | 56.5 | 4.86 | Cool or rainy |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- Martin Luther King Jr. DayJanuary 18
- Washington's BirthdayFebruary 15
- Memorial DayMay 31
- JuneteenthJune 19
- Independence DayJuly 4
- Labour DaySeptember 6
- Columbus DayOctober 11
- Veterans DayNovember 11
- Thanksgiving DayNovember 25
- Christmas DayDecember 25
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
- Dialling code+1
- Plugs & voltageType A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz
- Emergency911
- DrivingOn the right
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.