San Francisco, United States: travel guide
Fog, cable cars and the Golden Gate on a compact, hilly peninsula
Hill-stacked and fog-prone at the Golden Gate, rebuilt at speed after the 1906 earthquake and fire — cable cars still climb it, Alcatraz sits offshore, and its Chinatown is the oldest in North America.
About San Francisco
San Francisco packs a great deal onto its hilly tip of a peninsula. The Golden Gate Bridge anchors the view, often with fog pouring through it, while cable cars still grind up the slopes and Alcatraz sits out in the bay.
The city is easy to explore on foot if you are fit enough for the climbs. Look for the Painted Ladies near Alamo Square, wander Golden Gate Park, walk the length of Chinatown and take the ferry out to Alcatraz Island. Lombard Street's tight bends are worth a detour, and Pier 39 is the obvious stop for sea lions and waterfront snacks.
It works well for couples, food lovers and first-time visitors to the US West Coast. Bring layers in any season: autumn is often the clearest and warmest stretch, while summer afternoons can turn cool and grey.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.
- Country
- United States
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- America/Los_Angeles
- Nearest airport
- SFO
Last updated
Top places to visit in San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge
landmark · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The iconic 1.7-mile Art Deco suspension bridge (1937) spanning the Golden Gate strait. Free to walk or bike across; Welcome Center and vista points on both sides.
Alcatraz Island
historic-prison · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Former federal maximum-security prison on an island in the bay (1934-1963). Reached by ferry; the audio-guided cellhouse tour is a must. Book well ahead.
Pier 39
waterfront · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Festive waterfront marketplace at Fisherman's Wharf with shops, eateries, street performers, a carousel and the famous resident California sea lions on K-Dock.
Golden Gate Park
urban-park · 4.8 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Vast 1,017-acre urban park larger than NYC's Central Park, with gardens, museums, lakes, the Japanese Tea Garden and the Conservatory of Flowers.
Cable Car (Powell-Hyde Line)
historic-transit · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The world's last manually operated cable car system, a National Historic Landmark. The Powell-Hyde line climbs past Lombard St to Aquatic Park.
Lombard Street (Crooked Street)
street · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The famously crooked one-block section on Russian Hill with eight tight switchbacks lined by flower beds. Walk the steps or drive down it.
Chinatown (Dragon Gate)
neighborhood · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The oldest and one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. Enter at the Dragon Gate on Grant Ave for temples, dim sum, markets and the fortune-cookie factory.
Painted Ladies
architecture · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Row of colorful restored Victorian houses on Steiner St facing Alamo Square, framed against the downtown skyline. A free, classic SF photo spot.
Palace of Fine Arts
monument · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Monumental Beaux-Arts rotunda and colonnade (1915) set by a lagoon in the Marina. Free to wander; a serene, photogenic landmark.
California Academy of Sciences
natural-history · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Natural history museum in Golden Gate Park combining an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest dome and a living roof under one sustainable building.
Twin Peaks
overlook · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Twin hills near the geographic center of the city with a popular overlook delivering panoramic views over downtown, the bay and beyond.
Ferry Building Marketplace
food-hall · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Historic 1898 ferry terminal on the Embarcadero now a gourmet food hall with artisan vendors and a celebrated farmers market (Sat).
Things to do
- Alcatraz Island Day Tour Sightseeing · 3 h · from USD 47 per person
- San Francisco Bay Cruise Cruise · 1 h · from USD 42 per person
- Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour Cycling · 4 h · from USD 65 per person
- Cable Car & City Highlights Tour Sightseeing · 2.5 h · from USD 55 per person
- Napa & Sonoma Wine Country Tour Wine Tour · 9 h · from USD 189 per person
- Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour Nature · 5 h · from USD 99 per person
- Hop-On Hop-Off City Bus Tour Sightseeing · 24 h · from USD 60 per person
- Chinatown & North Beach Food Walking Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from USD 89 per person
Day trips and tours
- Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour 5 h · from USD 89
- Napa & Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour 9 h · from USD 199
- Monterey, Carmel & 17-Mile Drive Full-Day Tour 11 h · from USD 169
Where to stay in San Francisco
- Union Square about USD 260 per night
Central downtown hub with the densest hotel cluster, cable car lines, theaters and major shopping. Most convenient base for first-timers.
- Fisherman's Wharf about USD 240 per night
Waterfront tourist zone near Pier 39, sea lions and Alcatraz ferries. Family-friendly but touristy and pricier dining.
- Nob Hill about USD 320 per night
Elegant hilltop neighborhood with historic luxury hotels, cable car access and quieter streets a short walk from downtown.
- North Beach about USD 230 per night
SF's Little Italy: lively cafes, trattorias and nightlife at the base of Telegraph Hill, between Chinatown and the waterfront.
- SoMa about USD 250 per night
South of Market: museums, the Moscone convention center and Oracle Park nearby. Modern hotels; mixed at night on some blocks.
Hotels
- The Fairmont San Francisco 4.5-star · USD 350 to USD 800 per night
- Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel 4.5-star · USD 360 to USD 850 per night
- Argonaut Hotel 4-star · USD 250 to USD 500 per night
- Hotel Nikko San Francisco 4-star · USD 230 to USD 450 per night
- Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf 4-star · USD 240 to USD 480 per night
- Green Tortoise Hostel 2-star · USD 45 to USD 140 per night
Where to eat
- Boudin Bakery (Fisherman's Wharf) American, Bakery, Soup · about USD 20 per person
- Tony's Pizza Napoletana Italian, Pizza · about USD 35 per person
- Tartine Bakery Bakery, Cafe · about USD 18 per person
- La Taqueria Mexican · about USD 15 per person
- House of Prime Rib American, Steakhouse · about USD 70 per person
- Swan Oyster Depot Seafood, American · about USD 45 per person
- Scoma's Seafood, Italian · about USD 60 per person
- Brenda's French Soul Food Creole, Southern, American · about USD 25 per person
Getting to San Francisco
Airport: San Francisco (SFO)
How visitors arrive in San Francisco
- Flights into SFO By air · common
SFO is the Bay Area's main international airport; Oakland and San Jose are alternatives. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Rail and BART from the Bay Area By train from Oakland, San Jose · possible
Caltrain arrives from San Jose, and Amtrak stops at Emeryville with bus or BART onward. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Drive via US 101 or I-80 By road · possible
US 101 from north and south and I-80 over the Bay Bridge bring drivers in. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ferry across the bay By ferry from Marin, Oakland · possible
Ferries from Marin, Vallejo, Oakland and Alameda dock at the Ferry Building or Fisherman's Wharf. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- BART from SFO
BART runs from SFO through the Peninsula to downtown San Francisco, where Muni takes over. Walk from the United domestic terminal or use the AirTrain to the station by the International Terminal. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- SamTrans buses from SFO
SamTrans routes 292 and 397 stop at the SFO terminals and run into San Francisco and the Peninsula; check SamTrans for the current routing and stop for your terminal. Source: samtrans.com
- Uber or Lyft from SFO
Ride-hail pickups are at the departures level, not arrivals. Taxi stands are in a different place from ride-hail pickup. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Cable Car
Muni operates manually operated cable car routes across San Francisco.
- Metro
Muni Metro is the city's light rail, and BART trains serve San Francisco International Airport and the East Bay.
- Ride Hail
Uber and Lyft serve both San Francisco and Oakland airports, with designated rideshare pickup areas at each.
- Tram
The F line runs vintage heritage streetcars along Market Street and the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf, operated by Muni.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Car break-ins ("bipping")
Tourist parking lots citywide — Lombard St, Twin Peaks, Palace of Fine Arts, GG Park, Marina
Thieves smash windows of parked cars (especially rentals) in seconds to grab any visible bag or electronics. SF has one of the highest car-burglary rates in the US.
How to avoid it: Never leave ANYTHING visible in a parked car, not even an empty bag. Take valuables with you; choose attended garages over street parking.
Fake charity / petition clipboards
Fishermans Wharf, Pier 39, Union Square
People ask you to sign a "petition" or donation sheet, then aggressively demand cash; sometimes used as a distraction for pickpocketing.
How to avoid it: Politely decline and keep walking. Donate to registered charities online instead.
Street shell game / three-card monte
Market St, Powell St near the cable-car turnaround
Operators run a rigged shell or card game with planted "winners" to lure tourists into losing bets. You cannot win.
How to avoid it: Never play street gambling games; walk away. Watch your wallet in the crowd that gathers.
Aggressive costumed characters / street performers
Pier 39, Fishermans Wharf
Costumed characters or "free" CD/mixtape handers pose with you or push an item into your hands, then demand payment.
How to avoid it: Do not accept anything handed to you and agree on price (or decline) before any photo.
Overpriced "tour" and ticket touts
Near Alcatraz/Pier 33 and Fishermans Wharf
Touts sell marked-up or fake Alcatraz/bay-cruise tickets; official Alcatraz tickets sell out and only come from Alcatraz City Cruises.
How to avoid it: Book Alcatraz only via the official Alcatraz City Cruises site well in advance; ignore street sellers.
Best time to visit San Francisco
- Jan 14°C
- Feb 14°C
- Mar 16°C
- Apr 17°C
- May 19°C
- Jun 22°C
- Jul 23°C
- Aug 23°C
- Sep 24°C
- Oct 22°C
- Nov 17°C
- Dec 14°C
More in United States
Frequently asked questions about San Francisco
- What are the top-rated places to visit in San Francisco?
- The highest-rated places in our San Francisco guide are Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate Park, Palace of Fine Arts, California Academy of Sciences.
- Where should I stay in San Francisco?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in San Francisco: Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, Nob Hill, North Beach.
- How do I get around San Francisco?
- Ways to get around San Francisco covered in our guide: Cable car, Metro, Ride-hailing app, Tram.
- What scams should I watch out for in San Francisco?
- Scams reported to us for San Francisco include Car break-ins ("bipping"); Fake charity / petition clipboards; Street shell game / three-card monte. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in San Francisco?
- Average daytime highs in San Francisco run from 14°C in Jan to 24°C in Sep.
- Which airport is nearest to San Francisco?
- The nearest airport to San Francisco has the code SFO.