SAN FRANCISCO TRAVEL GUIDE CONTENTS
San francisco travel guide
San Francisco, California: At a Glance
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San Francisco is one of the three most visited California travel destinations, along with Los Angeles and San Diego.
I lived in San Francisco for six years; it is the most unique and beautiful city in the world.
San Francisco is surrounded by water, nestled in dark green trees, rolling hills with white and pastel buildings, and a rust-red bridge, making it one of the most eye-popping places on earth. Aesthetically stunning – it’s a magical place, not just for its natural beauty but also for its history.
From hip neighborhoods and vibrant arts and culture to the Painted Ladies and, of course, the gastronomical excellence found in the cheapest meal to the most expensive, there’s no city quite like San Francisco.
San francisco travel guide
San Francisco California: Know before you go
✈️ Airport: San Francisco International Airport (code: SFO)
Important note: When flying into a large city like San Francisco, there’s often more than one airport. So when purchasing tickets – to get the best value – check surrounding airports. They aren’t as close to downtown San Francisco as SFO is, but they are within driving distance.
San Francisco International Airport is approx. 11.2 miles from San Francisco
- Oakland (code: OAK) 12.1 miles from San Francisco
- San Jose (code: SJC) 39 miles from San Francisco
- Santa Rosa (code: STS) 53.3 miles from San Francisco
- Sacramento (code: SMF) 78.3 miles from San Francisco
⏰ Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (GMT-8)
💵 Currency: US Dollar
🗣️ Language: English, though Spanish is very common
🚘 Car Rentals: Renting a car is easy-peasy in California, especially when you use Discover Cars. They have the best rates. Check out this guide to Renting a Car in California for information on the process.
San francisco travel guide
What’s the best time to visit San Francisco California?
With its temperate weather, San Francisco is a year-round destination. However, September to November are the ideal months to visit San Francisco. The fall season gives the best of both worlds, with warm temperatures (even warmer than the summer months, believe it or not!) and more affordable rates thanks to lower tourist traffic.
When my family visited me during the summer in San Francisco, I would tell them, “Bring a jacket; it’s cold here in San Francisco in the summer.” They didn’t believe me and inevitably borrowed a jacket.
“The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”
No one knows who first said this, but it’s well-crafted and accurate. It’s often mis-attributed to Mark Twain.
San francisco travel guide
Where is San Francisco California located?
San Francisco is located in the northern part of California. The city is located on the tip of the San Francisco Peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay on the West Coast of the United States. It is situated on the Pacific Coast, and its coordinates are 37.7749° N, 122.4194° W.
San Francisco California Map
What part of the state in San Francisco in?
San Francisco is located in northern California.
Besides visiting San Francisco, you’ll find other great things to do in the Bay’s surrounding areas: Napa, Calistoga, Stinson Beach, Carmel, Monterey, and Sausalito! Just to name a few. There are more unique and wonderful places to visit in Northern California.
San francisco travel guide
What’s the closest airport to San Francisco California?
San Francisco International Airport (code: SFO) is the airport you’ll most likely fly into when flying to San Francisco. It’s a beautiful airport; you can find direct flights to and from many places all over the world.
You can also fly into Oakland Airport (OAK), which is one mile further from the city than SFO, about 12.1 miles from San Francisco.
What’s the best way to get to your San Francisco Hotel?
The easiest, safest, and cheapest way to get from San Francisco Airport to your hotel is via private shuttle service, but you can also catch a Lyft or Uber or take public transportation.
🚘 If you plan to grab an Uber or Lyft, go to the pickup point at the garage’s top floor, about a two-minute walk from the three domestic terminals. Follow Airport signs to Level 5 of the Parking Garage.
If you want a curbside pickup, you must request Uber Comfort, UberXL, Select, Black, or Black SUV, from the International Terminal and get picked up from the Departures level, overwise head to Level 5 in the Parking Garage.
Renting a car in San Francisco at SFO is another option if you plan to take day trips outside the city to places like; Napa, Calistoga, or Stinson Beach. Check out Renting a Car in California Guide to get ahead of the process.
🚘 Need a car rental while you’re in San Francisco?
Discover Cars has the best rates. Check them out here!
San francisco travel guide
Best Neighborhoods in San Francisco California
Wondering where to stay in San Francisco? The majority of visitors stay downtown or by the Marina District. These are safe and central neighborhoods, close to many things to do in San Francisco.
The four areas highlighted below are where I recommend all travelers stay to be centrally located to the action. I’ve stayed at all of these hotels, lived in some of these areas, and know them well.
Mark Hopkins
Mark Hopkins is truly the heart of San Francisco; it sits on Nob Hill. I stay here when I want luxury and to feel like one of the railroad barons who built the Nob Hill neighborhood in the 19th century.
Catch the cable car right at California and Mason. Walk down the hill, hit Chinatown on your left and Union Square on your right. It is the perfect spot within walking distance to all the sights.
Galleria Park Hotel
I love this hotel. The rooms are small – as almost all SF rooms are – but they maximize the space well. I stay here when I want to be close to downtown and get some all-weekend shopping done in Union Square.
The Galleria Park is two doors from my go-to coffee shop, Blue Bottle, so while my daughter sleeps, I go out early and read at the coffee shop—great bang for your buck.
The Fairmont Heritage Place
The Marina District is along the bay right near The Golden Gate Bridge, Crissy Field, and the Palace of Fine Art. It’s a lovely neighborhood away from the bustle of downtown.
I highly recommend the Fairmont Heritage Place in Ghirardelli Square. This hotel is top-notch and has all the extras while being right next to see many must-do San Francisco attractions, with views of the Bay!
The Grove Inn
The Grove Inn is the best place to stay in Hayes Valley; a cool, revitalized neighborhood in the Western Addition.
A stone’s throw away from the Painted Ladies, the Performing Arts Center, and some of the best San Francisco restaurants.
If you want to be near the best boutique shopping – and San Francisco has some of the best – stay in Hayes Valley.
San francisco travel guide
Best things to do in San Francisco California
Besides all the mouth-watering food in San Francisco, you’ll want to devour, there are many things to do in San Francisco and things see in the immediate surrounding areas, like Napa, Sausalito, and Stinson Beach.
Discover some of the best San Francisco highlights below ⤵️
San francisco travel guide
Best San Francisco Tours
Tours in San Francisco are a great way to see attractions and surrounding areas — and unless you’re planning to rent a car in San Francisco (I don’t recommend this!), tours are the best way to get around because transportation costs like Lyft and Uber can add up quickly.
💡Note: If you do decide to rent a car in San Francisco, refer to the guide on Renting a Car in California Guide.
Below, you’ll find the most popular and best tours in San Francisco.
San francisco travel guide
Is San Francisco safe for tourists?
Is San Francisco safe? The answer to that question is, YES! You are statistically quite safe while visiting San Francisco. San Francisco received a very high overall score of 77.2 on the 2021 Safe Cities Index, making it the 15th-safest city among 60 cities worldwide. Two notches above Los Angeles.
As with all big cities, San Francisco has good and bad areas. Stick to these best neighborhoods in San Francisco and avoid ones like the Tenderloin District, Market Street at California Street (particularly at night). You’ll likely be safe in San Francisco.
When traveling anywhere, make safety your priority. Follow general safety measures like not walking alone at night, drinking in moderation, and being aware of your surroundings.
To make safety your priority when in a big city like San Francisco, follow these guidelines:
- Pack travel safety items
- Dress in a way that doesn’t make you stand out as a tourist
- Leave expensive jewelry at home
- Leave some cash and one credit card in a safe in the hotel for backup
Some less-obvious things you’ll want to watch out for in San Francisco are dehydration, sunburns, mosquitoes and hangovers!
And earthquakes!
The San Andreas Fault runs through or near major cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles. This fault line is a transform boundary created by two tectonic plates sliding past each other; the Pacific and North American plates.
The biggest hazard when coming to San Francisco is an earthquake. We are due for a big one.
IS SAN FRANCISCO SAFE FOR SOLO TRAVELERS?
On a personal note, I lived in San Francisco alone for two years and felt quite safe. Now, this wasn’t wishful thinking that kept me safe; I prioritized staying safe by not walking home alone at night, never drinking too much, etc. Check out my San Francisco Solo Travel Guide for more information on San Francisco travel safety for solo female travelers.
What’s the best travel insurance for San Francisco?
🏆 For travelers to any destination, I only ever recommend four companies to purchase travel insurance from:
✓ World Nomads – For general travelers
✓ SafetyWing – For digital nomads, general travelers, and anyone under 70
✓ Medjet – For more repatriation coverage
✓ Insure My Trip – For travelers over 70
↳ Click on any of the links above to get a FREE quote on your policy!
San francisco travel guide
San Francisco Travel Blogs: Learn more about San Francisco California 🐻
- San Jose Airport to San Francisco Private Transfer
- 10 Best Yosemite Park Tours From San Francisco 2024
- How Much Does an Uber Cost From San Francisco to Napa?
San Francisco Travel: Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drink the tap water in San Francisco California?
You can. I wouldn’t. San Francisco tap water is legally safe to drink, but to be safe, use an active carbon filter to remove THMs and reduce Arsenic and Chromium 6 by 40-70%.
So what can you do while traveling?
- If renting a home with a kitchen, they will most likely have a water filtration system. Or a Brita Water Filter Pitcher in their refrigerator to filter out harmful contaminants.
- You can keep buying bottled water. This is the expensive option, and all those plastic bottles are terrible for the planet! 🌎
- Use what I use: the Water-To-Go Filterable Bottle! This bottle keeps you hydrated – and you need that when you’re traveling especially – and filters out those nasty chemicals and contaminants that have no business in your body!
The Water-To-Go Bottle incorporates a three-stage filtration mechanism that eliminates 99.9999% of waterborne pollutants, such as viruses, bacteria, microplastics, heavy metals, and chemicals. I can attest to its efficacy as I own three and can confidently consume tap water anywhere I travel without concern.
San francisco travel guide
What’s the San Francisco weather like?
San Francisco County’s coldest month is January, with the average temperature overnight at 46.4°F (7.7°C).
In September, the warmest month, the average daytime temperature rises to 71.3°F (22°C).
I’m almost always cold in San Francisco. And 100% chilly in the evenings in San Francisco as the wind comes off the bay.
Pack layers, including a windbreaker and sweaters.
What’s the best time to visit San Francisco?
The best time to visit San Francisco is the fall and spring. Summers can be hot during the day, and chilly at night. July is the hottest month in San Francisco with an average temperature of 57°F (14°C) and the coldest is January at 50°F (10°C) with the most daily sunshine hours at 14 in July.
The wettest month is January with an average of 119mm of rain. Average temperatures rest in the low 70s (cooler at night) and consistently sunny skies inspire San Franciscans and tourists alike to head to the beach.
- Shoulder Season — April to May or September to November when conditions are fine, skies are (for the most part) clear and crowds are few. Even fewer tourists head to San Francisco from January to March.
- High Season — Summer is tourist season in San Francisco. June to August.
Is San Francisco expensive?
There is no noticeable difference when comparing prices in San Francisco to other large cities in California, like Los Angeles and San Diego. All three can be expensive or inexpensive to visit depending on what you do and where you stay in each city.
But yes, they’re all expensive to visit if you plan on staying in hotels and checking out the attractions.
San francisco travel guide
Is San Francisco California worth visiting?
Yes – as someone who has lived in San Francisco for over 6 years, and miss it often, it’s worth visiting. San Francisco is a unique destination that so many different types of travelers will want to check out.
Foodies will also fall in love with San Francisco cuisine, famed for both its street food and Michelin Star San Francisco restaurants.
If you love big cities, you must visit San Francisco — it boasts the oldest, largest, and most storied Chinatown —for travelers who love culture, there is no better city than San Francisco.
How many days do I need in San Francisco California?
If you want to explore San Francisco, you’ll want five full days. However, if you’re going to explore the surrounding areas outside of San Francisco, like Napa, you’ll need at least ten to 14 days, but of course: The longer, the better!