San Francisco Travel Guide: Tips for Planning a Vacation

Few places in the world are as eccentric and unruly as San Francisco, a beautiful city built on a succession of ups and downs on the fascinating bay of the same name. San Francisco is a real gem and is the ideal city to spend a vacation on the California coast. In this San Francisco travel guide, you will find useful recommendations for activities, attractions, hotels, restaurants and accommodations, as well as tips on how to save money, on available attraction passes.

San Francisco Travel…where do you start?

where to stay in San Francisco

Where to Stay in San Francisco: Recommended Neighborhoods and Areas

Because of San Francisco‘s wealth of attractions and places to visit, it is no wonder that it is considered one of the liveliest cities in the United States. If you’ve …
best things to do in San Francisco

Best Things to Do in San Francisco: Explore Top Attractions and Must-Visit Places

As promised in a previous post, I am now going to talk about San Francisco, the world capital of all things eccentric and unconventional. It is one of the most …

What’s special about San Francisco?

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Plan your trip, attractions, and neighborhoods

Ideas for a road trip from San Francisco

San Francisco, along with Los Angeles, is an excellent starting point for organizing a longer trip throughout California and also to the other states in the Southwest. Here you can find many itineraries and ideas:

San Francisco California: General Information

Where is San Francisco?

The city of San Francisco is located in California along the Pacific coast. The San Francisco Bay, which is also one of the most populated metropolitan areas in the United States (with 9 counties and about 8 million inhabitants). The city is 383 miles from Los Angeles and 501 miles from San Diego, the other 2 major cities on the California coast.

Brief history of San Francisco

Originally the area that went from the San Francisco Bay to Big Sur was inhabited by various Native American tribes (such as the Miwok, Wintun, Yokut, and Ohlone). However, beginning in the mid-1500s, Spanish expeditions started to arrive, culminating a full 2 centuries later (on June 29, 1776) with the foundation of the Presidio of San Francisco and Mission San Francisco de Asís (commonly referred to as Mission Dolores). The Mission Dolores church building, which can still be visited in the Mission District, was erected in 1791 and is part of the Camino Real, the itinerary of the Franciscan missions on the California coast.

The Gold Rush exploded in California in 1849, leading the city to incredible growth, suffice it to say that between 1870 and 1900, about a quarter of the state’s population lived there. After the reconstruction that followed the devastating earthquake of 1906, San Francisco resumed its development thanks to a number of international events it hosted:

  • The Panama Pacific International Exposition of 1915. The elegant Palace of Fine Arts remains as an exquisite testimony of the exposition.
  • During World War II it was used as a port of embarkation for the conflict in the Pacific theater.
  • In 1945 it was chosen as the birthplace of the United Nations.

Then, in the postwar period, the city became the epicenter of cultural, literal, and social emancipation movements that left indelible marks on some of San Francisco’s most popular neighborhoods such as North Beach, home of the Beat movement; Haight-Ashbury, where the hippies and the Summer of Love were born; and Castro, birthplace of the gay rights movement.

If you would like to continue learning about this city, read our article on the history of San Francisco (upcoming).

How big is the city of San Francisco?

San Francisco County is a territory of 46.9 mi². If, on the other hand, you were to look at the entire San Francisco Bay Area, with a total of 9 counties and cities such as Oakland, San Jose, Napa and Sonoma, then the area would be 10,191 mi².

How many people live in San Francisco?

The entire San Francisco Bay Area boasts a population of more than 7 million, while the city of San Francisco has about 874,000 inhabitants.

San Francisco's climate

San Francisco’s climate is temperate, characterized by long cool summers and mild winters. Its location on the bay and proximity to the sea cause wind and fog, even in the summer months. When speaking about the city’s weather, Mark Twain remarked, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”

Since the weather is never excessively hot in the summer months and quite mild in the winter periods, San Francisco is a suitable destination any time of the year. Read more information in our guide on the best time to go to San Francisco.

What is the time zone is San Francisco?

San Francisco is in the Pacific Time Zone, which includes California and Washington, much of Nevada and Oregon, and some counties in Idaho

What universities are in San Francisco?

The San Francisco Bay Area is home to many colleges and universities. The 3 most important and prestigious institutions are:

  • Stanford University, located in Santa Clara County, about 40 miles south of San Francisco and near Palo Alto.
  • University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), the oldest of California’s 10 state universities.
  • University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), a major medical and biology research center. The main campus is located a few blocks south of Golden Gate Park.
What are the best museums in San Francisco?

Like all great American cities, San Francisco offers many interesting museums to its visitors. Here are the most distinguished ones:

  • MoMA San Francisco: San Francisco’s most significant contemporary art museum consists of 7 floors and exhibits works by great artists such as Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso and many others.
  • California Palace of the Legion of Honor: Collections of masterpieces from various historical periods await you in a beautiful French Renaissance-style palace. From ancient art to paintings of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and even European sculpture and photography.
  • De Young Memorial Museum: This fine arts museum is located inside a futuristic building which starkly contrasts to the Classical style of the Legion of Honor. The collection is impressive, but unlike the Legion of Honor, which focuses on European art, here the emphasis is placed on American, African, and Oceanic art.
  • California Academy of Sciences: San Francisco’s science museum is a masterpiece of sustainable architecture designed by Renzo Piano. Inside, in addition to exhibits on natural history, you will find an aquarium, a tropical forest and a planetarium.
What are the teams in San Francisco?

The main sports teams in San Francisco are the Golden State Warriors (basketball), the San Francisco 49ers (football), and the San Francisco Giants (baseball). If you are a fan of NBA basketball and do not want to miss the chance to see the Warriors play, which lately has been one of the most successful teams, read our guide on how to buy tickets for NBA games in San Francisco.

Why visit San Francisco? What is it famous for?

San Francisco is full of personality and is one of the most distinctive cities in the United States of America. Its most unmistakable landmark is undoubtedly the Golden Gate Bridge, the iconic red bridge over the bay. You can cross the bridge by car, on foot and by bicycle, and can even go as far as the pretty coastal suburb of Sausalito. San Francisco is also known for its ups and downs, and from the top of the various hills you can enjoy striking views. On Russian Hill, for example, you can not only admire a beautiful view, but also walk along the winding Lombard Street, one of the most famous streets in the world, lined by flowers, while on Telegraph Hill, you can climb up to Coit Tower.

One of the city’s best known attractions is Alcatraz, the prison island that can be visited by booking a special tour. I also recommend that you explore San Francisco’s most characteristic neighborhoods. Go in search of the famous Painted Ladies, the famous pastel-painted houses, or breathe in the picturesque atmosphere of Chinatown, or even go down to the vibrant Fisherman’s Wharf.

To plan your visit, I suggest you read my guide on things to do in San Francisco.

Two recommendations:

  • To get from one neighborhood to another, take, at least once, the cable cars, San Francisco’s historic and distinctive streetcars.
  • If you intend to visit a variety of attractions or activities that require you to pay admission consider buying one of San Francisco’s passes.
Flights and car rentals in San Francisco

How do you get around the city? My advice is to visit San Francisco without using a car, which can be an inconvenience and also an additional cost ( it’s hard to find free parking in San Francisco). In the city you can rely on public transportation or, if you wish, rent a bike. You can rent a car after you have visited the city, when you continue to the next destination on your road trip. Here is a useful link:

If you are considering flying to San Francisco, the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), is located in South San Francisco, some 12 miles away from Union Square, one of the city’s main squares.

Once you have landed, you can use public transportation, or even take a cab or shuttle, to reach the city. For more on this topic, I recommend to you our in-depth article on how to get from San Francisco International Airport to downtown San Francisco.

There are 3 other airports in the San Francisco Bay Area:

  • Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (KSJC) in San Jose
  • Oakland International Airport (KOAK) in Oakland
  • Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (KSTS) in Sonoma
San Francisco hotels: where best to stay?

Hotel prices in San Francisco are generally higher than those in Los Angeles, and the few ones with free parking can be found only in some areas that are a bit farther out (another reason why I do not recommend using a car in San Francisco). You can look for accommodations in various neighborhoods while still being able to reach the main attractions by taking public transportation.

However, it is important to choose the right neighborhood, and to avoid booking a hotel in one of the unsafe areas of the city. I have published a guide where you will find all the neighborhoods to consider for a quiet stay that also allow you to easily get to the main attractions.

The best neighborhoods to find a hotel in San Francisco

Where are the best places to eat in San Francisco?

You can easily find a good place to eat in San Francisco. Here the movement to make fresh, healthy cuisine with local ingredients and products is thriving. It is no coincidence that San Francisco has several markets, most notably the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, which is located right in front of the Ferry Building.

San Francisco is on the water, so you can find good seafood and also the typical soups served in bread bowls, such as clam chowder (of clams) or crab chowder (of crab).

There is also a variety of ethnic cuisine. Anything from Mexican food, well represented by the Mission Style Burrito, a rather popular food that originated in the Mission district, to Chinese cuisine, with dim sum and the famous fortune cookies that were apparently invented right here. If you love Chinese food, you must visit Chinatown.

Even the most refined palates will find something to enjoy. In fact, there are many highly-rated restaurants in San Francisco. Here is a map of the Michelin Star restaurants. For more recommendations, check out our guide on where to eat in San Francisco.

Where are the best places to shop in San Francisco?

For those who like to shop or even more simply find a special souvenir, San Francisco is the right city. Those who are looking for high fashion should go to Union Square, Union Street and Fillmore Street, or even outlets and malls located all over the city.

If, on the other hand, you’re on the hunt for unique souvenirs, you can look in Pier 39, one of Fisherman’s Wharf‘s liveliest piers, or the city’s most distinctive neighborhoods, such as the Mission District, Haight-Ashbury or Chinatown. For more detailed information, read our guide on shopping in San Francisco.

Which areas have the best nightlife?

Bars, late-night clubs and discos are spread out in multiple neighborhoods. If you want to experience San Francisco’s nightlife, go to Union Square, Mission and even SoMA (South of Market Street). On the other hand, if attending a concert is more up your alley, the Civic Center area is home to all the major classical music institutions (Davies Symphony Hall, War Memorial Opera House) and beyond (SFJAZZ Center). Those more interested in Broadway can go to the Theater District, where San Francisco’s major theaters are located.

Safety in San Francisco and neighborhoods to avoid.

As in all big cities, there are areas in San Francisco that are definitely best to avoid, both because they do not have much to offer to visitors and because they can prove to be unsafe, especially at night. One of these neighborhoods is definitely Tenderloin, but there are also other areas nearby where it is best to be careful. You can find all the details in the article on areas to avoid in San Francisco.