United States of America > California > San Francisco
Overview
The most attractive of American cities and regularly voted the best city in the USA, San Francisco is adored because of its colourful history, dramatic setting and its laissez-faire atmosphere, a quality missing from the more synthetic Los Angeles. It's a regular trendsetter in everything alternative, from flower-power to 'free love' and gay liberation; it prides itself on being individualistic, down-to-earth and cultured.
Streets rollercoaster up and down the hills, and when not swathed in the city's trademark fog, there are superb vistas of San Francisco Bay, spanned by one of the world's most famous sights, the Golden Gate Bridge. Surrounded by hills and urban development, traversed by bridges, dotted with sails and 14 small islands, including the notorious Alcatraz, the bay is the largest inlet on the Californian Coast. Fisherman's Wharf at the edge of the bay is a popular place to eat, stroll and shop, with its resident seals a favourite photographic subject.
Within the surprisingly compact city are distinct neighbourhoods that reflect the cultural background of diverse communities that were attracted to San Francisco by the discovery of gold in 1848, and the promise of a new life for those desperate to escape their harsh circumstances. Most of San Francisco's residents were born outside the city and this mix of cultures is reflected in the dragon-studded temples of colourful Chinatown and Japantown, the characteristic bohemian flavour of the Italian pasta restaurants and cafes in North Beach, the old Spanish-speaking Mission District that blends with the nightlife of SoMa, the modern Financial District, the gay centre of Castro and The Haight, characterised by the memory of the hippie movement of the 1960s.
San Francisco is an eccentric, bohemian city that opens its arms to all comers and proves extremely difficult to leave. Renowned as the world's most free-spirited city, a holiday in San Francisco sends travellers on a roller-coaster ride of fun in keeping with the trams that traverse its steep, hilly streets. From its diverse neighbourhoods to its bayfront pleasure-land and the offshore bulk of the Alcatraz prison, it's a city of unique charm and character. The locals know how to have a good time, and restaurants and entertainment venues aplenty await travellers among the quirky, Victorian buildings and crooked streets.
There are so many facets to a holiday in San Francisco, from history to hippies, prisons to parks, seafood to shopping, and art to architecture, that the city can truly be said to offer something for everyone. San Francisco is also rated as one of the world's most 'gay-friendly' cities and its annual Gay Pride parade is a popular event.
Best time to visit San Francisco
The weather in San Francisco stays a stable 'cool to mild' throughout the year. Fog can put a damper on things in the summer (June to August), and rain is plentiful during the winter months (December to February). There's no 'best time to visit', and San Francisco welcomes visitors all year round.
What to see in San Francisco
-Explore San Francisco's Chinatown, the oldest of its kind in the US.
-Visit the formidable island-fortress of Alcatraz.
-Admire panoramic views of the cityscape from Coit Tower.
-Visit San Francisco's most iconic landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge.
What to do in San Francisco
-Go sightseeing on the famous cable cars, the only moving National Historical Monument in the US.
-Enjoy leisurely meals and shopping sprees at Fisherman's Wharf.
-Relish thrills at the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
-Walk along Lombard Street, 'the crookedest street in the world'.
Beyond San Francisco
San Francisco boasts enough attractions to fill multiple holidays, but those wanting to travel further afield will find many glorious sights close by. The Napa Valley beckons wine lovers; the giant redwoods can be visited in Muir Woods and the Redwood National and State Park; and even the expanses of Yosemite National Park are within reach for a weekend getaway.
Getting there
San Francisco International Airport, situated 14 miles (23km) south of the city, is the second busiest airport in California. Direct flights to San Francisco are available from several cities in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.
Did you know?
-The Chinese fortune cookie was invented in San Francisco.
-The famous orange of the Golden Gate Bridge was supposed to be merely a sealant; the bridge was meant to be painted black and yellow.
-In 1906, three quarters of San Francisco was destroyed by an earthquake and fire.
Climate
The weather in San Francisco is cool to mild throughout the year, with foggy summers and wet winters. The climate is influenced by the cold currents of the Pacific Ocean surrounding the city, which in conflict with the Californian mainland's summer heat, creates foggy conditions that blanket the city during summer and early autumn. This ensures summers (June to August) in San Francisco are cooler than inland California and average high temperatures reach 77ºF (25ºC). Winters (December to February) are mild during the day, with temperatures seldom dropping below 60ºF (16ºC) lows, but nights are cold and rain is common. Rain in summer is rare.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain (cm) | 115 | 86 | 81 | 35 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 33 | 78 | 88 |
| Rain (inches) | 4.5 | 3.4 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 3.5 |
| Average Temperature (°C) | 10.4 | 12.1 | 12.6 | 13.3 | 14.4 | 15.6 | 16 | 16.6 | 17.6 | 16.4 | 13.8 | 10.9 |
| Min Temperature (°C) | 7.2 | 8.7 | 8.9 | 9.2 | 10.5 | 11.7 | 12.3 | 13 | 13.4 | 12.1 | 10 | 7.7 |
| Max Temperature (°C) | 13.7 | 15.6 | 16.3 | 17.5 | 18.4 | 19.6 | 19.7 | 20.2 | 21.8 | 20.8 | 17.6 | 14.2 |
| Average Temperature (°F) | 50.7 | 53.8 | 54.7 | 55.9 | 57.9 | 60.1 | 60.8 | 61.9 | 63.7 | 61.5 | 56.8 | 51.6 |
| Min Temperature (°F) | 45 | 47.7 | 48 | 48.6 | 50.9 | 53.1 | 54.1 | 55.4 | 56.1 | 53.8 | 50 | 45.9 |
| Max Temperature (°F) | 56.7 | 60.1 | 61.3 | 63.5 | 65.1 | 67.3 | 67.5 | 68.4 | 71.2 | 69.4 | 63.7 | 57.6 |
Getting Around
The public transport system in San Francisco is known as MUNI and operates buses, electric trolley buses and the famous cable cars, as well as metro streetcars (underground trains that become street cars when they emerge above ground). MUNI offers access to all parts of the city; exact change is required, and the same fare applies to all services except the cable cars, which are more expensive. Visitors should note that the cable cars are very popular and crowded. They can be tough to get onto, and slow in getting to destinations. MUNI trains and buses run 24-hours a day, with a more limited service after midnight; buses late at night are not always safe to use.
The other transport system, known as BART, is a fast and economical subway-rail network that connects the city to the East Bay as well as the airport. Taxis are also available in the city but can be hard to find, especially during peak hours. Ride-share taxi services, such as Uber, are also available. During the day the best option is often to walk, as many of the locals do. However, travellers should be prepared to climb a few hills.
Restaurants & Nightlife
Restaurants
No doubt about it, San Francisco is a fabulous food city. In fact, those in the know rate this as the restaurant capital of the country. There are over 3,000 eateries to sample, some of them home to the best chefs and finest ingredients in the land. With an emphasis on artisan culinary delights, impressive famers' markets, creative fine-dining and speciality food stores, San Francisco is a thrill for foodies.
Local dishes are typically ingredient driven, incorporating farm fresh produce and the best of regional wineries, dairies and organic produce suppliers. No one cuisine dominates; there's rather a wonderful variety to experience. Asian fusion food is well represented, with a strong emphasis on fresh local seafood. For Italian dishes, travellers should head over to North Beach; for Chinese and other Asian dishes, they should make a beeline for Chinatown. The Mission district has a huge variety of Mexican and Latino restaurants.
San Francisco is a health-conscious city, and vegetarians and vegans will find more options than they had ever dreamed possible. The city is notorious for clamping down on unhealthy kids' meals as well, so parents will be happy with the healthy choices presented.
Nightlife
San Francisco nightlife is diverse and enticing. Each neighbourhood's bars, clubs and lounges have a unique atmosphere, and there are multiple cafés and performing arts venues to enjoy. As San Francisco after dark is known for its novelty and constant innovation, visitors should be sure to check online for special events, once-off performances and pop-up dining that may coincide with their travel dates.
For electronic music clubs, hip hop and art lounges, travellers should try the SoMa area, while the Mission and Marina districts are good for bars. Gay-friendly bars and clubs are prevalent in the Castro area, and North Beach boasts neon strip joints and bars. The San Francisco Opera stages a free performance of Opera in the Park, followed by occasional free performances throughout the city. Ballet and modern dance can be seen at the Cowell Theater and Marina Boulevard. The Civic Center-Hayes Valley area is known for brilliant live performance venues and is the go-to spot for ballet, opera and jazz.
There's plenty to do after hours in San Francisco and visitors are bound to have a tough time choosing from the utter abundance of weird and wonderful, original and entertaining nighttime activities.
Shopping
Shopping in San Francisco is a delightful experience as there are varied shopping centres, charming districts and wonderful malls to keep travellers interested.
Some of the city's best shopping is at its museums. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art store has an incredible selection of art books, posters and other beautiful curios, while the Exploratorium offers an irresistible range of interactive toys, robots, experiment kits and other science themed media and curios. The Asian Art Museum has the city's best collection of books, fabrics, statues, bowls and jewellery in theme with its expansive exhibits on Asian art through the centuries.
For an authentic experience of Japanese culture with all the weird and wonderful shops that go along with it, travellers should visit Japan Center on Geary Street. This center, which meanders through several buildings on a second-storey skyway, contains dozens of stores selling everything from manga to traditional medicine. Coupled with the excellent sushi restaurants it's like being transplanted into Tokyo for the afternoon.
Union Square is home to top labels and boutiques. Haight and Ashbury Streets may have shed much of their hippy heritage with the area's steady gentrification but have still retained an eclectic selection of stores that make this area one of the most interesting to shop in. In a similar vein, Hayes Valley is also a good bet for galleries, boutiques and studios. Travellers shouldn't miss Chinatown for an incredible collection of Asian products, while Alemany Market and San Jose flea market (on the edge of town) offer a hugely varied range of goods.
The best of the many shopping malls are probably Westfield San Francisco Centre and Ghirardelli Square, Westfield having an emphasis on value stores and well-known brands, while Ghirardelli offers speciality stores and award-winning restaurants. Top purchases while in the city include music records and books, giant fortune cookies and wine from the Napa Valley. Tax can be refunded if goods are shipped outside California; travellers should keep their receipts and enquire when departing at the airport.
Sightseeing & Attractions
Sightseeing
San Francisco sightseeing is a hugely rewarding experience and, if travellers enjoy walking between the sights, a physically demanding one, too. Few cities have hills as steep as this, but mercifully the cable cars are a practical and fun way to travel up and down the rises.
There are a number of world class sights. Visitors can take a stroll around Golden Gate Park, while enjoying glimpses of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge; then catch a cable car up the steep hills to Chinatown, and the stunning Aquarium, before taking a long lunch at Fisherman's Wharf, one of the city's most popular attraction.
Perhaps the best of sightseeing in San Francisco is simply being in the city and experiencing its welcoming atmosphere while enjoying the charming architecture and splendid natural scenery. If travellers are planning a very full day of sightseeing, they should consider the Go San Francisco card, which provides a range of discounts and preferential access to attractions.
Kids Attractions
California is a great place for families and children, and San Francisco is one its most child-friendly cities. Not only is there great weather, but there's also a plethora of fantastic attractions and activities to keep the little ones busy.
When the sun is out, travellers should visit the world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy the sights, or even take an electric bike tour over the bridge. Far from the typical theme park, the Gilroy Gardens are great for a picnic or a stroll and there's a great deal of space for kids to run around and let off some steam. There are also breathtaking views from the Panoramic Wheel and there are even a few rides for the younger ones to enjoy. Fisherman's Wharf is also a great day out, travellers should head to Pier 39 where there's plenty for kids to see and do.
When the weather is bad, it's worth going to some of the exciting museums such as the Exploratorium, the Children's Creativity Museum or the Bay Area Discovery Museum.