Your guide to San Francisco
San Francisco highlights
Steep streets
During the Gold Rush, thousands of people moved to the city. Developers decided to save time and build on top of San Francisco’s natural hills instead of flattening them. These gradients make the city unique, with some streets inclining more than 40%. Walk them if you dare on your city break to San Francisco, or let the city’s iconic cable cars do the hard work.
Independent theatre
San Francisco’s independent spirit still thrives in its small theatres and performance spaces. Watch experimental productions at The Lost Church, set inside a former chapel, or catch new work at the long-running Magic Theatre. The city is also home to the nonprofit American Conservatory Theater, a local institution known for contemporary productions and emerging talent.
Food truck scene
San Francisco has renowned fine-dining institutions and a healthy presence in the Michelin Guide. But it’s the food trucks that tend to get the most attention, and for good reason. You can find every culinary style and international influence, and the Bay area in particular is like a beautiful open-air restaurant. Visit Spark Social, which has over 150 food trucks onsite.
San Francisco: Know before you go
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Currency | United States dollar ($) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) and UTC-7 (PDT) |
| High season | July - August |
| Low season | January - February |
Find the best time to go to San Francisco
Weather in San Francisco
March – May: Rain showers and windy afternoons on the coast are common during San Francisco’s blustery spring. But the meadows of Golden Gate Park are never greener.
June – September: While you’ll be treated to longer days, be ready for a visit from Karl the Fog, as locals affectionately call the persistent weather condition. Layers are a must.
October – November :Autumn often surprises with late bouts of warm weather and even some balmy nights. So cross your fingers and pack t-shirts alongside your sweaters.
December – February: Expect short days and chilly mornings. But thanks to the city’s mild climate, long walks outsidestill have a place onwinter travel itineraries.
Events in San Francisco
SF Sketchfest (January to February): See up-and-comers alongside luminaries at this massive comedy festival, which hosts stand-up, live podcast recordings and improv sets.
San Francisco Pride (June): Join one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world. Weeks of parties and cultural events end with a central parade. Past grand marshals have included celebrities like actor-singer Billy Porter.
Outside Lands (August): Major acts from Chappell Roan to Neil Young bring enormous crowds to Golden Gate Park for a multi-day music festival that also hosts an impressive roster of Bay Area culinary offerings.
SF Open Studios (September to October): Visit San Francisco artists in their workspaces and buy directly from them. Works on paper, sculpture, metalwork and more are on offer.
The best neighbourhoods in San Francisco
Downtown
Teeming with historic landmarks, skyscrapers and shopping, Downtown is where to stay in San Francisco to be near restaurants, nightlife and stylish art galleries. At the heart of Downtown is Union Square, a retail hub with luxury hotels, cocktail bars and colourful street art. It’s also a great place to hop on a cable car to explore other neighbourhoods.
Good for: Hotels, shopping, cocktails
SoMa
Dive into SoMa (South of Market) to experience a diverse, industrial-chic neighbourhood. This is where you’ll find a dynamic blend of warehouses that have been converted into tech offices, trendy dining spots and museums. If you love bars and clubs, SoMa is one of the best areas to stay in San Francisco. The nightlife on Folsom Street is buzzing and, much like the famous Castro District, it’s also popular with the city’s LGBTQ+ community.
Good for: Museums, restaurants, nightlife
Fisherman's Wharf
A family-friendly neighbourhood on the northern waterfront, Fisherman’s Wharf is all about fantastic views, shopping and the best chowder in the city. The food stalls specialise in crab and clam chowder, so lunch here is a must. Spot the colony of resident sea lions, soak up the views of Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, and head to Pier 39 for food and shopping. Venture into the Musee Mecanique for a dose of nostalgia playing old arcade games.
Good for: Bay views, restaurants, family
Chinatown
Get happily lost in the tiny alleyways and lantern-strung streets of Chinatown, a historic neighbourhood packed with Chinese food, culture and architecture. Discover your fortune at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, admire colourful temples at Waverly Place, or visit the oldest dim sum parlour in the country. To see the neighbourhood at its most vibrant, visit during Chinese New Year.
Good for: Chinese restaurants, festivals, temples
Mission
Whether you’re searching for San Francisco’s best burrito or its brightest street art, you’ll find it in the Mission. This Latino neighbourhood is a foodie hotspot, with everything from Salvadoran tamales to Mexican tacos to Peruvian ceviche. It’s brimming with historical architecture, with the city’s oldest building and one of the country’s oldest cinemas. And plenty of lively festivals show off its multicultural roots.
Good for: Murals, Latino food, historic buildings
Nob Hill
Perched high above San Francisco, this lofty neighbourhood offers more than just great views. Get there by cable car — then learn about this iconic mode of transport at the Cable Car Museum. Stroll through streets lined with historic mansions, clothing boutiques and bookshops. And end the day with cocktails and panoramic views at a sky lounge.
Good for: City views, cocktail bars, historic mansions
Things to do in San Francisco
Shopping
With both luxury and offbeat options, shopping in San Francisco is a fun experience. Head to Union Square to explore current trends and high-end designer labels. A wander down Valencia Street in the Mission District is all about popping in and out of the many boutiques and thrift shops. The city is famous for vintage clothing stores. Wasteland in Upper Haight is a great place to find treasure from the 1960s onward.
Take in the culture
Exploring the museums in San Francisco could be a full-time job. Iconic Golden Gate Park is a cultural hotspot, with the de Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences, and Japanese Tea Garden all in close proximity. SFMOMA is one of the largest modern art museums in the country, and there’s always a ‘free-to-see’ area too. To tap into independent films in the region, The New Parkway Theater — across the bay in Oakland — is a must, with comfy seating and weekly screenings.
Nightlife
San Franciscans love to party, so expect to find nightlife in all shapes and sizes. For craft cocktail bars in San Francisco, try one of the city’s speakeasies. LGBTQ+-friendly bars can be found throughout the city, but most are concentrated in the Castro and SoMA districts. Looking for a laugh? The Punchline Comedy Club is the place to be. And for clubbing, pick from iconic nightclubs in the city, such as 1015 Folsom.
Places to eat
A haven for foodies, restaurants in San Francisco can be low-key, ultra-stylish or totally immersive. Start by grabbing a slice of pizza at Tony's Pizza Napoletana or enjoying Burmese cuisine at Burma Superstar. You’ll find fresh, sustainable seafood at The Waterbar and an indulgent fine-dining experience at Gary Danko. The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is busy with brunch-goers on Saturdays. Visit on a Thursday for a quieter experience and some delicious street food options.
Free things to do
On a budget? Plenty of free things to do in San Francisco will make you feel like a local. Stroll over the Golden Gate Bridge or enjoy the view of the city from Twin Peaks, the towering hills overlooking San Francisco. Peruse the street art in the Mission District or head to the Sutro Baths ruin for sunset on the edge of the city. The Palace of Fine Arts is a lofty, and free, landmark worth a visit too.
Beaches
The weather can be cool and foggy, but on a sunny day, San Francisco’s beaches are unmissable. Visit Baker Beach for Golden Gate views or Ocean Beach for a quieter spot and surf-friendly waves. Another top beach in San Francisco is Crissy Field, which also has a trail and picnic tables overlooking the bay. For a tucked-away gem in a cove, check out sheltered China Beach, where the Pacific Ocean meets the bay.
Get ready for San Francisco
Budget
While a budget trip to San Francisco may seem difficult in the pricey Bay Area, many of the city’s iconic spots, like Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach, are free to enjoy. An inexpensive meal will cost you about 25 US dollars ($). A domestic beer will set you back around $8, and a cappuccino about $6. A short taxi ride starts at around $10.
Day trips from San Francisco
Take a quick ferry ride or drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to visit gorgeous Marin County. This enclave of charming small towns offers waterfront views and farm-fresh food. Go wine tasting and antiquing in Napa Valley, just an hour’s drive from the city. And gawk at thousand-year-old redwoods in Muir Woods National Monument, a 40-minute drive from downtown.
Getting around San Francisco
The best way to get around San Francisco is by using public transport. The city is well connected thanks to an efficient metro, bus and streetcar network, and the downtown area is easily walkable. If you want to travel between the waterfront and Union Square, hop on the cable car. Look for scenic cycling trails on the outskirts of the city, like the Muir Woods Cycle Loop, which passes through an undisturbed Redwood forest.
