San Francisco travel guide

Plan your trip, step by step

• Where to stay
  Choose a base neighborhood and a hotel vs a rental.
• Things to do
  Decide what to pre-book — starting with Alcatraz, which sells out weeks ahead.
• San Francisco in 3 days
  Follow a plan that balances the waterfront, the bridge and the neighborhoods.
• Estimate your trip cost
  See what a San Francisco trip costs and set your style.
• First-timer mistakes to avoid
  Sidestep the errors that trip up first-time San Francisco visitors.
• San Francisco on a budget
  See what a lean, comfortable or generous day really costs.

The neighborhoods at a glance

Union Square & Downtown

Known for the hotel and shopping core, the Powell Street cable-car turnaround, and the transit crossroads where Muni and BART meet.

Fisherman’s Wharf & the Embarcadero

Known for Pier 39’s sea lions, the Alcatraz ferry at Pier 33, the Exploratorium, and the flat waterfront walk down to the Ferry Building’s food hall.

North Beach & Chinatown

Known for Italian cafés and City Lights bookstore next door to one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns outside Asia — the best back-to-back neighborhood walk in the city.

The Mission

Known for murals in Balmy and Clarion alleys, Dolores Park, the city’s definitive burritos — and its sunniest weather.

Golden Gate Park, Richmond & Sunset

Known for the California Academy of Sciences, the de Young Museum and the Japanese Tea Garden, running out to Ocean Beach on the foggier west side.

The Presidio & Marina

Known for the Golden Gate Bridge, Crissy Field’s shoreline path, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the restaurant strips on Chestnut and Union streets.

Deciding where to base yourself? The where-to-stay guide turns these areas into a lodging decision.

When to go — month by month

Average daytime high (bars) and rainy days per month, from 5-year climate normals. Greener months are the most comfortable to visit.

Best months to visit: Apr–Nov

Destinations with a similar climate

Like San Francisco’s weather? These places have the closest year-round climate in our data — tap through for each one’s best time to visit.

• San Diego →
• Mykonos →
• Sintra →
• Marseille →
• Porto →
• Nice →

Know before you go

Currency

US dollar ($). Cards and tap-to-pay are near-universal; some cafés and food spots are card-only, so cash is rarely needed.

From the airport

SFO has a BART station in the terminal — about 30 minutes to downtown for roughly $11. Rideshares run about $30–50 to the center (more in surge); taxis about $45–55 plus tip.

Getting around

Muni buses, light rail and historic streetcars cover the city — pay with a Clipper card or contactless tap (~$2.85 a ride). Cable cars are a separate $9 flat fare, or get a Visitor Passport that includes them. BART handles regional trips. You rarely want a car in the city.

Best time

September–October is the local summer — the fog thins and days are warm and clear, but it’s also peak demand (Fleet Week, convention season). June–August is high tourist season yet cool and foggy near the water. November–March is mild, rainier and cheapest.

Fog & microclimates

The famous summer fog is real: the Mission can be sunny while Ocean Beach is socked in, and evenings turn cold fast. Bring layers whatever the month — a warm outer layer earns its space in July.

Taxes & tipping

Sales tax (roughly 8.6%) is added at checkout, never shown in the sticker price, and hotel bills add about 14% occupancy tax plus any property fees. Tipping 15–20% at restaurants is standard.

For the best months to visit and a day-by-day plan, see San Francisco in 3 days.