San Francisco: Travel Guide

San Francisco occupies a 47-square-mile peninsula on the California coast and packs more concentrated points of interest into that space than almost any other American city. The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, cable cars, world-class restaurants, and one of the most architecturally distinct skylines in the country are all within a few miles of each other. Fog rolls in most mornings and burns off by midday; temperatures rarely break 65°F (18°C) in summer, so pack layers regardless of season.

Getting There and Around

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) handles most long-haul flights. BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) runs directly from the international terminal to downtown stations including Montgomery and Powell; the ride takes approximately 30 minutes and costs approximately $10 as of 2026. Taxis and rideshares from SFO to central San Francisco run approximately $45–$65 depending on traffic.

Oakland International Airport (OAK) is a cheaper option for budget airlines. BART connects Oakland Coliseum station to downtown San Francisco in approximately 25 minutes; cost approximately $11.

Within the city, Muni (the city’s bus and light rail system) and BART cover most tourist areas. A single Muni fare is approximately $3 as of 2026; a day pass approximately $13. Cable cars—the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines—are essentially slow, scenic transit that also happen to be a city landmark. Fares are approximately $8 per ride as of 2026. Rideshares are widely available but downtown traffic can make them slower than Muni during peak hours.

Top Attractions

Golden Gate Bridge — Walking across the 1.7-mile span is free from the pedestrian path open daily 5am–9pm (or later in summer). The southeast viewing area at the Roundhouse (Bridge Welcome Center) is also free and has the most photogenic angles. Driving across costs approximately $9.75 as of 2026 (electronic toll only—no cash booths).

Alcatraz — Ferries depart from Pier 33 at Fisherman’s Wharf. Tickets for the day tour with audio guide cost approximately $47.95 for adults as of 2026; book at least two weeks ahead in summer as tours regularly sell out. The night tour costs approximately $47.95–$59.95 and gives access to areas closed during the day. The audio guide narrated by former inmates and guards is genuinely worth using.

Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 — Free to walk; sea lions haul out on the K-Dock year-round at no charge. The Musée Mécanique at Pier 45 (antique arcade machines) has free admission, though machines require coins to operate.

Muir Woods National Monument — A 45-minute drive north across the Golden Gate Bridge. Timed entry permits cost approximately $16 per adult as of 2026 and are required year-round; book at recreation.gov. The reserve contains old-growth coastal redwoods up to 250 feet tall—worth the effort even if you only walk the flat main loop (about 2 miles).

de Young Museum — Located in Golden Gate Park, the de Young holds an extensive American art collection and stages major international exhibitions. General admission is approximately $20 as of 2026; the observation tower is free. Open Tuesday–Sunday 9:30am–5:15pm.

California Academy of Sciences — Also in Golden Gate Park, combining a natural history museum, planetarium, aquarium, and rainforest dome under one roof. Admission approximately $40 as of 2026. Open Monday–Saturday 9:30am–5pm, Sunday 11am–5pm.

Neighbourhoods to Know

The Mission — The city’s liveliest neighbourhood for food, murals, and nightlife. Warm, sunny microclimate compared to the coast.

Hayes Valley — Independent boutiques and restaurants clustered around Octavia Boulevard; walkable and relatively compact.

North Beach — Historic Italian neighbourhood adjacent to Chinatown; strong café culture and Columbus Avenue bookshops.

The Tenderloin — Central, cheap, rough around the edges. Fine to walk through in the day; exercise awareness at night.

Noe Valley — Quiet, residential, good brunch options. Warmer and sunnier than most of the city.

Where to Eat

San Francisco has one of the highest concentrations of excellent restaurants per capita of any American city. Zuni Café (1658 Market St) has been a local institution for decades—the brick-oven roast chicken for two, ordered at least an hour ahead, costs approximately $85 as of 2026. Tartine Manufactory (595 Alabama St, The Mission) serves the city’s most sought-after bread and pastries; arrive before 8am to guarantee a morning bun. For dim sum, Yank Sing (101 Spear St, Financial District) is expensive by Chinatown standards but the quality is exceptional—expect approximately $50–$65 per person. La Taqueria (2889 Mission St) is straightforward and widely regarded as serving the city’s best burrito; cash only, approximately $12–$16 per burrito.

Where to Stay

The Westin St. Francis (335 Powell St, Union Square) — Large, reliably comfortable hotel with an iconic clock tower; rooms from approximately $250/night as of 2026. Ideally placed for cable cars and Union Square shopping.

Hotel Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf (425 North Point St) — Boutique hotel one block from the wharf; rooms from approximately $200/night. Good base for Alcatraz ferry and the waterfront.

Proper Hotel (1100 Market St, Mid-Market) — Design-forward hotel in a restored Beaux-Arts building; rooms from approximately $300/night. The rooftop bar has strong city views.

Inn San Francisco (943 South Van Ness Ave, Mission) — Victorian bed-and-breakfast in a 1872 mansion; rooms from approximately $150/night. Character and reasonable value by San Francisco standards.

Hostelling International San Francisco (312 Mason St, Union Square) — Dormitory beds from approximately $50/night; private rooms available. Central location.

Practical Notes

• Sales tax is 8.625% in San Francisco as of 2026; added to all purchases at point of sale
• Tipping is expected at sit-down restaurants (18–22%) and for taxis and rideshares (15–20%)
• Weather: June–August is cool and foggy; September–November is the warmest and sunniest window; December–February brings rain but also the fewest tourists
• SFO vs OAK: If flying a budget carrier into Oakland, factor in BART time and cost—it reduces the price gap vs. flying directly to SFO
• The city’s hills are steep; comfortable shoes with grip matter more than you’d expect