San Francisco Travel & Vacation Guide

Once a federal prison housing dangerous and notorious criminals, Alcatraz (The Rock) now welcomes tourists into the cell blocks once occupied by the likes of Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelley, and the Birdman of Alcatraz. Self-guided audio tours have dramatic narratives of Alcatraz’s grim history, including realistic sound effects one would hear in prison. Apart from the prison complex itself, Alcatraz Island essentially operates as a national park. You can spend a full day hiking, taking in the view from multiple observation points and appreciating the natural beauty.

Taking a trip to Angel Island is not only great for hiking trails and breathtaking views, but also taking in a bit of local history: the Angel Island Immigration Station is also located here and offers a unique insight into the nation's past. Angel Island boasts expansive 360-degree views of the bay area–San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Richmond Bridge and Tiburon.

In addition to the expected displays of sea life, Aquarium of the Bay invites visitors into the hidden world of life under the San Francisco Bay and in the neighboring rivers. A moving walkway takes you through two crystal clear tunnels, 300 feet in length, surrounded by 700,000 gallons of filtered Bay water and more than 23,000 aquatic animals.

This is one of the largest museums in the world devoted exclusively to Asian art. It houses a collection spanning 6,000 years of history. Admire sculptures, paintings, ceramics, furniture and textiles and do not miss the amazing terracotta warriors from China.

The Cable Car Museum is a free museum in the Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, located inside a cable car barn and a powerhouse. Since its establishment in 1974, the museum has displayed various mechanical devices such as tracks, cables, tools, detailed models and a collection of historic photographs. There are also three antique cable cars from the 1870s. A must-see for fans of old technical marvels!

A walk through the dragon-adorned Pagoda Gates leads visitors into the colorful and exciting area of San Francisco known as Chinatown. It is tightly packed with exotic shops, ethnic food markets, and excellent restaurants. In February each year, the Chinese New Year is celebrated here with parades and dancing dragons. Chinatown in San Francisco is the biggest chinatown outside Asia. Always a good choice for a quick and budget-friendly meal, especially of you're craving dim sum.

Coit Tower is a 210-foot (64-meter) tower in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood offering panoramic views over the city and the bay. Don't miss the 27 murals painted by 26 artists in the American Social Realism style. It's worth taking a guided tour.

Kids and adults will find themselves busy for hours going through the Exploratorium science museum's many interactive exhibits. Come with time on your hands, since you'll want to stay longer at this scientific funhouse. Check the official program to see what's happening during the Thursday After Dark events.

620 Jones is a popular spot for cocktails with its celebrated outdoor space, this bar and restaurant tends to get crowded after 10 pm, so make sure to arrive early to secure a seat in its lively patio.

Alchemist Bar & Lounge is a dim, hip cocktail bar with steampunk theme with speakeasy vibes and a unique cocktail list. Bartenders take pride in their custom-made tinctures and infusions, exotic herbs and syrups. There’s a shuffleboard table to play while you wait for you mixology masterpiece. Open reasonably late and they can usually accommodate you even without a reservation.

This neighborhood bar attracts a mixed crowd of locals. Drinks are affordably priced and the pool table (and photo booth!) in the back contribute to the place's hip and chill vibe.

Mingle with some locals at this neighborhood bar that offers a chilled atmosphere, DJs, large cocktails, including an XXL martini, and a sidewalk patio.

In the heart of the Castro District, this quaint wine bar offers an extensive list of international wines, and to go with it, tasty French small plates. Ask their knowledgeable staff for recommendations, and make sure to come during happy hour. They also host several events here, including live music, tarot readings and "Dirty Bingo."

Boom Boom Room is your go-to place for live music in an intimate setting. Hosting many acts throughout the week, this club is mostly known for their blues and jazz bands. Check out their website for a complete list of upcoming shows.

Fun bordering on madness is what you can expect at this clubbing venue with an adjacent 24/7 pizzeria. Dancing all night and letting loose is made easy with theme nights, live acts and drag shows.

Kezar Pub is a neighborhood sports bar with pool tables and a wide variety of draft beer. On weekends, a hearty Sunday brunch is a big hit with patrons.

The sheer size of this place is guaranteed to impress you, but the vinyl selection this store offers will simply leave you speechless. CDs and even cassettes are also sold here in abundance. Music lovers won't be able to get away empty-handed.

As the name of the store suggests, everything here revolves around candy, but taffy in particular is the true star of the show. The enticing display of the candy in giant barrels makes it difficult to leave without a bag full of candy in your hands.

Eclectic Chinatown invites shoppers into this bustling maze of streets and alleys that brims with small shops jam-packed with mahogany furniture, carved statues, exotic gifts, green and rose scented black teas. Don’t miss the Fortune Cookie Factory on Ross Alley.

Since 1953, City Lights has been a prominent San Francisco landmark embodying the 50-year history of the Beat Generation. It specializes in arts, world literature, and progressive politics. If you are a book lover, you must check out this place, which happens to be the first ever all-paperback bookstore in the U.S.

The Embarcadero Center actually consists of ten structures, but the shopping mall area is four buildings connected by skywalks. Check it out just for its architecture alone, that seamlessly flows between indoor and outdoor spaces with greenery at every corner. There's tons of restaurants and shops, two hotels and a cinema complex, as well as tranquil places to just sit around.

Since 1852, Ghirardelli Square has housed the oldest continuously operating chocolate manufacturer in the country. To attract crowds, it has added more than fifty premium shops, galleries, restaurants and a hotel. A large open-air plaza is a great place to relax during the weekend or after work.

A tiny fortune cookie factory in the Chinatown district where visitors have a chance to observe the fortune cookie-making process. You also get to taste these crispy treats as part of a free tour.

Still maintaining its reputation as the 60s psychedelic-hippie-counterculture capital, this quarter's streets are dotted with Victorian houses, piercing salons and vintage clothing shops. Music and bookstores are the biggest draws to this area.

San Francisco’s climate is influenced by the cool currents of the Pacific Ocean. Days are generally cool year-round, and summer days are often foggy in the afternoon. Average summer temperatures range from 59–79ºF (15–24ºC) and winter from 50–59ºF (10–15ºC). Fall is the best period to visit San Francisco, as the weather tends to be pleasantly mild and there are smaller crowds than during the summer. Spring is another good time to visit, and tends to see a lot less precipitation, and that is when the city hosts many festivals including the St. Patrick's Day Parade, the San Francisco International Film Festival, and the San Francisco Carnaval. During the summer, this already lively city gets even more colorful with the San Francisco Pride Parade, one of the biggest in the world. The main event usually takes place in the end of June.

Citizens of the Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the Kingdom of Brunei can visit the United States for up to 90 days without applying for a visa (as well as citizens of Andorra, Lichtenstein, Monaco and San Marino). Citizens of these countries must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before traveling. All other travelers must obtain a visa before visiting the United States. International travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the country.

Oakland International Airport (OAK) lies 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of the city. BART trains connect Oakland International Airport with downtown San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and many other Bay Area destinations. Oakland Airport BART station is located next to the Terminal 1 baggage claim area. There are also several bus lines connecting OAK to several Bay Area destinations.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is located 8 miles (13 kilometers) south of the city and offers a wide range of domestic and international flights. BART rapid rail runs from SFO to San Mateo County, San Francisco and the East Bay. It is a convenient and quick way of getting to the city center. You will find the SFO BART Station on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal (Boarding Area G side). Tickets can be bought at the SFO BART Station upon arrival. SamTrans offers 24-hour bus service connecting SFO to San Mateo County and parts of San Francisco. Caltrain Commuter Rail provides rail service between San Francisco and San Jose. Taxis and ridesharing apps offer door-to-door service to any destination within San Francisco and surrounding communities.

San Jose International Airport (SJC) is located 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of the city and is thus the furthest from San Francisco. The free VTA Airport Flyer connects the airport to Santa Clara's CalTrain station. You can take Caltrain to both San Francisco Airport and downtown San Francisco. This option is free, but most time-consuming. Private van and taxi services are also available at the airport; van pick up may be arranged from any location in San Francisco (inquire about prices when booking).

San Francisco has the most extensive public transit system on the West Coast. The Muni Metro, a light rail system, operates six lines (plus one shuttle line) that crisscross the city. BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is the regional transit system connecting San Francisco with outlying communities. A single ride ticket covers 90 mins of travel time. To ride, purchase a Clipper card from a ticket machine; 1, 3, and 7-day passes are also available. The MUNI Passport can be purchased at the airport, online or at several locations inside the city. It offers unlimited rides on buses, historical streetcars and cable cars.

Taxis are easily available outside shopping malls, hotels and the airport. Other options for lower fares are the rideshare companies Curb, Uber, Lyft and Wingz.

All power sockets in the United States provide a standard voltage of 110–120V with a standard frequency of 60Hz. Plug type A has two flat parallel pins.