San Francisco Travel Tips

San Francisco is a symbol of one of the most European cities in the USA. Here, you will feel at home.

Popular and known for its stunning location on the Pacific Ocean in the Bay of San Francisco. Its entrance is spanned by one of the most photographed bridges in the world: the Golden Gate Bridge.

The iconic Cable Cars are indispensable to the cityscape, running up and down the steep streets. The city is famous for Alcatraz, impressive architecture with wonderful Victorian houses, and a vibrant arts and music scene.

Of course, the city is also known for its fog, which somehow always seems to be present. Especially when you want to cross the Golden Gate Bridge, right?

Here are 16 things you need to know before your visit to San Francisco!

Enjoy reading our San Francisco tips!

The city has a population of 850,000 and is the 4th largest city in California. San Francisco is located at the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula and is nicknamed 'City by the Bay'.

More than 35% of the residents are immigrants who were not born in the USA.

The steepest section of a street is Prentiss Street between Chapman and Powhattan Street, with a 37% incline. The steepest street in the world is Filbert Street, at the corner of Leavenworth and Hyde St., with a 31.5% incline.

The metropolis feels like a small New York City. However, one that can be explored well on foot. Just know that there are many more hills here. Good footwear is absolutely essential!

San Francisco is the only 'city-like' city on the West Coast. What do we mean by that? Here, you don't need a car and can get around easily by public transport, whether it's Muni Metro, buses, or Cable Cars.

Haight Ashbury is where the Hippie movement began in the 1960s. Also, the Castro District emerged in the 1970s, known as the open and colorful home of the LGBTQ+ community.

The dark side of the city: There are over 10,000 homeless people in San Francisco. A shocking number that has changed the cityscape in many corners compared to my last visit over 17 years ago. Most of them have been 'removed' from the view of the city.

If you had to avoid a neighborhood, it would be the Tenderloin, a social hotspot. Here, many homeless, drug addicts, and alcoholics gather at night. If possible, avoid this area. However, you really shouldn't worry about safety: nothing happens. The homeless are peaceful. Locals confirmed this to us as well.

Another downside to San Francisco is the traffic. Getting around can often be difficult. Traffic jams are the norm. Leave the car behind and walk. Especially during rush hour in the morning and evening.

The last major earthquake was in 1989 and registered 6.9 on the Richter scale. Due to its location on the San Andreas Fault, a larger quake could occur at any time.

The famous sports teams are the 49ers (NFL, American Football), the Giants (MLB), and Golden State Warriors (NBA, Basketball).

The second thing you need to know before you come to San Francisco is the weather. It is the city of fog. Of course, it is not always foggy, but you should always expect it. Not only will you then not be able to see the Golden Gate Bridge, but it also becomes quickly cooler when a fog front arrives.

It can be warm at one end. But where the fog rolls in, it is noticeably cooler. The Mission District is said to be the sunniest neighborhood in the city.

Mark Twain once aptly said about the city: 'The coldest winter I spent was summer in San Francisco.' Therefore, dress in layers. The onion look is trendy. Sun and fog come and go, regardless of the season.

San Francisco is a 'foodie city.' But what is San Francisco particularly known for? Its sourdough bread. The best in the city can be found at Boudin Bakery, which has several branches.

The most beautiful location is at Fisherman's Wharf. The clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl is especially recommended. Alternatively, try the flagship sandwich classic 'Grab Cake' with crab and cheese. Pair it with a beer from Anchor Brewing Company. Delicious.

Why should you visit the flagship store of Boudin Bakery? It includes a museum that tells you the history of sourdough bread, and of course, you can taste bread for free.

If you have never been to California, you must visit the only In-N-Out Burger location in San Francisco. The menu only offers three classic burgers (hamburger, cheeseburger, Double-Double) and fries. However, the burgers are made fresh and are even better.

I remember my first visit to California. In Los Angeles, we often went to one of the locations. It's an affordable meal for those who don't want to break the bank.

Tip: At In-N-Out San Francisco, there are special Fisherman's Wharf T-shirts. Grab one if you are a fan.

The mecca for Italian food is in the North Beach neighborhood. You can recognize it by the Italian flags attached to the streetlights.

In Chinatown, you must try Dim Sum. According to reports, Golden Saba Seafood has the best. For a mix of everything, you should go to China Live. You can watch the production of fortune cookies at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company.

All our tips for the best restaurants & cafés in San Francisco can be found in our San Francisco Food Guide.

Many business travelers and the tech boom have driven hotel prices up. Airbnb and Pinterest are headquartered in San Francisco, while Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter, and Tesla are located in the nearby Silicon Valley.

Therefore, accommodations are very expensive. Thus, the best time for your visit is on the weekend. Hotel prices are somewhat lower at that time. Be sure to check in advance if a large convention is taking place during your stay, as that can also drive prices up, leading to many hotels being fully booked.

Are you visiting San Francisco for the first time? Then the best location for accommodation is around Union Square, located in the heart of the city. Adjacent is a Best Western and a Marriott hotel. The BART Airport train, Cable Cars, and trolley buses stop here as well.

Embarcadero or the Financial District are other recommendations for affordable hotels with a good and central location.

Fisherman's Wharf, however, is too touristy. Hotels are not as nice and are overpriced. It's better to look for a hotel a bit further away.

We stayed in Japantown at the Hotel Kabuki. We love Japan and Japanese cuisine. The location is a bit distant from the Mission District or Chinatown but is reachable thanks to UBER and Lyft.

Affordable accommodations can be found at Airbnb or booking.com (sort by price).

San Francisco has three major airports that could provide good and affordable travel options for you.

The largest and closest airport to downtown is San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Most tourists arrive here. The airport is only 15 miles (about 24 km) outside the city and is very close.

International flights arrive here. However, there are often delays due to fog in the San Francisco Bay. The good thing about this airport is the BART train, which takes you to downtown in 45 minutes.

You can calculate the ticket price here. For us, a ticket to Montgomery costs $9.65. The onward journey with MUNI to our hotel costs $2.

Many are not aware that the second largest airport, Oakland International Airport, is located quite close to downtown San Francisco. On the other side of the Bay, it is just 20 miles from your accommodation. If you are already in the USA and book a domestic flight, Southwest is a good option.

By the way, it's a great option if you aren't in the mood for delays due to fog in the San Francisco Bay. They are rarely an issue here.

If you want to travel to Napa or Sonoma Valley, this airport has an ideal location.

60 miles south of San Francisco, this airport is ideally located for trips to Silicon Valley, Monterey, or Carmel-by-the-Sea. This airport is mainly served by Southwest but is also increasingly frequented by international airlines.

If you're going on a road trip around San Francisco, it might make sense to pick up and drop off the rental car at different airports. All three airports have 'shared' terminals, eliminating a one-way fee for rentals.

If you are traveling with several people, a private transfer can also be worthwhile. We like to use UBER and Lyft for this. These are generally cheaper and more reliable than public taxis.

It's the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 15-20 minutes with little traffic. During rush hour, it can often take twice as long.

The trains run to downtown every 15 minutes and cost under $10 per ride. Depending on the time of day, this is the fastest way to get to the center.

Are you starting a road trip along Highway 1 to Los Angeles or San Diego? Then this is the most convenient option. We checked what the rental would cost during our days in San Francisco. It was only 40 euros. So we didn't think long and booked the rental car right upon arrival.

This way, you can drive over the Oakland Bay Bridge or Golden Gate Bridge at your own pace and are not dependent on UBER and Lyft.

Most attractions can be easily reached on foot or by bike (eBike). However, don't be deceived that there are always steep uphill and downhill sections. The city has over 40 hills to tackle. It becomes quite tiresome over time!

Therefore, our tip if you don't want to 'climb' everything on foot: also take the Cable Car or bus. The latest technological advancement: Waymo (check info here). These are taxis without drivers that drive you completely autonomously.

The classic way to get around San Francisco from A to B is, of course, the Cable Cars. Since 1873, these iconic cars have been navigating the steep streets up and down.

If you want to ride the Cable Cars, you must stand outside. This is what makes the ultimate Cable Car experience. The Cable Cars operate from 6 AM to midnight, seven days a week. If you want to avoid long lines, you should arrive early. Currently, only three Cable Car lines still operate.

A one-way ride on the Cable Car costs $7, and a day pass is $21.

You should ride one of the historic streetcars. The F-Line, which has 32 stops, is especially worthwhile for tourists. It runs from the Castro District over Market Street, passing the Financial District and then to Fisherman's Wharf.

Most of these historic streetcars are of Italian origin and date back to the 1950s.

A ticket for adults costs $2.75 (as of November 2019).

The MUNI Metro includes six lines. You pay per ride and not according to the number of stations. A ride costs $2.75.

Depending on the location of your accommodation, this is a good way to get to downtown.

Download the MUNI Mobile app on your phone and sign up. Thanks to the app and a credit card, you can purchase bus tickets via your phone. Activate the ticket when you board.

BART is not only great for getting from the airport to downtown. There are five stations in the city center that tourists often pass around Union Square and Market Street.

Locals claim it runs too infrequently and when it does, it's often late.

Ticket prices vary by distance. The cheapest is $2, the most expensive is $15. By the way, BART is ideal for getting to Oakland on the other side of the bridge.

San Francisco is a city that you can ideally explore on foot. The downtown area is quite manageable. You can walk to the main places and attractions.

However, do not trust Google Maps when walking, as the inclines are not accounted for and can be extremely steep. Many steep sections have sidewalks replaced by stairs.

POPOS are private open spaces (mostly in interiors or backyards) accessible to the public. These aren't well marked.

The prettiest one is right next to the Apple Store, with tables and a pleasant atmosphere (WIFI is also free).

Another is the Transamerica Redwood Forest, a small park with giant redwood trees right in the center. However, it closes at 5:30 PM.

At SPUR, you can find a free downloadable map to find all the POPOS.

You should reserve tickets for tours in San Francisco in advance. Alcatraz is very popular, especially the night tours. We were too late for the last departure of the day (4:30 PM) two months before departure, which was perfect for witnessing the sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Haunted tours are also popular because there is always a ghost somewhere in America. We found this one fully booked during our visit too. Helicopter rides are also scarce, so we booked those tickets in good time.

We also booked tickets for the Museum of Ice Cream in San Francisco more than 2 months in advance.

If you want to see a basketball or American football game, you can only get affordable tickets well ahead of time.

For special tours, we are increasingly checking Airbnb Experiences (activities) on their website, where you can find some really amazing experiences to book.

Otherwise, we check Get Your Guide to reserve tickets for popular attractions in advance, which you can print out or load on your phone. This way, we have no stress about waiting in line during the trip.

Are you interested in our tours and city guides? Then you should definitely read our article on the 5 best tours for sightseeing in San Francisco.

In San Francisco, you will find the oldest Chinatown in North America, the largest outside of Asia. The area encompasses 24 blocks. About 100,000 people live in this densely populated neighborhood west of Manhattan (New York). It's hard to imagine when you walk through the neighborhood.

Chinatown is a city within the city of San Francisco. A different culture is lived here, a different language is spoken, the signs are in Chinese, and there are even two hospitals.

Did you know that more visitors come to Chinatown than to the Golden Gate Bridge? This fact even surprised us.

Definitely try Dim Sum, visit the tea houses, and in Ross Alley, check out the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, where fortune cookies have been made since 1962. A visit is basically mandatory, as they offer cookies in various colors and even personalized with names.

Did you know? Bruce Lee was born in one of the hospitals in Chinatown.

Fisherman's Wharf is the most touristy spot in San Francisco. In the former center of fishers, you can still find some fishing boats. However, tourists have completely taken over this place.

We love the vibe. Come in the evening before sunset to avoid the tourist crowds.

You can eat well but comparably expensively everywhere here. The famous Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory is located here. Inside, you can taste chocolate for free. Be sure to try a hot fudge sundae. It's said to be one of the best in San Francisco.

Also at Fisherman's Wharf is the lesser-known Musée Mechanique, home to one of the largest collections of mechanical musical instruments and antique arcade machines. You can even play, so bring your coins and get rid of your change!

Update: The museum was damaged in the fire at Fisherman's Wharf in May 2020. It is currently closed.

The seafood mecca is located at Fisherman's Wharf. The slogan at the entrance says 'If it swims, we sell it.' Here you can find crabs, lobster, and much more. It's as fresh as it gets!

The Buena Vista is where Irish coffee was invented. It's not really our thing, so we pass on this one.

The most popular pier among tourists is number 39. Here you can find the famous sea lions. You can't miss them. 1,700 different sea lions have been spotted here. Wow. There are also many (souvenir) shops, (overpriced) restaurants, and the bench with shoes from Forrest Gump at Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant.

The small offshore island nicknamed 'The Rock' is the most famous prison in the United States. There is only one way to reach Alcatraz: Alcatraz Cruises.

Other providers may advertise Alcatraz and the 'view' but do not land, so you can't visit the former prison island.

You need to book tickets well in advance, as this is considered one of the most popular attractions in the USA.

We found the visit with the audio guide (included) to be really interesting and wonder why we hadn't been there on a previous visit to the city.

If you're staying longer in San Francisco, day trips to Napa, Sonoma, Monterey, Santa Cruz, or Silicon Valley are worth it.

Are you wondering how long you should stay in San Francisco? We recommend planning at least 2-3 days for exploring the city. For day trips, add another 1-2 days.

In California, people generally drive less aggressively than in Europe. Distances and speeds are measured in miles. One mile is about 1.609 km.

The speed limit on highways is often 65 mph (miles per hour, equivalent to about 104-121 km/h). In towns, it's 25-35 miles/hour.

Keep in mind that traffic lights are always on the opposite side of the street. This may confuse some at the start of their trip.

At stop signs, pay attention to the addition '4-way stop.' Then the first to reach the intersection goes first. There's no right turn rule.

You are allowed to turn right on a red light if there are no cars (or pedestrians) coming from the other directions. Only a sign explicitly stating 'No turn on red' prohibits this.

Watch the curb colors. If it's red, you shouldn't park there; you'll risk being towed.

Note: To rent a car, a valid German driving license is sufficient. However, we always pack our international driver's license just in case.

To rent a car in the USA, you must be at least 21 years old. For those under 25, a higher fee or additional insurance may apply.

It's advisable to book your rental car in Germany before your trip. In case of damage, you can call in German and have a contract in your native language. We consistently have good experiences with Sunny Cars. Before this trip, we also compared with Budget Rent a Car, Alamo, and National.

See all information and tips for renting cars in the USA.

Before traveling to San Francisco, you need to take care of your ESTA. ESTA stands for 'Electronic System for Travel Authorization' and is the electronic system for travel approvals. It is your electronic entry authorization for the USA.

Here, we have written a step-by-step guide for your ESTA visa.

If you are wondering how and whether to bring cash to the USA, we have the answer: Don't bring any. There are credit cards, such as the DKB Bank Visa Card, which allow you to withdraw cash in local currency without incurring fees. In the USA, cash is really not needed anymore.

We never exchange money before our trips, as the exchange rates are much worse, and the bank fees add additional costs.

In general, everything in the USA is paid with credit cards. You will very rarely need cash, sometimes in Chinatown or in smaller restaurants, cafés, or on public transport.

Continue to my tips for travel credit cards (generally), and here my experience for the best credit cards for USA travel.

Our recommendation for the best travel guide for MARCO POLO Travel Guide San Francisco. Compact and convenient, it contains all the essential information you need for your trip. Very current and modern. Our buying tip. Make sure to avoid any AI-generated travel guides and purchase only those from established publishers like Dumont, Lonely Planet, Baedecker, Marco Polo, and others.

Additionally, we always buy (if available) the 500 Hidden Secrets of San Francisco. It has a great sorting of the best cafés, bakeries, or shops we've found most of our food tips in.

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