Full screen dynamic map

San Francisco

From Wikivoyage
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 122.169.1.221 (talk) at 08:47, 8 October 2008 (added listing Roots Restaurant (Import from wikitravel.org/en)).

Bay Area (California) > San Francisco
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Golden Gate Bridge from Marin County with San Francisco in background

San Francisco is a major city in California, the centerpiece of the Bay Area, well-known for its liberal community, hilly terrain, Victorian architecture, scenic beauty, summer fog, and extreme ethnic and cultural diversity. These are only a few of the aspects of the city that make San Francisco one of the most visited cities in the world.

San Francisco is located on a small seven-by-seven mile (11x11km) square of land at the tip of a peninsula between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific coast. It has a population of almost 800,000, but is the center of a metropolitan area of millions. San Francisco is just one of the cities which makes-up the entire San Francisco Bay Area. San Francisco's neighbors, cities and towns to the east of the Bay Bridge, north of the Golden Gate Bridge, and south of it are all in separate counties, each with their own city government and local public transportation systems.

Districts

Each district of San Francisco carries its own unique and district culture. This map is predominantly based on the 11 official governmental districts of San Francisco, but it has been adapted to suit the purposes of this guide. Some districts have been merged together and others have been broken up into popular neighborhood groupings.

San Francisco Districts Map
  • Golden Gate— Fashionable neighborhoods with expensive views, historical landmarks - The Presidio and Fort Mason, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
  • Fisherman's Wharf— A waterfront neighborhood which encompasses Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square and the ferry launch to Alcatraz Island, as well as a plethora of seafood restaurants and souvenir stores.
  • Nob Hill-Russian Hill— Two ritzy neighborhoods with upscale hotels, cable cars, panoramic views and steep inclines.
  • Chinatown-North Beach— Two vibrant immigrant communities, stylish laid back 'Little Italy' next to the crowded and largest Chinatown outside of Asia.
  • Union Square-Financial District— The center of shopping, theater and art in the city, next to the many skyscrapers of downtown.
  • Civic Center-Tenderloin— While the 'loin is somewhat grittier compared to its ritzier neighbors downtown, there's still plenty of interesting architecture and attractions to see here.
  • SoMa (South of Market)— A rapidly gentrifying neighborhood of downtown that is the center of a lot of new construction, including AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants.
  • Western Addition— A historic neighborhood with many Victorian homes that was once a hotbed of African-American culture. Within the area is also Japantown, the center of San Francisco's Japanese population.
  • Haight— Famous for being the home of the Hippie movement, this once bohemian area, although gentrified, is still an eclectic treasure.
  • The Avenues— Including both the foggy Sunset and Richmond Districts, the area is also home to the Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach.
  • Twin Peaks-Lake Merced— Covering most of southwestern San Francisco, this area is home to many of the taller hills of San Francisco and the large Lake Merced park which contains the San Francisco Zoo.
  • Castro-Noe Valley— Colorful and cohesive, the Castro is historically known for being the cultural center of the city's LGBTQ community.
  • Mission-Bernal Heights— This colorful area is home to a large Hispanic community as well as new urban artisans.
  • Southeast San Francisco— A mostly residential area, this district contains several bay-side neighborhoods, many nice parks, and Monster Park, home of the 49ers NFL team.

Understand

History

Prior to European settlement in the area, the peninsula that now contains San Francisco was home to the Yelamu tribe, who were part of the larger Ohlone language group which stretched south from the Bay Area to the Big Sur of California. Due to San Francisco's characteristic foggy weather, the earliest European explorers completely bypassed the Golden Gate and the San Francisco Bay.

The first European settlement in the area was founded by the Spaniards in 1776 as a mission community surrounding the Mission San Francisco de Asís, in what is today called the Mission Dolores in the Mission District. In addition to the mission, a military fort was built near the Golden Gate: the Presidio.

Upon gaining independence from Spain in 1821, the area became part of Mexico, but otherwise, little changed in San Francisco. In 1835, an Englishman named William Richardson founded the town of Yerba Buena, the first significant settlement on the peninsula outside of the Mission Dolores area. As the new settlement gradually grew, Yerba Buena developed a street plan and became attractive to settlers.

In 1846, the United States claimed California, and in July of that year, the U.S. Navy arrived to raise the America flag above Yerba Buena. Over the next couple of years, California officially became part of the United States following the Mexican-American War, and the name of the town was changed from Yerba Buena to San Francisco.

With the California Gold Rush of 1848, San Francisco began to explode in population. Waves of immigrants came to the city to seek their fortunes, including large numbers of Chinese immigrants, one of the largest Chinese populations outside of Asia. During this time, many major businesses were created and flourished in San Francisco, and famous (and infamous) personalities settled in the city. Of course, with all this success came problems: the rapid growth of the city outstripped any efforts at city planning, meaning proper sanitation and infrastructure were largely undeveloped, which led to a cholera outbreak in 1855. Violence and corruption were evident, and anti-immigrant violence resulted in many race riots. For a good book on the tumultuous early history of San Francisco, read Herbert Asbury's Barbary Coast.

In the 1890's, there was a large campaign to modernize and beautify the city, leading some officials to proudly call San Francisco the "Paris of the West". But in 1906, a devastating earthquake shook the city and a resulting fire leveled much of the city. Nevertheless, officials at the time immediately set out on a plan to rebuild the city, with new parks, boulevards, the current civic center complex, and landmarks such as the Coit Tower atop Telegraph Hill. In 1915, San Francisco hosted the Panama-Pacific Exposition, to showcase the completely rebuilt city. Today, the Palace of Fine Arts complex is the only remnant of the exposition.

In the wake of the Great Depression of the 1930's, San Francisco remained largely unscathed. In fact, it was during this time that the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge were conceived and built. It was also during this time that the Federal Government established a prison on Alcatraz Island, which would hold some of the most notorious criminals of the era.

After World War II, San Francisco continued to grow in population. Urban planning projects at the time led to more highrises downtown (including the Transamerican Pyramid) and the destruction of neighborhoods to build freeways (many of which were later torn down after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake). In the same period, San Francisco became a center of counterculture and the hippie movement, contributing to San Francisco's liberal outlook. San Francisco also became a center for homosexuals during this time, leading to the development of gay neighborhoods like the Castro.

More recently, San Francisco has experienced a boom in business. Despite falling victim to the dot-com bubble burst in the 1990s, the city's economy largely recovered and gentrification of neighborhoods like SoMa continues on.

Today San Francisco is known for its liberal outlook and remains one of America's top tourist destinations, and tourism is the city's largest industry.

Climate

San Francisco
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
 
4.1
 
 
56
46
 
 
 
3.5
 
 
60
48
 
 
 
2.9
 
 
61
49
 
 
 
1.5
 
 
63
50
 
 
 
0.5
 
 
64
51
 
 
 
0.2
 
 
66
53
 
 
 
0
 
 
66
54
 
 
 
0
 
 
66
54
 
 
 
0.2
 
 
70
56
 
 
 
1.1
 
 
69
55
 
 
 
2.6
 
 
64
51
 
 
 
3.9
 
 
57
47
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation+Snow totals in inches
See San Francisco's 7 day forecast
Metric conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
 
104
 
 
13
8
 
 
 
89
 
 
16
9
 
 
 
74
 
 
16
9
 
 
 
38
 
 
17
10
 
 
 
13
 
 
18
11
 
 
 
5.1
 
 
19
12
 
 
 
0
 
 
19
12
 
 
 
0
 
 
19
12
 
 
 
5.1
 
 
21
13
 
 
 
28
 
 
21
13
 
 
 
66
 
 
18
11
 
 
 
99
 
 
14
8
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

San Francisco has a mild climate, with wet, mild winters and dry summers. In most months, you can expect the temperature be in the 60s or 70s degrees Fahrenheit (between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius). Be prepared for cool humid weather, even in the summer (except September), when persistent fog often envelops the city.

San Francisco's sharp topography has created a series of microclimates. For instance, there is more fog on the western side of the city, closer to the ocean. There can also be large variances in rainfall between different parts of the city thanks to the tall hills in the center of the peninsula (generally with more rain taking place on the western side, while the eastern side experiences more sunlight).

Tourist Information

San Francisco's visitor information centers offer maps, brochures and other information for tourists.

  • <listing name="San Francisco Visitor Information Center" alt="" directions="next to the Cable Car turnaround at Market & Powell" address="900 Market Street" phone="+1 415 391-2000" email="" fax="+1 415 362-7323" url="http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/" hours="May through October: M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa-Su and holidays 9AM-3PM. November through April: M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa and holidays 9AM-3PM. Closed Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day" price="">Visitor Center run by the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau.</listing>
  • <listing name="California Welcome Center" alt="" directions="" address="Pier 39, Building P, Second Level" phone="+1 415 981-1280" email="[email protected]" fax="" url="http://www.visitcwc.com/destinations/sanfrancisco/index.php" hours="" price="">One of several California Welcome Centers across the state.</listing>

Talk

English is the dominant language spoken in San Francisco. Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese is also widely spoken by San Francisco's large Chinese population. Spanish is also commonly spoken in San Francisco, especially among the Hispanic population, located in the Mission District.

Get in

Map of San Francisco

By plane

There are three airports in the San Francisco Bay Area:

Oakland and San Jose tend to offer more discount airline flights, while San Francisco Airport attracts more international flights and can be more convenient for those staying in the city.

San Francisco and Oakland Airports are connected to downtown SF by the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system (Oakland Airport indirectly through a non-free shuttle bus), which costs about $5 one-way. Taxis are considerably more expensive: a taxi from SFO to the city can easily cost upwards of $40, and over $60 from OAK. Shared vans will cost around $14. If you plan to drive from a car rental area near the SFO airport to downtown San Francisco, you can take the 101 freeway.

Note that taxi and van prices from San Jose to San Francisco are significantly higher.

Passengers arriving in SFO can walk (5 minutes from United's terminal) or take a free airport shuttle (AirTrain) to the BART station (which is next to international terminal G). From Oakland Airport, BART operates a regular shuttle to the nearest station. The cost of this bus is $3 for adults ($1 for seniors/children), and it takes 10-15 minutes. Trains from there run directly to San Francisco, with a 5-20 minute frequency and cost about $3.00-$4.00. BART trains head directly to downtown San Francisco and the Mission District, from where taxis and the MUNI can take travelers anywhere in the city.

The San Jose airport is served by a free shuttle to both VTA Light Rail and Caltrain . Passengers arriving in San Jose can use Caltrain to reach San Francisco directly (this costs $7.50 one-way). Caltrain also links with the BART system at the Millbrae intermodal station. Be aware that public transportation within the South Bay is not as developed as around San Francisco.

Private pilots should consider Oakland (Template:ICAO) rather than SFO, as the separate general aviation field there is more accommodating to light aircraft.

By train

Amtrak, ☎+1 800 872-7245, serves the Bay Area with long-distance and intercity trains. San Francisco’s long distance station is across the bay, outside city limits. Passengers arrive in Emeryville or Oakland's Jack London Square Station in the East Bay and may take an Amtrak California Thruway bus over the Bay Bridge to San Francisco's Amtrak stop at 101 The Embarcadero (near the Ferry Building) and usually several other downtown destinations. (Note that Amtrak passengers are not subjected to any extra charge for the bus.) Travelers on some shorter distance Amtrak routes can also transfer to BART trains at the Richmond or Oakland Coliseum stations (see below). Alternatively, riders approaching the Bay Area from the south may transfer to Caltrain at San Jose's Diridon Station for a direct ride to Fourth and King Streets in San Francisco.

Amtrak routes serving the Bay Area are:

  • The California Zephyr runs daily between Chicago and Emeryville with connections to/from the east coast.
  • The Coast Starlight runs daily between Seattle, Portland, Emeryville, and Los Angeles. To reach San Francisco, either transfer to Caltrain in San Jose or to the Amtrak bus in Emeryville.
  • The Capitol Corridor runs 16 times daily (11 on weekends and holidays) between Sacramento and Emeryville. Some trains also serve San Jose but Caltrain (see below) is a better bet between San Jose and San Francisco. The most convenient transfer to San Francisco is actually to BART at Richmond's station, north of Emeryville, while the Oakland Coliseum station is another option on trains continuing south of Emeryville. Discount BART tickets can be purchased in the cafe car.
  • The San Joaquins runs 4 times daily between Bakersfield, Stockton and Emeryville. Travelers on the San Joaquins can continue on to San Francisco via the Amtrak bus at Emeryville or by transferring to the BART at the Richmond station.

Caltrain, ☎+1 510 817-1717, operates a regional rail service from San Jose to its San Francisco terminal at Fourth and King. The service also runs between San Jose and Gilroy during rush hour. Caltrain is very useful for travel between San Francisco and cities of the Peninsula, Silicon Valley or South Bay. On weekdays Caltrain provides two trains per hour for most of the day but run more during commute hours, including "Baby Bullet" limited services that cruise between San Francisco and San Jose in 57 minutes; on weekends and public holidays trains run hourly, except that after 10PM only one train runs, leaving at midnight. The 4th & King terminal is served by Muni Metro (see 'Get around' below) giving connections to the rest of the city. Fares vary depending on how far you go. Tickets must be purchased before boarding the train from ticket vending machines at all stations or from ticket clerks at staffed stations. Tickets are checked on the trains and anyone found without a ticket is liable to a substantial fine. Cyclists should use the designated car at the northern end of the train, and be aware that bike space is often limited during commute hours.

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), ☎+1 415 989-2278, provides a regional frequent rail service connecting much of the East Bay and Contra Costa County with San Francisco and the San Francisco Airport through the Transbay Tube, a tunnel underneath San Francisco Bay. BART operates five routes, of which four reach San Francisco; there are three or four trains per hour on each route. In the East Bay and outer parts of San Francisco BART runs mostly on elevated track; in downtown San Francisco it runs in a subway under Market Street, and several underground stations provide easy access to downtown areas and simple transfers to the Muni Metro subway. BART also meets Caltrain at Millbrae. Bicycles are allowed on BART except between stations designated in the schedule brochure during commute hours. Fares vary depending with distance traveled, and start at $1.40 for trips within the city. You will need to insert your ticket into barriers when entering and exiting the system. Tickets hold a balance, deducting the appropriate price for each trip, so someone who plans to use the system several times can buy a $10 or $20 ticket and not worry about fares until the card is used up.

By bus

  • GotoBus, ☎+1 617 354-2101, sells tickets to and from Los Angeles for a variety of bus companies.
  • Greyhound, ☎+1 800 231-2222, has frequent intercity service from San Francisco’s beautiful but decaying Transbay Terminal at First and Mission streets.

Several regional bus systems serve San Francisco from the immediate suburbs:

  • AC Transit, from Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, and other East Bay cities.
  • samTrans, from San Mateo County.
  • Golden Gate Transit, from Sonoma and Marin counties.
  • WestCAT, from Contra Costa County.
  • Vallejo Baylink, (in conjunction with BayLink Ferry) from Vallejo.

By boat

San Francisco and Alcatraz from a Sausalito ferry

In many ways a boat is the ideal way to approach San Francisco. The city's spectacular skyline is best appreciated from the water, and from the deck of a boat the bay and its bridges and islands can be viewed as a whole. Cruise ships and private yachts are regular visitors to San Francisco, and passenger ferries regularly link other Bay Area cities to San Francisco.

Ferries run to San Francisco from Larkspur, Sausalito and Tiburon in Marin County, from Vallejo in Solano County and from Alameda and Oakland in the East Bay. In San Francisco, the ferries dock at one or both of the city’s two piers at Fisherman's Wharf and the Ferry Building. For more information:

  • Golden Gate Ferries, ☎+1 415 923-2000 . Serving Larkspur and Sausalito.
  • Blue and Gold Fleet, ☎+1 415 705-5555 . Serving Alameda, Angel Island, Oakland, Sausalito, Tiburon and Vallejo.
  • BayLink Ferry, ☎+1 707 648-4349 . Serving Vallejo.
  • Alameda Oakland Ferry, ☎+1 415 705-5555 . Serving Alameda and Oakland.
  • Harbor Bay Ferry, ☎+1 510 769-5500 . Serving (a different location in) Alameda.

By car

There are four major highway approaches to San Francisco. US 101 comes up the eastern side of the SF peninsula and is the most direct route from the south, although it often backs up with traffic. Interstate 280 is a more scenic route into the city from the same direction, but with poorer connections than 101. Interstate 80 approaches the city from the east over the San Francisco Bay Bridge. From the north, US 101 takes you over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Get around

On foot

Walking can be an enticing option to get from one neighborhood to another, so long as you are aware of where you are and keep your street smarts-- San Francisco is a city of friendly neighborhoods, but it is also "big city" --be aware of your surroundings and keep in mind the dangers that commonly accompany a city of San Francisco's size. Streets which often go straight up and down hills may make driving difficult, but make for breathtaking views (as well as good exercise) for the pedestrian. There are many stairway walks scattered throughout the city when the streets are too steep. You can find maps that include hiking trails, bikeways, and the grade pitch of all streets marked in varying colors by how steep each segment is, that can help you orient to city walks suitable to your ability and temperament, such as the downloadable map issued by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition . Note that locals rarely use the designations "street" or "avenue," even when differentiating the numbered streets and avenues. Numbered roads designated "Street" are located south of Market in Downtown, Castro, Noe Valley, and Mission. Numbered roads designated "Avenue" put you in the Richmond and Sunset districts.

Highlight walks include:

  • Chinatown. Grant from Bush to Broadway takes you through the heart of the famous district. Returning by the parallel Stockton or Powell will give you a better feeling of the day to day life of the residents, and are both good for those looking for imported commodities such as tea or herbs.
  • Ocean Beach. Ocean Beach is entirely open to pedestrians in both the Richmond and Sunset districts from the Cliff House restaurant and Sutro Baths in the north to the zoo in the south. For a shorter walk, the windmills near Lincoln at the end of Golden Gate park offers a good base for a stroll north.
  • Telegraph Hill. Greenwich and Filbert Steps on the east side of Telegraph Hill, both strenuous and unforgettably beautiful, offer cottages and a flock of wild parrots to enjoy on the way up to the Coit Tower.
  • North Beach. Columbus runs from North Point in Fisherman's Wharf, through the grand church and famous cafés at the heart North Beach to the landmark TransAmerica pyramid, accessible to transit on nearby Market.
  • Haight Ashbury. Haight from Divisadero to Stanyan covers the shopping district famous for hippie culture, at Stanyan the street becomes a path through Golden Gate Park to a popular site (then and now) for relaxing and concerts.
  • Cow Hollow. Union Street between Gough and Fillmore is one of the finest shopping streets outside of the city center.
  • Mission. Mission between 15th and Cesar Chavez streets provides a look at a neighborhood famous for its Latino food and culture, as well as occasional gang activity; women alone should be careful here at night. Parallel to Mission, Valencia Street is the artery of the many higher end boutiques and offbeat cafés starting to characterize the neighborhood, and has little of the grit of Mission St.
  • Pacific Heights. Fillmore between Pine and Broadway is lined with a good mix of shopping, views, steep slopes, and some of the city’s largest and most expensive homes.
  • The Fillmore. Post from Laguna (near 38 bus stop) to Fillmore takes you through upscale shopping and restaurants in Japantown, and turning left onto Fillmore across Geary and on to Turk takes you past the internationally known jazz venue and a mix of Black and Korean owned shops.
  • The Castro and Noe Valley. Market from Church to Castro St. and a left down Castro St to 19th takes you through the center of the city’s famous gay mecca. Continuing up Castro St over the hill from there takes you to 24th St, the main drag of bohemian Noe Valley.

By public transit

San Francisco Rail Systems

San Francisco has one of the most comprehensive public transportation systems in the United States; in fact, The Travel and Leisure Website has ranked San Francisco as having the best public transit in the country. Transport services within San Francisco are provided by several bodies; they are separate organizations and although they have many interchange stations, tickets are not normally transferable across the systems (except for monthly or longer period passes). The major transit systems are:

  • Muni - streetcars, metro, buses and cable cars within San Francisco city.
  • BART - regional rail services across the Bay Area.
  • CalTrain - regional rail services to San José.

San Francisco's Municipal Railway or Muni, ☎+1 415 673-6864, runs a network of local transport that covers most areas of touristic interest well. An all day Muni passport good on all Muni vehicles, including Cable Cars costs $11. Other passports and passes are available for longer periods: a 3-day pass costs $18, while a 7 day pass costs $24. The passports come in the form of scratch cards; be sure to scratch off the appropriate dates before using.

Passports, as well as maps of the public transport system, can be purchased from the information booths at San Francisco airport, the Cable Car ticket booth at Market and Powell, and many other locations. Monthly “FastPasses” can be a good investment, especially for those under 18. They are $10 for youth and $45 for adults and offer unlimited rides on the entire system.

A portable wallet-sized map of San Francisco, called PocketBay, and all its public transit (MUNI, BART, Caltrain) is also available at stores around the city or through their website online . Nearly all of the city’s bus stops also have posted copies of this map with the location of the stop marked, a godsend for lost pedestrians.

90 minutes of travel on the Muni system (Metro, F-line, Buses) costs $1.50; be sure to get and keep a transfer ticket when you pay for your first ride; Muni inspectors may demand it at any time as proof of payment. Cable Cars are not included in these transfers and cost $5 per ride (one way, no transfers), or $11 per day. Before 7AM and after 9PM, seniors and disabled pay $1 for cable car rides. Muni Passports and FastPasses greatly reduce this cost, including cable cars in the regular daily, weekly or monthly fares. Payment must be made using exact fare - at Muni Metro stations, insert coins into the barriers to enter. Note that many Muni stations do not have change machines, and some change machines only issue $5 bills instead of the coins required for travel. Muni station staff do not give change.

Muni arrival times are available online for many lines at NextMuni . An unofficial site is RescueMuni.com, however, often has information on routes that are not listed officially.

Muni consists of:

Streetcar at foot of Market
  • Muni Metro (Lines J, K, L, M, N, S and T) is a modern light rail and subway system. It connects many southern San Francisco neighborhoods to downtown, where you can transfer to BART’s four downtown stations and the CalTrain terminus at 4th and King. Tickets can be purchased from ticket vending machines before boarding; if the stop does not have such a machine and you do not have a ticket, you must board through the front door and buy one from the driver or risk being fined by a fare inspector. MUNI Metro operates seven days a week from 4:30AM to 1:30AM. Between 1:30AM and 5:00AM, OWL Bus Lines service the entire Metro System.
  • Historic Streetcar F Line uses historic streetcars, in original colors from several cities in the US and Milan, Italy. The line runs from Fisherman's Wharf south along the waterfront Embarcadero to the ferry building at the foot of Market Street, then up Market Street on the surface to the Castro district. Board through the front door and buy tickets from the driver if you do not already have a transfer or pass.
Cablecar at Powell & Market
  • The world-famous Cable Cars run on three lines in the steep streets between Market Street and Fisherman's Wharf: the north-south Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde lines and the east-west California Street line. These cars are a fun ride, especially if you get to stand on the running board, if a bit impractical for everyday use (though residents of Nob and Russian Hills do, in fact, use them on a daily basis). The cable car is such an attraction that, especially on weekends, it takes longer to wait in line to ride up Powell Street than it does to walk the short but sloping distance. Board through any door or just grab a pole on the running boards; tickets are checked and sold by a uniformed conductor. Do not buy tickets from anyone off the car except for clearly marked ticket booths - scam artists are common.
  • Buses— Both diesel and electric, serve the rest of city. Board through the front door and buy tickets from or show your pass or transfer to the driver. Service ranges from a consistent two minutes on many lines leaving Market, to a more sporadic 20 minutes for buses to Treasure Island and between outlying neighborhoods. Bus delays, leading to waits of 20 to 30 minutes, are not uncommon and are a source of much grousing among locals. MUNI operates the bus service 24 hrs day / seven days a week in San Francisco although late night owl service is limited in both lines and stops.

Other public transportation options include:

  • BART, the regional metro, has eight stations in San Francisco, making it a nice way to get between well-trafficked parts of the city, especially downtown and the Mission. BART gets you across the Bay to Berkeley and Oakland and to the airports of San Francisco and Oakland. BART Trains run on 107 miles of track, servicing 46 Metro Style Sations. BART Trains operate on third rail power and accelarate to speeds approaching 70 MPH. BART operates seven days a week from 4AM to 12:30AM. On Weekdays BART trains depart Central San Francisco Stations at two to three minute intervals. Outer stations in far outlying suburbs have a maximum wait of fifteen to twenty minutes between BART Trains. After 12:30AM, AC Transit and other east bay transit providers, provide overnight bus service, serving principal BART Sations until about 6AM. For more information on BART, see the 'Get in' section above.
  • CalTrain has three stops within San Francisco. Other than the 4th and King terminal, these are the 22nd St. Station and the Bayshore Station (off of Tunnel Ave), neither of which are particularly attractive for visitors. Of interest to visitors who wish to travel outside of city is the Palo Alto Station (at University Avenue), across the street from the campus of Stanford University, and San Jose’s Diridon. CalTrain operates fast frequent commuter rail service, seven days a week. Service generally runs from 5AM to Midnight. For more information on CalTrain, see the 'Get in' section above.

By bike

If you have strong legs and can tolerate traffic with intermittent bike lanes, bicycles can be a convenient form of transportation in San Francisco. The City is fairly small -- about 7 miles on each side (11 km) -- and it's fairly quick to get from one end to the other. But much of the terrain is hilly and hard to pedal up. Do not be misled by maps depicting the city's strict, regular street grid, as even the straightest of San Francisco's streets might include steep hills or even staircases instead of a roadway. A classic and relatively easy ride is from the tip of Golden Gate Park’s narrow Panhandle in the Haight, along paths and JFK drive through the park to Ocean Beach. JFK drive is lightly trafficked, and closed to cars on Sundays.

Downtown, SoMa, and the Sunset and Richmond districts are relatively flat. There are a number of bike paths and bike routes on city streets; the San Francisco Bike Coalition keeps a lot of information about them. There are a number of bike rental companies of town, including Bay City Bike , Bike and Roll and Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals with locations in Fisherman's Wharf, and the Bike Hut and Pacific Bicycle in SoMa.

By taxi

Taxis in San Francisco are, for a large city, surprisingly inefficient and expensive, starting at $3.10 just for getting in the door. You can get an idea of how much particular taxi trips cost in San Francisco using the San Francisco Taxicab Commission's webpage .

Except for taxi stations at or near downtown business hotels, or cruising just a few major arteries, taxis can be hard to find and hail -- and calling for a cab can mean a 30-45 minute wait, if the cab shows up at all. Now, if you're anywhere near Union Square and are holding shopping bags, just by standing on the curb and hailing passing cabs will usually get you one quite quickly. It is significantly easier to catch a taxi on weekdays, not including Friday night.

If you are heading to the airport, your best bet is to call ahead with a specific pickup time to one of the many taxi companies.

By car

Perpetually-clogged traffic, steep hills, a confusing system of one-way streets downtown, expensive parking, and a fleet of parking control officers who enforce parking laws with zeal can make driving in downtown extremely frustrating; visitors to the city should seriously consider alternatives to automobiles when possible. In addition, traffic from the Golden Gate Bridge uses surface streets either along CA-1, 19th Avenue or US-101 on Lombard and Van Ness. The greatest hazard of driving is on Lombard Street between Hyde and Leavenworth, where a stretch known as "The Crookedest Street in the World" runs one-way down a steep hill making eight hairpin turns. Oversized vehicles such as pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, and recreational vehicles should NOT attempt to pass through the winding stretch of Lombard Street.

The most difficult problem with your car in San Francisco will be parking. Parking throughout the city is scarce. Garages, where they are available, are quite expensive ($20-30/day downtown). San Francisco has some of the strictest parking laws and enforcement in the country. For day trips into the city, consider a park-and-ride at a Peninsula Caltrain station, at a Peninsula BART station, or at an East Bay BART station.

When parking on a hill (and there are many of them in San Francisco), remember to always apply that parking brake and turn your wheels so that the tires are against the curb (Facing uphill, the front wheels should be turned out until the tires are resting against the curb. Facing downhill, the front wheels should be turned in so that they are set against the curb). Failure to park properly doesn't just run the risk of having your car roll downhill, but it is also against the law and you may be ticketed.

Finding your way around

Cross streets. As San Francisco streets are numbered (100 per block) from the beginning of the street, and even and odd numbers are always on opposite sides. It is best when asking directions to ask for a cross street or neighborhood name. For instance, if you are at the intersection of Haight Street and Clayton Street, and you ask the driver of the 33 Stanyan bus "Does this bus go to Market Street?" it will get you a yes, but the bus won't get you downtown, it will get you south from that intersection to Market and 18th in the Castro district.

Numbered streets and avenues. San Francisco has both numbered streets, in the Mission, the Castro, Noe Valley, and SoMa, and numbered avenues in the largely residential Sunset and Richmond districts. Mixing numbered streets and avenues when asking directions may leave you miles from your destination. This can be confusing, as San Franciscans will not say "Street" or "Avenue" unless it is required to avoid ambiguity. Thus, "I live on Fifth Avenue" but "I live near Fifth and Geary." Street signs generally don't have "Street" or "Avenue" either; they just say "GEARY" or "MASONIC".

See

San Francisco has much to see - these are just the most significant sights. For more detail see the individual district sections, often linked from this entry.

A couple of passes are available which offer discounts to many interesting attractions.

  • CityPass . A relatively cheap and easy way to cover many attractions of the city is the CityPass. For a fare of $54 (adults) and $44 (children 17 and under) you get admission to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), the Legion of Honor and the de Young Museum (both must be visited on the same day), the Aquarium of the Bay, a Blue and Gold Fleet bay cruise, and the Asian Art Museum OR the Exploratorium. A City Pass works for 9 consecutive days starting with the use of your first ticket (each ticket only accounts for one visit to each attraction). The pass also includes seven consecutive days of Cable Car and MUNI fares.
  • Go San Francisco Card . Another easy way to cover many attractions and tours is the Go San Francisco Card. This card allows you to take some tours for free (Wine Country tour, San Francisco Sightseeing , City Tour), Bay Cruises, museums, aquariums, The Conservatory of Flowers, and many other activities. Other tours and activities are also discounted from $5.00 to 40%. The cost of the card is $45 for 1 day, $65 for 2 days, $89 for 3 days. $119 for 5 days, and $139 for 7 days.

Landmarks

The Golden Gate Bridge
  • The Golden Gate Bridge, located at the Golden Gate, is perhaps the most recognizable landmark in San Francisco and one of the most famous bridges in the United States, and has been called one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The bridge spans the Golden Gate, a strait between San Francisco and Marin County to the north, and is one of the major road routes into and out of the city.
  • The famous cable cars run up and down the hills of San Francisco between Market Street and Fisherman's Wharf and offer quite a ride. See above under Get around for more info.
  • The Presidio, located in the Golden Gate district, was founded in 1776 and was the longest-running military post in the U.S. before closing as a base in 1994. It is now a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and contains the Fort Point National Historic Site. From its vantage point overlooking the spectacular Golden Gate, Fort Point protected San Francisco harbor from Confederate & foreign attack during & after the U.S. Civil War. Its beautifully arched casemates display the art of the master brick mason from the Civil War period. The Palace of Fine Arts is a beautiful building, built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition and reminiscent of Roman and Greek architecture.
  • Coit Tower, atop Telegraph Hill in North Beach, is dedicated to the San Francisco firefighters (who fought a massive blaze in 1906 after the earthquake that destroyed much of the city center), and the tower is rumored to be designed to resemble the nozzle of a fire hose. At 250' high, it is a healthy hike from the nearby neighborhoods just below the hill.
  • The Transamerica Pyramid is the tallest and most recognizable building in San Francisco, located among the skyscrapers and highrises of the Financial District.
  • Alamo Square Park in the Western Addition district is home to the famous Painted Ladies row of Victorian houses on its east side along Steiner Street, with many other pretty Victorians encircling the lovely park.
  • Lombard Street. The (nearly) twistiest street in America, between Hyde & Leavenworth on Russian Hill. The city has a twistier but less scenic hill-climb along Vermont Street, south of McKinley Square on Potrero Hill. You can get a view of Lombard from the Powell & Hyde cable car line.
  • 22nd Street between Vicksburg and Church in Noe Valley and Filbert Street between Leavenworth and Hyde on Russian Hill - At a 31.5% grade, these streets share the honor of steepest streets in San Francisco.
  • The Mission Dolores Church in the Mission District is one of the oldest structures in the city with superb city views from Dolores Park. The walls of many nearby buildings, especially on alleys between Market and Valencia are painted with a fantastic collection of murals of all sorts.

Neighborhoods

  • Fisherman's Wharf is a great place to see amazing street entertainers, eat excellent seafood, watch sea lions, visit museums, or take a cruise to the infamous Alcatraz Prison or the pleasant Angel Island. Working fishing boats still come into the small harbor at Jones and Jefferson, the endpoint of the Muni Historic F-streetcar. There are also small day and party boats available. The fresh breeze from the bay can provide a bracing setting.
  • Chinatown, centered around Grant Street from Bush to Columbus, is part tourist trap, part an exhibit of local life. Good eating places remain, and the side streets especially have stores one wouldn't find in a mall. Stockton Street, the street paralleling Grant to to west is the main street where most locals do their shopping for groceries. Be sure to sample some of the dim sum and other specialties offered in the many bustling shops. However, many local Chinese prefer to eat and shop in the new Chinatowns located in other neighborhoods such as the Inner Richmond neighborhood or on Clement Street between 2nd and 12th Avenues. The Muni #1 (California) and #2 (Clement, does not run at night) buses get people from one Chinatown to the other.
  • The Civic Center has impressive Beaux Arts buildings including City Hall and the War Memorial Veterans Building, the celebrated Asian Art Museum, music and theater venues (including large concert halls and a renowned Symphony and Opera), and the main public library.
  • The Castro is the center of San Francisco's Lesbian/Gay/Bi/Transgender (LGBT) community, with theaters and small shops and restaurants.
  • Treasure Island. An artificial island half-way between San Francisco and Oakland connected to Yerba Buena Island which the Bay Bridge passes through. The island has excellent views of San Francisco & Oakland skylines and quirky structures from the international fairground-turned-navy base-turned neighborhood. Accessible by Muni bus #108 from the Transbay Terminal downtown.

Museums

When the morning is foggy, you may want to spend a few hours in one of the city's many world-class museums. Golden Gate Park is home to the copper-clad M.H. de Young Memorial Museum, which houses an impressive collection of contemporary and indigenous art. The de Young Museum's former Asian collection is now permanently housed in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, located in the Civic Center. Across from the de Young Museum stands the California Academy of Sciences, which re-opened in September 2008 after extensive renovations.

The California Palace of the Legion of Honor is in Lincoln Park in the northwest corner of the Richmond district. In Nob Hill, the Cable Car Museum offers exhibits on the famous moving landmarks of San Francisco. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Moscone Center, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Zeum, the Cartoon Art Museum, the Museum of the African Diaspora and the Museum of Craft and Folk Art are all located in SoMa, south of Union Square. The Contemporary Jewish Museum, which was designed by Daniel Liebeskind and opened in June 2008, is the latest major addition to San Francisco's museum scene.

At the Hyde Street Pier in Fisherman's Wharf you can go on board several historical ships, including the 1886 Balclutha clipper ship, a walking-beam ferry, a steam tug, and a coastal schooner. At Pier 45 just to the east, the World War II submarine USS Pampanito and the World War II Liberty Ship SS Jeremiah O'Brien can be visited. Nearby on Pier 39 is the excellent Aquarium of the Bay.

The Exploratorium at the Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina will keep you busy for an entire day with their science and perception exhibits. Also in the Marina district is Fort Mason, home to a few cultural museums.

Parks/outdoors

  • Golden Gate Park, in The Avenues district, is a massive (roughly 1/2 mile-by-four mile) urban oasis with windmills, bison, museums, a carousel and much more hidden among its charms. The park contains the antique palatial greenhouse of the Conservatory of Flowers, the modern and ethnic art focused de Young Museum, the large Japanese Tea Garden, and the Strybing Arboretum, a collection of plants from across the temperate world.
  • Lincoln Park, in the Richmond, defines the extreme Northwestern corner of San Francisco. It provides majestic views of the Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate Bridge from the Ocean side, and the Pacific Ocean itself. At the extreme western end the well known Cliff House provides both semi-casual and a more formal eating and drinking place. The Legion of Honor museum at the center of the park houses many incredible artworks.
  • Twin Peaks, accessible by car or on foot via Twin Peaks Boulevard (north of Portola Drive, just east of Laguna Honda). The small parking area at the northern tip of Twin Peaks Boulevard (875' above sea level) is near the physical center of the city, and one of its highest points, providing spectacular views in all directions. Tour buses can get backed up here during the day, but it's a great place to really appreciate the City from above, especially at and after sunset. Temperatures up there can be quite a bit lower than in the rest of the city, so bring a jacket.
  • San Francisco Zoo. Located in the Lake Merced area at the end of the L streetcar line near Ocean Beach, this large and well maintained zoo is a great place to go if you are traveling with children or have a fondness for penguins, primates, lions or llamas. It is Northern California's largest zoological park.
  • Beaches. While not particularly well known for its beaches, San Francisco has a couple of good ones along the Pacific Ocean - but the water is brisk and the winds can be rough. Ocean Beach along the Sunset district is the largest and most famous beach, with plenty of sand and people enjoying themselves, but swimming is not recommended due to a very strong riptide. China Beach in Richmond is a smaller, rather secluded beach with lovely views.

Do

Tours

Harbor tours

File:Alcatrazfromthewater.jpg
Approaching the Island of Alcatraz

One of the best ways to see San Francisco is from the waters of San Francisco Bay. There are many companies offering San Francisco harbor tours of varying durations and prices but they all provide marvelous views of the bay, the bridges, the island of Alcatraz and the city.

Only specific island tours are allowed to land at Alcatraz, but the typical harbor tour will circle the island at a slow crawl, giving you plenty of opportunity to photograph the now-inactive prison from the water.

Also consider taking a ferry from San Francisco across the bay to Tiburon, Sausalito, or Alameda. Same views for a fraction of the price.

Most tours leave from docks between Fisherman's Wharf and adjacent Pier 39. Tickets can be purchased at kiosks along the waterfront walk. Buy tickets a day or two in advance during the summer high season.

Boats usually leave roughly hourly starting around 10AM and ending around 5PM. Multi-lingual guides are available on some tours. Prices range from $20-$40, more for sunset, dinner, or whale watching tours.

  • Even on a sunny day the bay can be chilly, so be sure to bring a sweater as well as sun screen.
  • Some boats have snack bars on board, but bring your own water and treats to avoid paying high costs or going without. There are now limited refreshments and a souvenirs shop on Alcatraz.

Companies offering harbor tours include:

Walking/Biking tours

  • <do name="American Running Guides" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+1 415 864-2103" email="" fax="" url="http://americanrunningguides.com" hours="" price="">Offers guided running tours for active travelers wanting to maintain a workout routine without being relegated to the hotel treadmill. Experienced runners take clients on classic routes throughout the city and on the Marin trails, just across the Golden Gate Bridge. This is a great way to see the city and get a workout before breakfast. Reservations required.</do>
  • <do name="Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals and Tours" alt="" address="with multiple locations in Fisherman's Wharf" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.blazingsaddles.com" hours="" price="">In addition to bike rentals, this company offers guided bicycling tours over the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County, where you can return by ferry.</do>
  • <do name="Geogad Mobile Tours" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.geogad.com" hours="" price="">Geogad has free MP3 walking tours for Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf that can be downloaded directly from the Geogad website. These tours can be uploaded to any MP3 device and work best on MP3 players that can display the tour photos and maps. The tours are a great introductions to San Francisco as they explore the most popular destinations for travelers to San Francisco in a fun, relaxed way. Tours include Fisherman's Wharf, the Ferry Building, Market Street, and Union Square. The tours are designed to make your sightseeing easy by linking San Francisco's best sightseeing together with your favorite mobile device.</do>
  • <do name="San Francisco City Guides" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.sfcityguides.org" hours="" price="">Founded in 1978, City Guides is a non-profit organization with more than 200 trained volunteers who lead free history and architectural walking tours in San Francisco. They are sponsored by the San Francisco Public Library.</do>

Bus/Driving tours

  • <do name="A Friend in Town" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+1 800 960-8099 " email="" fax="" url="http://www.toursanfranciscobay.com" hours="" price="">Offers personalized sightseeing tours conducted by a trained historian. Solo travelers or groups up to 30 are picked up and dropped off at their home, hotel, or anywhere within 100 miles of downtown San Francisco.</do>
  • <do name="Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+1 415 337-1874" email="" fax="" url="http://www.blueherontours.com" hours="" price="">Private, custom tours for groups of six or fewer persons in and around the San Francisco Bay Area. Visit boutique wineries in Napa and Sonoma, San Francisco's vibrant neighborhoods, the giant redwoods of Muir Woods, the hillside village of Sausalito, the magnificent California coast, and the beautiful Monterey Peninsula.</do>
  • <do name="GoCar" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.gocartours.com/sanfrancisco.html" hours="" price="">These little yellow cars show you the way as they lead you on their tour of San Francisco.</do>
  • <do name="Mr. Toads Tours" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+1 877 467-8623" email="" fax="" url="http://www.mrtoadstours.com" hours="" price="">Semi-private environmentally friendly tours are provided in 10-passenger, propane powered pre-1930s touring cars. Highlights include Chinatown's fortune cookie factory, Victorian homes, Lombard Street, Haight-Ashbury, Golden Gate Park, Presidio National Park, Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, and Ghirardelli Square. Frequent daily departures from Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square. Reservations recommended and can be made online.</do>
  • <do name="Gray Line Motorized Cable Car Tour" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price=""></do>
  • <do name="Isolda Anilovich - Russian-Speaking Tour Guide" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+1 415 351-2232" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">(in English) (in Russian). Private, custom tours of San Francisco, Bay Area and Napa Valley are provided in native Russian language. Flexible accommodations to suit your interests, taste, and budget.</do>

Other tours

Performing Arts

  • San Francisco has a Half-Price Ticket Booth located right in the middle of Union Square, where tickets for most San Francisco theater performances can be purchased the day of the performance for half-price. Run by Theatre Bay Area , all service fees collected from the sale of tickets by TIX Bay Area goes right back into the theater community.
  • Go to a concert, a play, a Jazz or a folk-song performance. There are performances most days to choose from, as by the San Francisco Opera , the San Francisco Symphony , in Herbst Theater (where the U.N. charter was signed) , in the Old First Church , and for musicals in the Orpheum or the Golden Gate Theaters , all located in or near the Civic Center. The museum of the Legion of Honor , located in Lincoln Park overlooking the the Golden Gate (North end of 34th Ave), has organ concerts which can be heard in many of its galleries, Saturdays and Sundays at 4PM, as well as music performances in its Florence Gould Theater, as by the the San Francisco Lyric Opera . For the fall and spring Jazz festivals look into the SFJAZZ calendar . San Francisco also has many jazz Clubs, best found by browsing the web, as well as SFNation.com . Contemporary bands are featured at The Fillmore auditorium and less frequently at the large Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in the Civic Center. There is an annual blues festival in late September, at various locations . Many, but certainly not all, and no free events are listed by the City Box Office . There are at least two great free bluegrass music festivals each year - during February on the Marina and late September or October in Golden Gate Park.
  • Ballet of the world class variety can be seen for only $10. San Francisco Ballet sells standing room tickets (with excellent views from the back of the orchestra) during the afternoon of each performance as well as two hours before showtime.
  • Plays are performed at the Geary (by the American Conservatory Theater ), Curran, and the Marines Memorial theatres , and at the three small New Conservatory theaters [www.nctcsf.org] near the Civic Center.
  • Musicals from Broadway and Los Angeles are shown at the traditional Golden Gate and Orpheum theaters on Market, near the Civic Center . For outrageous fun, princes and paupers go to Beach Blanket Babylon in North Beach. Teenagers are welcome at the Sunday Matinees. It considers itself the longest running musical revue in theater history.

Events

  • Critical Mass. On the last Friday of each month, bicyclists in San Francisco (and about 200 like-minded cities world-wide) gather at the north end of Market Street on the Embarcadero and ride en masse to some destination, militantly demonstrating their right to occupy the roads. If you are driving in SF on a Critical Mass day, you will want to listen for radio traffic reports, but if you are stopped by the mass the best thing to do is maintain a good sense of humor and remember that it will all pass in about 5 minutes. Although, tempers can and do flare, and there have been cases where run ins with drivers and bicyclists have gotten violent.

LGBT community events

San Francisco is famous for its exuberant and visible gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community.

  • The San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Parade and Celebration is one of the largest gay pride parades and festivals in North America. It's a huge, happy, chaotic celebration of diversity, politics, sexuality, and San Francisco wackiness, on the last weekend in June. It fills Market Street and some seven city blocks from there to City Hall. About a dozen stages and spaces offer everything from square dancing to hip-hop, from a family garden to Leather Alley. Hundreds of businesses, community groups, non-profits, and political groups attempt to connect with hundreds of thousands of celebrants. It's a movement, it's a market, it's a party. Both parade and celebration are for everyone — straight as well as gay are welcome. See San Francisco/Civic Center#Do.
  • Pink Saturday is a street party in the Castro on the Saturday night before the Pride Parade and Celebration. See San Francisco/Castro Street#Do.
  • Halloween in the Castro. Halloween, the holiday when everyone puts on a mask, has long been a special time for gay, lesbian and bisexual people to take off the "straight-looking mask" they sometimes wore all year, and be themselves. What remains today is a huge, sometimes poorly controlled, street party in the Castro on the evening of October 31st each year. See San Francisco/Castro Street#Do.

Sports

In addition to the spectator sports teams in San Francisco, there are also teams nearby in San Jose and Oakland.

  • San Francisco Giants, AT&T Park (in SoMa) . Major League Baseball team.
  • San Francisco 49ers, Monster Park (on Candlestick Point in Southeast San Francisco). National football league team.
  • San Francisco Seals, Negoesco Stadium (on the University of San Francisco campus in Western Addition) . United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League team.
  • University of San Francisco Dons, University of San Francisco campus (in Western Addition) . Various college sports including baseball, basketball, soccer and volleyball.
  • San Francisco State University Gators, SF State campus (in Twin Peaks-Lake Merced) . Various college sports including baseball, basketball and soccer.

Learn

The University of California, San Francisco is one of the city's largest employers and is dedicated solely to the education of health and the biomedical sciences. Also in the University of California system is the Hastings College of the Law, a major law school located in downtown San Francisco. The San Francisco State University is another major public university that offers a broader range of studies than the UC colleges in the city. Rounding off the city's public colleges is the City College of San Francisco, a two-year community college.

San Francisco also has numerous private colleges and universities, each with a different focus: the arts, design, law, business, religion, you name it.

Work

Being the world-class tourist attraction that it is, San Francisco's economy is mostly centered on tourism. Its frequent portrayal in music, films, literature and popular culture has helped make the city and its landmarks known throughout the world. San Francisco has developed a large tourist infrastructure with numerous hotels, restaurants, and top-notch convention facilities.

While it's been a long time since people considered Montgomery Street in the Financial District to be the "Wall Street of the West", San Francisco remains one of the principal banking and finance centers of the west coast of the United States. Many major financial institutions and banks are based in the city or have set up regional headquarters here.

San Francisco's proximity to Silicon Valley has made the city increasingly attractive for high-tech companies. In recent years, San Francisco has also been making itself a center of biotechnology.

Buy

See the Districts articles for more listings.

San Francisco has a wide range of small and locally-owned businesses throughout the neighborhoods of the city. In fact, San Francisco has for the most part repelled the development of large chain retailers and big box stores that are common across America.

Fisherman's Wharf has all your typical touristy souvenir shops and a few small shopping centers. Union Square has many national retailers and fancy boutique stores, as well as a few shopping centers thrown in to the mix.

Eat

See the Districts articles for more listings.

San Francisco is a sensual, epicurean city with a vast array of restaurants. The price range is huge, and you can spend anywhere from a small fortune to a couple bucks for every type of cuisine. Vegetarians and vegans will find SF a paradise. Sushi is a local obsession, and though you can find a sushi bar on almost every street corner, the Richmond district has more than its fair share of excellent sushi chefs. San Francisco also has the largest Chinatown in North America, as well as one of the largest Chinese communities in the West, and many exceptional restaurants serving dim sum and other Chinese delicacies are found throughout The City. This localized Chinese cuisine has its feet in Hong Kong and America, and is different from what many visitors are accustomed to. Fisherman's Wharf serves fresh seafood, especially clam chowder and crabs cooked to order. North Beach is the place to go for Italian food, and the Mission birth place of the misson style burrito for Mexican restaurants (and Latin American cuisine of all sorts). San Francisco restaurants are also very corkage friendly. Average corkage fee appears to be in the $15 range, with some of the more pricey places charging $25-35.

  • <eat name="Roots Restaurant" alt="" address="466 Bush Street, San Francisco, California 94108" directions="" phone="415.659.0349 " url="http://www.therootsrestaurant.com" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Welcome to food the way nature intended: fresh from the earth, wholesome, unpretentious and beautifully prepared. Welcome to Roots at the Orchard Garden Hotel. Here you’ll find a respect for the bounty of nature, not to mention great American food with a Mediterranean flair.</eat>


Drink

See the Districts articles for more listings.

The best way to find a good bar or club is to ask the advice of a local; but barring that a copy of The SF Bay Guardian or the SF Weekly will help you find something suited to your personal taste. Review website Yelp is based in San Francisco, and therefore offers very thorough coverage of San Francisco's night life.

San Francisco is very much of a "scene" town. Head to the Marina for mid-20s to mid-30s professionals (and those visiting from Los Angeles). Haight-Ashbury, famous for the “Summer of Love” and hippies, is still a place for alternative lifestyle, now has many neo-punks and hipsters in the mix. South of Market (SoMa) and the Mission District have left-over dot-commers and hipsters hanging out on every corner. The Castro primarily serves San Francisco's gays. With a large Irish population, San Francisco has a number of very good Irish pubs extending out into the Sunset neighborhood. North Beach is home to several dance clubs and strip clubs.

If you like soccer (football) and all things English, you should stop into the Kezar Pub, at the edge of the Haight-Ashbury District, or Lower Haight's Mad Dog In the Fog. The pub quiz and bar food are good. Swill some pints and stay in the dark. Good for an entire day's worth of drinking. It is also central to other "dive" bars on Haight, including the beer mecca Toronado.

Beer

San Francisco, despite being much smaller than New York City, sports more microbreweries. Anchor Brewing Company (makers of Anchor Steam, found throughout the US) is brewed on Potrero Hill, though it is generally not open to the public (tours are available Friday afternoons by reservation). Similarly, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers opens its doors on Friday evenings, though its location in Hunter's Point makes it hard to reach without a car. The other microbreweries are housed in brewpubs:

  • Beach Chalet & Park Chalet are at the Pacific end of Golden Gate Park, where you can enjoy a view of the ocean or sit in the lawn area.
  • Pizza Orgasmica in the Richmond District specializes in California-style pizza.
  • Wunder Brewing is the City's newest brewery, located in the Sunset District.
  • Magnolia Brewing Company is in the heart of the Haight, and operates a second restaurant down the street, The Alembic.
  • San Francisco Brewing Company is on Columbus Ave in North Beach, in the shadow of the Coppola Building.
  • Thirsty Bear, South Of Market, caters mostly to the happy hour crowd.
  • 21st Amendment, also in SOMA, is three blocks away from the Giants' home at AT&T Park.

Other destinations for beer drinkers include North Beach's Rogue Ales Public House, the Embarcadero's Gordon Biersch's alehouse, the City Beer Store and Tasting Bar on Folsom St, the Mission's Monk's Kettle, and the famous Toronado Pub on lower Haight Street, which specializes in Belgians ales.

Alameda and Marin Counties also host many microbreweries worth trying. And although Santa Rosa is 45 minutes north of San Francisco, no beer lovers should skip the renowned Russian River Brewing Company in downtown Santa Rosa.

Sleep

See the Districts articles for more listings.

San Francisco offers a wide range of accommodations, from a healthy supply of hostels and budget hotels to the lavish, luxurious hotels in the city center, as well as just about everything in-between. The majority of accommodations are in the northeastern portion of the city, in and around the popular areas of Downtown, Chinatown, and Fisherman's Wharf. As one moves into the mostly residential neighborhoods to the west, the sleeping options filter down to small inns and bed and breakfasts.

Decide if you want to be in walking distance of your destinations, or are up to driving and parking (which can be quite an undertaking in some of the busier areas of San Francisco) or taking public transit. If you have a specific destination in mind, look also in the Districts sections.

If you'd rather stay closer to the San Francisco International Airport, there are plenty of standard airport accommodations in the cities surrounding the airport - Burlingame, Millbrae, San Bruno and South San Francisco. From there, one can drive or take the BART or Caltrain into San Francisco.

Contact

The area code for San Francisco is 415. You need to only dial the seven digit phone number for calls within the city. For calls within the US or Canada, dial 1+area code+number, and for international calls, use the prefix 00. Pay phones are relatively common, but only take coins and phone cards with a dial-to-use number. Local calls start at $.50.

To get online, internet cafes are available at a sprinkling of city center locations. Many coffee houses and cafes also offer wireless connection for free or a small fee. Free access is available in Union Square. For a more scenic email check try the Apple Store on Stockton at Ellis near Market in Union Square or any of the many public libraries, especially the main branch on Market near Civic Center station.

Blue mailboxes for mail such as letters and postcards are on many street corners. USPS post offices sell stamps and ship packages, and several private companies provide additional services.

Stay safe

As with many other major cities in the world, San Francisco has its share of problems. The areas that one should be most cautious are in the neighborhoods of Bayview-Hunters Point, Visitacion Valley, Sunnydale, Western Addition, Ingleside, Tenderloin, the area around 6th and Market, and parts of the Mission and Potrero Hill. San Francisco is at the peak of a 3-year surge in violent crime, and most of these murders occur in the southeast of the City. Two Hispanic gangs have been known to shoot or stab people for wearing the wrong color, so it is recommended to keep red or blue articles of clothing to a minimum while walking through the Mission District, especially around 16th and Mission and 24th and Mission. The South of Market (SoMa) district used to be somewhat dangerous; however, recent gentrification (something that has become fairly common and a social issue in SF) has transformed it into a rather hip and much safer neighborhood with plenty of art galleries and clubs. However, it is best to be careful even now.

San Francisco also has the largest homeless population per capita in the United States. If someone begs from you, you may either politely say that you do not have any change or just keep walking, and he or she will generally leave you alone. The main homeless area is around 6th and Market, heading towards City Hall, and in the Tenderloin. Haight Ashbury also has lots of panhandlers, and the area near Golden Gate Park at the end of Haight Street near McDonald's is notorious for junkies and should be avoided at night.

Pickpocketing can be expected, as with any other large city. Be especially cautious on crowded MUNI buses and during the busy holiday shopping season.

When parking in Bay Area parking lots, be wary of anyone strange demanding payment for the space. Scam artists may patrol lots where there is no attendant and tell motorists to pay them directly in cash, making sure they don't notice the payment machine. This can result in your car being towed.

Be careful to check for ticks after hiking in fields in the bay area. There is a high rate of lyme disease transmission in the Bay Area. If a bulls' eye rash develops at the tick bite site, immediately seek medical help and treatment with antibiotics.

Cope

Publications

  • San Francisco Chronicle . The main newspaper in San Francisco, with circulation daily. $0.75 daily, $1.50 Sunday.
  • San Francisco Examiner . Another daily newspaper, but this time free.
  • San Francisco Daily .
  • SF Weekly . A popular free-weekly distributed across the city.
  • San Francisco Bay Guardian . Another popular free-weekly.
  • San Francisco Bay View . Politics, economics, and news from a progressive African American perspective.
  • AsianWeek . A weekly paper, one of the largest English language publications for Asian-Americans.
  • Bay Area Reporter . Free-weekly serving the LGBT community.
  • San Francisco Bay Times,. Another free-weekly LGBT newspaper.
  • San Francisco Magazine . A monthly magazine devoted to Bay Area culture.
  • MetroWize . A weekly publication dedicated to insider city and event info for San Francisco.
File:StPatrick SF.jpg
St. Patrick church

Religious services


Buddhism:

  • <listing name="Saraha Buddhist Center" alt="" directions="" address="3324 17th Street" phone="+1 415 503-1187" email="" fax="" url="" hours="Su 10AM-5:30PM, M-Sa 10:30AM-5:30PM" price=""></listing>
  • <listing name="Sokoji-Soto Zen Buddhist Temple" alt="" directions="" address="1691 Laguna Street" phone="+1 415 346-7540" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price=""></listing>
  • <listing name="Chinese Buddhist Monastery" alt="" directions="" address="1230 32nd Ave" phone="+1 415 664-9456" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price=""></listing>
  • <listing name="Gold Mountain Monastery" alt="" directions="" address="800 Sacramento Street" phone="+1 415 421-6117" email="" fax="" url="http://www.drba.org" hours="" price=""></listing>
  • <listing name="Vietnamese Buddhist Association of San Francisco" alt="" directions="" address="243 Duboce Avenue" phone="+1 415 431-1322" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price=""></listing>
  • <listing name="San Francisco Buddhist Center" alt="" directions="" address="37 Bartlett Street" phone="+1 415 282-2018" email="" fax="" url="http://sfbuddhistcenter.org" hours="" price=""></listing>
  • <listing name="Nichiren Hokke Buddhist Temple" alt="" directions="" address="2016 Pine Street" phone="+1 415 567-3020" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price=""></listing>

Catholic churches:

  • <listing name="St. Patrick" alt="" directions="between 3rd & 4th Streets, across from Yerba Buena Gardens, near the Moscone Convention Center" address="756 Mission Street" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.stpatricksf.org" hours="Su 7:30AM, 9AM, 10:30AM; 12:15PM, 5:15PM; M-Sa: 7AM, 8AM, 12:10PM (except W 12PM), 5:15PM" price=""></listing>

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:

Episcopal:

  • <listing name="Grace Cathedral" alt="" directions="at Taylor" address="1100 California Street" phone="+1 415 749-6300" email="" fax="" url="http://www.gracecathedral.org" hours="Su 7:30AM, 8:15AM, 11AM" price="">Choral Eucharist (This service is webcast live every Sunday!).</listing>

Protestant:

Jewish:

  • <listing name="Mission Minyan" alt="" directions="at the Women's Building between Guerrero and Valencia" address="3543 18th Street, 2nd floor" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.missionminyan.com" hours="F 6:30PM, Sa 9:40AM (every other week)" price=""></listing>
  • <listing name="Magain David Sephardim Congregation" alt="" directions="" address="351 4th Ave" phone="+1 415 752-9095" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price=""></listing>
  • <listing name="Richmond Torah Center- Chabad" alt="" directions="" address="423 10th Avenue" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.rtchabad.org" hours="Su: 9AM, M-F 7AM, F 6:30PM, Sa 9:30AM" price=""></listing>
  • <listing name="Congregation Chevra Thilim" alt="" directions="" address="751 25th Ave" phone="+1 415 752-2866" email="" fax="" url="" hours="Su-F 8AM, Sa 9:30AM" price=""></listing>
  • <listing name="Adath Israel" alt="" directions="" address="1851 Noriega Street" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.adathisraelsf.org" hours="Shacharis: M-F 7:15AM, Shabbos 9AM, Sunday/Legal Holidays 8AM. Mincha/Ma'ariv: Su-Th, Summer: 7:15PM, Winter: 10 minutes before sundown, Friday, Summer: 7PM, Winter: 10 minutes before sundown" price=""></listing>
  • <listing name="Keneseth Israel" alt="" directions="" address="873 Sutter Street" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://kenesethisraelsf.org" hours="F 20 minutes before sundown, Sa 9:30AM, 4PM" price=""></listing>
  • <listing name="Chabad of Noe Valley" alt="" directions="" address="94 29th Street" phone="+1 415 821-7046" email="" fax="" url="www.chabadnoevalley.org" hours="F 6PM (winter: sukkot through passover), 7PM (summer:passover to sukkot), Sa 10AM" price=""></listing>

Respect

It is important to remember that San Francisco is one of the most open-minded and progressive big cities in the country. With this open-mindedness comes a variety of languages, skin tones, sexual orientations, and hair colors; it is all a part of the joy of San Francisco, and as a visitor it is something that you have to learn to accept and welcome.

Smokers beware: as in the rest of California, smoking is illegal in bars, restaurants, and other public places. Bay Area people can be particularly vocal about your personal habits. Be aware of nonsmoking areas, and try to be courteous about smoking in other places. They will probably not bother you about standing and smoking outside a restaurant or bar.

On the other hand, smoking marijuana is remarkably well-tolerated. If you are visiting from elsewhere in the U.S., you may be very surprised to find that marijuana is not considered to be a problem by San Franciscans, and even by The City's police. While still illegal under federal law, a law was passed in 2006 officially making marijuana the lowest priority for the SFPD. This does not mean that you should smoke marijuana just anywhere -- as with cigarettes, it is considered improper etiquette to smoke marijuana in crowded areas.

Get out

For laid-back, involved-with-your-fellow-travelers kind of travel (cooking is shared, the sleeper busload camps ensemble), check out the Green Tortoise . GT runs buses up to Seattle and down to Baja California; to Black Rock City, Yosemite National Park, a National Parks loop including the Tetons, Yellowstone and more, and to New York.

Bikes can be rented from around the northern waterfront (Pier 41/Fisherman's Wharf/Aquarium Park area) or near Golden Gate Park for trips to Marin County via the Golden Gate Bridge. Stanyan near Haight at the end of the park has several good shops. Golden Gate Transit also sporadically serves the North Bay from San Francisco, and has bike racks on most buses.

Nearby destinations suitable for day trips include:

  • Oakland— A diverse and vibrant city, Oakland was once considered San Francisco "sister city," and has been regaining that title in recent years due to a growing economy and a general renaissance of the city. It's worth a visit for its many distinct and charming neighborhoods.
  • Berkeley— Home to the University of California, Berkeley and one of the nation's most progressive communities. Also a hub of liberal political activism for the past several decades. It is also home to quite a few superb restaurants. Alice Waters’ French-inspired Chez Panisse in the north of the city, and is often listed as one of the best restaurants in the world, offering regional and seasonal organic food prepared simply but skillfully. Prices vary, and the restaurant has more and less formal dining areas, but dinner and wine for under $100 is easily possible.
  • Healdsburg— Charming Wine Country town located among some of California's greatest wine appellations: Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River Valley and Chalk Hill. Relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere, Healdsburg offers excellent restaurants, shopping and wine tasting. About 70 miles North of the Golden Gate Bridge.
  • Napa Valley— The main wine growing region in the United States, a trip to the many wineries makes for a fun day, while those wanting a longer adventure can relax in any one of the many spas, bed and breakfasts, or other lodging options.
  • Muir Woods— A 560 acre forest of old-growth redwood trees located in Mill Valley just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods is a pleasant respite from the city, and accessible by Golden Gate Transit.
  • Point Reyes National Seashore— Located just north of San Francisco along the Pacific Coast Highway (State Highway 1), Point Reyes is a beautiful seashore that is particularly nice to visit when gray whales are migrating along the coast, usually best in mid-January and then from March through May. Point Reyes Station is the main town at the base of the massive peninsula and has plenty of restaurants and places to stay.
  • Monterey is an otherwise quiet beach town home to one of the country’s best aquariums.
  • Santa Cruz— Located on the coast north of Monterey Bay, this funky town is home to surfers, the beautiful and tech-savvy University of California, Santa Cruz, and a popular boardwalk. The Santa Cruz Mountains north of town are a great place for outdoor recreation such as hiking, and home to misty forests of famous, enormous redwood trees. The city is accessible by Amtrak-run shuttle bus (about 50 minutes) from San Jose Diridon station.
  • Vallejo is home to a wildlife discovery theme park, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
  • Yosemite National Park— Tours from San Francisco make for a wonderful day trip. Make sure to visit the amazing Giant Sequoias.

World66:northamerica/unitedstates/california/sanfranciscobayarea/sanfrancisco wikevent:San Francisco WikiOutdoors: Category:San Francisco Bay Area extra:san francisco

This city travel guide to San Francisco has guide status. It has a variety of good, quality information including hotels, restaurants, attractions and travel details. Please contribute and help us make it a star!
Retrieved from "https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=San_Francisco&oldid=1255501"