San Francisco
United States · Country profile
San Francisco is the hilly, fog-wrapped city on the tip of a peninsula, squeezed between the Pacific and the great bay behind it. The Golden Gate Bridge, the cable cars and the painted Victorian houses frame the classic picture, while Alcatraz, the ferry to the bay islands and the steep streets that run to the waterfront hold the rest. The city squeezes dense, walkable neighbourhoods — Chinatown, North Beach, the Mission and the Castro — into its seven square miles, and the bay-side promenades and the parklands of Golden Gate spread the room. It is a city of food, fog, tech and counterculture, famously liberal and endlessly photogenic. Compact, hilly and surprising, San Francisco rewards walking, layers and a good pair of shoes.
About San Francisco
San Francisco is a city in United States. The city's documented population is around 829,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the US Dollar (USD) and English is spoken; the dialling code is +1. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: San Francisco International Airport.
Fog, Hills and the Gate Over the Bay
San Francisco is a compact, hills-and-fog city of about seven square miles, and its character is more neighbourhood than skyline. The Golden Gate Bridge, the cable cars and the bay views are the headlines, but the everyday life runs to the Victorian rows, the corner cafes, the parks and the lively streets of the inner districts. The weather is the great constant, with the fog rolling over the hills by afternoon and the summer days cooling as the city itself stays mild year-round. It is a walking city crossed by historic cable cars and a clean, fast tube; the bay ferries to Sausalito and the islands add the water dimension. Relaxed, liberal and warm between the chilly spells, it is a city that rewards slow walking.
Cable Cars, Summer Fog and Booking the Great Views
The weather is famously foggy even in high summer — pack layers and a light jacket whatever the month, and expect the golden views late in the day. Book Alcatraz tickets weeks ahead; they sell out, and the evening tours are the best value. The cable cars are a tourist must but also a working service: a day pass makes them affordable, and the queues are shortest early. The city is walkable but hilly, so plan the route across the hills rather than straight through the middle. Cards are everywhere, tip the standard US rates, and the city is safe with the usual big-city awareness. The municipal tram to the Castro and the ferry to the bay islands are the local secrets.
BART, the Embarcadero and the Bridges of the Bay
The cable cars, the streetcars along the Embarcadero and the metro tube make the city easy, and a day pass covers the lot. The walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, or a bike ride to Sausalito with a ferry back, is the classic day out — book the bike line before 10am. Fisherman’s Wharf is for the classic view and the anecdotes rather than the best food; the Mission and the Ferry Building hold the table of the city. The hills are real: the Lombard Street curves and the painted ladies of Alamo Square are the photo stops. Watch the fog roll in around 4pm and plan the bay views for the morning. The city is famously informal — smart-casual covers everything inside.
Report an error or suggest an update
- Country
- United States
- Population
- 829,000
- Coordinates
- 37.6213, -122.3790
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
- Region
- North America
- Currency
- US Dollar (USD)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Country code
- US
Entry requirements for United States
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting United States for tourism.
Getting to San Francisco
Airports we list for San Francisco:
Other airports in the area:
- Los Angeles International AirportLAX≈ 544 km from San Francisco
- Harry Reid International AirportLAS≈ 665 km from San Francisco
- San Diego International AirportSAN≈ 719 km from San Francisco
- Portland International AirportPDX≈ 886 km from San Francisco
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International AirportPHX≈ 1,047 km from San Francisco
Cities in United States
Other cities we cover in United States:
Frequently asked questions
Is San Francisco the capital of United States?
No — the capital of United States is Washington, D.C..
What currency do I need in San Francisco?
The local currency is the US Dollar (USD). Languages spoken in United States include English.
What is the dialling code for United States?
The international dialling code for United States is +1.
Which airport should I fly into for San Francisco?
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the airport we list for San Francisco.
How far is San Francisco from the nearest airport?
San Francisco is about 544 km from Los Angeles International Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit United States?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Argentina (visa required), Japan (e-visa), Morocco (visa required), Singapore (e-visa) and South Korea (e-visa). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of San Francisco? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.