About San Francisco
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the 17th-largest city and second-densest major city in the United States, with a 2025 population of 826,079. It is the fourth-most populous city in California and the second most-populous in the Bay Area. Some 4.6 million residents live in the city's metropolitan statistical area. Around 9.2 million live in the San Jose–San Francisco–Oakland combined statistical area, the fifth-largest in the United States. San Francisco is a global center for technology and finance, and is well-known for its affluence, eclectic architecture, and mild climate.
Cheap flights to San Francisco
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $566 from London, travelling 14 Feb – 20 Feb. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- LON London to San Francisco14 Feb – 20 Feb · SFO from$566
- DUB Dublin to San Francisco16 Dec – 31 Dec · SFO from$734
- CPH Copenhagen to San Francisco7 Dec – 12 Dec · SFO from$1,015
- EDI Edinburgh to San Francisco14 Feb – 21 Feb · SFO from$962
- PRG Prague to San Francisco31 Mar – 6 Apr · SFO from$793
- MAN Manchester to San Francisco14 Mar – 1 May · SFO from$829
- GLA Glasgow to San Francisco7 Jun – 5 Aug · SFO from$1,151
- HEL Helsinki to San Francisco7 Dec – 27 Dec · SFO from$1,224
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Aer Lingus, Finnair, American Airlines, United Airlines.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 12 Oct and 11 Nov 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to San FranciscoPlaces to visit in San Francisco
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Golden Gate Bridge
Landmark · 4 mi from centreThe famous orange suspension bridge spanning the entrance to San Francisco Bay; walk or bike across it and see it from viewpoints on both sides.
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Alcatraz Island
Historic · 4 mi from centreThe former federal prison on an island in the bay, reached by ferry, with an excellent cellhouse audio tour and views of the city skyline.
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Golden Gate Park
Park · 3 mi from centreA long urban park with the de Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences, the Japanese Tea Garden and gardens stretching toward Ocean Beach. Rent a bike to see more.
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Chinatown
Neighborhood · 1 mi from centreOne of the oldest Chinatowns in North America, with temples, dim sum restaurants, tea shops and busy streets entered through the Dragon Gate. Grant Avenue is the main stretch.
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Ferry Building
Market · 2 mi from centreA historic ferry terminal on the Embarcadero transformed into a food hall with artisan producers, restaurants and a lively farmers market on set days. It is a natural lunch stop.
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Fisherman's Wharf
Neighborhood · 2 mi from centreA busy waterfront area with sea lions at Pier 39, seafood stands and maritime attractions, plus departure points for bay cruises. The nearby Hyde Street cable car turnaround and Ghirardelli Square are also within walking distance.
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Palace of Fine Arts
Landmark · 2 mi from centreA classical rotunda and colonnades beside a lagoon in the Marina District, originally built for a world's fair and popular for photos and strolls. It is lovely at dusk.
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Muir Woods National Monument
Nature · 12 mi from centreNorth of the Golden Gate, a grove of towering old-growth coast redwoods with boardwalk trails; advance parking or shuttle reservations are required. Arrive early for the quietest experience among the trees.
Top experiences in San Francisco
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 96 available.
Skyline Sightseeing San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off and Alcatraz
From $133 per adult
San Francisco CityPASS® - Access to 4 Attractions
From $79 per adult
Bridge to Bridge Cruise
From $56 per adult
San Francisco City Tour & Alcatraz
From $133 per adult
Yosemite National Park Full-Day Tour
From $158 per adult
Yosemite & Giant Sequoias day tour from San Francisco
From $197 per adult
Wake Early: Save Big! - Early Bird GoCar Tour
From $147 per adult
Skyline Sightseeing San Francisco Hop on Hop off Tour
From $57 per adult
Muir Woods and Wine Country Day Tour
From $172 per adult
North Beach Walking Tour with Optional Sky Star or Bay Cruise
From $34 per adult
North Beach Walking Tour With Alcatraz Ticket
From $87 per adult
Monterey and Carmel Tour
From $97 per adult
Where to stay in San Francisco
Popular hotels in San Francisco, out of 423 properties you can book.
Axiom Hotel San Francisco
From $123 per night
Hotel Zephyr San Francisco
From $133 per night
Hotel Bijou
From $134 per night
Comfort Inn and Suites San Francisco Airport North
From $84 per night
Hotel Triton
From $155 per night
YOTEL San Francisco, Select by Hilton
From $118 per night
Hotel Zeppelin San Francisco
From $148 per night
Warwick San Francisco Hotel
From $138 per night
Nikko Hotel San Francisco
From $219 per night
Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman'S Wharf
From $217 per night
Hotel G San Francisco
From $121 per night
Hilton San Francisco Union Square
From $169 per night
Best time to visit San Francisco
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit San Francisco is August to October, when average daytime highs are around 69°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
San Francisco weather forecast
- Wed 11 Nov 72° 53° 0%
- Thu 12 Nov 68° 55° 32%
- Fri 13 Nov 64° 57° 89%
- Sat 14 Nov 63° 57° 51%
- Sun 15 Nov 62° 55° 58%
- Mon 16 Nov 60° 55° 48%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/Los_AngelesUTC−8
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to San Francisco
These are the airports closest to central San Francisco. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- SFO San Francisco International Airport11 mi (18 km) from the city centre
Getting around San Francisco
Cross streets. San Francisco streets are numbered (100 per block) from the beginning of the street, and even and odd numbers are always on opposite sides. In the absence of GPS navigation, it is best when getting an address to also ask for a cross street or neighborhood name. Most of the time, if a street touches Market Street (San Francisco's main street), that's the zero block. Addresses change by 100 each block, so a building at 1275 Foo street is often 12 to 13 blocks away from where Foo St. hits Market St.
On foot
Walking can be an enticing option to get from one neighborhood to another, as the city is compact and most of the tourist sites are in its northeastern portion. San Francisco is a city of friendly neighborhoods, but it is also a big city so be aware of your surroundings and keep in mind the dangers that commonly accompany a city of San Francisco's size.
By public transit
San Francisco has one of the most comprehensive public transportation systems in the United States, and is expanding its network with a regional transportation hub in SoMa and a new subway line going under downtown. Transport services within San Francisco are provided by several agencies, but transferring between them is easy now with a Clipper Card. Clipper is accepted on essentially every transit system you'll encounter:
Muni
Again, this is the main system you'll use when you're in the city. Muni consists of several types of trains and buses:
San Francisco travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit San Francisco?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit San Francisco is August to October, when average daytime highs are around 69°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
What is the weather like in San Francisco?
October is usually the warmest month in San Francisco, with average highs of 69°F (21°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 47°F (8°C). The wettest month is typically December, with about 186 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to San Francisco?
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the closest airport, about 11 miles (18 km) from the centre of San Francisco.
How much are flights to San Francisco?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to San Francisco in the last 30 days was $566 from London, travelling 14 Feb – 20 Feb. February is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $566.
What time zone is San Francisco in?
San Francisco uses the America/Los_Angeles time zone (currently UTC−8). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around San Francisco?
Cross streets. San Francisco streets are numbered (100 per block) from the beginning of the street, and even and odd numbers are always on opposite sides. In the absence of GPS navigation, it is best when getting an address to also ask for a cross street or neighborhood name.
What are the best places to visit in San Francisco?
Top sights in San Francisco include Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate Park and Chinatown. The famous orange suspension bridge spanning the entrance to San Francisco Bay; walk or bike across it and see it from viewpoints on both sides.
What are the top things to do in San Francisco?
Popular experiences you can book in San Francisco include Skyline Sightseeing San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off and Alcatraz, San Francisco CityPASS® - Access to 4 Attractions and Bridge to Bridge Cruise. Destina Holidays offers 96 tours and activities here.
Where should I stay in San Francisco?
Popular areas for hotels in San Francisco include Union Square Area, Fishermans Wharf and San Francisco Airport. Well-reviewed options include Axiom Hotel San Francisco and Hotel Zephyr San Francisco.
How many hotels can I book in San Francisco?
Destina Holidays currently lists 423 properties in and around San Francisco, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
