Golden Gate Bridge above San Francisco Bay

San Francisco

Seven miles by seven, hills, fog and the most walkable city in the west.

Photo: Unknown (See source)

Currency
US dollar (USD)
Cards accepted almost everywhere
Emergency number
911
Police, Ambulance, Fire
Advisory level
Normal precautions
Global Affairs Canada and 1 other government
Language
English
Local transport
Muni & BART
Clipper card taps on everything
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Severe Thunderstorm Warning — Barbour, WV; Lewis, WV; Randolph, WV; Upshur, WV

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued October 16 at 2:59PM EDT until October 16 at 3:30PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

Flood Warning — Brewster, TX

Flood Warning issued October 16 at 1:59PM CDT until October 18 at 10:32AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Freeze Warning — Winnebago; Boone; McHenry; Ogle; Lee; De Kalb; Kane

Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:59PM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

Good to know

To enter or transit through the US, you must have either an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) or a visa. The US State Department has more information on visas…

To enter the US, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay. If you’re travelling through another country on your way to or from the US, check the entry requirements for that country…

The US Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveller Program (TTP) Global Entry allows pre-approved, low-risk travellers expedited clearance at some US airports. If you’re a British citizen, you can register to get a UK background check…

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the US. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Exercise normal security precautions. Latest change: The Health section was updated - travel health information (Public Health Agency of Canada).

Exercise normal security precautions. Latest change: Risk levels section – removed the advisory to avoid non-essential travel to the Northern Gulf coast…

Bring a warm layer whatever the month. Summer afternoons on the coast sit around 14 degrees with wind.

BART runs from the airport into downtown in about 30 minutes and beats a taxi in traffic.

Alcatraz tickets sell out weeks ahead in summer and are only genuine from the official ferry operator.

The city is steep. Cable cars and the 49 bus save your legs between Nob Hill and the waterfront.

Local knowledge

Contributed by guides, operators and creators on the ground. Community advice, kept separate from official sources.

Book the first Alcatraz ferry

The 8.45am sailing gets you on the island before the crowd and the audio tour is far better without a queue behind you.

Local guideBay City Guides

Frequently asked questions

Three days covers Alcatraz, the Golden Gate, the Mission and a hill or two. Add a day for Muir Woods or wine country.

No, and it is a liability. Parking is expensive and break ins are frequent. Use Muni, BART and rideshare.

Two to three weeks in shoulder season and up to two months for summer and holidays.

Very, if you accept hills. The core neighbourhoods are within 40 minutes on foot of each other.

To enter or transit through the US, you must have either an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) or a visa. Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

To enter the US, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay. Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s US guide. Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the US. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. Source: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

For tour operators

Run tours in San Francisco? Publish them everywhere from one place.

Tourpublish takes the tours already in your reservation system and publishes them to your website, social channels, messaging apps, AI assistants and marketplaces.

Sources and freshness

Travel information last reviewed 16 October 2026. Compiled from U.S. Department of State, IATA Timatic, Open-Meteo and Tourpublish Travel Intelligence. Always confirm entry rules and safety guidance with official government sources before you travel.

Advisories, entry rules and alerts apply to United States as a whole.

Aggregated from official sources. Content is never rewritten — always display the publisher, publication time and original source link.

Photography: Unknown (See source); Unknown (See source); Unknown (See source).