Destination Guide - San Francisco

  • Alamo SquareSan Francisco City HallTraditional San Fran cable carSan Fran Ferry Building Clock Tower
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The Golden Gate Bridge makes San Francisco instantly recognisable, though it is just one of the many symbols that make up this abstract city. Arguably, it’s the people who give San Fran its vibrancy. Wander the Golden Gate Park and do a bit of people watching to become ensconced in the creative culture, then peruse more galleries than you can poke a paint brush at. Be sure to take a traditional cable car ride and explore the eclectic mix of neighbourhoods to get a true sense of the San Francisco vibe. The undulating streets are bursting with cafés and sweet boutiques and captivating people.

The Basics

Currency: US Dollar (US$)
Population: 808,000
Time zone: -8 Pacific Time
Daylight savings: Start of April to end of October
Language: English
Country code: +1
Area code: 415
Electricity voltage: 110V
Electricity hz: 60Hz
Electrical plugs: American-style plug with two parallel flat blades above a circular grounding pin, Japanese-style plug with two parallel flat blades
Mobile network: GSM

Highlights

  • Golden Gate Bridge
  • Golden Gate Park
  • Cable cars
  • Chinatown

Events

Weather

In summer (June to August) temperatures average 25-30°C while in winter (December to February) the average is a chilly 5°C. Autumn (September to November) is the recommended time to visit.

Getting there and around

The cable car is both a tourist highlight and great way to see the city. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system is an efficient train network. There are also bus, ferry taxi and hire car options.

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Travel Insider San Francisco suggestions

Insider City Guide

Spring offerings, San Francisco
San Francisco: Flowers in your hair

The streets of San Francisco have gone from mean to jolly green with chic eco venues and the city’s enviro-warriors on patrol.

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Accommodation

Golden Gate bridge, San Francisco
San Francisco: Sleeping beauties

From luxe Egyptian cotton to organic, there are many ways to slip between the sheets in San Francisco.

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Further reading

Here are some suggestions for more destinations around California and the West Coast USA.

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  • Carried Away SF. Without doubt the best value personalised tour of San Francisco. A quirky tour perfectly sited for a quirky ciy. Cannot recommend highly enough www.carriedawaysf.com
    tourist 2011 19 Sep 2011
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