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City guide

San Francisco, California

San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with a population of 826,079 in 2025. S.

Type CityPopulation 826,079

Why go

  • City and county in California, US.
  • 16 curated must-see attractions on record, including Union Square.
  • 1 hand-picked place to stay.
  • 1 recommended spot to eat and drink.
  • Served by San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

History

San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with a population of 826,079 in 2025. Among U.S. cities with a population of 200,000 or more, San Francisco is ranked first by per capita income, third by population density, and sixth by aggregate income as of 2024. Some 4.6 million residents live in the city's metropolitan statistical area, which is the 13th-largest in the United States. Around 9.2 million live in the San Jose–San Francisco–Oakland combined statistical area, the fifth-largest in the United States.

Must-see attractions

Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, San Francisco, California · nps.gov
Outdoor
Skyline Blvd & Harding Rd, San Francisco, CA 94132 · sfparksalliance.org
Outdoor
844 W Orange Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080 · calclub.org
Outdoor
900 North Point Street, San Francisco, CA · ghirardellisq.com
Outdoor
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA 94129 · goldengatebridgestore.org
Outdoor
Steiner St &, Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94117 · sftravel.com
Outdoor

105 more attractions in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Where to stay

Indoor
hotel · 950 Mason Street, San Francisco, 94108 · fairmont.com
Indoor
hotel · wi-fi · 125 3rd Street, San Francisco, 94103 · marriott.com
Indoor
hotel · non-smoking · 757 Market Street, San Francisco, 94103 · fourseasons.com
Indoor
hotel · step-free access · 999 California Street, San Francisco, 94108 · ihg.com
Indoor
hotel · wi-fi · 888 Howard Street, San Francisco, 94103 · intercontinentalsanfrancisco.com
Indoor
hotel · 345 Stockton Street, San Francisco, 94108 · sanfrancisco.grand.hyatt.com
Indoor
hotel · 600 Stockton Street, San Francisco, 94108 · ritzcarlton.com
Indoor
hotel · 515 Mason Street, San Francisco, 94102
Indoor
hotel · 340 Stockton Street
Indoor
hotel · 333 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco, 94102 · www3.hilton.com
Indoor
hotel · 750 Kearny Street, San Francisco, 94108 · www3.hilton.com
Indoor
hotel · 5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, 94111 · sanfrancisco.regency.hyatt.com
Indoor
hotel · wi-fi · 780 Mission Street, San Francisco, 94103 · marriott.com
Indoor
hotel · step-free access · 181 3rd Street, San Francisco, 94103 · marriott.com
Indoor
hotel · step-free access · 1075 California Street, San Francisco, 94108 · thehuntingtonhotel.com
Indoor
hotel · air conditioning · 335 Powell Street, San Francisco, 94102 · marriott.com
Indoor
hotel · 901;905 California Street · stanfordcourt.com
Indoor
hotel · wi-fi · 495 Geary Street, San Francisco, 94102 · sonesta.com
Indoor
hotel · step-free access · 1100 Market Street · properhotel.com
Indoor
hotel · wi-fi · 562 Sutter Street, San Francisco, 94102 · viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
Indoor
hotel · wi-fi · 250 Beach Street, San Francisco, 94133 · hotelzephyrsf.com
Indoor
hotel · step-free access · 155 Steuart Street, San Francisco, 94105 · hotelgriffon.com
Indoor
hotel · wi-fi · 2500 Mason Street, San Francisco, 94133 · riu.com
Indoor
hotel · 2620 Jones Street · marriott.com
Indoor
hotel · 42 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco, 94129 · presidiolodging.com
Indoor
hotel · 725 Geary Street · luzhotelsf.com
Indoor
hotel · step-free access · 480 Sutter Street, San Francisco, 94108 · marriott.com
Indoor
hotel · wi-fi · 1075 Sutter Street, San Francisco, 94109 · jdvhotels.com
Indoor
hotel · step-free access · 386 Geary Street, San Francisco, 94102 · hotelgsanfrancisco.com
Indoor
hotel · step-free access · 342 Grant Avenue, San Francisco, 94108 · hoteltriton.com
Indoor
hotel · wi-fi · 55 5th Street, San Francisco, 94103 · zhotelssf.com
Indoor
hotel · wi-fi · 1353;1355 Bush Street · musiccitysf.org
Indoor
hotel · step-free access · 500 California Street, San Francisco, 94104 · omnihotels.com
Indoor
hotel · step-free access · 466 Bush Street, San Francisco, 94108 · theorchardgardenhotel.com
Indoor
hotel · non-smoking · 665 Bush Street, San Francisco, 94108 · theorchardhotel.com
Indoor
hostel · step-free access · 140 Mason Street, 94102 · foundhotels.com
Indoor
hotel · step-free access · 5000 Sierra Point Parkway, Brisbane, 94005 · hilton.com
Indoor
motel · 415 O'Farrell Street, San Francisco, 94102 · wyndhamhotels.com
Indoor
hotel · 620 Jones Street
Indoor
hotel · 550 Geary Street, San Francisco, 94102 · marriott.com
Indoor
hotel · 1250 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, 94133 · marriott.com
Indoor
hotel · 495 Jefferson Street, San Francisco, 94109 · argonauthotel.com
Indoor
hotel · 801 Bridgeway, Sausalito, 94965 · casamadrona.com
Indoor

254 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Eat & drink

Indoor

Restaurants & places to go

live jazz clubs, jazz restauarants, live jazz music, jazz lounges, craft cocktails, cocktail lounges · 400 Eddy St, San Francisco, CA, 94109 · blackcatsf.com
Indoor
Pier 39 seafood restaurants, Pier 39 restaurants, Pier 39 shrimp restaurants, shrimps · bubbagump.com
Indoor
nightclubs, lounges, VIP bottle service · luv-sf.com
Indoor
private social clubs, private clubs · thecoreclub.com
Indoor
600 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA · tartinebakery.com
Indoor
art gallery, art galleries · weinstein.com
Indoor
fine dining restaurants
Indoor
Indoor
Indoor
Indoor
Indoor

154 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) 10 mi to the centre
San Francisco, CA 94128 — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 42 airlines (United Airlines, Virgin America, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines…) · direct flights to 104 destinations incl. Atlanta, London, Los Angeles, New York, Seoul… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 42 airlines, 104 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Oakland International Airport (OAK) 12 mi to the centre
Oakland, CA, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 12 airlines (Southwest Airlines, AirTran Airways, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines…) · direct flights to 34 destinations incl. Honolulu, Kahului, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 12 airlines, 34 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
San Carlos Airport (SQL) 20 mi to the centre
San Carlos, CA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Half Moon Bay Airport (HAF) 18 mi to the centre
Half Moon Bay, CA, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Hayward Executive Airport (HWD) 19 mi to the centre
Hayward, CA, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor

Regional airports

Further out, but often the cheapest way in — the airports the low-cost carriers use. Each links to its own town's guide for getting from there into the city.

Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) 39 mi to the centre
San Jose, CA, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 15 airlines (Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, AirTran Airways…) · direct flights to 29 destinations incl. Los Angeles, Guadalajara, Denver, Kahului, Phoenix… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 39 mi from San Francisco · Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines · Getting around San Jose, California →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 15 airlines, 29 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor

Getting there by ferry

San Francisco Pier 48.5 (Chase Center Ferry Terminal)
Ferry terminal · 2.9 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Oracle Park Ferry Terminal
Ferry terminal · 3 mi from the centre
Outdoor
San Francisco Ferry Building
Ferry terminal · 3.4 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Red & White Fleet
Ferry terminal · 3.5 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Pier 41 Gate 2
Ferry terminal · 3.5 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Pier 41 Gate 1
Ferry terminal · 3.5 mi from the centre
Outdoor
San Francisco Pier 41 - San Francisco Ferry Building
Ferry route · Water Emergency Transportation Authority
Outdoor
San Francisco Bay Ferry: San Francisco Pier 41 => San Francisco Ferry Building
Ferry route · Water Emergency Transportation Authority
Outdoor
San Francisco Bay Ferry: San Francisco Ferry Building => San Francisco Pier 41
Ferry route · Water Emergency Transportation Authority
Outdoor
Alcatraz - Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing
Ferry route · Alcatraz Cruises, LLC
Outdoor
Treasure Island - San Francisco Ferry Building
Ferry route · PROP SF
Outdoor
Treasure Island Ferry: Treasure Island Ferry Terminal => San Francisco Ferry Building
Ferry route · PROP SF
Outdoor
Treasure Island Ferry: San Francisco Ferry Building => Treasure Island Ferry Terminal
Ferry route · PROP SF
Outdoor
Sausalito - San Francisco Ferry Building
Ferry route · Golden Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: SFO has direct flights to 104 destinations on 42 airlines (incl. Atlanta, London, Los Angeles, New York, Seoul…). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 12 mi (nearest: San Francisco Pier 48.5 (Chase Center Ferry Terminal), 2.9 mi); routes include San Francisco Pier 41 - San Francisco Ferry Building, San Francisco Bay Ferry: San Francisco Pier 41 => San Francisco Ferry Building, San Francisco Bay Ferry: San Francisco Ferry Building => San Francisco Pier 41.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for San Francisco, California. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Metro, bus, cable car · Muni Metro light rail, buses, streetcars and the cable cars. · Fares: Clipper card or contactless · Airport: BART from SFO to downtown in 30 min
Bus · San Mateo, California · Schedules & GTFS data

Trains & rail

Rail operator
Rail operator
National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Seven to eight hours down I-5; the overnight is popular. · Los Angeles, California guide →
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Jet card, management · Managed fleet across US bases · Locally based jet card and aircraft management with private terminals in ~20 US cities.
Helicopter, by-the-seat · Helicopters, seaplanes, jets via partners · By-the-seat helicopters Manhattan–JFK/Newark and the Hamptons; jet charter through partners.
Membership charter · King Air 350i, Citation, Hawker, Global · US membership and on-demand charter; Delta Air Lines is a major shareholder.
Semi-private scheduled · Embraer 135 (16 seats) · First-class-only scheduled flights from Van Nuys to Aspen, Sun Valley, Cabo and Europe in summer.
Charter, management, FBO · Managed fleet, light to ultra-long-range · Charter, management and FBOs at Van Nuys and Orange County; the original Hollywood jet operator.