There’s so much crammed into San Francisco’s little peninsula! San Francisco’s progressive atmosphere, blend of historic sites and eclectic cultural scene make it a wonderful place to visit for all types of travelers. From gorgeous landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge to incredible food in Chinatown and historic spots like Haight-Ashbury, you could spend a lifetime exploring SF. This San Francisco travel guide will help you make a memorable trip to the City by the Bay!
✈ Best time to travel to San Fransisco: September and October are historically the warmest months in San Francisco, so I recommend visiting during late summer or early fall.
While it rarely gets very cold in San Francisco, there does tend to be regular rain between November and March.
San Francisco’s mild climate features warm but not unpleasant summer days and rainy winters, although the city is famous for the fog, that often rolls in from the Pacific.
✈ Tip: Typically, there can be significant weather differences in parts of San Francisco because of the city’s large hills and maritime location. Even on a sunny day, things can get chilly! Your best bet is to always carry a jacket, no matter what season.
HOW TO GET TO SAN FRANSISCO
The flight time from Amsterdam to San Fransisco is approximately 11 hours with KLM, which is a direct flight. You can also choose to go to Los Angeles and drive towards San Fransisco. Which is a beautiful drive a long route 1.
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✈ Airport transfer: Try Uber, this saves a lot of money!
✈ Parking: Are you still looking for a cheap parking space at Schiphol? Then make sure you reserve your parking space online as soon as possible. It is cheaper to arrange this early in advance and you can often cancel it up to a few days before departure. Always check the conditions on the website. We recommend Parkos for Eindhoven, Maastricht and Rotterdam.
WHERE TO STAY
The prices between three- and four-star hotels are on average not that far apart, while the additional price for a five-star hotel is often considerably higher. This is mainly because the highest segment is mainly used by business travelers, where the hotel bill is often paid by the employer. During the weekends you can often get a better deal for these hotels, but during the week you pay around three hundred euros per night for a standard double room in a five-star hotel. For a three-star or four-star accommodation, the average price is between 120 and 200 euros per night. It often varies a lot which hotel it is and when you travel. The location also matters a lot. In popular neighborhoods such as Fisherman’s Wharf, the heart of San Francisco (around Union Square) and Downtown San Francisco you often pay more than in other places.
Personally, we find the hotels located just south of Pier 43 1/2 very convenient. From here, Fisherman’s Wharf is within walking distance (5 minutes to Pier 43 1/2 to fifteen minutes to the popular Pier 39), putting entertainment, restaurants and shops within walking distance. The boarding point of the cable tram to Chinatown and the center is also within a five-minute walk.
WHAT TO DO IN SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco is separated into many different districts and neighborhoods; each offering a unique flavor of the city! The most popular communities worth visiting are:
GOLDEN GATE
Named after the iconic bridge, visiting the Golden Gate Bridge is another thing every visitor to the city will want to do. Renting a bicycle is a great way to cross the bridge to Sausalito and enjoy the spectacular views. Be warned: This is not a cycling trip for the faint of heart– you will work up a sweat! Be sure to make time for lunch in Sausalito. And, if you’re not up for the ride back, don’t worry. You can catch the ferry or take a taxi back (there are taxis with bike racks usually waiting in the ferry parking lot).
Some of the loveliest residential areas are located here, as well as some former military posts – Fort Mason and the Presidio. Visit “The Marina” neighborhood for fancier bars, restaurants, high-end fitness studios and more.
FISHERMAN’S WHARF
Another popular district for visitors, there are no longer fishing fleets operating here, but several museums and historic ships can be explored. Two great hubs in the city where shopping, restaurants and entertainment venues are brought together to make for excellent areas for visitors. For the kids it’s got a carousel, arcade, a mirror maze, and tons of snacks and food. You can even walk out and look at the sea lions basking in the sun.
✈ Note that the boat to Alcatraz Island also departs from this district. While Alcatraz is an interesting attraction during the day, joining one of the tours around the facility at night includes views of a wonderful Sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge, along with a unique look at the most famous prison in the United States.
CHINATOWN/ NORTH BEACH:
San Francisco is home to the largest Chinatown outside Asia and is a great place for shopping and eating. With beautiful Chinese architecture, a wonderful atmosphere and the beautiful Chinatown Gate this is a great area to explore.
Walk up Grant Avenue and you’ll be able to see the whole length of Chinatown. There are a ton of things to see and do here: a matcha cafe, anime shops, tons of restaurants. Definitely a fun place to find souvenirs!
Take the Cable Car to Chinatown. his is such an iconic thing to do and I would highly recommend it.
From where you get off on Bush Street, it’s about one or two blocks over to Dragon Gate, which is essentially the entrance to Chinatown (truly you can enter from so many different streets, but the Dragon Gate is iconic).
✈ Tip: To avoid lines, you can prepay for your Cable Car ride using MuniMobile® (it allows you to buy tickets with credit/debit, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay).
North Beach is also home to the Italian district. A walk down Filbert Street is a great introduction to the area.
THE MISSION:
Home to cool kids, colorful cafes, and cultural cuisine, The Mission is the best district to soak up some local flavor.
Union Square & Financial District: At the heart of the city, this area is a popular place for visitors with great shopping and theaters in the city, along with a selection of great restaurants and bars.
TWIN PEAKS & LAKE MERCED
On the southern portion of the peninsula, this attractive area has distinctive peaks that give it its name. There is some good hiking around Lake Merced and the San Francisco Zoo is also a great place to visit for families.
✈ Tip: Although San Francisco is set in a relatively small area, at some point or another, you’ll need a taxi. Uber or Lyft are easiest (and most affordable) for hailing a car, so be sure to download your favorite to your smartphone before arriving.
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