San Francisco
"The City by the Bay"
BEST TIME TO GO
San Francisco’s climate is mild and temperate all year long.
While the city can be windy and foggy,
temperatures rarely rise above 21° C or fall below 5° C. The warmest months to visit are between August and October.
GENERAL INFORMATION
San Francisco, one of the world’s most famous cities, is filled with a diverse range of activities making it an ideal year-round destination. The city is made up of 78 square kilometres of long boulevards, curvy streets, hidden alleyways and lots of hills.
San Francisco has some of the most iconic attractions - cable cars, the stunning Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, mysterious Alcatraz Island, bustling Chinatown and charming Victorian architecture.
We also encourage you to look beyond these icons and discover a city that boasts vibrant and eclectic neighbourhoods, nightlife, magnificent shopping, outstanding museums and theaters.
TRAVEL TIPS
San Francisco is a popular convention destination, so it’s often better to visit during the weekend, when there’s less business travel. During the week, you can visit other incredible Northern California destinations, such as Sonoma County, Lake Tahoe, or Yosemite.
San Francisco weather can change by the hour, so the best things visitors can do are pack layers and be sure to have a light jacket for cool evenings.
If you want to visit the island prison of Alcatraz, book two to three months in advance as this popular attraction sells out fast!
You can also find a variety of tours with Alcatraz add-ons, which are a great way
to bundle this attraction with another experience and often enables people to book slightly closer to their arrival date into San Francisco.
Once you’ve seen the major attractions of Alcatraz and Fisherman’s Wharf, get out into the unique and eclectic neighbourhoods of San Francisco.
This dynamic destination has a lot to offer and visitors can return time and time again for completely different experiences each time.
Venture through the Mission District, Castro, North Beach (San Francisco’s Little Italy), the Presidio, Haight Ashbury, and SOMA connect with locals and experience the best of this remarkable city.
KEY ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES
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Alcatraz Island
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Golden Bridge
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Chinatown
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Fisherman’s Wharf
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Golden Gate Park
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Coit Tower
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Haight Ashbury
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Castro
HOW TO GET AROUND
Muni is San Francisco’s bus and metro system that runs throughout the city, operating buses,
trains, cable cars and the F-line heritage streetcar.
Visitor Passports and CityPASS are useful if you are staying for more than one day, as they
provide 3-day unlimited rides on Muni, Muni Metro, historic streetcars and cable cars.
There are multiple locations throughout the city where you may purchase tickets and day passes.
These passes also include access to a variety of attractions throughout the city.
You can download the MuniMobile app on your phone and buy transport passes through the app, whichnyou can simply show the cable car or bus drivers throughout the city when you board.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT san francisco
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San Francisco and the Bay Area have now have more Michelin stars than any other US city
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San Francisco has the second largest Chinatown outside of Asia. Its also the oldest in North America and its the most densely populated neighbourhood in the city with more than 100,000 people living there.
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The fortune cookie was created here and you can visit the Golden Gate
Fortune Cookie Factory during your visit.
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San Francisco is home to the largest competition of American wines in the world. The Chronicle Wine Competition is held annually every February.
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San Francisco has one of only three Japantowns in the United States. Head there for fresh Japanese cuisine followed by a live music performance in the nearby Fillmore District.
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The Beatles last concert was held in San Francisco at the (now closed) Candlestick Park.
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Janis Joplin lived across the street from the Grateful Dead in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury
neighbourhood during the late 60s/early 70s. You can visit their houses on any number of tours
through the area.
LUXURY HOTELS TO STAY
get $50* off when booking hotel with
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Located at the apex of Nob Hill, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco is a stunning property with everything a loved-up couple could want. The hotel takes up residence in a circa-1909 landmark building that sits right in the centre of one of San Fran’s most romantic neighbourhoods.
The hotel also boasts the city's largest Club Lounge serving nibbles and drinks, including a caviar cart from 6 to 7 PM on Saturday nights
The Ritz-Carlton
St. Regis
Elegant and modern, the St. Regis Francisco perfectly melds style with sublime service.
You're within walking distance of SFMOMA, Union Square, Chinatown, and the waterfront Embarcadero.
Lovers of drama will appreciate the daily afternoon champagne sabering. There’s also a 9,000-square-foot Remède Spa on-property, complete with steam room, sauna, relaxation lounges, pool, and massage and facials treatments, as well as champagne in the relaxation rooms.
Situated in San Francisco, Hotel Zetta San Francisco is a short walk from Union Square.
Rooms feature premium amenities, such as coffee makers, iPod docking stations and luxury toiletries. Each have a flat-screen TV, a mini bar and a private bathroom with bathrobes.
Hotel Zetta San Francisco features both a restaurant and a bar where guests are able to unwind at the end of the day. Alternatively, there is a large choice of international restaurants nearby.
HOTTEST restaurants RIGHT NOW
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GREEK DINING
One of the most enchanting dinner destinations in the city, Kokkari Estiatorio offers a refined yet cosy ambience that sets the mood for a perfectly picturesque evening. Fresh, seasonal ingredients are carefully combined to create Mediterranean delights like moussaka, zucchini cakes and grilled lamb chops. There are plenty of suitable wine pairings, as well, no matter what menu item you choose. The traditional walnut and honey baklava is a must for dessert.
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Fine dining restaurant
The superstar chef, the winner of numerous culinary awards including a Michelin star.
signature dishes such as his trademark glazed oysters with lettuce cream, salsify and osetra caviar. Danko's French-California cuisine changes seasonally, but often includes variations on juniper-crusted game, lobster salad and desserts flambéed tableside.
It's pricey, but worth ponying up for the five-course tasting menu.
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ASIAN - CASUAL DINING
it's best known for delicious bao, siu mai, har gow, xiao long bao, shrimp toast, steamed pork ribs, and noodles. Order several things from the menu, dim-sum–style, and wash it all down with either an Asian or local beer, before ordering some sweet buns for dessert.
Dumpling Time is really all about the food. Buns come in five classic Chinese and Japanese varieties, filled with either meat, fish or vegetables.
day tours to book before to leave
San Francisco Super Saver: Muir Woods & Wine Country
Combine a visit to Northern California wine country with a Muir Woods experience for a truly fabulous day out. This Super Saver provides two popular tours at one discount price, allowing you to see and taste the delights of Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties. You’ll begin with a walk through Muir Woods National Monument with an informative guide to stare up in wonder at the towering redwood trees. Then you'll visit three wineries, with wine-tasting included. You’ll also cross the Golden Gate Bridge and have free time on Sonoma Plaza to buy lunch if you haven't opted to upgrade to the lunch option.
From:
$205
Alcatraz and One Day Bike Rental
Get two classic San Francisco experiences—a bike ride starting at Fisherman’s Wharf and a visit to the notorious prison island of Alcatraz—in one combined tour package. Take a scenic ferry ride to Alcatraz Island, where you can explore at your own pace with a self-guided audio tour. Use the flexible one-day bike rental on the day of your choosing and enjoy a safe ride with a helmet included.
From:
$123
Small-Group Yosemite in a Day Tour from San Francisco
Travel by minibus from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park on a small-group day trip to one of the most visually stunning places on earth—considered the crown jewel of America’s national parks. This full-day itinerary takes you through the orchards of the Central Valley to Yosemite Valley, stopping first for a stroll through a grove of giant sequoias. You’ll find plenty of photo ops of Half Dome, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls! Numbers are limited to 15 passengers to ensure a personalized experience with your knowledgeable guide.
From:
$250
travel planner personal insight
One of the United States most cosmopolitan cities would have to be San Francisco. A perfect harbour destination as a stopover or holiday spot. Qantas and United fly direct daily from Sydney. Virgin Australia, Delta and American Airlines have perfect onward connections from Los Angeles.
There is something for everyone in this incredible city. Of course, it is known for its very hilly neighbourhoods and the iconic Golden Gate bridge. This is one of the world’s engineering marvels. It is beautiful to look at but walking it is magical. The beaches at the bottom are stunning to soak up the summer sun if you happen to be in town over their summer months. Each visit I love to spend a morning in and around the Bay Area before finding somewhere to stop around Pier 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf. Boudin Bakery and Café is a perfect spot to refuel with their famous Clam Chowder served in a scrumptious fresh sourdough bowl. This entire area is a tourist hot spot but it’s upbeat and fun and a must to see. From here you might like to take a cruise to the home to some of America’s most notorious criminals at Alcatraz. The presence of infamous inmates, like Al “Scarface” Capone and the “Birdman” Robert Stroud, helped to establish the Island’s notoriety. Yet, many people are unaware of the historical significance before and after it was one of the world’s most legendary prisons.
One of Instagram’s most famous photos in the city is from Lombard Street, this is famous for being the curviest street in the world! The Painted Ladies are colourful Victorian homes in a row and is one of the must-see things to do in San Francisco due to their history and beauty and similar to what was seen in the opening of the 90s sitcom, ‘Full House’. Golden Gate Park is another city treasure and a must to see. Many don’t know that it is bigger than Central Park, New Yorkers don’t like this fact! Everyone’s a thing, that’s ok, but you should visit the park if you are here in San Francisco. It is also the home of two fascinating museums - California Academy of Science or DeYoung Museum. Two places to easily get lost in!
If you like art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is an unforgettable visit home to one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the United States. Stroll through our outdoor sculpture garden, experience our thirty-foot living wall, refuel in one of three energising eateries, and take in incredible views. A must is to hop on one of the city’s historic trolley cars. A must is to get on the Embarcadero (you're looking for the F line) and you can ride it all the way to the Castro. The Castro District has something for everyone, from glorious bay views to scores of stores with locally made goods and sing-along musicals in one of the oldest movie palaces still operating in the city. It’s pretty much impossible to confuse the Castro with any other part of San Francisco. The rainbow banners hanging from the street lights help identify it immediately. From the Castro, you can walk to the Haight, the birthplace of America's counter-culture, it was Ground Zero during the summer of 1967. This is an amazing hub for vintage and hippie fashion! If you haven’t been – it is time to experience this unique and special city!
Aaron Media for Luxury Travel Planner
