Flights to San Francisco
Ride BART from SFO straight to Market Street, then climb to Coit Tower, cross the Golden Gate on foot and eat your way from the Ferry Building to the Mission.
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Time zone
- Pacific Time (PT), UTC−8 / UTC−7 in summer
- Plug type
- Type A / B (120 V, 60 Hz)
- Main airport
- SFO – San Francisco International
Overview
San Francisco packs an outsized amount into roughly seven by seven miles. The Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio sit at the northern tip, Fisherman's Wharf and Alcatraz ferries line the bay, and the steep streets of Nob Hill and Russian Hill are best tackled on a cable car. Each neighborhood has its own personality: Chinatown along Grant Avenue, the painted Victorians of Alamo Square, the murals of Balmy Alley in the Mission and the rainbow crosswalks of the Castro.
Golden Gate Park stretches three miles to Ocean Beach and holds the de Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences and the Japanese Tea Garden. The Ferry Building Marketplace on the Embarcadero is a showcase for Northern California produce, cheese and oysters, and Napa and Sonoma wine country is an easy day trip north.
The weather is famously changeable: fog can roll through the western neighborhoods while the Mission stays sunny, so pack layers any time of year. San Francisco International is the main gateway and United's Pacific hub, and Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport across the bay is a handy alternative. Both connect to BART, and Muni buses, streetcars and cable cars cover the city.
Highlights of San Francisco
Walk or bike the Golden Gate Bridge
Start at the Welcome Center on the San Francisco side and cross to Vista Point, or ride on to Sausalito and return by ferry.
Alcatraz Island
Ferries leave from Pier 33; the audio tour of the former federal penitentiary is narrated by former inmates and guards.
Ride a cable car
The Powell–Hyde line climbs Russian Hill with bay views before dropping to Aquatic Park near Fisherman's Wharf.
Ferry Building Marketplace
Graze on local oysters, cheese and bread on the Embarcadero, with a farmers market outside on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Golden Gate Park
Visit the California Academy of Sciences and the de Young, then walk west through the park to Ocean Beach.
Where to stay
Union Square & SoMa
Hotels, shopping, SFMOMA and direct BART access to SFO; best for first-timers and conference-goers.
North Beach
Italian cafés, City Lights Bookstore and Coit Tower close by, and within walking distance of the waterfront; suits food lovers and walkers.
Mission District
Sunny microclimate, taquerias, Dolores Park and BART stations on Mission Street; good for younger travelers and nightlife.
Marina & Cow Hollow
Upscale, residential feel near the Presidio, Crissy Field and the Golden Gate Bridge; great for runners and families.
Airports and getting into town
From SFO, take the AirTrain to the BART station at the International Terminal; trains reach Civic Center, Powell and Montgomery stations in about 30 minutes. From Oakland, the automated BART connector runs to Coliseum station, where you change for San Francisco-bound trains for a total trip of roughly 35–45 minutes. Taxis and rideshare from SFO to Union Square usually take 25–40 minutes. From San José, the VTA Airport Flyer connects to Caltrain, and the train ride north to 4th and King takes around an hour or more.
Best time to visit
September and October are often the warmest, clearest months, and the city's festival season includes Fleet Week in early October and free Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park. Spring brings wildflowers and green hills. Summer is peak tourist season but often cool and foggy, especially near the ocean, while Outside Lands fills Golden Gate Park in August. Winter is mild and brings most of the rain.
Airlines flying to San Francisco
Popular routes to San Francisco
Travel tips from our desk
- Book Alcatraz tickets well ahead through the official concessioner, especially for summer and night tours.
- Tap a contactless card or phone, or use a Clipper card, on Muni, BART and cable cars instead of paying cash.
- Don't leave anything visible in a parked car; vehicle break-ins are a well-known problem in tourist areas.
- Pack a warm layer year-round: summer afternoons at the Golden Gate Bridge or Ocean Beach can feel cold and windy.
Related destinations
United States
Flights to United States
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Los Angeles
Beaches, studios and world-class museums spread across a sunny basin, served by LAX plus handy Burbank and Long Beach airports.
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Miami
Beaches, Art Deco, Cuban coffee and Latin American culture, with direct rail from MIA and a second gateway at Fort Lauderdale.
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New York
Three airports, 24-hour subway, and five boroughs of museums, Broadway, parks and food that never runs out of new corners to explore.
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Toronto
Canada's biggest city: CN Tower views, food from every corner of the world, and an island airport a walk from downtown.
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Vancouver
Mountains meet the Pacific: Stanley Park, Granville Island and Whistler day trips, with SkyTrain straight from YVR to downtown.
Explore Vancouver →Flights to San Francisco — frequently asked questions
Which airport should I use for San Francisco?
SFO is the closest and has the most flights. Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport is a good alternative, especially for the East Bay, and San José suits Silicon Valley.
When is the best time to visit San Francisco?
September and October usually bring the warmest, clearest weather. Summer is busy and often foggy, and winter brings the rain.
How do I get from SFO to downtown?
BART runs directly from SFO's International Terminal to downtown stations in about 30 minutes. The AirTrain connects all terminals to the BART station.
Do I need a car in San Francisco?
No. Muni, BART and cable cars cover the city, and parking is difficult. Rent a car only for day trips to wine country or the coast.
Are the cable cars practical transportation?
They're mostly a scenic experience. Lines are long at the Powell and Market turnaround, so try boarding at a stop further up the hill.
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