Blog
San Francisco travel guides
Short answers to the questions people ask before and during a San Francisco trip, with the tours and hotels that fit when you are ready to book.
San Francisco Ferry Terminal: Which Pier for Which Boat
The San Francisco ferry terminal you need depends on the boat you want, because the city has three main ones.
Ferry Building in San Francisco: A 5-Step Visit Guide
The Ferry Building in San Francisco is a ferry terminal and food hall at the foot of Market Street.
Alcatraz Escape: What Happened in 1962
The Alcatraz escape of June 1962 is the most famous breakout from the island prison.
All guides
-
SFO to Downtown San Francisco: BART, Taxi or Rideshare
The fastest way from SFO to downtown San Francisco is BART, a train that takes about 30 minutes and stops at four downtown stations.
-
San Francisco Best Food: 7 Dishes to Try
The best food San Francisco offers is sourdough with clam chowder, cioppino, a Mission burrito, dim sum and fresh Dungeness crab.
-
San Francisco Weather Month by Month: What to Pack
San Francisco weather month by month stays mild all year, with normal highs from about 58 °F in winter to 70 °F in September.
-
San Francisco Neighborhoods: Where to Visit and Stay
The best neighborhoods in San Francisco for a first visit are Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown and North Beach, Haight-Ashbury and the Mission District.
-
Clipper Card: How to Pay for Muni
A Clipper card is the reloadable tap card that pays for Muni, BART, ferries and cable cars in San Francisco.
-
Sutro Baths: A 6-Step Guide
The Sutro Baths are the concrete ruins of a huge swimming palace from 1894.
-
Muir Woods Parking: How the Reservation Works
Muir Woods parking has to be reserved online before you drive, and a standard car reservation costs $10.
-
Twin Peaks San Francisco: 8 Viewpoints Ranked
Twin Peaks San Francisco is worth a visit if you want the widest free view of the city.
-
San Francisco Cable Car Map: Lines, Fares, Where to Board
A San Francisco cable car map shows three lines, and two of them, Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason.
-
San Francisco to Napa: A Step-by-Step Guide
San Francisco to Napa is about 50 miles, and you can make the trip on your own by car.
-
How Far Is San Francisco to Yosemite: Car, Train or Tour
How far San Francisco to Yosemite is by road comes to about 195 miles (314 km).
-
San Francisco at Night: Seven Ideas for After Dark
San Francisco at night is best for a bay cruise, an Alcatraz night tour, a ghost walk or a city viewpoint.
-
San Francisco Itinerary: A 3-Day Plan by Area
A good San Francisco itinerary groups each day by area, so three days cover the main sights without crossing the city twice.
-
How Far San Francisco to Monterey: Routes and Stops
How far San Francisco to Monterey is about 120 miles, and the drive takes roughly two hours on the fastest road.
-
Is San Francisco Safe: A Step-by-Step Guide
San Francisco is safe for most visitors, and the visitor advice from official sources is mostly about theft.
-
Best Time to Visit San Francisco: Season by Season
The best time to visit San Francisco is September or October.
-
Free Things to Do in San Francisco: Eight Picks
Free things to do in San Francisco include walking the Golden Gate Bridge.
-
Family Friendly Things to Do in San Francisco: Eight Picks
Family friendly things to do in San Francisco include the California Academy of Sciences, the sea lions at Pier 39.
-
Is San Francisco Worth Visiting: A Step-by-Step Guide
Yes, San Francisco is worth visiting if you want famous sights, sea views and walkable hills.
-
Rainy Day Things to Do in San Francisco: 7 Indoor Picks
The best rainy day things to do in San Francisco are indoor museums, a covered food hall and a Chinatown tasting walk.
-
Romantic Things to Do in San Francisco: 8 Date Ideas
The best romantic things to do in San Francisco are a sunset cruise on the bay.
-
Things to Do in San Francisco in Winter: 7 Ideas
The best things to do in San Francisco in winter are indoor museums, ice skating.