San Francisco Travel & San Francisco International Airport
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San Francisco is in Northern California in the United States. It is one of the busiest and most widely visited cities in California, filled with food, culture, activities, nightlife and diverse ecosystems.
The climate is very moderate with a year-round average temperature of around 19 degrees Celsius. Although June to August are summer months in San Francisco, this time of year can be quite foggy, so always dress in layers when visiting San Francisco. A morning with light rain can easily turn into a beautiful and sunny afternoon!
San Francisco tends to be cheaper on the weekends when business travel is less common, so it’s a great pairing with other Northern California destinations (e.g., Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Lake Tahoe (including North Lake Tahoe), Mammoth Mountain, Sacramento, or Yosemite Mariposa County) that tend to be more affordable during the week.
As a key convention destination, pricing can fluctuate based on activities and meetings happening in the city, so always pay attention to the event calendar to score the best prices.
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is one of the biggest entry ports in the US for Australians & New Zealanders. Direct flights are available from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Auckland. Currently during COVID-19 there are daily flights from Sydney to San Francisco that are repatriation flights or for passengers that have gained exemption to travel.
San Francisco Travel usually participates in the annual Visit USA roadshow and/or the Visit California Roadshow that is held every two years. In addition, different agent events run throughout the year. If you are interested in attending any future events related to San Francisco, please register your interest.
There are many different ways to get around San Francisco therefore, you do not need a car unless you plan on going on some day trips outside of the city. Transportation in San Francisco includes city busses called Muni, the underground system BART, Ferries, Cable Cars and trams called Muni Metro. There are also various ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft.
Tipping is common practice in the US and part of our hospitality culture. Below is a general guide to follow:
Restaurants: 18-20%
Taxis: 10-15% (many taxis in the US aren’t equipped with credit card machines, so ask before you get in)
Tour guides: 20%
Bell desk: $2/bag
Valet: $2 when they bring your car around (nothing when you drop it off)
Valet loading luggage into your car: $2/bag
If hotel delivers anything to your room: $3
Housekeeping: $3/day on the bed
Courtesy shuttle: $2 per person/per bag
Doorman if they call you a cab: $2
San Francisco Travel’s website is a great resource for additional information.
On average, visitors stay in San Francisco for 4 to 5 nights. However depending on your pace of travel, you could stay for up to 2 weeks exploring all of the diverse neighbourhoods. To be able to see all of the main attractions i.e. Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate Park, Union Square, Lombard St and Chinatown, we would recommend 2 to 3 days alone just for this.
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Romantic Things To Do In San Francisco
There’s no shortage of incredible, romantic ways to spend your time in San Francisco. From sunset wine tasting to urban hiking, you’ll find something for every type of couple on this list.
150 Years of Cable Cars
2023 marks a major milestone in the history of San Francisco’s cable cars. For 150 years, these incredible (and charming!) feats of engineering have criss-crossed the city. Click here to learn more about how the city is celebrating this anniversary.
Where to Eat in Fisherman’s Wharf
Once a bustling waterfront where fishermen would unload heaps of Dungeness crab, Fisherman’s Wharf is now an attraction on every visitor’s itinerary. Home to world-famous Irish coffees, just-out-of-the-oven sourdough bread, and the cutest San Francisco residents—the sea lions—it’s no wonder it’s such a crowd-pleaser. It is also home to a number of delicious restaurants.
San Francisco Food Firsts
Did you know the Martini was invented in San Francisco?! Famous coffee, cocktails and more got their start in San Francisco. Find all the interesting food firsts that happened in the Bay Area.
29 Free Things to Do in San Francisco
World-class culture, natural beauty and that California disposition—what’s not to love about San Francisco? There’s plenty of things to do here, even if you’re on a shoestring budget. Here are some of our favourite free attractions, including the city’s most iconic experiences.
Golden Gate Park’s Hidden Treasures
Within its 1,000-plus acres, Golden Gate Park contains some of San Francisco’s most famous and most visited attractions. Everyone knows about museums like the California Academy of Sciences, de Young Museum or the Conservatory of Flowers and serene spaces like the Japanese Tea Garden and the San Francisco Botanical Gardens, but there is still plenty to see that you might not know about yet from dutch windmills to rainbow falls.
6 Secrets of San Francisco
Do you want to get beyond the Golden Gate Bridge, PIER 39, Alcatraz Island and other iconic San Francisco landmarks? Or are you a returning visitor who’s eager to discover something new about the city? Discover these unusual, unlikely, and all-around unforgettable secret attractions around San Francisco.
Best Spots to View the Golden Gate Bridge
From locations around the city and a brand new park, or even your hotel room, there are plenty of breathtaking Golden Gate Bridge vantage points in San Francisco. San Francisco Travel has rounded up their top picks!
With New Michelin Honors, San Francisco Retains its Culinary Crown
July’s prestigious 2023 MICHELIN Guide California awards made one thing clear: San Francisco remains the culinary capital of the Golden State. The City by the Bay boasts 27 Michelin-starred restaurants, and the San Francisco Bay Area is now home to 50 of the 87 California restaurants awarded Michelin stars.
28 Things Not To Miss In San Francisco
The experiences that San Francisco offers run the gamut from iconic vistas, to historic neighbourhoods, hip boutique shops, to more delicious restaurants than we can count, and friendly wildlife (we’re looking at you, sea lions), to must-see museums.
2023’s Guide to Pride in San Francisco
When it comes to Pride celebrations, nobody does it quite like San Francisco—and in 2023, Pride is here for us to celebrate even better than last year. Looking back and moving forward – this year’s Pride celebration will see the return of San Francisco’s legendary Pride parade, along with many other favourites.
Always Iconic: San Fran Icons
Recognized around the world as being synonymous with San Francisco, these six legendary attractions should be at the top of any visitor’s itinerary. Each has its own fascinating history, offers multiple visitor experiences, and will wow your friends and followers with their photogenic beauty.
8 San Fran Eats You Need To Try In 2023
San Francisco is a culinary mecca on par with some of the greatest cities in the world. From San Francisco sourdough to the original Mission burrito, the City by the Bay offers a bevy of famous eats that you can’t experience anywhere else.
The real star of the Michelin Stars you need to visit this 2023
San Francisco is the city with the most Michelin stars in the world. read more…
St Patrick’s Day Parade
One of San Francisco’s largest annual parades and one of the longest-running parades in the U.S. is celebrated with live music, dancing, beverages, and traditional Irish cuisine. The theme of the 2024 St. Patrick’s Day Parade is UniteSF. The mission of UniteSF is to share St. Patrick’s Day with everyone: to unite, embrace, and honour all the unique cultural groups across this fine City. Join us for the fun!
KNBR/Giants FanFest
Fans can participate in an array of interactive games and displays on the Field, Promenade, and Club levels at the KNBR & Giants FanFest. Members of the Giants team will be on hand to sign autographs, pose for photos and participate in Q&A sessions. FanFest is FREE and open to the public.
Flower Bulb Day
Flower Bulb Day is coming to America! On March 4, 2023, a colourful display of more than 80,000 tulips will cover Union Square in Downtown SF. You are invited to visit the square and pick your own bunch of tulips. Flower power!
Noise Pop
Noise Pop Festival is a music and arts festival taking place across the San Francisco Bay Area. Now in its 31st year, Noise Pop Festival has transcended its roots as a one-night indie-rock showcase into a 10-day, multi-venue, multi-genre festival where you can discover some of the most promising up and coming artists from the worlds of indie rock, electronic, jazz, hip-hop and much more.
SF Indie Fest
The 26th anniversary of the San Francisco Independent Film Festival is back on February 8 to February 18, 2024. This year’s festival includes 55 shorts and 35 features from 15 countries. There are 34 films that are local to the Bay Area. These are incredible films you won’t find at the multiplex or on popular streaming services.
SF Sketch Fest
A nationally recognised comedy festival that mixes national headliners, local favourites and the best up-and-coming groups from throughout North America for a month of sketch, improv, stand-up and alternative comedy. A favourite with audiences, critics, and performers alike, the festival has grown substantially to become a highly anticipated artistic showcase that consistently delivers top quality comedic performances, tributes and panel discussions.
Cirque Du Soleil: Kooza
“Kooza” combines acrobatic performance and the art of clowning, while exploring fear, identity, recognition, and power. The Innocent’s journey brings him into contact with comic characters from an electrifying world full of surprises. Don’t miss the magic and get your tickets today.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Film w/ SF Symphony Orchestra
This 2000 adaptation brings Dr. Seuss’ children’s tale to life, with plenty of laughs for audiences of all ages. The hilarious Jim Carrey stars as the Grinch, who plans to ruin Christmas for the citizens of Whoville—will they manage to warm his icy heart? Enjoy this festive film on the big screen as the San Francisco Symphony performs the score live to picture.
The Nutcracker
Every year, America’s oldest ballet company presents Tchaikovsky’s beloved family classic, The Nutcracker. Experience the magical winter wonderland of toy soldiers, King of the Mice, Sugar Plum Fairy, and so much more. This dazzling production is a kaleidoscope of over 150 dancers accompanied by the SF Ballet Orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s beloved score.
San Francisco Turkey Trot
A beloved annual tradition returns this year with even more enthusiasm and community spirit. Scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, participants will lace up their running shoes to take part in the scenic 5K or 10K races, enjoying breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay and iconic landmarks along the way.
San Francisco Coffee Festival
Think about your ideal coffee event experience: this is it. Enjoy the best specialty roasters and coffee shops with unique beans, delicious snacks, and live entertainment, during this one-of-a-kind coffee culture experience.
San Francisco Fall Cider Fest
Raise your glass and sip your way through unlimited pours of 30+ ciders with flavors such as sweet honey-sage, spicy ginger, sour blood orange, and tropical hibiscus. Plus, savour all your fall favorites from the food trucks! Keep toasty at a firepit with some s’mores, challenge your friends to lawn games, dance to live music, or let your competitive side shine in an eating contest. It’s time to make some fall-tastic memories at The San Francisco Fall Cider Fest!
LEAP Sandcastle Classic
Teams comprised of architects, engineers, contractors, designers, corporations, and local elementary school students work together to build giant sand sculptures at the LEAP Sandcastle Classic. The funds raised by teams and sponsors make it possible for LEAP to continue to provide arts programs to Bay Area students.
Get Weird At SF’s How Weird Street Faire
Billed as a “street fair for the 21st century,” the How Weird Street Faire includes nine music stages over seven city blocks, food and vendors from around the world, and educational booths.
SF Brewer Weekend
Get a taste of the best local beers at SF Brewer Weekend’s main event, Brews on the Bay, a tasting event aboard the SS Jeremiah O’Brien at Pier 45.
Fleet Week San Francisco
Every October, San Francisco gives the Blue Angels permission to buzz the (Coit) tower during Fleet Week. This annual celebration of the brave men and women who have served their country includes a parade of ships, live music, and a breathtaking air show that features the most famous aerial acrobats in the nation, the Blue Angels.
Castro Street Fair
Many of San Francisco’s unique neighborhoods host their own annual fairs, showcasing local businesses and performances, and the Castro is no exception. In fact, the Castro Street Fair is one of the largest and is open to everyone, so put on your most colourful clothes and join in.
Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
This annual favourite will be returning to Golden Gate Park and welcoming gleeful music lovers from all over. With more than 80 artists performing at this celebration, you can hear country, soul, folk, and indie blues in a beautiful outdoor setting. And it’s free to attend! Come celebrate in San Francisco September 29-October 1, 2023.
The San Francisco Marathon Expo
Join the 24,000 runners from around the world representing 80 different countries in multiple different races, and experience the buzz of the atmosphere this July at the San Francisco Marathon Health and Fitness Expo, experience the best in running, health, and nutrition. (more…)
San Francisco’s 40th Summer SFJAZZ festival 2023
This year SFJAZZ celebrates its 40th anniversary and the 10th birthday of the SFJAZZ Center—the first stand-alone structure in the country built specifically for jazz. Located in San Francisco’s cultural corridor, SFJAZZ is presenting hundreds of concerts from artists and musicians that have inspired and guided the organization for decades.
The World’s Largest Dinosaurs Are Coming to Golden Gate Park
The World’s Largest Dinosaurs exhibit explores the amazing biology of the largest land animals ever to live: the long-necked and long-tailed sauropods. These uniquely super-sized herbivores (some grew the length of four city buses) roamed every continent for approximately 140 million years.
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Check out San Francisco's recommended Soul Food eats
Looking to try the real deal whilst in San Fran? well SF Travel have put together some restaurants you need to try, from grilled cheese, to blue crab etouffee, BBQ ribs and American waffles galore. check it out here:
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A Treasure of Golden Gate Park
May 1 The 108-year-old Japanese Tea Garden’s pagodaOpens in new window in Golden Gate Park underwent a two-year restoration unveiled last fall. The first complete restoration of the five-story pagoda included replacing some of the damaged wood with 100-year-old salvaged redwood, re-shingling the pagoda’s five roofs, and creating a new spire from recycled Douglas fir flagpole—a painstaking replica of the original. Traditional bells and giboshi (ornamental finial custom-made in Niigata, Japan) now adorn the pagoda for the first time in decades. The pagoda is one of the few surviving structures from the 1915 world’s fair, and the 128-year-old Japanese Tea Garden is the oldest public Japanese garden in the U.S. The pagoda restoration was the first half of a $2 million renovation that also includes a redesigned pagoda landscape and repairs to the wooden Long Bridge. The Japanese Tea Garden will remain open during the work, which is slated to be finished in late 2023. (Location: 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive | Golden Gate Park)
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Flower Power
May 1 While springtime blooms are anticipated to be epic following record winter rains, San Francisco will also bloom this summer. The free Dahlia DellOpens in new window, located next to the Conservatory of FlowersOpens in new window in Golden Gate Park, is in full bloom in July, August, and September. The dahlia has been the official flower of San Francisco since 1926. The Dahlia Dell, which is tended to by an all-volunteer group from the Dahlia Society of California, contains over 700 named dahlia varieties in eye-popping colors and forms. (Location: 100 John F Kennedy Dr.| Golden Gate Park)
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The Streets of San Francisco
May 1 Visitors can dig deeper into the city’s past on one of the San Francisco Historical SocietyOpens in new window’s 90-minute walking tours ($20 per person; children under age 13 free). The SFHS offers several tours, including a Barbary Coast Trail Tour exploring “ground zero” of early San Francisco and the Secrets and Stories of San Francisco’s “Wall Street of the West.” The walking tours begin at the SFHS Museum. (Location: 608 Commercial St. | Financial District)
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San Franciscos Best Dim Sun by Neighbourhood
May 1 an Francisco is a place where culinary trends are set. For generations, our diverse communities have added their own flavors to our city's bounty of delicious dining options. One of the dishes most synonymous with San Francisco's vibrant and storied Chinese community is dim sum. These small, bite-sized delicacies come in a seemingly endless combination of textures, styles, and fillings. A dim sum meal is the perfect way to experience as many different dishes as you can—and your luck only grows if you enjoy dim sum with friends! You can enjoy dim sum all over San Francisco, any time of year (though it might be most festive during Lunar New Year celebrations). Here are some of the best dim sum restaurants you'll find across San Francisco's unique neighborhoods.
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Bars and Restaurants Along San Francisco's Central Subway
May 22 Running from Chinatown all the way to Bayview, San Francisco's new Central Subway line offers fast transit between some of the city's most vibrant neighborhoods. With seemingly endless dining choices along this bustling route, it's truly a good lover's paradise!
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The Best Streets for Bar Hopping in San Francisco
May 22 San Francisco is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own character—and its own nightlife. That means visitors have incredibly diverse options for bar hopping. Want a classic cocktail with farm-fresh ingredients? We've got those. Looking for a local brew? We got those, too. In the mood to explore our dive bars, take shots, and end up at a dance club? We have streets where you can do all of the above in one night. Come on out and explore San Francisco’s various neighborhoods and be prepared to meet some new friends. The point is to see where the night will take you, and there's no better place for spontaneity than San Francisco.
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How to Experience Tiki Culture in San Francisco
May 22 San Francisco is where tiki culture first took off in America. Here are the places where you can best experience it today. San Francisco is the birthplace of tiki culture, and it is home to some of the oldest tiki establishments in the country. Themes range from traditional Polynesian kitsch to tiki mythology’s dark side, but one thing is guaranteed: you can get a great mai tai at any of these Bay Area bars.
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The World’s Largest Dinosaurs Are Coming to Golden Gate Park
On view at the California Academy of Sciences from May 26, 2023, to Jan. 21, 2024, The World’s Largest Dinosaurs exhibit explores the amazing biology of the largest land animals ever to live: the long-necked and long-tailed sauropods. These super-sized herbivores (some grew the length of four city buses) roamed every continent for approximately 140 million years. A life-size Mamenchisaurus model, spanning 60 feet long, will be on display. The exhibit takes visitors beyond the bones and into the bodies of these massive marvels, shedding light on how heart rate, respiration, metabolism, and reproduction are linked to size and includes playful interactives that dig deeper into the palaeobiological research on present-day living organisms.
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The San Francisco Sound
From recently legalized busking in Golden Gate Park to the city’s resurgent music scene, San Francisco is hitting all the right notes. New venues like Keys Jazz BistroOpens in new window in North Beach have joined icons like The FillmoreOpens in new window and The WarfieldOpens in new window. Aiming to elevate San Francisco’s music scene further, Music City San FranciscoOpens in new window is opening an $11.6 million incubator for musicians and music lovers. The five-story Music City San Francisco complex currently comprises 36 budget-friendly rooms and the San Francisco Music Hall of FameOpens in new window, a collection of over 90 multimedia photo installations honoring SF legends. This summer, Music City will unveil three transformed floors featuring four dynamic music venue spaces, a music education program for emerging artists, a bar and restaurant, and 23 sound stage/rehearsal rooms capable of live-streaming and recording. The incubator will be the only one of its kind in California. (Location: 1353 Bush St.| near Polk Gulch) -
Disney Cats & Dogs at the Walt Disney Family Museum
Disney Cats & Dogs is on view at The Walt Disney Family Museum through June 2nd, 2024. The exhibit features over 300 archival reproduction concept sketches, paintings, model sheets, animation drawings, posters, photographs, digital artworks, and final film sequences that highlight the true-to-life design and movements of Disney’s speaking and non-verbal cats and dogs, including characters like Mickey Mouse’s best pal Pluto, Lady and Tramp from Lady and the Tramp (1955), and Duchess from The Aristocats (1970).
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With New Michelin Honors, San Francisco Retains its Culinary Crown
Last week's prestigious 2023 MICHELIN Guide California awards made one thing clear: San Francisco remains the culinary capital of the Golden State. The City by the Bay boasts 27 Michelin-starred restaurants, and the San Francisco Bay Area is now home to 50 of the 87 California restaurants awarded Michelin stars. Two San Francisco restaurants – AphoticOpens in new window, a restaurant specializing in sustainable and dry-aged seafood, and NariOpens in new window, a Thai restaurant – earned their first Michelin stars, and all of the city’s previously awarded two-star and three-star restaurants retained their honors. Aphotic was also honored with a Michelin Green Star, which recognized the establishment for its commitment to sustainability. Altogether, San Francisco is home to half of the state’s three-star Michelin restaurants and five of its 12 two-star establishments, plus three of its 15 Green Star restaurants.
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Yayoi Kusama Art Installations at SFMOMA
Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s dazzling psychedelic art installations are on view for the first time in the Bay Area at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). With an extended run through Sept. 7, 2024, Yayoi Kusama: Infinite Love features two of the acclaimed artist’s Infinity Mirror Rooms: Dreaming of Earth’s Sphericity, I Would Offer My Love (2023) and LOVE IS CALLING, one of the largest and most immersive of such installations by the artist to date. In addition, Kusama’s monumental sculpture Aspiring to Pumpkin’s Love, the Love in My Heart (2023) pushes the polka-dotted pumpkin to new extremes, extending over 18 feet in length and more than 11 feet in height.
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New Hotel Openings
Chicago-based Oxford Capital Group, LLC announced the opening of four rebranded and refurbished hotels. The first to open was Hotel Fiona, formerly The Carriage Inn. Located in SoMa, the historic boutique property with Victorian flair features renovated guestrooms and an updated arrival lobby. The 107-room Hotel Julian San Francisco, 152-room SoMa House, and 121-room Hotel Garrett have also opened recently.
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The Jay Opening
On the edge of the city’s historic Jackson Square neighbourhood is The Jay. Formerly the Le Méridien, the 360-room property has been renovated and rebranded. Redesigned by AvroKo, the interior’s textured textiles and warm tones offer an abrupt departure from the historic brutalist frame by original architect John Portman. The hotel’s Third Floor features a garden terrace and houses an exquisite dining and cocktail outlet by the famed San Francisco-based Omakase Restaurant Group.
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Pop-Ups in Downtown SF
A flurry of pop-ups has landed in nine downtown properties. The first cohort features 17 local activators, including apparel brands, restaurants, designers, artists, and other makers. Among those who debuted their three-month pop-ups are local favourites such as Devil’s Teeth Bakery and Wack Donuts, both at Embarcadero Centre. Two more cohorts of pop-ups are slated to open in 2024.
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