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San Francisco travel guide

The Golden Gate, cable cars and steep, colourful hills

The Golden Gate Bridge. Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

11hflight from London
SFOnearest main airport
18° in Sepwarmest month
9° in Jancoolest month

San Francisco is a compact, hilly city on a bay, famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and Victorian houses. Alcatraz, the former island prison, is a short ferry ride away.

Wine country in Napa and Sonoma and the giant redwoods of Muir Woods make easy day trips.

Good forCity breaksFoodWineViews

What San Francisco is known for

  • The Golden Gate

    The red suspension bridge over the bay.

  • Cable cars

    Historic cars climbing the hills.

  • Alcatraz

    The island prison in the bay.

  • Napa Valley

    World-famous wine country nearby.

Top things to do in San Francisco

  1. 1

    Alcatraz

    Tour the former prison. Book weeks ahead.

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  2. 2

    The Golden Gate Bridge

    Walk or cycle across to Sausalito.

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  3. 3

    A cable car ride

    The Powell-Hyde line has the best views.

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  4. 4

    Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39

    Sea lions and clam chowder.

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  5. 5

    Muir Woods

    Giant redwoods just north of the city.

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  6. 6

    Napa Valley

    Wine tasting a little over an hour away.

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See all tours and tickets in San Francisco

Where to stay in San Francisco

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Best time to visit San Francisco

Best value: Mar–Aug, Nov. September and October: the warmest and sunniest months. Summer is often foggy and cool.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
9.4 C9°J10.3 C10°F11.4 C11°M12.2 C12°A14 C14°M16 C16°J16.8 C17°J17.3 C17°A17.6 C18°S15.8 C16°O12.4 C12°N9.6 C10°D
Bar height is the average temperature in San Francisco, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 11h from London to SFO, and flights from most UK airports.

Cable cars, Muni buses and BART. Walking is great, but the hills are steep.

Find flights to San Francisco (SFO)

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Good to know

  • Bring layers: summer fog can make it chilly.
  • Book Alcatraz well ahead.
  • Don't leave anything visible in parked cars.
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San Francisco FAQ

When is San Francisco warmest?

September and October.

How many days?

Three days, plus a wine country day.

More places in USA

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