Photo: Kevin P. Siu, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
San Francisco, United States
A hilly, fog-draped Bay Area hub, and a major Pacific gateway to the US.
San Francisco's compact grid of hills, cable cars, and the Golden Gate Bridge give it a skyline unlike anywhere else in the US, and its airport is one of the country's busiest gateways for flights across the Pacific. It also anchors the wider Bay Area, including Silicon Valley just to the south.
Best time to visit
September–October is locally considered the best weather window, often warmer and clearer than the famously foggy summer months.
Top attractions
- •The Golden Gate Bridge, best seen from Crissy Field or the Marin Headlands across the bay
- •Alcatraz Island (book the ferry and tour well ahead — it regularly sells out)
- •Fisherman's Wharf and a cable car ride up and down the hills
- •Golden Gate Park and the de Young Museum inside it
- •The Mission District for murals and food
Practical tips
- •BART trains connect San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to downtown in about 30 minutes.
- •Layer clothing regardless of season — the city's microclimates mean fog and sun can both show up in the same afternoon depending on the neighborhood.
- •Book Alcatraz tickets as early as possible; they're timed and frequently sell out weeks in advance in peak season.
Frequently asked questions
What airport serves San Francisco?
San Francisco's main airport is San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
When is the best time to visit San Francisco?
September–October is locally considered the best weather window, often warmer and clearer than the famously foggy summer months.
Is San Francisco a good place to meet someone flying from a different city?
A hilly, fog-draped Bay Area hub, and a major Pacific gateway to the US.
Meeting someone in San Francisco?
Compare real arrival times from two origins and find the airport where you’ll land closest together.
Find a meeting city