San Francisco, California
Home of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco will embrace you with its charm. Ride a cable car to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 to enjoy a loaf of sourdough bread, cheese, and locally made wine. Visit Ghirardelli Square for mouth- watering chocolates. Or explore Chinatown, one of the largest Chinese communities outside Asia, for the best in Oriental cuisine. San Francisco offers a multitude of other attractions. For a more casual day, cross the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, a quaint community of artists, fine restaurants, and waterfront shops. Then travel on to Muir Woods National Monument, where you'll find forests of towering redwoods. It's all an easy drive from the city.
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San Francisco, California
Home of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco will embrace you with its charm. Ride a cable car to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 to enjoy a loaf of sourdough bread, cheese, and locally made wine. Visit Ghirardelli Square for mouth- watering chocolates. Or explore Chinatown, one of the largest Chinese communities outside Asia, for the best in Oriental cuisine. San Francisco offers a multitude of other attractions. Drive or walk down Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world. Climb to the top of Coit Tower on fashionable Telegraph Hill. Or stroll along streets lined with ornate Victorian homes. For a more casual day, cross the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, a quaint community of artists, fine restaurants, and waterfront shops. Then travel on to Muir Woods National Monument, where you'll find forests of towering redwoods. It's all an easy drive from the city. Package Includes:- Choice of accommodations
- Hotel taxes
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should go?
Families
See the majestic Golden Gate Bridge and the sea lions at Fisherman’s Wharf.
History and Architecture Buffs
View Alcatraz, the Maritime Museum, and historic Victorian homes.
Scenic Drive Lovers
The wine producing valleys of Napa and Sonoma are just a day trip away, as is the Pacific Highway drive down to Monterey/Carmel. Taking the 49-mile scenic drive will take you to most of the city’s most beloved sights.
What's the climate like?
| Average High |
57° F |
63° F |
71° F |
68° F |
| Average Low |
43° F |
47° F |
53° F |
51° F |
| Average Rainfall |
3.6" |
1.6" |
0.1" |
1.4" |
San Francisco is pleasant any time of year. The cool Pacific breezes keep the temperatures manageable during the prime summer tourist season. Autumn is one of the best times to visit, with clear days and little fog.
How do I get around town?
Transfers
Transfers are not included with vacation packages to San Francisco; however, SuperShuttle transfers and private sedan and limousine transfers are available for purchase.
Bus
Buses go to just about every corner of the city and even across the bridges to Oakland and Marin. Fares are inexpensive and schedules are usually shown at bus stops. Exact change is required. If staying for a few days and planning on using the busses and cable cars a lot, get a Muni pass, sold as one-, three-, or seven-day passes.
Taxi
Taxis can be hailed on the street or called for. Though not as prevalent as they are in cities like New York, taxis are still a good way to get around if you don’t want to take the bus.
Cable Car
One of the most recognizable symbols of the city is the charming cable car. Three lines crisscross the downtown area and Fisherman’s Wharf. The most scenic route is the Powell-Hyde line, which travels from the corner of Powell and Market, over Nob Hill and Russian Hill, and ends at the waterfront. Grab the bar and stand on the step for an unparalleled ride, view, and total enjoyment.
BART
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) runs from San Francisco, across the East Bay, to Oakland, Richmond, Concord, and Freemont via a high-speed rail. Trains run every 15-20 minutes. The line now extends all the way to the San Francisco airport. It’s a fabulous, low-cost, and easy way to get into the city, especially the Union Square area.
Metro
The Metro consists of below ground and above ground railcars. There are six lines — F, J, K, L, M, and N — running throughout the city, connecting with BART lines, and branching off to most sections of the city. The fare is the same as for the bus. Line F runs from Castro down to Fisherman’s Wharf on rejuvenated 1930s streetcars and offers another convenient way to get downtown.
Ferry
Ferries run between the city and both Sausalito and Larkspur.
Car
You really don’t need a car within the city of San Francisco, since the transportation options are numerous. Parking is also difficult; parking space is scarce and when you can find it, it’s often very expensive. However, renting a car for a day to cross the Golden Gate Bridge to explore Sausalito and on up to Muir Woods, or renting for a couple of days to go up to the Wine Country, is marvelous.
Foot
One of the best ways to see the city is on foot. Stop to look in the shops, marvel at the architecture, notice the flower boxes, and build up an appetite for another great meal. Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes since there are numerous hills, stairs, and cobblestones to maneuver.
What kind of dining options are available?
The dining options in San Francisco are endless and just as good as the list is long. Top-rated restaurants are in just about every section of the city, so you’ll never have to go far to enjoy a delicious meal. New restaurants are opening all the time, so ask the concierge for any recent openings that they would recommend. It’s also advisable to make reservations. Enjoy!
- A16
This place has it all — great food, an extensive and well-chosen wine list, and a foosball table! Southern Italian specialties score every time. Marina.
- Bocadillos
Simple restaurant with a communal table running down the center and café table with stools along one wall. Serves up an extensive list of tapas, intensely flavored and none more than $15. North Beach.
- Canteen
A tiny, tiny spot in the Commodore hotel where chef Leary, formerly of Rubicon, is cooking his heart out and serving up unbelievably creative cuisine with market-fresh ingredients and a daily-changing menu. Sutter Street.
- La Cumbre
A great, no-frills taqueria. Devour the grilled chicken, black bean, salsa, and sour cream combo. Mission.
- Myth
One of the most comfortable settings in the city that welcomes both blue jeans and black tie to enjoy its array of offerings from citrus-glazed salmon to hamburgers. Jackson Square.
- Quince
One of the city’s top dining destinations, but not because it fancy, but rather that it’s a jewel. The couple who runs the place both came from Chez Panisse. Enjoy super-seasonal Italian and French cooking. Pacific Heights.
- Slanted Door
Viewed as the best Vietnamese restaurant in the U.S. by some. The food and signature drinks are incredible and make sure to try the specialty, "shaking beef." Reservations advised. Embarcadero.
- Swan Oyster Depot
Landmark seafood shop that opened in 1912. The seafood is served cold, except the clam chowder, so dig in and enjoy the freshest oysters and crab legs in the city. Polk Street.
- Town Hall
Comforting regional foods, including gumbo from New Orleans, roasts form the heartland, and a fabulous and robust cioppino from San Franciso. South of Market (SOMA).
Where should I go shopping?
All the major department stores can be found here, mainly around Union Square, the city’s main shopping area. Here you’ll find Gump’s, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as many of the major fashion designer shops.
Other shopping areas include Chinatown for tourist souvenirs plus Chinese herbs, art, and jewelry; Union Street, between Fillmore Street and Van Ness Avenue, caters to an upper-middle-class crowd and is a great place to stroll and window shop; and Chestnut Street, just north of Union Street, caters to a younger market. Another area to try, farther out, is in Noe Valley, along 24th Street. For some of the best shopping in the city, head to Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights from Jackson to Sutter. Hayes Valley is home to stylish clothing boutiques, furniture stores, and art galleries, and is the perfect place for window-shopping — nearly every business is homegrown and unique (residents campaigned to prevent the arrival of Starbucks).
Outlet stores include hometown Esprit in Potrero Hill; Jeremy’s in South of Market (SOMA); Loehmann’s at Union Square; and Nordstrom Rack in SOMA.
A large and varied farmer’s market is held at the newly renovated Ferry Building on Fridays and Saturdays and features upscale food including organic herbs and unique baked goods.
When are the local events?
There always seems to be some sort of festival happening within the city. To get the latest on all the happenings, pick up a copy of the San Francisco Chronicle or the San Francisco Examiner. Both papers have a huge Sunday edition that includes an excellent preview of the following week’s events. Other good sources of current events are the free San Francisco Bay Guardian, Key, and San Francisco Guide.
Cherry Blossom Festival
Mid to late April. Arts and crafts and food stalls all throughout Japantown.
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Sunday before May 5. A strong Latino community celebrates with bands, dancers, food, and parade in the Mission district.
Carnival
Sunday of Memorial weekend. The Mission District’s largest annual event and one of the city’s favorites, attracting more than half a million spectators along the parade route.
Union Street Art Festival
First weekend in June. A celebration of art with more than 350 artists, food, music, and entertainment along Union Street, between Fillmore and Gough.
Fillmore Street Jazz Festival
First weekend in June. Live jazz, gourmet food, and arts and crafts along the upscale stretch of Fillmore Street.
San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Parade and Celebration
Last weekend in June. More than a million people show up to celebrate and support. The parade is on Sunday at 10:30am, traveling west along Market Street from Beale Street to Eighth Street.
A la Carte, A la Park
Labor Day weekend. More than 40 of the town’s most popular restaurants, 20 microbreweries, and 20 wineries offer up samples of their wares during this food festival in Golden Gate Park.
San Francisco Blues Festival
Late September. The largest outdoor blues festival on the West Coast with local and national bands playing throughout the three-day festival. Held on the grounds of Fort Mason.
Castro Street Fair
First Sunday in October. A celebration of life in San Francisco’s most famous gay neighborhood.
San Francisco Jazz Festival
Late October or early November. Two weeks of nightly entertainment and dozens of performers at jazz venues throughout the city.
What are my golf and recreation options?
Golf
San Francisco has some of the most beautiful municipal golf courses of any major metropolitan area. While the courses are challenging enough, the hard part is to keep your eye on the ball when the views from each tee seem to get more breathtakingly beautiful at each hole. You can reserve tee times, up to seven days in advance, at any of the city’s six, affordable public courses by calling 415-750-4653.
Sportfishing
Fishing is quite popular in San Francisco. Salmon and halibut can be found outside the bay and striped bass and giant sturgeon can be found within. Salmon season is from March through October. From shore, locals can be found fishing at the Municipal Pier, Fisherman’s Wharf, Baker Beach, and Aquatic Park. Lake Merced is good for trout fishing. Licenses, permits, and bait are available.
Travel tidbits
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Download tours on your iPod from the museum’s web site. Plus, you can save $2 off admission to the museum if you show you’ve downloaded one of its podcasts.
More Art
The de Young museum, re-opened in 2005, was rebuilt from the bottom up by famed architects Herzog & de Meuron, and features a nine-story spiraling tower with an observation room at the top. From here there are sweeping 360-degree views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, and the city. Entrance to the museum is $10, but the tower is free.
Alcatraz
This popular attraction recently underwent its first major renovation since opening to the public in 1973. Improvements include digital audio tours, access to new areas, and exhibits of never-before-seen photos.
Farmers Market
The Ferry Plaza market, with its outstanding variety of organic fruits and vegetables is one of the best farmers markets in the country and also offers breads, chocolates, and other prepared foods to take away or eat on the spot.
Good to Know:
San Francisco International Airport
SFO |
| July – October |
| November – March |
| U.S. Dollar |
| English |
| San Francisco is in the Pacific Time Zone, two hours behind Central Time |
| None needed for U.S. residents |
| Tip 15-20% at restaurants and to taxi drivers. |
| Casual, but highly fashionable. |
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San Francisco, California
The following options are available when you book your vacation package to San Francisco:
Car Rentals
We feature rental cars from bothAlamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental, offering you the flexibility and convenience to travel when and where you want. Plus earn 50 bonus miles per rental day with every qualifying paid rental at participating locations. Also available is National Car Rental's Premium Package option, which allows you to check-in online and bypass the rental counter, go directly to a special rental lot and choose your vehicle, and get going on your vacation faster than ever. This option has all the inclusions of a standard package plus no surprise fees when you pick up your vehicle, zero deductible damage and liability coverage, no charge for additional drivers, and more.
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Transfers - Airport/Hotel shuttle - San Francisco Airport (SFO)
SuperShuttle: Save time and money by pre-purchasing your roundtrip airport transfers. Ride in comfort from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to your San Francisco hotel area hotel with SuperShuttle, the nation's leader in airport ground transportation. SuperShuttle service may not be available for all hotels. Arrival Instructions: After claiming your luggage on the lower level, proceed to the upper level outside the terminal to the outer curb. Follow the blue SuperShuttle signs to a uniformed SuperShuttle agent, who will coordinate shuttle transportation. If you can not locate the SuperShuttle representative, call 415-558-8500 for assistance. Airport shuttles depart continuously based on demand. Luggage Restrictions: Maximum luggage allowance of one (1) carry-on and two (2) suitcases per person. Additional luggage or oversized pieces, i.e. bikes, large boxes, trunks, etc. will be charged an exclusive fare of $50.00 for each additional piece which is to be paid by cash or credit card on-board the van at the time of the transfer. Recommended driver gratuity of $1 per bag not included. Hours of operation: 24 hours, 7 days a week. Service is provided by SuperShuttle. No refunds for unused services.
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Transfers - Private Sedan Transfers - San Francisco Airport (SFO)
Passengers may pre-purchase roundtrip sedan transfers from the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to their downtown San Francisco hotel provided by Black Car Network, Inc. Private car transfers offer luxury travel to and from your destination in San Francisco. Professional, courteous drivers with an extensive knowledge of the San Francisco Area chauffeur the sedans. They will be able to answer any questions you have concerning the San Francisco Area. Sedans: 4 person maximum including reasonable baggage allowance Greeting: Passengers will be met at the Baggage Claim area of San Francisco International Airport. The chauffeur will have a sign with the passengers' name on it. The passengers should give the chauffeur know their name and procede to baggage claim. The chauffeur will help the passenger with their luggage and escort them to curbside. Return: Passengers will be met inside the hotel near the concierge desk with a sign with the passengers' name on it 2 and ˝ hours before their flight times and will be dropped off at the appropriate terminal at San Francisco International Airport. Hours of operation: 24 hours, 7 days a week Services provided by Black Car Network, Inc. No refunds for unused services.
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Transfers - Stretch Limo Transfers - San Francisco Airport (SFO)
Passengers may pre-purchase roundtrip limousine transfers from the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to their downtown San Francisco hotel provided by Black Car Network, Inc. Private limousine transfers offer luxury travel to and from your destination in San Francisco. Professional, courteous drivers with an extensive knowledge of the San Francisco Area chauffeur the limousines. They will be able to answer any questions you have concerning the San Francisco Area. Stretch Limousines: 8-person maximum including reasonable baggage allowance Greeting: Passengers will be met at the Baggage Claim area of San Francisco International Airport. The chauffeur will have a sign with the passengers' name on it. The passengers should give the chauffeur their name and procede to baggage claim. The chauffeur will help the passenger with their luggage and escort them to curbside. Return: Passengers will be met inside the hotel near the concierge desk with a sign with the passengers name on it 2 and ˝ hours before their flight times and will be dropped off at the appropriate terminal at San Francisco International Airport. Hours of operation: 24 hours, 7 days a week Services provided by Black Car Network, Inc. No refunds for unused services.
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GO San Francisco Card
Go San Francisco Card is a multi-attraction pass that gives you the most choices - over 45 attractions - at the best value! Create your own San Francisco experience based on what you like to do while enjoying tremendous savings and VIP access. Visit as many attractions as you want on each day. Daytime admission to all listed attractions is included in the pass. GO San Francisco Card includes FREE admission to the following attractions: San Francisco Tours:- Golden Gate Bay CruiseŽ
- Gray Line Trolley Hop Tour
- San Francisco Walking Tours (reservations required 24 hours in advance)
- San Francisco Sightseeing/Grayline Wine Country Tour (reservations required 24 hours in advance)
- AT&T Stadium Tour
- Pacific Heights Walking Tour
- San Francisco Explorer Cruise - Red and White Fleet
- Chris' Whale Watching in Monterey (reservations required 24 hours in advance)
Museums:- de Young Museum
- Chabot Space Center and Planetarium
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
- Legion of Honor
- Asian Art Museum
- Beat Museum
- GLBT Museum
- The Contemporary Jewish Museum
- Chinese Historical Society of America
- Wax Museum on Fisherman's Wharf
- Cartoon Art Museum
- Museum of Craft and Folk Art
- Charles M. Schultz Museum
- Bay Area Discovery Museum
- Oakland Museum of California
- Napa Valley Museum
- UC Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive
- California Historical Museum
San Francisco Attractions:- SS Jeremiah O'Brien
- USS Hornet
- Haas Lilienthal House
- Zeum at Yerba Buena Gardens
- Zeum Carousel
- Yerba Buena Center for Arts
- Aquarium of the Bay
- Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
- Bay City Bike Rentals
- Exploratorium
- Historic Cable Car ticket (one-way ticket)
- Cornerstone Architechtural Gardens
- GoCar Tours (reservations required 24 hours in advance)
- Carmel Mission
- UC Botanical Garden Berkeley
- Conservatory of Flowers
- San Francisco Botanical Gardens at Strybing Arboretum
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (unlimited ride wristband)
- Seymour Marine Discovery Center at Long Marine Lab
Wine Tastings:- Blackstone Winery
- Bacchus and Venus Wine Tasting Room
- COPIA - The American Center for Wine, Food, & the Arts
- Franciscan Oakville Estates
- Goosecross Cellars Winery
- Simi Winery
- Taste Downtown Napa
- Clos Pegase Winery
- Sonoma - Enoteca
Plus many great discounts on activities, services, shopping, and dining, and a FREE 146-page full color guidebook to help you plan your vacation! A voucher will print with your travel documents which must be exchanged for the Go Card product at a designated Voucher Redemption location. Locations will also be noted in your travel documents. The Go Card has a 10 day non-refundable cancel policy prior to travel date. Note: GO San Francisco Cards are activated on the first day of use and are valid on that day through each consecutive day after activation. Some attractions are seasonal or may require a minimum age for participation. Please consult the GO San Francisco Card guidebook for more information. Must be 21 years of age to taste wine. Tickets are not valid for return service on a future date. You must redeem your GO San Francisco Card for service at the time you intend to use the service, not the day before.
Child Policy: Child rates are available for children 3-12 years of age
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Tour - California Wine Country Tour
Sonoma and Napa counties' Mediterranean climate makes them ideal wine grape regions. To get an experience of this, the tour will visit both large scale/high tech and small boutique wineries. Lunch and shopping opportunities are available at either Sonoma's historic square or Yountville's rustic Vintage 1870. Included is complimentary wine tasting; tasters must be 21 years of age or older. Daily departures via Gray Line. Approximately 9 hours. Approximate departure time (subject to change) is 9:15am.
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Tour - Deluxe City Tour
Tour the city of San Francisco aboard Gray Line's most famous city tour. See the Civic Center, the Opera House, and Old Mission Dolores, where San Francisco was founded. Stop atop Twin Peaks for a panoramic view of the city. Drive along the Pacific Ocean, and see the Presidio which overlooks the Bay and Alcatraz before crossing the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge to stop at Vista Point North. View Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 at the conclusion of the tour. Daily departures via Coach USA. Approximately 4 hours. Approximate departure times (subject to change) are 9:15am, 11:15am and 2:15pm.
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Tour - Monterey / Bay Aquarium / Carmel
California's rugged Central Coast can both humble and inspiring. This is an unbeatable tour of Monterey, the Bay Aquarium, Carmel, and the 17-mile drive. The route down Highway 1 through Santa Cruz starts off the Monterey tour and features one spectacular view after another. Santa Cruz is the classic beach town where surfing was first introduced to the mainland - and they have been surfing ever since. The tour has scheduled stops including John Steinbeck's Cannery Row, once an industrial street famous for sardines and known for the characters in John Steinbeck's novel "Cannery Row". Find seaside exploration, shopping, and activities on the beautiful shoreline, where its reputation as the hot spot for Monterey is well earned. Your tour will also include a visit to the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium to see all kinds of different ocean life. The Bay Aquarium has nearly 200 award-winning galleries and exhibits. The vista points along the 17-Mile Drive and the art/restaurant district of Carmel is another stop. The one-square mile city of Carmel, located on the Bay of Carmel above the white sand beach, offers a breathtaking view for the last portion of your tour. Crossing from the historic to the futuristic, the return trip takes you through Silicon Valley - the high tech capital of the United States. Tour length is approximately 11 hours. Tour departs at 9:15am. May through October the tour deaprts daily; November through April tour departs Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
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Tour - Muir Woods and Sausalito
See Muir Woods and Sausalito in this great package tour! North, across the Golden Gate Bridge, lay two of California's most unique tourist attractions: Muir Woods and Sausalito. Marin County, one of the most affluent counties in the U.S. and home of the Muir Woods, is the place of the few remaining groves of virgin coastal redwoods. These redwoods are among the tallest and oldest trees in existence. Also in your tour, see Sausalito! Sausalito is an alluring village of art galleries, quaint shops and waterfront restaurants with views of San Francisco across the bay. Sausalito's cliff-hanging cottages and houseboat community lend a Mediterranean ambiance, but the locals you will meet are pure "California". Daily departures at 9:15am and 2:15pm. Tour length is approximately 3 1/2 hours.
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Tour - Trolley Hop Tour
Hop aboard a motorized cable car for a narrated tour of San Francisco! You'll drive through San Francisco's most renowned neighborhoods, including Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach, Downtown, and Chinatown. Hop on or off at Pier 39 or 41, Ghiradelli Square, and Union Square to spend free time shopping for souvenirs and snapping photographs! The tour is approximately one hour if you don't "hop off" at the stops. Hop on / hop off privilidges allow you to get off at any stop, spend time exploring, and get back on the next available trolley. Tour times are from 10am to 5:30pm. Tour departs daily from the Gray Line booths at Pier 39 and Pier 41 1/2. In the event of rain the tour may be cancelled or an enclosed vehicle may replace the cable car.
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Wine Country Explorer Pass
Wine Country Explorer Pass is a multi-venue pass valid for two days, which gives you the most choice for tastings and attractions - at the best value! Create your own ultimate wine country experience while enjoying tremendous savings and VIP treatment. Visit as many venues as you want on each day. Admission to listed venues and complimentary or .10 cent tastings are included in the pass. The Wine Country Explorer Pass has a 10 day nonrefundable cancel fee. Must be 21 years old to participate in wine tastings. Free admissions:- COPIA - The American Center for Wine, Food, & the Arts
- Charles M. Schulz Museum
- Napa Valley Museum
Free tastings:- Clos Pegase Winery
- Franciscan Winery
- Goosecross Cellars
- Taste Downtown Napa ($0.10 tastings at 9 wineries - pick up pass at COPIA)
- Ravenswood Winery
- Sonoma - Enoteca
- Simi Winery
Napa Valley Savings:- Napa Premium Outlets - VIP Coupon Book
- 10% off all wine and retail shop purchases at Franciscan Oakville Estates
- 10% savings on purchases of six (6) bottles or more of Clos Pegase
- 10% savings on wine purchases, PLUS up to $40 free shipping on cases at Goosecross Cellars
Sonoma Valley Savings:- Petaluma Premium Outlets - VIP Coupon Book
- 10% off all wine and retail shop purchases at Simi Winery and Ravenswood
Child Policy: Child rates are not available. Minimum age for this tour is 21 year old
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