Although San Francisco is in California, it is not a hot city. In summer a person who arrives here in shorts and a T-shirt shivers, because the fog coming off the bay brings the temperature down to fifteen degrees in July. If you come knowing this, the city is among the most beautiful in the world. Below I have written a three-day route and what you need to wear.
The Golden Gate bridge and the shore
The Golden Gate bridge is the symbol of the city and you can cross it on foot or by bicycle, with the return trip taking an hour and a half. The best photo spot is the Battery Spencer viewpoint on the north side. In the morning and afternoon the fog frequently covers the bridge, so look several times during the day.
Fisherman’s Wharf is touristy, but the sea lions at Pier 39 are a real attraction and are free. The boat ticket to Alcatraz island sells out weeks ahead, because the daily number is limited. Buy it as soon as you know your travel date; this is the hardest ticket in the city.
The hills, the cable car and the neighbourhoods
The cable car has worked since 1873 and is the only manually operated system left in the world; standing on the running board is the tradition. Lombard Street is known for its eight sharp turns. From the Twin Peaks hill the whole city and the bay are visible.
Chinatown is among the oldest outside Asia. The Mission district is known for its murals and Mexican food, while Haight-Ashbury was the centre of the sixties. The city is small, but the hills are steep, so comfortable shoes are essential.
Trips out of San Francisco
The Muir Woods redwood forest is half an hour north of the bridge and the trees reach eighty metres; advance registration is required for entry. The Napa and Sonoma wine regions are an hour away. Monterey and Carmel are two hours along the coast road.
Yosemite national park is four hours away and requires a full day, better still two. Public transport works poorly to these routes and a car or an organised tour is needed, so check the options in advance.
Read more: A USA travel guide: which city to start from, transport, the budget and the unwritten rules
Transport and prices in San Francisco
The Muni bus, tram and metro network covers the centre and payment by contactless card works. The BART train links the airport to the city and takes thirty minutes. A car is a problem inside the city, parking is expensive and leaving things in a car on a dark street is a risk.
A three-star hotel is 160–260 dollars and a hostel bed 45–80. Lunch in a restaurant is 18–30 dollars, with tax and a tip added on top. On some central streets homelessness is visible, so take that into account when choosing an evening route. Official information is on the SF Travel site.
Season in San Francisco
September and October are the warmest and clearest months of the year, which comes as a surprise to most people. June–August is foggy and cool, 15–20 degrees. Winter is rainy but does not drop below zero. The temperature changes sharply during the day, so dress in layers and always take a jacket.
A last word
San Francisco fits into three days, and the condition is the right clothing and buying the Alcatraz ticket in time. Plan for September–October, ride the cable car, and give a day to the redwood forest. For a visa and a route, fill in the application form.
Note: the prices in this article are those at the time of publication and may change with the season.
