Travel guide · United States
San Francisco: what to see and when to go
San Francisco is a compact, hilly city on a peninsula, with cable cars, Victorian houses, the Golden Gate Bridge and fog rolling in from the Pacific. It is the gateway to the Napa and Sonoma wineries, the redwoods and the Pacific Coast Highway.
What to see and do in San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge
Walk or cycle across, and see it from Crissy Field or the Battery Spencer viewpoint.
Alcatraz
The former prison island in the bay; tours sell out weeks ahead.
Cable cars and Nob Hill
Ride the Powell-Hyde line over the hills down to the bay.
The Mission
Murals, burritos and sunny afternoons in Dolores Park.
Muir Woods and Napa
Giant redwoods 40 minutes away, and wine country an hour to the north.
Best time to go
Pleasant all year except January, March, or December.
Getting there
| From | Flight time | Return flight |
|---|---|---|
| London | 11 hr, 45 min | ≈ €570 · See flights |
| New York | 6 hr | ≈ €350 · See flights |
| Los Angeles | 1 hr, 15 min | ≈ €80 · See flights |
| Dubai | 17 hr, 15 min | ≈ €700 · See flights |
| Singapore | 18 hr | ≈ €720 · See flights |
| Sydney | 16 hr | ≈ €670 · See flights |
3 nights from London: ≈ €960 per person, flight and stay included.
Per person. Estimates from distance and local prices; real fares depend on your dates.
Essentials
- Country
- United States
- Currency
- US Dollar
- Good for
- city · food · culture · nightlife
- How long to stay
- 3–4 days
- Where to stay
- Union Square or Nob Hill for convenience; the Mission or Hayes Valley for a local feel.Find a place to stay in San Francisco
Plan your trip
Flights, a place to stay and what else you need for San Francisco, one tap each.
- FlightsFrom London · about €570 (opens in a new tab)
- StayHotels and apartments in San Francisco (opens in a new tab)
- Things to doTours, tickets and experiences (opens in a new tab)
- Travel insuranceMedical, luggage and cancellation (opens in a new tab)
- Internet on arrivalData eSIM, no roaming bills (opens in a new tab)
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Frequently asked questions
What's the weather like in San Francisco and when should you go?
Pleasant all year except January, March, or December. Average highs range from 14° in January to 21° in September.
How many days do you need in San Francisco?
3 to 4 days is enough to see the essentials without rushing.
What does a few days in San Francisco cost?
Accommodation runs at around €130 per person per night. 3 nights from London: ≈ €960 per person, flight and stay included. The flight from London takes about 11 hr, 45 min.
Where should you stay in San Francisco?
Union Square or Nob Hill for convenience; the Mission or Hayes Valley for a local feel.
