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 San Francisco, California

Ever since gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in 1848, visitors from all over the world have flocked to San Francisco. Today, it's still possible to find gold in the "City on the Bay" in its numerous restaurants, beautiful neighborhoods, and world-class cultural attractions. San Francisco hosts a number of national landmarks, from the famous Telegraph Hill and old-fashioned trolley cars to the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, that help make any trip special.





San Francisco Bay was the source of the city's livelihood for a very long time, and it remains the key to the city to this day. The Golden Gate Bridge, a San Francisco icon, is 1.7 miles long and frames the Bay. Located around the Bay are several remarkable beaches and parks. Golden Gate Park contains several museums, gardens, and open spaces. The Presidio, a 200 year old Spanish Fort, is also a well-known Bay Area attraction. Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 are national landmarks, offering breathtaking views, fine restaurants and great shopping. Steinhart Aquarium is the oldest municipal aquarium in America, featuring a wide selection of creatures from both the Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Of course, no tour of the Bay would be complete without mentioning Alcatraz, America's most famous prison, and now San Francisco's number one tourist attraction.

 

Moving away from the Bay, San Francisco only gets better. The city's famous steep hills and trolley cars run back and forth between museums like the Museum of the Legion of Honor and attractions like the San Francisco Zoo, which houses over 1000 animals on 65 acres. The world-famous San Francisco Opera is also a perennial favorite among visitors, as are the city's numerous restaurants. In fact, inhabitants of San Francisco spend more on dining out per person than any city in America.

For a few lucky miners, San Francisco in the 19th century was the gateway to an unforgettable experience. Today's visitors to the Bay Area feel the same way.

Photos Courtesy of Dave Scott

Popular Hotels in the San Francisco Area

Hotel Astoria San Francisco - Economy
  510 Bush Street, San Francisco CA US 94108
Marriott San Francisco - Midrange
  55 Fourth Street, San Francisco CA US 94103
Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf - Midrange
  2500 Mason Street, San Francisco CA US 94133
Holiday Inn San Francisco-Civic Ctr, CA - Midrange
  50 8th Street, San Francisco CA US 94103
Hilton San Francisco - Midrange
  333 O'farrell Street, San Francisco CA US 94142-0868
Sir Francis Drake - Midrange
  450 Powell Street, San Francisco CA US 94102
The Westin St. Francis - Midrange
  335 Powell Street, San Francisco CA US 94102-1875
Hotel Nikko San Francisco - Midrange
  222 Mason Street, San Francisco CA US 94102
Clarion Hotel San Francisco Airport - Midrange
  401 E. Millbrae Ave., San Francisco CA US 94030

Mosser Hotel - Midrange

 



CIty Information

Population:
740,000 in the city and 6.5 million if the surrounding Bay area is included.

Location:
at the northern end of a hilly peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay in northern California.

Elevation:
Built on 43 hills; so elevation varies from close to sea level to 929 feet.

Area:
46 square miles

Languages:
Less than half the population was born in the US, and over 100 languages are spoken. Newspapers and magazines are published in 31 different languages.

Time Zone:
San Francisco is in the Pacific standard time zone, which is 8 hours behind Greenwich mean time and 3 hours behind eastern time. For accurate time, tel. 415-767-8900.

Weather: Average Temperatures(in Fahrenheit):

 High  Low
January - March  61  45
April - June  66  49
July - September  69  53
October - December  68  47

 

You can visit San Francisco comfortably any time of year; the climate is moderate, except for the occasional chill that accompanies the rolling in of the fog. The temperature seldom drops below 40°F, nor rises to 80°F.


 

San Francisco California Tours and Attractions

Choose from one of our many San Francisco Sightseeing Tours, Activities, and San Francisco Tourist Attractions

San Francisco Tours and Attractions List

  • San Francisco Trolley Hop
    Enjoy a 1 hour narrated tour aboard an authentic motorized cable car.
  • San Francisco CityPass
    San Francisco's CityPass contains an actual ticket to five of the city’s best attractions and Cable Cars, and saves you 50% off box office prices if the attraction tickets were purchased individually. (NOT a group tour)
  • Teatro ZinZanni: Love, Chaos & Dinner
    A full evening of entertainment and dining, Teatro ZinZanni combines some of the world's most renowned cirque artists, contortionists, aerial artists, jugglers and illusionists with live music from a five-piece band and a gourmet five-course meal.
  • California Sunset Cruise
    Capture the essence of California’s magnificent evening sky from aboard Red and White Fleet’s California Sunset Cruise.
  • Wine Country Tour
    Begin this memorable day with a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge on the way to the historic Wine Region of Northern California. Taste the wine from the 'premium' wine-making region of North America: Sonoma and Napa counties.
  • The Super Tour
    SUPER Combination - San Francisco Deluxe City Tour plus Muir Woods, Giant Redwoods and Sausalito Tour!
    This is a must for visitors to the San Francisco Bay Area, featuring all the major attractions in the one tour. With superb vistas of Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Bay, the tour firstly features The 'Total City'.
  • Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf
    Over 300 famous figures from around the world are all here at the Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf.
  • Chinatown Ghost Walking Tour
    Let SF Chinatown Ghost Tours bring to life the tales of San Francisco Chinatown's supernatural past and present, as you are lead on a ghostly tour of Chinatown’s historic and mysterious streets and alleyways.
  • Muir Woods, Giant Redwoods and Sausalito
    Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge and stop to view San Francisco from Vista Point. Then it's through the coastal mountains to the Bay Area's most popular national monument – Muir Woods.
  • Golden Gate Bay Cruise
    Sit back, relax and enjoy a one hour narrated tour of San Francisco Bay. Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatraz and past the city skyline.
  • Monterey, Carmel and The 17-Mile Drive
    California’s spectacular coastline is featured on this tour down California’s Highway 1. Your destination is the beautiful Monterey Peninsula.
  • Dinner Dance Cruise
    Start with cocktails on deck, then relax as a gracious crew transports you to a world of ease and luxury. Watch the sun go down before enjoying a romantic four-course dinner prepared fresh by on board chefs. Then dance to live music or watch the sights drift by from the outdoor decks.
  • Wine Country Helicopter Tour
    Enjoy the ride to your helicopter then board a Bell Jet Helicopter to begin your exciting flight to Northern California's picturesque Wine Country.
  • Napa Valley Wine Train
    The Napa Valley is by far California’s most famous grape growing region and on this tour your day begins heading north into this world renowned region, aboard a comfortable air-conditioned motorcoach.
  • Golden Gate Tour
    Flying over Alcatraz Island, you are just a few hundred feet in the air, and the view is spectacular.