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Travellers' Choice 2026

San Francisco, California, USA

California, USAGolden Gate BridgeAlcatrazsourdough bread

San Francisco occupies a 49-square-mile peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, and packs more cultural, culinary, and natural density into that space than cities ten times its size. It is the gateway city to California wine country, the launching pad for Silicon Valley, and one of the world's most beautiful walking cities.

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Essential San Francisco

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Things to do

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Golden Gate Bridge
Travellers' Choice

Golden Gate Bridge

4.4
(21,343)

modern

Alcatraz Island
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Alcatraz Island

4.7
(63,861)

heritage

Golden Gate Park
Travellers' Choice

Golden Gate Park

4.9
(63,176)

nature

Muir Woods National Monument
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Muir Woods National Monument

4.7
(31,522)

nature

Haight-Ashbury
Travellers' Choice

Haight-Ashbury

4.7
(53,312)

neighborhood

Places to stay

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HI San Francisco City Center Hostel
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HI San Francisco City Center Hostel

4.9
(25,172)

from ₹1,500/night

Hotel Zephyr Fisherman's Wharf
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Hotel Zephyr Fisherman's Wharf

4.4
(48,373)

from ₹4,500/night

The St. Regis San Francisco
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The St. Regis San Francisco

4.8
(54,586)

from ₹12,000/night

Restaurants & dining

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Ferry Building Marketplace
₹₹

Ferry Building Marketplace

4.3
(6,999)

Local restaurant

Signature dishes

Mission-style burritosourdough breadDungeness crabZuni Café roast chickendim sum (Chinatown)Japanese ramen (Japantown)California cuisinefarm-to-table
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Itineraries to help you plan

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History & CultureMust-See

A history-packed San Francisco trip

PS
By Priya Sharma

Explore the iconic landmarks and rich cultural heritage of San Francisco. From ancient temples to colonial architecture, this itinerary covers the must-see historical sites and hidden gems of the city.

See itinerary
Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge

4.6

(3,283)

Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island

4

(9,241)

Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park

4.7

(8,756)

Family FriendlyOutdoor Activities

San Francisco with kids — the perfect family trip

EA
By Emma Andersen

A family-friendly adventure in San Francisco packed with activities for all ages. Nature walks, local markets, and experiences the whole family will love and remember.

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Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument

4.5

(10,782)

Haight-Ashbury

Haight-Ashbury

4.7

(1,772)

Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge

4.6

(3,283)

RomanticCouples

Romantic getaway in San Francisco

OB
By Oliver Bennett

A curated couples escape in San Francisco — sunset views, signature cuisine, and intimate cultural experiences. Perfect for anniversaries and honeymoons.

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Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island

4

(9,241)

Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park

4.7

(8,756)

Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument

4.5

(10,782)

Featured guide

Go deeper into San Francisco

How to do San Francisco in 7 days
Travel Guide

How to do San Francisco in 7 days — the complete guide

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At a glance

San Francisco is known for

Golden Gate BridgeAlcatrazsourdough breadMission burritowine country accesstech industryLGBT historyVictorian housesfog

Insider knowledge

Travel tips for San Francisco

01

The BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) connects the airport to downtown, the Mission, and Berkeley directly — load a Clipper Card at the airport kiosk for $2.50 flat fare within SF. Muni streetcars cover the rest.

02

The best Mission burrito requires a walk down 24th Street to La Taqueria (no rice, pressed griddle) or across to El Farolito (late night, cheese melted into beans) — a genuine city debate.

03

The fog (nicknamed Karl) rolls in from the Pacific through the Golden Gate every summer afternoon — pack a layer even in August. September to November is the city's actual summer.

04

Alcatraz tickets sell out 2–3 weeks in advance, especially for the evening tour (the most atmospheric). Book the minute you confirm your SF dates.

05

Napa Valley is 90 minutes away (drive, not BART). Book winery appointments in advance; Opus One, Stag's Leap, and Heitz require reservations. Or take the SMART train to Sonoma County (45 min from San Rafael).

Getting there

How to reach San Francisco

By Air

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 21 km south of the city; BART train to Powell Street: 30 min, $10.65. Oakland International Airport (OAK) is cheaper to fly into; BART via Oakland: 45 min.

By Train

Amtrak California Zephyr from Chicago (52h) and Coast Starlight from Los Angeles (12h) terminate in Emeryville — free Amtrak bus connects to SF Transbay Terminal. Caltrain connects SF to Silicon Valley and San José.

By Road

US-101 (north–south) and I-80 (east) are the main approach highways. Driving from Los Angeles: 6h. Traffic on Bay Area bridges is severe during rush hours; BART is faster for airport trips.

Need to know

Practical information for San Francisco

On the Ground

Time zonePST (UTC-8); PDT (UTC-7) in summer.
CurrencyUSD. Cards accepted universally. Tipping 18–22% expected.
Tipping18–22% at restaurants; $1–$2 per drink at bars; $5+/day hotel housekeeping.
LanguageEnglish. Spanish widely spoken in the Mission. Cantonese in Chinatown.
VisaUS visa or ESTA for Visa Waiver Program countries.

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