San Francisco News and Advice
Like many big cities, San Francisco can provide very different types of vacations depending on the traveler’s preferences. However, there are some general tips to follow that should make every trip to the city by the bay more enjoyable.
Best Times to Visit: As a major tourist destination, San Francisco can get very crowded in the summer months. To make things worse, summertime often brings about some of the foggiest and chilliest weather in the city. The most beautiful times to visit the city, weather-wise, are April-May and September-October. April and May bring about crisp, sunny days and less fog. The city usually undergoes a bit of a heat wave in the fall, and in San Francisco a hot day is a cause for major celebration, so expect locals to be especially festive and upbeat, flocking to parks and beaches to soak up the sun while it’s out. Keep in mind, though, that just a few miles inland and temperatures can really soar during the summer.
How to Pack: One word: layers. San Francisco weather is unpredictable, so you may walk out of your hotel and be submerged in fog in the morning but be sweaty by mid-afternoon. Be sure to bring lots of mobile sweaters, jackets and scarves.
Sometimes sightseeing in San Francisco is easiest when you forget about cabs and parking spots and decide to trek on foot. The city, after all, is a mere seven by seven miles. The city’s steep hills, however, can be nearly impossible to scale while wearing uncomfortable shoes, so be sure to pack ones that will allow you to walk as much as you’d like.
Getting Lost: Some of the best spots in San Francisco aren’t listed in many travel guides or in packed areas. Be open to wandering around the city’s smaller neighborhoods, like Cole Valley, next to the Haight, to explore charming boutiques, cozy cafes and colorful locals. Instead of sticking to Fisherman’s Wharf to be by the water, try small beaches like China Beach and enjoy the amazing view and peaceful atmosphere.
Mom and Pops: Instead of sticking to the tired old menu of Starbucks for breakfast and McDonald’s throughout the day, give some of San Francisco’s small, independently owned establishments a try. For delicious coffee and the epitome of coffee shop-cool, try Royal Ground coffee shops, with locations in Pacific Heights, Russian Hill and Nob Hill. The city’s smaller coffee shops often offer free Internet access with fewer restrictions than some larger chains.
For breakfast, try longtime favorite Mama’s in North Beach for their famous silver dollar pancakes or French toast, but be prepared to wait for a while in a line snaking down the block. Instead of hitting the old chain ice cream store for a sweet fix, check out Bi-Rite in the Mission District, where San Franciscans come from near and far to pick up inventive flavors of handmade ice cream including salted caramel and balsamic strawberry. The store is also great about letting newcomers have samples of some of the more exotic flavors.
Be Casual: Don’t worry too much about being dressed up as you walk through the city during the day or go out to dinner at night. Although some of the older establishments have a bit more stuffiness to them, even upscale restaurants are usually ok with dressed up jeans and nice shoes. In terms of nightlife, be aware that some clubs do require a dress code (usually only for men, and usually nothing more demanding than no sneakers or baseball caps), but for the most part the fancy duds can stay at home.