Why go
- City and county in California, US.
- 16 curated must-see attractions on record, including Union Square.
- 1 hand-picked place to stay.
- 1 recommended spot to eat and drink.
- Served by San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
History
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with a population of 826,079 in 2025. Among U.S. cities with a population of 200,000 or more, San Francisco is ranked first by per capita income, third by population density, and sixth by aggregate income as of 2024. Some 4.6 million residents live in the city's metropolitan statistical area, which is the 13th-largest in the United States. Around 9.2 million live in the San Jose–San Francisco–Oakland combined statistical area, the fifth-largest in the United States.
Must-see attractions
Outdoor
Outdoor
Outdoor
Outdoor
Outdoor
900 North Point Street, San Francisco, CA
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA 94129
Outdoor
Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, San Francisco, California
844 W Orange Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080
Where to stay
Building, 240 Fort Mason 11, San Francisco, CA 94123
Eat & drink
Indoor
Airports
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) 10 mi to the centre
San Francisco, CA 94128 — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 42 airlines (United Airlines, Virgin America, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines…) · direct flights to 104 destinations incl. Atlanta, London, Los Angeles, New York, Seoul… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 42 airlines, 104 direct destinations
- United Airlines UA (737-800, A319, A320, 737-900, CRJ, EM2…) · 88 routes: Albuquerque*, Arcata CA*, Atlanta, Auckland*, Austin, Bakersfield*, Baltimore, Beijing, Boise*, Boston, Burbank*, Calgary*, Cancun, Chicago, Chico*, Cleveland, Colorado Springs*, Crescent City*, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Edmonton*, Eugene*, Fort Lauderdale, Frankfurt, Fresno*, Guadalajara, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Kahului, Kansas City*, Klamath Falls*, Kona, Las Vegas, Lihue, London, Los Angeles, Medford*, Mexico City … +48 more
- Virgin America VX (A320, A319) · 19 routes: Austin, Boston, Cancun, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Portland, Puerto Vallarta, San Diego, San Jose Del Cabo, Seattle, Washington, Washington
- Delta Air Lines DL (A320, 734, 737-900, 747-400, 757-300, 757…) · 17 routes: Amsterdam*, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Honolulu, London*, Los Angeles*, Mexico City, Minneapolis, New York, Palm Springs*, Paris*, Salt Lake City, Seattle*, Seoul*, Shanghai, Taipei*
- American Airlines AA (737, 737-800, A321, 767-300, A320, 747-400…) · 15 routes: Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Hong Kong*, London*, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Palm Springs*, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland*, Puerto Vallarta*, Seattle*, Tokyo
- US Airways US (737-800, A320, A321, 767-300, 777-300ER, 757…) · 14 routes: Auckland*, Beijing*, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Salvador, Seoul, Taipei
- Alaska Airlines AS (734, 737-800, 767-300, 737-900, 757, 737-800…) · 10 routes: Chicago*, Dallas-Fort Worth*, Los Angeles*, Miami*, New York*, Palm Springs, Portland, Puerto Vallarta, San Jose Del Cabo, Seattle
- Southwest Airlines WN (737-700, 73C, 737-300, 737-800) · 9 routes: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Phoenix, San Diego, Santa Ana
- AeroMéxico AM (737-800, 734, 737, 737-900, 767-300, 73J) · 7 routes: Atlanta*, Del Bajio, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Morelia, Puerto Vallarta*, San Jose Del Cabo*
- Air New Zealand NZ (737-800, 747-400, 777, A319, A320, 777-200) · 7 routes: Atlanta*, Auckland, Frankfurt*, Guadalajara*, London*, Mexico City*, Sydney*
- Air Canada AC (A319, A320, CRJ-700, Embraer 190, CRJ) · 6 routes: Calgary*, Edmonton*, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria*
- JetBlue Airways B6 (A320, 777-300ER) · 6 routes: Austin, Boston, Dubai, Fort Lauderdale, Long Beach, New York
- AirTran Airways FL (737-700, 737-700) · 5 routes: Atlanta, Chicago*, Denver*, Milwaukee*, Norfolk*
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (734, 747, 757-300, 757, 767-300) · 4 routes: Amsterdam, Atlanta*, Honolulu*, Seattle*
- Air France AF (A380, 737-900, 757-300, 757, 767-300) · 3 routes: Atlanta*, Honolulu*, Paris
- Lufthansa Cargo LH (A340-600, A380, 747-400, 777) · 3 routes: Frankfurt, London*, Munich
- Air China CA (747-400, 777-300) · 2 routes: Beijing, Shanghai*
- Air India Limited AI (777-300ER) · 2 routes: Hong Kong*, Seoul*
- Alitalia AZ (A380, 767-300) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, Paris*
- All Nippon Airways NH (777, 787-8, 777-300ER) · 2 routes: Osaka*, Tokyo
- China Airlines CI (737-900, 747-400, 757) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, Taipei
- Hawaiian Airlines HA (A320, A330-200) · 2 routes: Honolulu, Las Vegas*
- Singapore Airlines Cargo SQ (777-300ER) · 2 routes: Hong Kong, Seoul
- Virgin Atlantic Airways VS (737-900, 747-400, 757, 767-300) · 2 routes: Atlanta*, London
- WestJet WS (737-700) · 2 routes: Calgary, Vancouver
- Aer Lingus EI (A330-200) · 1 route: Dublin
- Asiana Airlines OZ (777-200LR) · 1 route: Seoul
- Avianca - Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia AV (A319, A320) · 1 route: San Salvador
- British Airways BA (747-400) · 1 route: London
- Cathay Pacific CX (747-400, 777-300ER) · 1 route: Hong Kong
- China Eastern Airlines MU (A330-200) · 1 route: Shanghai
- Emirates EK (777-300ER) · 1 route: Dubai
- EVA Air BR (777-300ER) · 1 route: Taipei
- Finnair AY (747-400) · 1 route: London
- Frontier Airlines F9 (A319, A320) · 1 route: Denver
- Iberia Airlines IB (747-400) · 1 route: London*
- Japan Airlines Domestic JL (787-8) · 1 route: Tokyo
- Korean Air KE (777-200, 777-300ER) · 1 route: Seoul
- Philippine Airlines PR (747-400) · 1 route: Manila
- Scandinavian Airlines System SK (A340-300) · 1 route: Copenhagen
- Sun Country Airlines SY (737-800, 737-700) · 1 route: Minneapolis
- Swiss International Air Lines LX (A340-300) · 1 route: Zurich
- Transaero Airlines UN (747-400) · 1 route: London*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Oakland International Airport (OAK) 12 mi to the centre
Oakland, CA, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 12 airlines (Southwest Airlines, AirTran Airways, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines…) · direct flights to 34 destinations incl. Honolulu, Kahului, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 12 airlines, 34 direct destinations
- Southwest Airlines WN (737-700, 73C, 737-300, 737-800, 737-800) · 18 routes: Albuquerque, Austin, Boise, Burbank, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Ontario, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Santa Ana, Seattle, Spokane
- AirTran Airways FL (737-700, 737-800, 73C) · 7 routes: Chicago*, Columbus*, Denver, Las Vegas*, Los Angeles*, Oklahoma City*, Santa Ana*
- American Airlines AA (737, A319, CRJ-900, Dash 8-400) · 7 routes: Honolulu*, Kahului*, Kona*, Lihue*, Phoenix, Portland*, Seattle*
- Alaska Airlines AS (737-800, 734, Dash 8-400, 737-700) · 6 routes: Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Lihue, Portland*, Seattle
- Allegiant Air G4 (MD-80, A319) · 4 routes: Bellingham, Eugene, Mesa, Provo
- Spirit Airlines NK (A319, A320) · 3 routes: Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas
- Delta Air Lines DL (A319, A320, CRJ-700) · 2 routes: Los Angeles*, Salt Lake City
- Hawaiian Airlines HA (767-300) · 2 routes: Honolulu, Kahului
- JetBlue Airways B6 (A320) · 2 routes: Long Beach, New York
- Norwegian Air Shuttle DY (787-8) · 1 route: Stockholm*
- US Airways US (A319) · 1 route: Phoenix
- Volaris Y4 (A319, A320) · 1 route: Guadalajara
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
San Carlos Airport (SQL) 20 mi to the centre
San Carlos, CA, US — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Half Moon Bay Airport (HAF) 18 mi to the centre
Half Moon Bay, CA, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Hayward Executive Airport (HWD) 19 mi to the centre
Hayward, CA, US — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Regional airports
Further out, but often the cheapest way in — the airports the low-cost carriers use. Each links to its own town's guide for getting from there into the city.
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) 39 mi to the centre
San Jose, CA, US — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 15 airlines (Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, AirTran Airways…) · direct flights to 29 destinations incl. Los Angeles, Guadalajara, Denver, Kahului, Phoenix… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Feeder airport · 39 mi from San Francisco · Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines · Getting around San Jose, California →
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 15 airlines, 29 direct destinations
- Southwest Airlines WN (737-700, 737-300, 73C, 737-800, 737-800) · 12 routes: Austin, Burbank, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Ontario, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, Santa Ana, Seattle
- Alaska Airlines AS (737-800, 734, Dash 8-400, 737-900, CRJ, 737-700…) · 11 routes: Boise*, Guadalajara, Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, Lihue, Los Angeles*, Portland, Reno*, San Jose Del Cabo, Seattle
- American Airlines AA (737, A319, A320, 737-800, M83, CRJ…) · 11 routes: Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Guadalajara*, Honolulu*, Kahului*, Kona*, Lihue*, Los Angeles*, Phoenix, Portland*, Seattle*
- AirTran Airways FL (737-700, 73C) · 4 routes: Denver*, Las Vegas*, Los Angeles*, San Diego*
- Delta Air Lines DL (737-800, A320, CRJ-900, CRJ-700) · 4 routes: Atlanta, Los Angeles*, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City
- United Airlines UA (A319, 737-800, A320, 737-900, 757-200, 787-8…) · 4 routes: Denver, Houston, Los Angeles*, Tokyo*
- US Airways US (A319, A320, 737-800, M83, CRJ-700) · 4 routes: Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Phoenix
- AeroMéxico AM (734, 737-800) · 2 routes: Guadalajara*, San Jose Del Cabo*
- JetBlue Airways B6 (A320) · 2 routes: Boston, New York
- All Nippon Airways NH (787-8) · 1 route: Tokyo
- Hawaiian Airlines HA (767-300) · 1 route: Kahului
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (737-800) · 1 route: Atlanta*
- Singapore Airlines Cargo SQ (A320) · 1 route: Los Angeles*
- Virgin America VX (A320) · 1 route: Los Angeles
- Volaris Y4 (A320) · 1 route: Guadalajara
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Getting there by ferry
San Francisco Pier 48.5 (Chase Center Ferry Terminal)
Ferry terminal · 2.9 mi from the centre
Oracle Park Ferry Terminal
Ferry terminal · 3 mi from the centre
San Francisco Ferry Building
Ferry terminal · 3.4 mi from the centre
Red & White Fleet
Ferry terminal · 3.5 mi from the centre
Pier 41 Gate 2
Ferry terminal · 3.5 mi from the centre
Pier 41 Gate 1
Ferry terminal · 3.5 mi from the centre
San Francisco Pier 41 - San Francisco Ferry Building
Ferry route · Water Emergency Transportation Authority
San Francisco Bay Ferry: San Francisco Pier 41 => San Francisco Ferry Building
Ferry route · Water Emergency Transportation Authority
San Francisco Bay Ferry: San Francisco Ferry Building => San Francisco Pier 41
Ferry route · Water Emergency Transportation Authority
Alcatraz - Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing
Ferry route · Alcatraz Cruises, LLC
Treasure Island - San Francisco Ferry Building
Ferry route · PROP SF
Treasure Island Ferry: Treasure Island Ferry Terminal => San Francisco Ferry Building
Ferry route · PROP SF
Treasure Island Ferry: San Francisco Ferry Building => Treasure Island Ferry Terminal
Ferry route · PROP SF
Sausalito - San Francisco Ferry Building
Ferry route · Golden Gate Bridge, Highway & Transportation District
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: SFO has direct flights to 104 destinations on 42 airlines (incl. Atlanta, London, Los Angeles, New York, Seoul…). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 12 mi (nearest: San Francisco Pier 48.5 (Chase Center Ferry Terminal), 2.9 mi); routes include San Francisco Pier 41 - San Francisco Ferry Building, San Francisco Bay Ferry: San Francisco Pier 41 => San Francisco Ferry Building, San Francisco Bay Ferry: San Francisco Ferry Building => San Francisco Pier 41.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for San Francisco, California. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Local transit
Metro, bus, cable car · Muni Metro light rail, buses, streetcars and the cable cars. · Fares: Clipper card or contactless · Airport: BART from SFO to downtown in 30 min
Bus · San Mateo, California · Schedules & GTFS data
Trains & rail
Rail operator
Rail operator
National rail
Coaches & shuttles
Seven to eight hours down I-5; the overnight is popular. · Los Angeles, California guide →
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Jet card, management · Managed fleet across US bases · Locally based jet card and aircraft management with private terminals in ~20 US cities.
Helicopter, by-the-seat · Helicopters, seaplanes, jets via partners · By-the-seat helicopters Manhattan–JFK/Newark and the Hamptons; jet charter through partners.
Membership charter · King Air 350i, Citation, Hawker, Global · US membership and on-demand charter; Delta Air Lines is a major shareholder.
Semi-private scheduled · Embraer 135 (16 seats) · First-class-only scheduled flights from Van Nuys to Aspen, Sun Valley, Cabo and Europe in summer.
Charter, management, FBO · Managed fleet, light to ultra-long-range · Charter, management and FBOs at Van Nuys and Orange County; the original Hollywood jet operator.