San Francisco, USA

Compiled by FatPassport's travel experts

Deserves it’s place among world’s great cities
San Francisco, USA

Likes: Beautiful, romantic city
Dislikes: Can be surprisingly cold
Many Travelers? Huge Tourist Crowds

Depending on your viewpoint, San Francisco conjures up images ranging from famous sights, to picturesque beauty, to fine wine & dining, to the land of the freaks. None would be wrong.

Travelers come to San Francisco to see famous attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the former federal prison of Alcatraz, Chinatown, and the Cable Cars, and these sights do not disappoint. San Francisco also offers beautiful scenery, fantastic dining, good nightlife, great shopping, and a happening scene for theatre and the arts. If that’s not enough, an hour north is the wine country (Napa and Sonoma Valleys).

If you are traveling with kids, then San Francisco is a fine place to bring them. Kids will enjoy seeing the above sights, and will also love touristy Pier 39 with it's slumbering sea lions and family-oriented shows and games; famed toy store FAO Schwarz; and the Discovery Museum across the Bay in Sausalito.

Just about anyone will enjoy San Francisco, though it’s relatively expensive such that backpackers may not want to linger, and it’s built on hills so it presents some challenges to those with mobility issues. The areas of interest to travelers are safe, but there are some rough areas nearby so it’s best not to wander around at night. Many are surprised to find that the city is a little dirty, and that there are lots of homeless that pester visitors for money.

San Francisco is not a great place to have a car: Driving is a challenge and parking is terrible. Public transportation is pretty good, though taxis will often be the preferred way to getting to some attractions.

Mark Twain apparently said something along the lines of “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco,” and travelers should be aware that the weather is unpredictable and often surprisingly cool. During the summer months of June-August, it’s common for the fog to roll-in and for temperatures to plummet, giving locals a reason to giggle as tourists in shorts shiver with cold. Interestingly though, the local micro-climates are such that it may be freezing in San Francisco, but balmy or hot just a half-hour drive away. If possible, shoot for visiting in spring (April/May), or better yet, come in the fall (September/October), as weather is better and crowds are more limited.

Considering the weather, and considering the frigid waters of the Bay and the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco is NOT a beach destination. If you’re looking for lounging on a beach, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

A stay of three days should allow you to see the main sights of interest and experience the city, though it’s a captivating place and merits longer if you have the time and money.

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Early October is the best time to visit!
San Francisco, USA

Likes: Weather, sights, free walking tours, food
Dislikes: No complaints
Many Travelers? Some

San Francisco is an exciting destination for singles and families, offering a great variety of activities. Be sure to visit as many neighborhoods as time permits. Try the food in every one of them! You can find tiny stores in just about every block, and bargains (including freebies) if you ask.

A FatPassport member submitted this review as their subjective opinion. This review is not an opinion of FatPassport.