San Francisco Hotels

With myriad famous landmarks, pretty ‘hoods, great restaurants and a progressive, cosmopolitan vibe, San Francisco is ahead of the pack. While just shy of 800,000 people, the city proper is a dense network of dynamic street life and architectural eye candy.

The action in San Francisco takes place in a variety of locations. From retail hub Union Square to Latino flair of The Mission, the affluence of Russian Hill and seedy Tenderloin area, the city is a motley collection of more than 100 districts.

Attractions

Fisherman’s Wharf is one of San Francisco’s most popular areas for new visitors. Other than the usual tourist traps, the waterfront district offers some of the best seafood in the city – try the Dungeness crab in season, world famous Ghirardelli chocolate factory and Aquarium of the Bay. The Wharf also provides close proximity to Chinatown and Alcatraz.

The island penal complex known as The Rock is accessible via ferry from Fisherman’s Wharf. The history of Alcatraz is extraordinary and almost implausible today. A tour of the former maximum security prison is worth the price of admission.

San Francisco’s Chinatown is more spacious and attractive than any other in North America. Home to numerous parks, points of interest and great food, a leisurely stroll around is a great way to kill a few hours.

The Golden Gate Bridge is the paramount icon of San Francisco. Although visible from various points around the city, notably Fort Point, Baker Beach and Marin Headlands, the most tactile way to enjoy the majestic span is to cross it as a pedestrian.

The Nob Hill area of the city was the traditional power base for industrialist tycoons and the elite. For scenery, grand hotels and iconic architecture, this San Francisco neighbourhood is hard to beat.

Events

A busy, vibrant cultural city like San Francisco has a full calendar of events all year long. Baseball and football fans will want to purchase tickets to the Giants and 49ers in advance. The teams engender fierce loyalty among Bay Area residents and play before capacity crowds.

The Ferry Building Marketplace, a colossal gourmet paradise along the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street, hosts regular culinary events, demos and workshops.

Every March the Street Performer’s Festival at Pier 39 celebrates the best in busker talent from around the world.

Japantown comes to life in April with the Cherry Blossom Festival, a celebration of the culture, food and art of Japan.

The San Francisco International Film Festival, also held in April, is a vital stop for many producers and directors on the annual show-and-tell circuit.

June ushers in the Union Street Festival and Haight Street Fair, with throngs of craft and art vendors, food stalls and performers.

The Fillmore Street Jazz Festival is one of the most important celebrations of jazz in the world. The festival is free and coincides with Independence Day weekend.

A notable haven for gay and lesbian culture and activism, San Francisco hosts one of the most fundamental Gay Pride Parades in the world. Held on the last Sunday in June, the event typically draws in excess of 1 million people.

Climate

With water on three sides and a Mediterranean climate, the weather in San Francisco is quite moderate for most of the year.

• Winter (November to February) 8-17°C
• Spring (March to May) 9-17°C
• Summer (June to August) 11-18°C
• Fall (September to October) 12-21°C