All you need to know before visiting San Francisco

Budget

San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the US, but it’s still a bit cheaper than New York.

• It’s almost impossible to find a private room for less than 60 USD (50 EUR).

• Food is pretty expensive as well. A budget dinner with drinks costs at least 18 USD (17 EUR), and in fancier restaurants at least double or triple the price.

• Public transport (Muni bus and rail) fares start at 2.50 USD (2.35 EUR).

To save some more money, check out our Budget cutting tips.

Where to stay

You can find great accommodation options on Booking. Make sure to search for private rooms popular for romance. 😉 On Airbnb you can rent furnished apartments – those are usually cheaper than most hotels and they offer you the real San Francisco experience.

Best time to go

The climate in San Francisco is mild year-round, but since it gets cool and rainy during the winter, the best time to visit SF would be from April to November. The warmest month is September but because of San Francisco’s moody weather, it’s best to always pack an extra sweater. To avoid the crowds, spring or, better yet, fall are your best bets.

Other information

♦ Planning and preparation: check out our planning routine here.

♦ Packing: check out the honeymoon adventurers’ ultimate packing list here.

♦ For other travel tips check out Travel like a pro, Travel for couples, Honeymoon styles, Honeymoon activities, Responsible tourism, and Travel resources.

♦ Language: English. Chinese and Spanish are also widely spoken. Check out the typical travel vocabulary in English here.

♦ Currency: United States dollar

♦ Visa or other entry requirements: All nationals or citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure under VWP are required to apply for ESTA (in advance). For more information, visit US Visa. Travelers from any other countries must obtain a B-1 or B-2 Visitor Visa in advance.

♦ Electricity standards: The power plug types in the USA are A and B, the standard voltage is 120 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.

♦ Time zone: UTC-08:00

♦ Immunization recommendations and requirements: There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to the United States.

♦ Health and safety tips:

In San Francisco, as well as in any other major city, you should always make sure to follow the usual travel safety precautions:

• Leave your jewelry and other valuable belongings in the hotel safe.
• Keep your emergency cash apart from the rest of your money.
• Dress comfortably and carry only the items you will need for the day.
• Don’t carry a lot of money.
• Always make sure to lock your room before leaving the hotel.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Stay in well-lit areas.
• Try to maintain a low profile and do your best to fit in.
• Carry a travel wallet/money belt/money pouch for carrying money and documents safely.
• Avoid contact with potential scam artists.
• Avoid showing off valuable belongings (like cameras) in public.
• Don’t count your money in public.
• Keep an eye on your belongings at all times.

To find out more about areas to avoid and safety in San Francisco, check out Trip Advisor’s SF Health and Safety tips.

To stay healthy while traveling, check out our health travel tips.

• Tap water in SF is safe to drink. The locals are very proud of how clean and tasty it is.
* Always make sure to reuse a water bottle to cut down on waste.

♦ Local Customs: Since San Francisco is one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world, the locals tend to be accepting of every culture, race, and religion. There is no particular dress code required on the streets of SF. Locals are mostly friendly and informal and are (logically) offended by extreme behavior, such as racist, sexist and vulgar language, disrespectful and aggressive behavior.

Check out top things to see and do in San Francisco, as well as top romantic experiences and adventures here.