The library

All 7 San Francisco guides

Neighbourhoods, getting around and the first-visit essentials, in the order most people need them.

Start here

The Golden Gate Bridge seen from Fort Point under a blue sky with clouds Neighbourhood Things to Do in San Francisco: First-Visit Essentials, by Area The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the cable cars first, then the waterfront, the hills, Golden Gate Park and the Mission, grouped by area with live events. Updated 12 November 2026 Cable car number 19 climbing Powell Street past old downtown buildings in San Francisco Union Square Where to Stay in San Francisco: Which Neighbourhood for Which Trip Union Square for a first trip, Fisherman's Wharf for families, Nob Hill for views, North Beach for food, the Mission for nights out. Which area suits which trip. Updated 12 November 2026 Golden Gate Bridge tower and roadway over the strait at dusk Day trip Best Day Trips From San Francisco: What Works Without a Car Sausalito, Angel Island, Berkeley and Oakland work on a ferry or BART. Muir Woods needs a booking. Wine country, Santa Cruz and Monterey are easier with a car or tour. Updated 12 November 2026

Where to stay 1

California sea lions resting on the floating docks at Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf Union Square Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf: Where to Stay in San Francisco, With Verdicts by Trip Type Union Square for a central base, transit and theaters. Fisherman's Wharf for Alcatraz, Pier 39 and kids. Verdicts by trip type from 16 guides. Updated 12 November 2026

More essentials 3

Powell and Mason cable car with its brown and cream body on a San Francisco street Essentials Getting Around San Francisco Without a Car: Muni, Cable Cars, BART and Ferries Muni covers the city, BART covers the airport and the East Bay, cable cars are a ride and not a commute. How to pay, what each costs, and how to get to and from SFO. Updated 12 November 2026 A band on stage under chandeliers at the Fillmore in San Francisco Essentials Live Music in San Francisco: The Best Venues for Every Kind of Night The Fillmore, Great American Music Hall and the Warfield lead 14 guides. Small rooms, jazz, plus Oakland and Berkeley venues, sorted by the kind of night. Updated 12 November 2026 The Golden Gate Bridge tower and roadway over the strait at dusk Essentials San Francisco Weather by Month: Temperatures, Rain and What to Pack San Francisco weather month by month from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals: highs, lows, rain and rainy days, and which months suit a trip. Updated 12 November 2026