Travel tips · San Francisco · United States
San Francisco travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
San Francisco has a long history as a home for counterculture, from the Beat writers of North Beach to the 1967 Summer of Love in the Haight and the gay rights movement in the Castro. Today it is also closely tied to the tech industry of Silicon Valley to the south. Locals are proud of their neighbourhoods, their food and even their fog, and are generally relaxed and informal.
Key facts
- Language
- English, Spanish and Chinese
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is excellent to drink; much of it comes from the Hetch Hetchy…
- Emergency
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Things to know
- Locals call it 'San Francisco' or 'the city'; 'Frisco' and 'San Fran' mark you as a visitor.
- On cable cars, hold on tight, keep limbs inside the car and follow the gripman's and conductor's instructions.
- Sort waste into recycling, compost and landfill bins; it is required by city law.
- Keep right on bike paths and the bridge sidewalks, and listen for cyclists' bells.
- Tip about 18–22% at restaurants; staff-benefit surcharges on the bill are not a tip.
- Book Alcatraz Island ahead: Tickets from the official ferry concessioner sell out days or weeks ahead in summer; book as early as you can.
- Book California Academy of Sciences ahead: Buy timed tickets online in advance for weekends and holidays.
- A Muni Visitor Passport pays for itself after a couple of cable-car rides plus a few bus trips.
Tipping
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, and a few dollars per bag for porters. Surcharges for staff healthcare are separate and not a tip.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The city | San Francisco, as locals call it |
| Muni | The city's buses, streetcars and cable cars |
| BART | Regional rail to the airport and East Bay |
| Karl the Fog | Local nickname for the summer fog |
| Hella | Very (Bay Area slang) |
What to wear
Layers are essential year-round: bring a windproof jacket and a warm top even in July, when fog and wind can make it feel colder than winter. Shoes with good grip help on the steep hills.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is excellent to drink; much of it comes from the Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- US SIM cards and eSIMs are easy to buy; free Wi-Fi is available in libraries, cafés and some public spaces.
- Time zone
- America/Los Angeles
Car break-ins are very common, especially at viewpoints and tourist car parks, so leave nothing at all in a parked car. Some downtown areas, notably the Tenderloin and parts of SoMa and Market Street, have visible drug use and can feel unsettled. Ocean beaches have cold water and strong rip currents, so swimming is not advised.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United States's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in San Francisco?
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, and a few dollars per bag for porters. Surcharges for staff healthcare are separate and not a tip.
+Can you drink the tap water in San Francisco?
Tap water is excellent to drink; much of it comes from the Hetch Hetchy reservoir in Yosemite.
+What plugs are used in San Francisco?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in San Francisco?
English, Spanish and Chinese.