Peak season:
San Francisco’s peak season is between June and August when most of the tourists come to visit. For cheap flights during that season, make sure to book well in advance.
Off season:
Winter is the low season however, this is when the ballet and opera seasons are in full swing. January is a good time to fly to San Francisco and see the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday. The 1.5 mile march starts at San Francisco's Caltrain station and finishes at the Yerba Buena Centre for the Arts and Gardens. Civil rights advocates, performers and singers add to the celebrations by bringing Martin Luther King's message back to life. Thousands join together to take part in this parade, so take into account roads may be closed and there may be more traffic in some areas.
Shoulder season:
Mid-September to mid-November is the best time to visit San Francisco. Most of the tourists have gone home, and the city is usually warm and sunny.
Look outside the window of your San Francisco flight and watch the dense fog begin to evaporate as the monumental Golden Gate Bridge slowly makes its debut and your sybaritic journey is about to commence.
For years the City by the Bay has been attracting bohemian artists, musicians and technophiles who all flock to its fascinating neighbourhoods and world-class museums. And holidaymakers who book their flights to San Francisco won’t be disappointed either. Your first day should begin with a walk across the Bridge then hop on a cable car and take a hilly ride through the city. Stop in Chinatown, which has one of the largest Chinese communities in the US, and sample some delicious dim sum. Then take a nostalgic stroll down the famous Haight-Ashbury district, where hippies congregate and in 1967 the 'Summer of Love' took place.
If you have some extra time, don’t miss a ferry ride to the chilling Alcatraz Island dubbed ‘The Rock’, home of the infamous prison where the likes of Al Capone and other notorious gangsters were imprisoned. Another island worth visiting is Angel Island. Although Angel was once a prison and quarantine station for immigrants, it’s come a long way since. Today visitors barbeque the green grass, hike to the top of Mt. Livermore and go mountain biking around the picturesque island.
The majority of San Francisco's cultural institutions are located in and around Golden Gate Park. These include the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum and its daughter institution, the Asian Art Museum. Newer museums are located in the South of Market (SoMa) area, just a short walk from the train station on King Street. These include the Museum of Modern Art, the Cartoon Art Museum and more. If you are flying to San Francisco you will definitely find yourself walking on the waterfront area which is popular with tourists; attractions include watching the sea lions frolic along the piers as well as strolling along the waterfront with its colourful shops and vendors. History buffs can explore the World War II submarine USS Pampanito, while children and adults alike love the Exploratorium, an interactive science museum. The city's naval history is reflected in the many ships stored at the Hyde Street Pier Maritime Museum.
San Francisco is surprisingly chilly, even in summer. Summer temperatures occasionally go above 21 with a morning fog over the city. Due to the fog, the city rarely sees more than a few hot days in a row, but just a few miles inland it’s clear, hot, and dry. Autumn has clear skies and temperatures in the mid-20s. Winter temperatures are usually in the teens and rarely go below freezing. But the winter rain combined with ocean breezes can make it feel cold. San Francisco is a popular holiday destination and has visitors, festivals, and events year-round. There’s always something going on. Getting downtown from the airportSan Francisco’s International Airport (SFO) is about 13 miles south of the city. Getting into San Francisco from the airport is easy: Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains run from the airport into the city. Alternatively, travellers can take BART to the Millbrae CalTrain station and take a train to the station on the corner of 4th and King Streets. Buses link the airport, the city and points to the south.
Hemmed in by the bay on three sides, San Francisco is a very compact city. It is therefore good for walking or cycling, although it is very hilly. Bus and subway services are good, and a few of the historic "cable car" trams still run. Driving and parking in San Francisco can be challenging.
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