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The Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

No. 35 Top 100 City Destinations 2025

San Francisco

United States

The Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, steep hills and a famous food scene by the bay.

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Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

San Francisco is No. 35 in Euromonitor International's Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025. The city sits on the tip of a hilly peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, linked to the north by the Golden Gate Bridge, opened in 1937.

Its cable cars, Victorian houses and distinct neighbourhoods make it a rewarding city to explore, and the wine country of Napa and Sonoma is within reach for day trips.

A cable car on a San Francisco street
A cable car on a San Francisco street. Photo: © Pierre André, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Best time to go

September and October usually bring the warmest, clearest weather.

Summer is often cool and foggy, especially near the coast, so bring layers whatever the season. Winter is mild, with most of the year's rain.

Top sights

  • 1

    Golden Gate Bridge

    Walk or cycle across the bridge for views of the bay and the city skyline.

  • 2

    Alcatraz

    The former island prison is reached by ferry from Pier 33. Tickets sell out, so book well ahead.

  • 3

    Cable cars

    The city's cable cars have run since 1873; the Powell–Hyde line has the best views.

  • 4

    Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39

    The busy waterfront has seafood stalls and sea lions basking on the floats at Pier 39.

  • 5

    Golden Gate Park In our Top 100 Museums

    The large park holds the de Young museum, the California Academy of Sciences and the Japanese Tea Garden.

  • 6

    Chinatown

    One of the oldest Chinatowns in North America, centred on Grant Avenue.

  • 7

    Ferry Building

    The restored 1898 terminal is a food hall, with a farmers' market on several days a week.

Getting there

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is about 20 km south of downtown. BART trains run to downtown in about 30 minutes.

Oakland (OAK) and San José (SJC) airports are alternatives. Amtrak trains stop at Emeryville, with a connecting bus to San Francisco.

Getting around

Muni runs buses, light rail and the cable cars; BART connects downtown with the airport and the East Bay. Use a Clipper card, which also works in phone wallets.

Many neighbourhoods are best explored on foot, though the hills are steep.

Practical tips

Currency
US dollar (USD). Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere. Tipping is customary: around 18–20% in sit-down restaurants and a dollar or two per drink in bars.
Language
English.
Safety
Car break-ins are common, so never leave anything visible in a parked car. Take care at night in some downtown areas. The emergency number is 911.
Visa & entry
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries (including the UK, most EU countries, Australia and Japan) need an approved ESTA before they travel; most other visitors need a visa. Canadian citizens generally need neither for a short visit. Apply only on the official site esta.cbp.dhs.gov and check travel.state.gov for the current rules.
Power
120 V, 60 Hz; plug types A and B.

Official information: San Francisco Travel (official tourism website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

Map

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