San Francisco Travel Notes

Beautiful "city by the bay" San Francisco offers stunning panoramic scenery fanning out from the famous Golden Gate Bridge. The normally warm climate features refreshingly cool foggy nights even in mid-summer. The city offers an eclectic mix of art and culture, promising fun for all.

San Francisco

About San Francisco

San Francisco is at the top of most people's list of favorite U.S. destinations. There's so much to see and do: shopping in Union Square, watching the sea lions and eat seafood at Pier 39, taking a boat to see the famed prison on Alcatraz, enjoying a picnic and the views at Golden Gate Park, or taking part in any of the dozens of other activities that involve California's culture and cuisine. San Francisco is also one of the most scenic cities in the world, with its many hills affording some amazing views of the Bay and the surrounding area. The greater Bay area outside of San Francisco offers plenty to do as well. From kayaking in Tiburon, walking the quaint streets of Sausalito, touring the wine country of Napa and Sonoma, to eating oysters at Point Reyes, there is a never ending list of things you can do in and around San Francisco.

When to Travel to San Francisco

The temperature in San Francisco is moderate year round, so to most visitors San Francisco will seem warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Summers can be foggy, particularly in the west side of the city near the Pacific Ocean, athough the fog typically burns off by late morning. The nicest time of year tends to be during August and September, when days are often warmer and the marine layer of fog isn't as prevalent. Choosing when to visit San Francisco can determine the quality of the experience you'll have. In addition to the weather, crowds and other seasonal factors play a big role in how much your vacation may cost. In general, good weather and big crowds mean higher prices and lower availability, so budget travelers should avoid late summer months when the city is the most crowded when cheap hotels in San Francisco may not be readily available.

Cheap Flights to San Francisco

There are several airport choices for travelers to the San Francisco Bay Area. The largest airport is San Francisco International Airport (SFO), located just 13 miles south of San Francisco. It is a major hub for United Airlines and is a hub for some discount carriers such as Virgin America, so check these airlines in particular for cheap flights to San Francisco. The other airport that serves the San Francisco area is Oakland International Airport (OAK), located just across the Bay. Oakland International Airport offers fewer airlines, but is smaller and easier to navigate and often offers (comparatively) cheap flights into San Francisco. San Jose International Airport (SJC), can also be used to fly into San Francisco, but it is the farthest of the three from the city of San Francisco, is mainly useful for travelers looking to be closer to Silicon Valley. There has been an influx of discount airlines flying in and out of the three major Bay Area airports, including AirTran, Alaska Airlines, Frontier, JetBlue, Virgin America, and Southwest. Because San Francisco is a major destination with three separate competing airports and a bevy of competitive discount carriers, airfares tend to stay cheap throughout the year from most U.S. cities. There is no reason that budget travelers who plan just a bit in advance will not be able to secure cheap flights to San Francisco, even during the peak months.

More on San Francisco

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