About San Francisco
Enchanted by its aesthetic beauty, cultural attractions, diverse communities and outstanding cuisine, thousands leave their hearts in San Francisco every year. Located about 400 miles North of Los Angeles, the city has ranked amongst the top travel and meeting destinations in the world. Although only 750,000 people live within the city's limits, it is the 2nd most densely populated city in the U.S. with more billionaires than almost any other city in the world. San Francisco, often referred to as "Everybody's Favorite City," is rich with over 150 years of history. The city has been shaped and molded by events like the California Gold Rush and the 1906 earthquake and fire that devastated much of the city.
Surrounded by water on three sides with the Pacific to the west, the San Francisco Bay to the east, and the Golden Gate
Golden Gate to the north, San Francisco's romantic setting allures over 16 million visitors each year. San Francisco is also surrounded by 14 small islands including the infamous island of Alcatraz
Alcatraz. Characterized by landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, colorful Victorian row houses, and cable cars
San Francisco Cable Cars, the city spans over some 50 hills, making the Bay Area the largest inlet on the California coast. It is also the headquarters for six Fortune 500 companies including McKesson, Wells Fargo, Gap, PG&E, Charles Schwab and URS.
The San Francisco area features the tallest redwood trees in the world, the longest suspension bridge in the world, the crookedest street in the United States, as well as a federal penitentiary that was off-limits to the public until 1973. Other attractions include the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and the Yerba Buena Gardens, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), the Exploratorium
The Exploratorium, the Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39, the Museum of Contemporary Arts (MOCA), and many more. The city also hosts several smaller art galleries that showcase the works of up-and-coming area artists. The three largest art districts are found at 49 Geary Street, the South Market District, and the Mission District.
In addition to its fine art and intriguing history, San Francisco provides a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with several nearby beaches and parks. Ocean Beach, North Beach, and Stinson Beach are three of the most popular sandy destinations. After a leisurely waterside picnic or bike ride through the Presidio, unwind by shopping in one of San Francisco's many shopping districts like Chinatown, Ghiradelli Square, Union Square, Chestnut Street, Fillmore Street or Haight Street. For a night on the town, check out popular music venues like Mezzanine, the Swedish American Hall, and Studio Z or try hip bars like Vital Tealeaf, G Bar, and Club Six. To grab a bite to eat, take a trip down to famous Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf to select from numerous delicious fresh seafood restaurants. San Francisco is a city with a unique and colorful culture, opening a door to a world full of adventure and opportunity.
Why San Francisco?
With its booming economy and mild spring-like temperatures, it is no surprise to find that tourism is the backbone of San Francisco's economy. Over 50% of San Francisco visitors come to the Bay Area because of conventions or other business-related ventures. Almost all major area attractions are within walking distance of the Moscone Center
Moscone Center, San Francisco's premier location for meetings and conventions. The San Francisco Design Center also offers multiple venues for meetings and events; among them, the Concourse Exhibition Center, which has more than 120,000 square feet of exhibit space. Additionally, the often frustrating and daunting task of reserving large room blocks is no problem in San Francisco. As of winter 2007, there are approximately 32,822 hotel rooms within the San Francisco City Limits, 20,000 of which are located within a few blocks of the Moscone Center.
For water lovers, the Bay Area is an ideal location to participate in aquatic sports like water skiing, swimming, surfing, and boating. For those who prefer keeping booth feet on land, San Francisco also has more than 200 parks within its city limits. Parks such as Sharp Park and Camp Mather offer everything from swimming pools and golf courses to tennis courts and basketball courts to satisfy the active individual. With more than enough to keep visitors busy during the day, the Bay City Area nightlife is certainly not lacking. Hot spots like the Empire Plush Room, Top of the Mark, Mandarin Lounge, and El Rio attract hundreds of beautiful faces every night.
Regardless of the desired final destination, traveling to and from San Francisco is painless. San Francisco International Airport offers a choice of 35 airlines, flying to 60 destinations in the United States and 30 international destinations. On an average day, more than 1,300 flights arrive and depart the busy airport. Both the San Francisco Municipal Railway (MUNI) and the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), offer transportation services between San Francisco International Airport and the downtown area. The MUNI trains and buses operate 24 hours a day.
Key San Francisco Metro Area Facts
Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Convention Center: The Moscone Center
Airports: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
| Population | 744,041 | Destination Type Listings |
| Hotels | 240 | • Golf Destinations |
| Hotel Rooms | 32,720 | • Ski Destinations |
| Unique Venues | 580 | • Beach Destinations |
| Restaurants | 4,500 | • Smoke Free Restaurants |
San Francisco Climate Information
The climate of San Francisco is strongly influenced by the cool current of the Pacific Ocean, which produces a remarkably mild climate with few seasonal temperature variations, earning San Francisco the name "the air-conditioned city." Heavy smog can quickly blanket the city for several hours and then disappear as fast as it arrived. While the smog can interfere with traffic flow and line of sight, it is also the key ingredient for San Francisco's spectacular sunsets.
The months from May to September comprise the warmest and driest period and the rainy season lasts from December to February. Travelers should plan their San Francisco visit during late summer and early fall to enjoy the city's warmest and sunniest weather.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec High -°F | 79 | 81 | 84 | 94 | 96 | 101 | 103 | 96 | 101 | 102 | 86 | 76 |
| Avg High -°F | 56 | 60 | 61 | 63 | 64 | 66 | 66 | 66 | 70 | 69 | 64 | 57 |
| Avg Low -°F | 46 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 53 | 54 | 54 | 56 | 55 | 51 | 47 |
| Rec Low -°F | 30 | 31 | 35 | 40 | 44 | 47 | 47 | 48 | 48 | 43 | 39 | 27 |
| Rainfall - in. | 4.1 | 3.5 | 2.9 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | -- | -- | 0.2 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 3.9 |
