San Francisco temperature. San Francisco: a journey to the freest city in the world. Food. What to try
It is also rightly called the “pearl of the West Coast.” Elegant and luxurious, modern and ancient, provincial and cosmopolitan - this is the place for every traveler. amazing city will reveal a special side. San Francisco is stunning with its gabled gables, numerous turrets and magnificent Victorian buildings that blend perfectly with the sunny coastline, summer fogs and steep hills. Despite the fact that San Francisco is a true American metropolis, with its compactness and some special charm it resembles a seaside European city, where you want to forget about all your problems and enjoy the light and relaxed atmosphere.
Region |
State of California, San Francisco County |
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Population |
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Population density |
6688 people/km² |
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U.S. $ |
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Timezone |
UTC-7 in summer |
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Postal code |
94101-94112, 94114-94147, 94150-94170, 94172, 94175, 94177 |
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International dialing code |
Climate and weather
San Francisco has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers. The city is surrounded by water on three sides, so the weather is significantly influenced by cold ocean currents. In summer the average air temperature is +15...+24 °С, and in winter - +10...+15 °C. The rainy season lasts from November to March, snow falls extremely rarely. At the end of summer and from September to October, the city, especially its western regions, is enveloped in fogs that may not subside throughout the day.
The best time to travel to San Francisco is the dry period from mid-May to October.
Nature
The city is located on the west coast of California, on a small peninsula, which is located near the Golden Gate Strait, connecting the picturesque San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. In addition, the city's jurisdiction includes the island Alcatraz And Treasure Island, as well as the uninhabited Farallon Islands and part of the island Red Rock. A feature of the urban landscape is a large number of hills, for example, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Pacific Heights, Telegraph Hill, Potreto Hill and etc.
It's worth noting that San Francisco is located next to two tectonic faults, so small earthquakes occur here from time to time.
Attractions
San Francisco has quite a large number of various attractions, many of which are of global importance. The main symbol of the city is a huge suspension bridge Golden Gate, which is equipped with a spectacular illumination system. Less known, but no less remarkable is the bridge Oakland Bay Bridge.
For the curious tourist place the city has become Lombard Street, which will appeal to fans hiking. It is located on Russian Hill, and its main feature is considered to be a very large slope (27 °). The memorial tower is no less popular Coit Tower, which is dedicated to a local resident who volunteered to help firefighters. The most colorful area of the city is Chinatown, where you can see the original houses in oriental style, as well as visit Chinese restaurants and shops.
Also worth noting is the entrance to Chinatown, which features a stunning colorful gate. In addition, it is recommended to visit the old restaurant Cliff House, fishing pier with colony sea lions, Museum Walt Disney in and Museum of Russian Culture.
There are also interesting natural attractions in San Francisco, for example, two twin hills Twin Peaks, from the tops of which a stunning view of the city opens. Well, there are more than 200 parks of all kinds.
Finally, it is worth special mentioning famous island Alcatraz, which is located near San Francisco. It is known that it once served as a prison, which was considered the most secure in the United States. Now the island is a historical monument.
Nutrition
San Francisco is a true gourmet city, with the number and variety of restaurants rivaling even New York. This is not surprising, because the conditions for running a restaurant business here are simply ideal: skilled chefs from all over the world, first-class wineries and numerous farms that supply the city with the freshest products. It’s worth saying right away that the continuous flow of emigrants has almost completely absorbed the local national cuisine, along with her wings and potatoes. Therefore, Mexican, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and other ethnic establishments are most often found here. Half of the city's restaurants are concentrated in the districts Chinatown And Castro. The latter, by the way, is notable not only for its popularity among sexual minorities, but also for its cozy cafes with summer areas, where they serve delicious shrimp and crab dishes, as well as bohemian coffee shops and chocolate shops. In addition, many fine restaurants are located at the shipyard Fisherman's Wharf. This is where they serve excellent seafood dishes, as well as juicy California steaks and famous sourdough bread.
Of course, San Francisco is full of fast food establishments offering hamburgers and hot dogs, but they are not as popular as in other US cities. There are also many small pastry shops where you can enjoy some chocolate dessert and a cup of coffee at any time.
San Francisco is also the real capital of wine. Moreover, Californian wines have an exquisite taste and are considered one of the best in the world.
Accommodation
San Francisco offers its guests great amount hotels of various categories. For those who want to save on accommodation, the best places for temporary accommodation will be hostels and hotels B&B, which are scattered literally throughout the city, for example, The Pontiac Hotel & Hostel(from 20 $) or Mission Inn(from $39.2).
The city also has many mid-price hotels (from $60) and expensive upscale hotels (from $300).
Entertainment and relaxation
San Francisco can offer its guests a lot of entertainment for every taste, so you definitely won’t get bored here. For example, for family vacation a visit to the zoo is suitable San Francisco Zoo or an aquarium Aquarium of the Bay. Lovers of outdoor recreation will also enjoy the city, as there is an incredible number of beautiful parks and gardens on its territory. Of these, the park is the most popular "Golden Gate", which is a real oasis in the city center. Another beautiful place in San Francisco is Baker Beach. Well, golf lovers are recommended to go to the park Lincoln, on the territory of which there is an excellent golf center.
Fans of cultural pastimes will also like San Francisco: opera, ballet and symphony concerts - San Francisco can offer you all this in a huge variety. Most performances take place in the opera house "In Memory of War" and the American Conservatory Theater (A.K.T.).
No less saturated and night life city, as there are more than a hundred bars, nightclubs, showrooms and blues cafes open here. In addition, San Francisco is a real city of holidays and festivals. Of these, the most popular are the Folsom Street Fair, the Chinese New Year Parade, Lovefest, Christian Carnival and Fleet Week. Moreover, almost all city neighborhoods have their own individual holidays.
Exciting excursions to the brewery can also be an interesting way to spend your time. Anchor Brewing Company and large wineries, as well as to the islands Alcatraz And Angel.
Purchases
San Francisco's shopping is considered to be some of the best in the world, so it's no surprise that tourists come here to shop. The most popular shopping places in the city are Union Square, Upper Fillmore, Sacramento Street, Hayes Valley And Mission. This is where the best shopping is located, from fashion boutiques and jewelry stores to ethnic shops and designer galleries. Well, among shopping centers first of all it is worth highlighting Westfield San Francisco Center.
On its territory there are representative offices of such famous brands as Abercrombie & Fitch, Nordstorm's etc., as well as boutiques of the most popular companies ( Macy's, Bulgari, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, MaxMara, Diesel, Prada, Celine, Gucci, Escada, Guess, Agnes B., Wilkes Bashford etc.). In addition, it is recommended to visit the huge market Ferry Building and the colorful Chinatown district. In general, it is worth keeping in mind that literally every district of the city has a large selection of shops, shopping centers and supermarkets, many of them offering attractive discounts and promotions.
Transport
San Francisco urban public transportation presented extensive network bus and trolleybus routes, surface and underground high-speed trams Muni Metro, as well as trams. The cost of one trip is $1.5, all travel tickets can be purchased from drivers and at underground stations Muni. It is worth keeping in mind that they are valid for 1.5 hours on all types of transport, with the exception of cable trams and suburban metro BART. High-speed trams Muni Metro run from 5:00 to 00:00, but two lines (L and N) operate 24 hours a day.
In addition, there are a great variety of taxis in the city that operate at a single rate: $3.5 per ride and $2.25 per mile.
Connection
To call anywhere in the world, you can use one of the telephone booths that are installed on almost all streets of the city, as well as in many in public places. Calls are paid in small coins (cents) or calling cards. In addition, you can make any call from a hotel or large restaurant.
Mobile communications have excellent quality and uniform coverage, but the frequencies at which they operate are not similar to European ones.
Internet access is provided in almost all hotels. There are also many access points in the city WiFi.
Safety
In San Francisco, as in almost any other big city, are operated by pickpockets and all sorts of scammers. However, if you follow general safety measures and remain vigilant in public places, then the likelihood of any troubles is eliminated. The greatest caution should be exercised in the areas of Bayview-Hunters Point, Visitation Valley, Sunnydale, Fillmore District and Mission ( Mission).
It is also worth noting that there are many beggars and beggars in San Francisco, which it is recommended to simply ignore.
Business climate
San Francisco is the main financial center of the US West Coast, home to important institutions such as the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and Bank of America, as well as many offices of multinational banks, international financial institutions and large insurance companies. San Francisco encourages the preservation of small business, ensuring that 85% of the city's businesses are small companies with 10 or fewer employees. In addition, the city is home to the world-famous Silicon Valley, where the highest-class specialists are attracted for large-scale production of integrated circuits.
Real estate
According to many world experts, the San Francisco real estate market is one of the most stable and promising in the country. Moreover, it is widely represented here as commercial real estate, so residential. It is worth noting that the standard of living in San Francisco is very high, so the prices for local real estate are quite impressive.
However, to date, investments in local market real estate is one of the most promising commercial enterprises in the United States.
Budget travelers should keep in mind that several times a month San Francisco museums provide free visit. You can check the schedules of such events in any city tourist office. Also, those who expect to spend time on excursions and seeing all the sights are recommended to purchase a city welcome card ( Go Card or CityPASS), which gives the right to discount tickets to local museums and galleries.
The American city of San Francisco is one of the most popular cities not only in the United States, but throughout the world. This city is called the “city of eternal spring” not only because of its special climate - not cold, not hot, but changeable and capricious, “like a woman.” Rather, this name was given to the city because of the specific atmosphere of romance and freedom - it’s not for nothing that San Francisco fell in love with the generation of beatniks and hippies, rebellious youth and representatives of sexual minorities.
However, San Francisco is also eagerly visited by many tourists from all over the world. And there really are some very interesting and unique attractions here.
First of all, you should definitely see the famous Golden Gate suspension bridge, spanning the Gulf of California. This is one of the largest and most impressive bridges in the world - its length is almost 3 kilometers (more precisely 2737 meters), it rises 230 meters above the water, and can carry 100,000 cars per day.
Another interesting attraction of San Francisco are the extraordinary cable trams. Due to the city's landscape (located on forty hills), these funicular trams were one of the most convenient means of transportation in the past. But they were very expensive for the city authorities. And now only three routes remain, and only because tourists really liked this unusual method of transportation.
Alcatraz Island is also popular, offering beautiful views of San Francisco. Especially at night - which is why special evening excursions are sent to the island. However, Alcatraz Island is best known for its prison, where many hardened criminals were kept, including Al Capone.
It is, of course, worth visiting Monterey Island with its picturesque rocky shores, pine and cypress forests, and curved beaches. A must-see here is the Oceanarium, one of the largest in the world (one of whose viewing glasses is the largest in the world), aquariums where you can see more than 300,000 species of marine and ocean life.
The Chinatown area is popular among tourists - the largest Chinatown outside of China. This is truly a real Chinese town, in sharp contrast to the rest of the city, and there are also many different restaurants, jewelry stores and souvenir shops.
You should also walk along Lombard Street - the most crooked street in the world, which was even included in the Guinness Book of Records.
The Haight-Ashbury area is famous for being home to hippies in the sixties. And although the days of the hippies are long gone, the atmosphere of those times is still preserved here and today’s youth often gather here.
Representatives of sexual minorities have chosen the Castro area for themselves, but there are still small art galleries and many different cafes.
There are quite a few in San Francisco interesting museums: two museums fine arts– De Young Museum with rich collection paintings, among which the works of European painters and works of early Native American art are especially interesting, and the Legion of Honor Museum with a collection of antiques and exhibits related to American television and Hollywood, the Science Museum, the Museum of the African Diaspora, the San Francisco History Museum, the Museum of Crafts and folk art and others.
Among the theaters in San Francisco, the most famous are the War Memorial Opera House, the Herbst Theater, and The Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall.
Among other attractions in San Francisco, it is worth visiting the picturesque Yosemite national park with lakes, waterfalls, caves, mountain peaks and forests, Embarcadero Boulevard, where food fairs are held, Golden Gate Park, home to one of the best Botanical Gardens in the world, the unusual Pyramid skyscraper, the Richmond area, known as " Russian Quarter", Cathedral St. Mary's, Wine Country Valley, where you can taste different types of wine.
Excellent climate all year round for traveling. The weather in San Francisco is quite warm throughout the months, because... the city is located in mid-latitudes. Comfortable average annual ambient temperature during the day is +19.6°C, and at night +12.3°C. It is a popular city to travel to in the USA. Below is the climate and weather in San Francisco in winter, spring, summer and fall.
The best months to travel
High season in San Francisco in May, June, July with excellent weather +20.8°C...+22.0°C. At this time in this popular city the least rainfall, approximately 1 day per month, falls from 5.0 to 17.4 mm of precipitation. The number of clear days is from 13 to 20 days. Monthly climate and temperature in San Francisco are calculated based on recent years.
Air temperature in San Francisco by month
The warmest weather in San Francisco by month and in the USA as a whole is in August, September, October up to 23.5°C. At the same time, the lowest ambient air temperatures are observed in February, December, January up to 13.5°C. For lovers of night walks, the readings range from 9°C to 15.8°C.
Number of rainy days and precipitation
The rainiest periods are February, March, December when there is bad weather for 5 days, up to 71.2 mm of precipitation falls. For those who do not like humidity, we recommend August, September, July during this period, the average monthly rainfall is only 0 days and the monthly precipitation rate is 1.2mm.
Rest comfort rating
The climate and weather rankings in San Francisco are calculated by month, taking into account average temperature air, amount of rain and other indicators. Over the course of the year in San Francisco, the score ranges from 3.0 in February to 5.0 in October, out of five possible.
Climate summary
| Month | Temperature air during the day |
Temperature air at night |
Sunny days |
Rainy days (precipitation) |
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| January | +16°C | +10.2°C | 22 | 3 days (19.1mm) | |
| February | +13.5°C | +9°C | 16 | 3 days (46.6mm) | |
| March | +17.5°C | +11.2°C | 15 | 4 days (46.7mm) | |
| April | +19.5°C | +11°C | 21 | 2 days (16.0mm) | |
| May | +22°C | +12.5°C | 20 | 1 day (11.0mm) | |
| June | +20.8°C | +12.2°C | 20 | 2 days (17.4mm) | |
| July | +21.5°C | +13.8°C | 13 | 1 day (5.0mm) | |
| August | +23°C | +14.8°C | 13 | 0 days (10.9mm) | |
| September | +23.4°C | +14°C | 22 | 1 day (1.2mm) | |
| October | +23.5°C | +15.8°C | 17 | 2 days (8.0mm) | |
| November | +19.2°C | +12.8°C | 19 | 2 days (35.6mm) | |
| December | +14.8°C | +10.8°C | 16 | 5 days (71.2mm) |
Number of sunny days
Largest quantity sunny days are observed in April, January, September when there are 22 clear days. These months offer excellent weather in San Francisco for walks and excursions. The least sun is in August, July, March when the minimum number of clear days is: 13.
The city of San Francisco, best known as the pearl of the West Coast, is surrounded and washed by the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. The city is rightfully called one of the most beautiful places in the USA for travel lovers, as well as quality rest. This interest is primarily due to geographical location, as well as the natural features and rich history of this region. This city frightens and shocks some, fascinates and drives others crazy. However, there is not a person on Earth whom this magnificent city left him indifferent.
Climate in San Francisco
When going on a long trip to San Francisco, tourists often confuse it with another California resort - Los Angeles, located a little closer to the south.
Remember weather This city is far from resort, as in. The Mediterranean climate prevails here, characterized by predominantly rainy winters and fairly dry summers.
San Francisco is surrounded by water on all sides, which is why the weather is largely influenced by cold currents. In summer, the average temperature is 24 C; closer to winter, the temperature will most likely drop to 10 C. The heaviest precipitation falls from November to March; snow falls here extremely rarely. The most favorable time to get to know the city is summer, late spring (May) or early autumn (until October).
Getting to San Francisco
Due to the cancellation of direct flights from Moscow, the only way to get to San Francisco was flights with transfers in other cities. From the point of view of saving money, the best solution for you will be transit routes through New York and Los Angeles. The cost of a flight to San Francisco from the Russian capital varies from 600 to 700 dollars one way. The duration of such a trip is at least 17 hours.
If you have already arrived in the USA or, you can use the services intercity buses. The country has a well developed bus service between populated areas. The main Greyhound bus station is located at 425 Mission Street in San Francisco.
Another way to get to San Francisco from anywhere you need settlement is a train. State-owned Amtrak trains provide transportation throughout the country. However, keep in mind that there are no direct flights to San Francisco. You can reach the neighboring cities of Oakland and Emeryville.
Basic prices for travelers to San Francisco
The cost of 1 day of living in San Francisco, at first glance, may seem high (from $100), however, you must agree, life in this beautiful city worth it. In addition to expensive pleasures, there is a huge selection of splendors that you get completely free, such as the beauty of the city, frequent street festivals, green parks, outdoor galleries and much more. For an experienced tourist, it will not be difficult at all to have a wonderful time with minimal financial expenses.
Hotel prices depend on the category. For example, if you want to stay in a luxury 5-star hotel, then be prepared to pay $200-1000 per night. A more economical option is hostels, the cost of one night is from $15 to $80.
The fare for public transport is $1.5, for a taxi - $2.25 per mile (plus $3.5 for landing). Do you want to move around the city freely? Use the car rental service, it will cost you $40 plus gasoline (1 liter, $1). Be sure to have $4 with you in case you have to park somewhere in the city, otherwise you will pay 7 times more for parking incorrectly. Remember - saving often costs us more.
When shopping in San Francisco, be careful, because the amount on the price tag does not include VAT (from 7 to 11%). This is a clever move to deceive a gullible buyer, especially a tourist. Be prepared for the fact that when purchasing clothes, household goods, and even in a cafe, you will have to add about 10% to the amount indicated on the receipt.
Do you think American prices are “biting”? Not at all, especially if you happen to be on sale. During this period, prices for most goods are reduced by an average of 60%, the maximum price reduction is approximately 2 weeks before the end of sales.
What attractions can you see in San Francisco?
To get acquainted with the city, you need to start with a walking tour of Downtown. There is a lot of traffic here and high skyscrapers, and the crowds of people - everything is like in American films. In addition, the oldest and, perhaps, largest Chinatown in America is bustling in the city center! There is a special atmosphere here: famous Chinese pagodas, exotic products in shop windows, narrow alleys.
Have you decided to take a break? Head to the museums of San Francisco. The most popular of them: memorial museum de Young with a huge collection of American paintings, the Museum of Modern Art, the Asian Art Museum, which presents artifacts from most Asian countries, historical Museum Wells Fargo. And finally, the Golden Gate Museum-Park. You must visit it! There are over 1,700 plant species represented here!
After visiting parks and museums, head to the main symbol of San Francisco - the Golden Gate. By the way, you can buy a cruise around it, and also go to the island with the Alcatraz prison. Such cruises depart from Pier 39, which itself is a landmark of the city. There is an incredibly large number of souvenir shops, restaurants, attractions, etc. entertainment. Nearby is the Aquarium of the Bay, an aquarium with over 20 thousand different marine life.
You can complete your trip to San Francisco by visiting the most luxurious area of the city, Nob Hill, as well as the Russian Hill area, the peculiarity of which is that it is located on the most high point in the city.
Shopping in San Francisco
San Francisco is undoubtedly one of the best places for shopping. Among the trade and entertainment centers, first of all, it is worth noting one thing, Westfield is perhaps the largest complex, uniting under its roof over 170 fashionable and expensive stores such as Prada, Diesel, Gucci, Escada, etc. There are other options for shopping centers: Crocker Gallery, Japan Center . In addition, it is recommended to visit the large indoor market Ferry Building and walk through the colorful Chinatown district. Points from highest concentration stores are: Sacramento street, Hayes Valley, Fillmore, Union Square, Mission. However, here everyone will find something for themselves.
The city of San Francisco has long been considered one of the most beautiful places USA. Thanks to his geographical location, natural features And rich history the city is famous as contrasting, multifaceted and very colorful. A legendary symbol of the American West, a product of the Gold Rush period, San Francisco attracts tourists from all over the world. Americans themselves often call the city “the pearl of the West Coast.”
San Francisco is located on a small peninsula between the bay of the same name and Pacific Ocean, connected to each other by the Golden Gate Strait. The numerous hills on which the city is located, the oceanic winds and frequent fogs have become in some way its " business card"By the way, there are about 50 hills of varying heights in the city, and the Twin Peaks hills are the most popular among tourists - they offer a magnificent view of the bay and the city.
Ever since the California Gold Rush, the city has secured its status as a financial and industrial center region. Today there are many research centers and industries related to high technology, genetic engineering and medical electronics, so the city continues to play an important role in the economic life of the country. In addition, due to its favorable location, San Francisco serves about 30% of the trade of the entire west coast of the country.
History of San Francisco
Initially, the territory of modern San Francisco was inhabited by Indians; European colonists came here in 1769. Seven years later, the Spaniards founded the mission of St. Francis of Assisi here, around which a small settlement was formed.
After the declaration of Mexican independence from Spain, the territory of modern California became Mexican, and new town was named Herba Buena, which means "good grass" in Spanish. However, Mexico soon loses the war with America, and in 1848 the territory of California becomes a possession of the United States. The city is officially renamed San Francisco, and active expansion of the surrounding areas for construction begins.
The California Gold Rush, which began in 1848, may have played a key role in San Francisco's history. In just a year, the city's population increased from 1,000 to 25,000 people. The city's infrastructure was not ready for such an influx of people, and problems with health, crime and housing began.
Another turning point in the history of San Francisco was the powerful earthquake of 1906, which, combined with the outbreak of fires, almost completely destroyed the city. After this, an era of rapid reconstruction and development began, and gradually San Francisco acquired its modern appearance.
City population
The population of San Francisco is about 815 thousand people, while the city ranks second in the country in population density after. More than 40% of residents have higher education, which makes competition in the labor market very significant. The average income level here is quite high, and due to high prices for housing and groceries, the cost of living in San Francisco is quite high.
The city is known throughout the world for its tolerance towards people with non-traditional sexual orientation. According to statistics, about 15% of the population of San Francisco belongs to the gay community - this is the highest figure in the world.
Transport
Public transport in San Francisco is very popular among residents - up to 35% of the population use its services daily. It is believed that the network public transport city - the best West coast, this includes above-ground and underground high-speed trams, buses, trolleybuses, network commuter trains, as well as a ferry service and the famous historical cable tram.
In light metro cars ( light rail) or buses in San Francisco are often crowded, but this is perhaps the most optimal way to get around the city for tourists. In any case, it is not recommended to rent a car - endless traffic jams, narrow streets and expensive parking are unlikely to bring much pleasure.
Main attractions
The main attraction of San Francisco, its calling card, is the Golden Gate Bridge - one of the largest suspension bridges in the world. The length of the bridge is just under 2 kilometers, the height above the water level is 67 meters.
Also very popular is Golden Gate Park - a beautiful oasis of greenery among big city, stretching five kilometers in length and ending at Ocean Beach. This beach, by the way, runs along another park, symbolically nicknamed “Lands End”. This place is the most extreme point continental land in the direction of rotation of our planet, the New Year comes here last.
On one of the islands near San Francisco there is the famous Alcatraz prison, familiar to many from the movie “The Rock”. In the past, this was one of the harshest prisons for especially dangerous criminals; only a few managed to escape from here. Today the prison is not used for its intended purpose and has been turned into a museum; you can get here from San Francisco by ferry from Pier 33.