San Francisco packs steep hills, a working harbor and some of the country's best Chinese and Mission-style Mexican food into seven square miles. The fog rolls in most summer afternoons, so pack layers regardless of the season.
Month by month
Best: April, May, September, October, November
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Avoid Poor OK Good Excellent Peak
How long to stay
4–6 days is the sweet spot.
Flight time
About 6h from the US East Coast, 11h from Europe, 17.5h from South Asia.
Good to know
- Weather is cool and foggy even in summer — 'Fog City' — bring layers regardless of season.
- Book Alcatraz tickets weeks in advance; it regularly sells out, especially summer weekends.
- Muni and BART cover most sights; a rental car is more hassle than help within the city.
Plan a trip to San Francisco
Pick your dates and Offdays builds a day-by-day itinerary from San Francisco's best places.
Destination