View Mexican Riviera & West Coast on the mapA city where the tech industry and counterculture mix, with neighborhoods that differ greatly in character. Sea fog covers the city on many days, so a jacket is needed even in summer. Prices and hotel costs are among the highest in the United States, and safety differs clearly from area to area.

San Francisco

San Francisco · United States · 37.80, -122.40

A West Coast city known for the Golden Gate Bridge and its hilly streets, San Francisco receives cruise ships at Pier 27 beside Fisherman's Wharf. The city's main attractions are accessible on foot or by cable car.

Port highlights

About 810,000 people in the city proper and about 7.7 million in the Bay Area metropolitan area

Population

A maritime version of the Mediterranean climate, with little annual temperature variation and mild daytime temperatures year-round. Summers are cool and foggy, and September to October is the sunniest and warmest time of the year. Rain is concentrated in winter.

Climate

English, Spanish, and Chinese are also commonly used

Language

US dollar (USD)

Currency

September to October (less fog and the most sunny days)

Best time to visit

Local food

Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl, Dungeness crab, Mission District burritos, specialty coffee

Sights

Golden Gate BridgeAlcatraz IslandCable cars and Lombard StreetFisherman's Wharf and Pier 39Golden Gate Park and art museums

Monthly average high / low temperatures

14°

8°Jan

16°

9°Feb

17°

9°Mar

17°

10°Apr

18°

11°May

19°

12°Jun

19°

12°Jul

20°

13°Aug

21°

13°Sep

21°

12°Oct

18°

10°Nov

14°

8°Dec

Unit: °C · NOAA climate normals · Period: 1991–2020 · Station: SAN FRANCISCO DWTN · about 4.3 km from port · elevation difference about 41 m · Last checked: Oct 4, 2026 · A guide for choosing your travel month.

Local prices for travelers

Much more expensive than Tokyo

Compared with Tokyo, Japan (median of items)224 (Tokyo = 100)

Compared with Tokyo, everything is much more expensive.

$2.29

Water 500 ml

$6.00

Coffee

$21.50

Inexpensive meal

$9.00

Local beer

$6.22

Big Mac

Prices in San Francisco. · Amounts in the recorded local currency. No currency conversion applied. · Last checked: Oct 2026 (partly estimated) · Sources: Shop and menu prices · The Economist, Big Mac Index (CC BY 4.0)