It is also rightly called the “pearl of the West Coast.” Elegant and luxurious, modern and ancient, provincial and cosmopolitan, every traveler will discover a special side of this amazing city. 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 the problems and enjoy the light and relaxed atmosphere.

Region	State of California, San Francisco County
Population
Population density	6688 people/km²
	U.S. $
Timezone	UTC-7 in summer
Postal code	94101-94112, 94114-94147, 94150-94170, 94172, 94175, 94177
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.

Lombard Street has become an interesting tourist spot in the city, which will appeal to lovers of walking. 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 original oriental-style houses, 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 Clif House, fishing pier with sea lion colony, 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 the 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 its 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 a huge number of 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, a visit to the zoo is suitable for a family holiday. 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.).

The nightlife of the city is no less intense, 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

City public transport in San Francisco is represented by an extensive network of bus and trolleybus routes, surface and underground light rail 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 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 major city, pickpockets and all sorts of scammers operate. 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, both commercial and residential real estate are widely represented here. 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, investing in the local real estate market is one of the most promising business ventures in the United States today.

Budget travelers should keep in mind that San Francisco museums offer free admission several times a month. You can check the schedules of such events at any city tourism 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 entitles you to discounted tickets to local museums and galleries.

It seems to me that in order to understand what San Francisco is, before leaving you should definitely listen to the track of the same name by Scott McKenzie, which at one time became the anthem of the hippie movement. That relaxation and the mood that the song creates is what you need to take with you to SF. Scott speaks the brutal truth about the people, the positive vibes, and the streets of the city. San Francisco once became a city of hippies and, perhaps, has retained this atmosphere throughout. Well, don’t forget that in California there is complete legalization with all the ensuing consequences. Kind people with flowers in their hair are what you will meet there :)

And by the way, don't believe people who say it's okay to call San Francisco "Frisco." This is not entirely true. Locals don’t really like this nickname of the city, of course, they won’t reprimand you, but it will most likely show them your low level of awareness of the city’s culture. It's better to just say SF.

How to get there

Taking into account the fact that we live on another continent, and the dereships no longer fly, all that remains is the plane. If you are from the Russian region, then, of course, it is more profitable to look at flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. Early booking cannot be overemphasized here. All the prices that I will give below were looked at two months in advance, but this is not enough. If possible, it is better to choose air tickets four or six months in advance. In general, the logic is clear and works with any air tickets, perhaps :) You can monitor prices so as not to make a mistake.

By plane

There is only one international airport in San Francisco, so if you fly from Russia, you will land here.

There are several options for getting to SF.

• You can buy a ticket directly from Moscow/St. Petersburg to San Francisco, which will cost you about 35 thousand rubles round-trip per person (subject to booking two months before the expected date).
• Or buy a ticket from Moscow/St. Petersburg to New York (about 23 thousand rubles/round trip per person), and then move from New York to San Francisco (about 11 thousand rubles).

The second option is good and will allow you to save money, but only if you plan your movements wisely. It is advisable that you arrive and depart from the same airport so that you do not have to waste time/money/nerves on moving. And also, when making your own flight connections, take into account unforeseen circumstances, for example, periodically due to heavy fog at San Francisco airport there may be flight delays. Again, prices vary and depend greatly on the date of booking. Flights are operated by large Russian companies: S7, Aeroflot. If a transfer is planned along the way, then with European carriers: AirBerlin, AirFrance, Lufthansa, etc. Flight time including connections can be 20-30 hours. Here you can see the schedule and prices.

How to get to the city center

The airport is located 21 kilometers from the city center. You can easily get there by metro if your flight is not too late, or rather does not fall between 12 midnight and 4 am; during other hours, trains run at intervals of 20 - 30 minutes, depending on the time of day. You can board this type of transport right on the territory of the airport in the international terminal, on the third level, where the landing platform is located. Travel, suppose to the center, the main street of the city, Market Street, will take about 40 minutes and cost 8.95 USD.

The subway connects to the BART network of underground electric trains, which will take you to the suburbs of SF. Maps and timetables can be found online or on the subway.

There is another option - a bus. It runs 24 hours a day and stops at the first, second and international terminals. The cost of the trip is 6.50 USD. The journey by bus will take about 50 minutes excluding traffic jams.

A taxi will cost 40-50 USD. But if you don’t have bulky luggage with you and you didn’t arrive late at night, I still recommend the metro - it’s convenient, fast and cheap. Although, due to safety reasons, it is better to take a taxi if you have a late flight, and the journey from the airport to the city center will only take you 15 minutes by car.

Clue:

San Francisco - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 10

Kazan 10

Samara 11

Ekaterinburg 12

Novosibirsk 14

Vladivostok 17

When is the season? When is the best time to go

I would compare the weather and climate of San Francisco with St. Petersburg - humid, foggy, cool. Despite the proximity of the ocean, you won’t be able to swim in SF. Even in the hottest month, September (yes, September is considered the warmest month there), the water temperature does not rise above 14 degrees Celsius. Agree, an invigorating mark. But if you don't mind cool ocean water, then why not.

But in general, I would advise visiting this city between July and October.

San Francisco in summer

There is a funny saying floating around the Internet: "The coldest winter I've ever experienced is a San Francisco summer." Honestly, I don’t know who exactly it belongs to, but the author clearly knew what he was talking about. The average temperature from June to August is 16 – 17 degrees.

Above, I compared the weather in Northern Fleet with the weather in St. Petersburg - this is my subjective feeling, the average temperature in summer is really the same. And even the average annual precipitation is approximately the same. True, in San Francisco from June to September there is about 0 mm of precipitation, which cannot be said about St. Petersburg.

San Francisco is still one of the hottest states. But the island location of the city and the cold currents of the Pacific Ocean greatly influence the climate. It’s even interesting if you remember how hot it is in Los Angeles almost all year round.

The heat given off by the land and the cold from the water meet to form the fogs for which San Francisco is so famous. But at the same time, these factors make the climate mild with a slight temperature difference, so the seasons in San Francisco do not have clear temperature boundaries.

Of course, when San Francisco is relatively warm, there are a lot of tourists in the city. Many establishments and the museum increase their opening hours on summer days.

San Francisco in autumn

The rainy season begins in October and continues until April. The highest rainfall occurs between November and February. The average air temperature in San Francisco in September is almost +18 degrees (this is the warmest month in the city), October and November are +17 and +14, respectively.

September in Northern Fleet is considered the best month in terms of weather. Usually in the first month of autumn there are still a lot of tourists, then their number declines.

San Francisco in the spring

In the spring months, the temperature stays at +13 to +15 degrees. As you can see, the air temperature remains approximately the same all year round.

Of course, you can visit SF in the spring; there are few tourists at this time, but you won’t be able to experience all the beauty of the city either.

San Francisco in winter

There is almost no snow in San Francisco, as well as negative temperatures. Average winter temperatures are +11 – +13 degrees. In almost 150 years, snow fell in Northern Fleet no more than 10 times, and the maximum snow cover reached only 9 centimeters, and this was at the end of the 19th century. The city has never seen anything like this before.

I think winter is not exactly the time when you should plan a trip to this city. The only plus is the minimum number of tourists.

Clue:

San Francisco - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

Living in San Francisco isn't cheap. Some compare the cost of living to New York, or more precisely to Manhattan. Real estate prices are rising, the rapidly developing Silicon Valley nearby is attracting young people from the intellectual sphere, and they are purchasing apartments in the city. And since the income of a specialist in these professions is quite high, prices for everything around him are rising. The most expensive item for a vacation in San Francisco will be housing. You can book it at and compare prices.

• SOMA area. Above, in the screenshot, I marked the area SOMA, which means South of Market. Market street is the most popular street in Northern Fleet; it can be considered the center of the city. Rent in this area is not cheap, but on the other hand, both attractions and public transport routes are very conveniently located. There are also a huge number of housing options. A lot of young people gather in this area; the area is considered bohemian. There are a huge number of bars and establishments with any format. The price per night in a hostel or hotel may vary. As usual, early booking will save your money, and also, if you constantly monitor housing offers in SF, you can get a very good discount or short-term promotion. The minimum cost of accommodation per person that I managed to find in this area is about 3,000 RUB, and ad infinitum. But again, for this little money you don’t count on “royal conditions” - you’ll have to tighten up :) But that’s okay, the main thing is that you’re in the Northern Fleet! By the way, some hostels even include breakfast.
• Bernal Heights. The Lower Circle is a little further out from the center but offers excellent accommodation in Victorian style homes. The area is located on a hill, as its name suggests, so you will not encounter any problems with a view of the city. The area is also considered reliable in terms of security. There are no hotels here, but there are excellent apartments that you should try to book. You can try to find options from the locals. Very popular among travelers who prefer home comfort and style, as well as a tranquil environment in the area. Perhaps this will be suitable for older tourists or those people who will live in Northern Fleet for a long time. Usually such apartments are offered for five people or more. Then it will be profitable and justified. Therefore, if you are traveling with a large group, consider this accommodation option. Perhaps it will be the most successful for you. You can find apartments for 2500 USD per month (and of course, more expensive). If you divide this amount, for example, among five people, you get 500 USD per month from each person. Quite an acceptable price tag for a city with the highest real estate values ​​in.

Both areas are relatively safe, but do not forget about simple precautions. I wrote more about this below :)

If you notice that there are housing options on the map in the Mission District, I still would not recommend choosing this one, the area is not very safe. Below I have described what troubles may await you there.

The Castro district is chosen by representatives of the LGBT community. In general, it all depends on your attitude towards them. Well, one more thing, Castro borders on the above-mentioned Mission District, so the crime situation there is almost the same, although Castro is still calmer.

What are the prices for holidays?

As I wrote above, the most problematic part of the holiday is paying for housing. But the joy is that SF is an amazingly picturesque and relatively small city; you can walk through it in a couple of days without much effort, thereby saving money.

The transport system is also well developed here - buses, metro, trams. Everything is convenient and accessible, the price per ticket is about 5 USD, depending on the type of transport. The Uber service works, which is now developed in our country, so it’s worth using it actively, it’s a proven and comfortable way to order a car, and most importantly, it’s economical. If you use a regular taxi, then for 5 kilometers you will have to pay 10-12 USD + tip (don’t forget), then if you use Uber, you will pay 3-5 USD less from the main price.

In some student hostel you can find a bed/space in an eight-bed room for about 50 USD/day, and it will be near the main Market Street. It can, of course, be more expensive - it all depends on your capabilities.

Food in stores is more expensive than on the East Coast. For example, a liter of milk costs about 1.5 USD, a dozen eggs (12 pieces) - 4.20 USD, a kilogram of chicken breast fillet - 11.90 USD. On average, prices are 2-3 USD higher depending on the name of the product.

If you don’t plan to cook, then, of course, there are McDonald’s and other eateries where you can buy a hot dog and something else like French fry for 6-8 USD.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub

Main attractions. What to see

There is an expression that says (my free interpretation, but something very similar): “if you are sad, San Francisco will cheer you up, if you are dead, it will revive you.” Probably because nothing is impossible for this city! It is impossible to come there and not be impressed by its beauty, landscape, ocean, houses, unique trams, streets and people.

We often see its panoramas in films and videos, because this city is very photogenic. I dreamed of getting here from across the Golden Gate Bridge and, perhaps, I was not original in my desire. There are crowds of tourists in San Francisco, but the city does not seem alien and distant, like, for example. There is something special about it that is very difficult to describe. But I will try to find words and talk about the places that leave the best memories.

The great thing is that San Francisco has tons of free attractions that you can visit just by walking the streets. But, of course, having money never hurt anyone :)

And I also want to say that in Northern Fleet it is quite windy and almost always. Even in the hottest sun, a light jacket (windbreaker) will not hurt you. In the evening, around 6 o'clock, it becomes cool in the summer. I would advise putting a light hat or scarf in your bag - it will come in handy.

Top 5

This list can be called subjective, so be it. But you will get incredible sensations from these places. The list of attractions in SF can be expanded to double digits, but perhaps these are some of the most attractive.

• Golden Gate Bridge. I think no comments are needed here. Just come and see it with your own eyes. I'm sure it will impress you.

• Pier No. 39. Just take pictures and be touched by the sea lions that come out of the water to bask in the sun.

• Twin Peaks. An excellent natural observation deck with a stunning view of the city. In addition, this attraction is absolutely free.

• The most crooked street is Lombard Street. The slope of the hill is 27%, the curved road helps to smooth out this slope. By the way, the street is on Russian Hill. During the Gold Rush there was a Russian cemetery here, which was later moved. Most likely, the buried people were sailors and entrepreneurs from Fort Ross (a Russian fortress that existed in California in the early 19th century).

• Chinatown. The largest Chinatown in North America.

Beaches. Which ones are better

When I was describing the weather and climate, I mentioned that in San Francisco you are unlikely to be able to swim, unless you are a walrus :) The water is cool, about +14, even in summer. Of course, if you want to sit on the sand (the beaches are sandy with small grains of sand) and look at the horizon lost in the distance, then there are places for this. Accordingly, there is no infrastructure. So you will have to sit on what you took with you. By the way, drink and eat too.

Swimming in the ocean is somehow not customary in San Francisco. It is more convenient to go to the more southern part of California.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

San Francisco is a city of contrasts. For all his swagger, he is very cultured. This is confirmed by the incredible number of museums. I’ll tell you a little about the most interesting ones, in my opinion.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

If the names Warhol, Kahlo and Dali mean anything to you, you will definitely like it here. Get ready to look at contemporary art, you will have to use your imagination and immerse yourself in the world of beauty.

Address: 151 3rd St, San Francisco.

Opening hours: the museum is closed on Wednesday, on Thursday from 10 to 21, and on all other days from 10 to 17. From May 27 to September, the museum is open until 8 pm.

Entrance fees: adults - 25 USD, people over 65 - 22 USD, teenagers (13-18 years old) and children under 12 years old - free admission.

Walt Disney Family Museum

The magical world of Disney attracts not only children. All adults love and know his characters. There is a wonderful atmosphere of fairy tales and magic here.

Address: 104 Montgomery St, San Francisco.

Opening hours: the museum has a day off on Tuesday, but the rest of the week it waits for its visitors from 10 to 18. Here is the museum’s website.

Entrance tickets: 30 USD - for adults, after 65 years - 25 USD, students with a valid ID - 25 USD, children (6 - 17 years old) - 20 USD.

The Exploratorium

Visual physics. You can not only view the exhibits, but also test them. The exhibitions demonstrate natural and physical phenomena. Very visual and educational.

Address: Pier 15, The Embarcadero & Green St., San Francisco.

Opening hours: Monday - closed, all days except Thursday from 10 to 17, and on Thursday from 10 to 17 and 18 to 22.

Entrance fees: for adults - 29.95 USD, for pensioners over 64 and children from 13 to 17 years old - 24.95 USD, and for children from 4 to 12 - 19.95 USD.

Cable Car Museum

If you are interested in finding out how the symbol of the city appeared and why it became so widespread here, you can visit the museum of cable trams.

Address: 1201 Mason St, San Francisco.

Opening hours: every day from April to October - from 10 to 18, from November to March - from 10 to 17. Admission is free.

Parks

In total, there are more than 200 parks in San Francisco. The most famous park is Golden Gate Park.

• Golden Gate Park. The park is quite large, even larger than Central Park in New York, so if you decide to explore the park well, you will definitely need a bicycle. However, in the summer until October, a free bus runs through the park. Once upon a time, the entire territory of the park was covered only by grass and sand dunes, but now the park consists of thousands of artificially planted plants and trees. The park has several different gardens, the most famous of which are the Conservatory of Flowers, the Japanese Tea Garden and the Striebing Arbotherium Botanical Garden.

• Lafayette Park. Located on a hill with stunning views of the city, as well as Alcatraz Island.

Tourist streets

It seems to me that you cannot visit San Francisco and not visit Market Street. Most likely you won’t be able to pass by, because SF is not a big city. Locals call it a square. Its length and width are 11 km, which means that the area of ​​the city is only 121 km^2.

This is perhaps the main street of San Francisco, its length is about 5 km. It's better to take a walk to see everything better. There are shops, cafes, restaurants, quaint buildings, parks; There are regular and cable trams, crowds of passers-by are walking, and street musicians are performing. Walking along it means getting to know the character and atmosphere of the city itself.

You can also visit the Castro area. This is the largest area of ​​the LGBT community in America (and probably in the world). The concentration of minorities per square centimeter is off the charts. If you are not interested or are not mentally prepared to see same-sex people walking hand in hand or something else, then it is better not to go there in order to maintain moral balance. Located: from Market Street to 19th Avenue. There are many gay bars and other establishments here.

What to see in 1 day

Let's assume that you will be ready to go on an exciting walk around SF at 9 am. So, let's begin:

• 9 am - you are already standing on Twin Peaks and exploring the sleepy but beautiful surroundings. Here, of course, you need to pay attention to the weather. San Francisco is often foggy, so if the haze is thick, you risk being unable to see anything. But provided that the weather is excellent and the sun is shining brightly, admiring the views of SF will take from 20 to 40 minutes. Don’t linger too long, there is a lot of interesting things ahead!
• 10.30 am - walk along the pier. Be sure to check out Pier 39 and look at the cute fur seals drying their skins on floating pantons.
• 11.00 am - rent a bike, right there from any agency located along the piers and go to the Golden Gate Bridge. You can drive across the bridge and find yourself on the other side of the bay in the town of Sausolito. The bridge actually connects this small city and San Francisco. You can also take a walk there, and if you don’t have the energy left for the trip back, use the ferry, which will take both you and your bike. They go quite often.
• 15.00 - Now you can go to China Town and eat some real Chinese food.
• 17.00 - take a walk along Market Street.
• 18.30 - you can choose a wine or beer bar to get acquainted with the establishments of SF.
• 20.30 - go to a nightclub.

Instead of any event, you can plan a trip to Alcatraz; below I have written how to do this. But in general I highly recommend getting there. The excursion there will take 2-2.5 hours.

What to see in the area

• Fort Ross. It is located 80 kilometers from San Francisco; to get there you will have to go by car. There are also bus routes, but it will take you 4 hours and you need to go with two transfers, so it’s better to go by car. Fort Ross is a Russian settlement that was formed in 1812 and functioned until 1842. It was intended for trade and fishing. It is now a California Historic Landmark. Tours are available around the area. The house of the last Russian commandant has been preserved, the rest of the buildings are reconstructions.

• . The same one where Jack London's hero Martin Eden lived. The guy went to San Francisco and back by bicycle, if you want you can repeat his route, but it’s probably better by car or subway. The distance from the Northern Fleet is about 20 kilometers.
• Yosimite. Of course, I understand that it’s about 300 kilometers away, but this is Yosemite! I think this national park-reserve needs no introduction. To travel there you will need a car and a whole day to spare, or maybe even a day, so that you can stay overnight without any problems.

Nearby Islands

Well, of course it's Alcatraz! I don’t know anyone who hasn’t heard or doesn’t know about this island. You should definitely plan a trip to see him. But there is one caveat - this is a very popular destination, and the ship (or boat, in general, a ship:) goes to this island strictly on schedule and not every day + the number of seats is, naturally, limited.

Therefore, if you are interested in getting there, make sure to book early. If you can do it in about a month, do it. Otherwise it will be very offensive, but even if you cry, nothing can be done. I speak from my own experience. But I didn’t even think that a trip there should be a separately planned event. So learn from my mistakes - please plan this excursion in advance.

Well, Alcatraz is famous for the fact that one of the most legendary mafiosi, the famous Al Capone, served his time there. That is, the level of trust in this prison was so high that the authorities decided to imprison the most important gangster in America in those years.

Food. What to try

If you are a true gourmet and love to eat new, unusual dishes, you are in heaven. Giant portions, steaks of different roasts, authentic national cuisines, eateries with budget but delicious food and expensive restaurants. You can find everything you want in SF.

Budget

• Miyako Old Fashioned Ice Cream. Unprecedentedly low price tag and divine taste. Here you can eat ice cream, frozen yogurt, sandwich and hot dog. It looks like a shabby eatery, but if you give up on this, you will lose a lot in gastronomic terms. Large portions of everything. For a meal for one, 5 – 6 USD is enough. Perfect place. Address: 1470 Fillmore StSan Francisco, CA.

• Molinari Delicatessen. Address: 373 Columbus Ave, North Beach, San Francisco.

• The Codmother Fish & Chips. Address: 496 Beach St, between Jones and Taylor, San Francisco.

• Super Duper Burgers. Address: 721 Market St, San Francisco.

Mid-level

• Brenda's French Soul Food. Address: 652 Polk St, San Francisco.

• Zazie. Address: 941 Cole St, San Francisco.

• Hakkasan San Francisco. Address: 1 Kearny St, San Francisco.

• The House. Address: 1230 Grant Ave, San Francisco.

Expensive

• Don of The Bimini Twist. Address: 188 King Street unit PH7, San Francisco. Tasty and expensive, they serve the freshest seafood: lobster, cod, oysters. The menu is varied, there are even soups. Prices from 20-100 USD.

• Seven Hills. Address: 550 Hyde St, San Francisco.

• Boulevard. Address: 1 Mission St, San Francisco.

• Kokkari Estiatorio. Address: 200 Jackson St, San Francisco.

Holidays

There's always some movement going on in San Francisco. Stars come here to give concerts, hold marathons, fairs, festivals and parades.

For example, on July 7 there will be a festival dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the hippie movement. The purpose of the festival is to remember the original culture of this era. The entrance is free.

Since SF is the most popular city among the LGBT community, festivals of various minorities are held here. Scheduled dates from July 24-25.

Safety. What to watch out for

As in all of California, in San Francisco there are a lot of homeless people, beggars and drug addicts, and the degree of their drug intoxication varies. Sometimes a person may be under "grass", and sometimes under something really heavier. In any case, you should not walk alone in the dark (after 10-11 pm), and also in company - it’s better not to take risks. At night, marginal elements, of which there are plenty in the SF, take to the streets.

Overall, the experience is better than Los Angeles in terms of safety, but there is some discomfort. For an evening walk, I would choose the main street of the city - Market Street, but I wouldn’t stay there until late either.

During the day, there is no question of safety. And the streets are full of good-natured people who will be happy to show you and give you advice if you suddenly get lost.

I’m just leaving this photo as an example - I was late for the right train. At 11 pm there was not a soul in the subway, it was creepy.

In the photo below I noted areas of the city where there is a high crime rate. I don’t recommend appearing there in the evening, somewhere after 10 pm.

• The Tenderloin. There are a lot of homeless people and drug addicts here. The area is classified as quite dangerous at any time of the day. Robberies and harassment are also not uncommon.
• Mission District. Not as dangerous as the first number, but can become unpredictable after 9 pm.
• Golden Gate Park. A wonderful place for walking during the day, but not comfortable for spending time in the evening. But I don’t think anyone goes for a walk in the park at night in their city either :)
• Western Addition. They can break into a car or rob you in the middle of the street. He is not known for more serious crimes.

In general, I think you should never forget about basic safety rules and they will definitely help you anywhere in the world.

Things to do

I think it won’t be difficult to keep yourself busy and entertained in one of the largest cities. If you don’t get tired of walking, non-stop exclamations of admiration for the city, and you still have energy for shopping and nightlife, then you can turn around in San Francisco :)

Shopping and shops

Of course, there are giant malls here that occupy an area the size of a square hectare, but I would pay attention to the original shops, like Thrift shops or second-hand shops (thrift stores), as we used to call them. There you can find unique items priced up to 10 USD. There are things of different quality and condition - the price will depend on this. I bought a couple of vintage items and everyone pays attention to them because they are so cool! And they are not at all similar to the mass market, with which everything is littered both in Russia and in America.

Most of them are in the area of ​​​​the intersection of Ashbury and Haight streets.

This area is known for the fact that at one time it was from here that the hippie movement began to spread. It is still considered a very bohemian area. Victorian houses, many thrift stores with completely different and sometimes downright strange things (bongs, latex suits, colored parkas), as well as cozy coffee shops.

These are the “outfits” you can find in those shops :) Very extravagant, it seems to me.

It is also full of esoteric shops and art galleries. All this absorbed those times when “flower children” walked the streets and led a relaxed lifestyle.

Well, here are a couple of addresses of ordinary, giant hypermarkets with clothes.

• Westfield san francisco centre. Opening hours 10 am - 8.30 pm. Address: 865 Market St, San Francisco, CA.

• Crocker Galleria. From 10 am to 6 pm all days except Saturday - 10 am - 5 pm, and closed on Sunday. Address: 50 Post St, San Francisco.

Bars. Where to go

The opening hours of bars in SF raises a certain question. Almost all close at 2 am. And this is practically the maximum time, although it may be assumed that then people go to a club or some other establishment.

There are, of course, a lot of beer bars, but I think we have plenty of them too. But wine ones are not so common. Moreover, it is famous for its wine. And if you haven’t tried it yet, you should definitely do it.

In America, you are allowed to drink at the age of 21; before that they will not sell it to you. Americans are very conscientious and law-fearing.

• Whitechapel. A real cocktail bar where bartenders can make a drink especially for you according to your mood. They also have an impressive bar menu, you can choose and get acquainted with the assortment, you can also have a snack or drink wine/craft beer, but there are only a couple of items. A serving of cocktail will cost approximately 12 USD, but it all depends on the composition and may cost more. Address: 600 Polk St.

• Heart. This is not only a wine bar, but also a restaurant, as well as an event space and an art gallery. The list turned out to be bohemian, in principle, everything is so. Address: 1270 Valencia St., San Francisco

• Bacchus. A small, cozy wine bar located on Russian Hill. Quite a popular place, so you may have to wait for a spot at the counter to become available. Open seven days a week from 5.30 pm to midnight. The price tag for wine depends on the wine itself, somewhere from 10 to 28 USD per glass. Address: 1954 Hyde Street, San Francisco.

• Pause wine bar. A classic wine bar with an impressive bar list and menu to match the wine. open every day except Sunday from 4.30 pm to midnight. By the way, this establishment became one of the best in the city in 2016. Address: 1666 Market Street, San Francisco.

Clubs and nightlife

There are a lot of clubs in San Francisco. Walking along Market Street, you can turn into any one. I think they will delight you with their color. But here are three proven ones.

• Ruby Skye. Quite a popular club. The building was formerly a theater built in the 1890s. Open from 8.00 pm to 3.30 am, except Sunday. Admission is free, but depends on the events taking place at the club. On event days 25 USD. Address: 420 Mason St., San Francisco CA.

• Mezzanine. Cool musicians and DJs perform here in various formats. You can hear indica and RnB. The performances are always live. Entry is strictly over 21 years of age. Regarding the dress code: in general, Mezanin invites guests to look however they wish. But there are exceptions for special events. They say no to caps, sportswear, swimsuits. Address: 444 Jessie Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.

• Infusion Lounge. The club is decorated in Asian style, by one of the best designers in Hong Kong. World-class DJs play, the club is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 9 pm - 2 am. There is a dress code, the same as in regular clubs. You cannot come wearing glasses, sportswear, flip-flops, etc. Price list for an average check is from 31-60 USD. Address: 420 Mason St, San Francisco.

Extreme Sports

Wind surfers love San Francisco because of its winds. Walking along the Golden Gate Bridge, you can look at the ocean and see a fearless surfer trying to cope with the elements, but perhaps such adrenaline is not available to beginners. Therefore, extreme sports enthusiasts can rent a bike and try downhill racing, while at the same time improving their downhill skills. Well, this is, of course, a joke.

Those who love boat trips can ride on the ocean on a yacht with a professional crew. Address: Pier 39, Pier 39 Concourse, San Francisco.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

A ton of photos with views of the city and yourself against their background! Because there are really a lot of iconic places here that we see in TV series, films and celebrity videos.

But I think this is funny: buy postcards, for example, with a picture of a landmark you like and send them home to your address, or to your parents/friends. While the postcard gets to the addressee, it collects a bunch of stamps/stamps of the post offices it ends up with. It’s interesting to look at its journey, the main thing is not to be upset that the postcard travels more than you :)).

How to get around the city

By the way, San Francisco has the most developed public transport system in almost all of America. It is convenient to use the metro, trams, buses, and there are even commuter trains, which are quite popular. Although, it seemed to me that on the East Coast the train is not considered a profitable and convenient means of transportation. And, in general, passenger rail transportation is poorly developed.

Taxi. What features exist

Perhaps the most profitable taxi app right now is Uber, so we feel free to use this benefit in San Francisco.

If you catch or call a taxi the old-fashioned way, then do not forget about tips, which amount to approximately 10-15% of the fare, and also ask before getting into the car whether the driver accepts cards. Otherwise, an unpleasant situation may result. It's better to have some cash for such cases.

Trams

San Francisco is famous for its cable cars. The development of this network is connected with the difficult landscape of the city. Cable trams appeared at the end of the 19th century and still exist today, but they now serve more of an aesthetic function. A ride on such a “moving symbol of the Northern Fleet” will cost 6 USD, while on a regular tram it costs 2.25 USD.

Metro

A very cool, understandable and convenient thing in SF. The map is quite simple, and the variations of transfers and interchanges are convenient and allow you to come up with any route. From metro trains you can transfer to underground high-speed electric trains BART, which connect Northern Fleet with the suburbs and even with Oklad. The cost of the trip starts from 1.85 USD and depends on the destination. The schedule is very convenient, during the day trains run at intervals of 10 minutes, in the evening the waiting time increases.

Buses

Of course, there are also buses in SF. But for some reason the population prefers the metro or trams to them. Bus travel costs 2.25 USD.

You can buy a pass that will cover travel on the metro, bus, tram, trolleybus, and even cable tram for only 15 USD per day. There is an option to buy a pass for three and seven days - 23 USD and 29 USD respectively.

Transport rental

For freedom of movement in San Francisco, you can rent a car. Rental companies offer a wide selection of cars for different preferences - family, economical, small city cars, etc.

Here you can compare prices from different companies.

The company with the highest rating and best reviews is Alamo. There are several company offices in the city, which is convenient. You can leave your rental car at any of them. On average, a car will cost 30-35 USD per day. But don't forget about gas and a deposit. To rent a car, taking into account all additional expenses, you need to plan about 100 USD. After the car is returned safe and sound, your deposit will be returned.

Russian rights are listed in America, so this should not be a problem.

Driving in SF is quite unique due to its hilly location. If there is no special need, it is probably better not to take a car. Instead, walk or rent a bicycle, but again ride with caution. Sometimes, you just physically can’t see what’s waiting for you at the top of the hill, and also check the brakes before renting a bike. If you rent a bicycle somewhere along the piers, it will cost you 30-50 USD for the whole day, depending on the office. Also, most likely, you will be asked to leave a deposit equal to or slightly more than the cost of the rental day.

TRAVEL NOTES

SAN FRANCISCO

PART 1: VICTORIAN HOUSES, MARINA AND PALACE OF FINE ARTS.

01. We continue to explore the American continent with AutoTour. Traveling along the Pacific coast almost from the very border with Mexico, every day we saw new cities that were different from each other and discovered a completely different California. Today will be no exception. Welcome to San Francisco!

02. We stopped for the night in the neighboring city of San Jose, just 50 miles from San Francisco. Few people know, but San Jose is larger in population than its famous neighbor and is the third largest city in California. We enter San Francisco via the giant bridge from Oakland San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, which runs across the bay. The journey is paid and its cost depends on the time of day.

03. The bridge consists of two parts, which are separated by a tunnel that goes straight through Yerba Buena Island. The total length is more than seven kilometers. The western section of the bridge consists of two levels. You arrive in San Francisco along the upper part, enjoying a good view, and back for free along the lower, non-picturesque level. In my opinion, everything is extremely fair.

04. The eastern part of the bridge combines traffic in both directions on the same level and is the widest bridge in the world. The bridge opened in 1936, six months before the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge. By the way, initially cars only traveled on the upper level of the bridge, and trains and trucks traveled below.

05. The bridge is indeed quite long and has a dense flow of cars. Therefore, you need to take care in advance not to miss your congress. This is how hilly San Francisco appears to our eyes. Look how densely the mountains are dotted with small houses.

06. We go to the Embarcadero embankment - one of the main transport and pedestrian streets of the city. There are always a lot of tourists and local residents walking here; they have been allocated a wide pedestrian zone, which is not inferior in size to the roadway. And there are palm trees and palm trees everywhere, this is California.

07. Remember how convenient San Diego and Los Angeles turned out to be for motorists? In San Francisco, you need to forget about it and switch to two-wheeled transport without any questions asked. The limited space of the peninsula on which the city is located does not make it possible to build wide overpasses and highways, parking is expensive by Californian standards, and STOP signs are installed almost every 100 meters.

08. Therefore, we leave our cars in a private parking lot and go on foot to explore the city. The first thing that catches your eye in San Francisco is the incredibly diverse and colorful architecture of small houses. I doubt that you will be able to find two buildings similar to each other.

09. It is unlikely that any other American city will be able to tell such an extensive history of architecture. Time passed, and the city did not cease to adopt new and varied trends in the construction of houses.

10. Since the middle of the century before last, houses similar to Italian cottages and villas have become most popular. Unfortunately, most of them burned down after the 1906 earthquake. Also, many houses of that time were built using redwood trees from neighboring forests.

11. In the 1920s, there was a demand for uniqueness, which gave rise to monotonous assembly line production and the sharply increased income of the middle class. The idea was that each object would be endowed with its own soul and would be deprived of the factory mark. This trend is fully reflected in the construction of new houses.

12. Most houses are covered with plaster, which traditionally takes on every imaginable pastel color. You get the impression that different varieties of delicious ice cream are lined up in front of you: vanilla, pistachio, peach, chocolate. Very tasty houses.

13. In the 1930s, the effects of the Great Depression and the spread of uniform international styles gave birth to the minimalist style in San Francisco. The architects drew inspiration not from the country's historical heritage, but from simple forms of industrial technology.

14. In the 1950s, the era of space exploration began, and, of course, new houses tried to embody an unearthly appearance in their appearance as much as possible. During construction, the most advanced methods of space planning and construction were used, with great preference given to glass.

15. New styles continued to appear, but there was absolutely not enough space for them. Not only the city center, but also all surrounding areas were completely built up with houses. Therefore, modern buildings can often be found on distant hills and mountain slopes. But from there there are excellent views of the city and the bay.

16. San Francisco has always been a center of radical change. From civil rights and women's rights to the sexual revolution and rock 'n' roll, this spirit of freedom continually produced a vibrant mixture of views, people, art and styles. And this diversity has always suited the city very harmoniously, leaving its special unique charm of free San Francisco on the streets year after year.

17. Regardless of the time of construction, all houses are very similar in terms of functionality. On the ground floor there is almost always a garage and utility rooms. The second floor is a full-fledged living room, usually with a large panoramic window, and above there are one or two floors of rooms or a rooftop patio.

18. Right here on the shores of the Marina Green area we came across a very unusual sports ground. It turns out that this is a pilot project by the National Fitness Campaign to implement a cool concept of next-generation public sports fields. Anyone can practice here absolutely free of charge using the special program “7 exercises in 7 minutes.”

19. This area has become especially convenient for runners, who can now warm up before jogging along the bay. The creators of the project want to convey to the population the importance of exercise and healthy eating in everyday life. As planned, such Fitness Court sites should become widespread. This is indeed a very correct and necessary project for a healthy city.

20. Parallel to the beautiful houses, expensive yachts and boats of local residents lined up in the same orderly rows along the embankment. Convenient parking across the street from the house.

21. Thanks to its convenient natural bay, San Francisco has one of the largest ports on the West Coast.

22. For lovers of luxury holidays, several yacht clubs are open here. Golden Gate Yacht Club has been in existence since 1939 and is the current winner of the America's Cup Regatta, which is recognized as the world's oldest international competition of all sports and has been held since 1848. The most prestigious national and international competitions are held annually in San Francisco.

23.Also, every year a section of the AutoTour across America route runs through San Francisco.

24. Was your yacht stolen? Call the police immediately! In the past, when mobile and landline telephones were not ubiquitous, such communication stations installed on many streets were used by the police and other city services. A direct line immediately connected police officers or firefighters to the control room.

25. Probably in no other US city have we seen so many cyclists and such a developed cycling infrastructure. The reason for the constantly growing popularity of this type of transport is the fairly compact location of San Francisco within the borders of the peninsula and the mild, warm climate throughout the year.

26. For both tourists and local residents, it is more comfortable and faster to get to attractions, to work or to the store by bicycle than to waste valuable time on traffic or searching for parking. Although hilly, many areas of the city are quite flat and suitable for cyclists. Ideal road division - enough space allocated for everyone - pedestrians, bicycles and cars are happy.

27. Look, the bicycle lane has the highest traffic density. This is despite the fact that since 2009, the length of bike lanes has nearly doubled to more than 80 miles. According to statistics, approximately 16% of local residents regularly use a bicycle, and this figure is constantly growing. It is expected that by 2020, 20% of the entire population of San Francisco will ride a bicycle.

28. An incredible number of events take place in the city to increase interest in cycling. Up to 10 times a year on Sundays, car traffic is selectively blocked, giving the streets entirely to pedestrians and cyclists. Every last Friday of the month at six o'clock in the evening hundreds of cyclists organize bike rides. In addition, there are many different festivals and cool events.

29. The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition made a great contribution to the development of cycling ideology. For example, anyone can install an application on their phone that will track their movements on a bicycle. Based on the collected data, the streets that most need bicycle lanes are subsequently identified. San Francisco loves cyclists.

30. Those who don’t want to pedal can ride around the city on this three-wheeled mini-transport. Rent will cost from $50 per hour. Inside there is a voice guide with a navigator. It's probably fun.

31. From the embankment you can clearly see one of the most famous prisons in the world - Alcatraz. Until 1934, Alcatraz was a long-term military prison with a fairly mild regime. The prisoners helped local residents with housework and were even allowed to build their own baseball field.

32. In 1934, Alcatraz was completely rebuilt, leaving no chance for prisoners to escape. The prison became federal and only the most dangerous criminals were sent here, including Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly and others. In the 29 years of operation of the prison, there is supposedly not a single successful escape.

33. In 1963, the prison on Alcatraz ceased to function, and in 1971 the island was opened to tourists. Now everyone can be inside the cells in the place of the most famous gangsters, bandits and murderers of the 20th century. You can get to the legendary prison from Pier 33 for just $30.

34. Almost along its entire length, the embankment is designated as pleasant and convenient parks.

35. Here you can also see a very cool architectural structure - the Palace of Fine Arts. It was built back in 1915 during the Panama-Pacific Exposition, and is one of the few surviving buildings from that time.

36. The palace stands out very much among the surrounding landscape and will certainly impress every visitor. Although this monumental work of art was not always used for its intended purpose. Since 1934, there have been tennis courts, a military warehouse, limousine parking and even a fire department headquarters.

37. The initial structure was made of lightweight, fragile materials, and due to partial deformations in 1964, the Palace of Fine Arts had to be completely destroyed and restored. After some time, an interactive museum and theater with almost a thousand seats were opened here.

38. Many tourists and wedding couples walk among the Greek columns and rotunda. This atmospheric place can rightfully be considered one of the symbols of San Francisco.

39. Around the palace there is a large park with an artificial lake where swans and ducks constantly swim.

40. We return to the bay embankment and continue to our main destination.

41. No one can resist taking photos and selfies in front of the most recognizable bridge in the country.

The city of San Francisco has long been considered one of the most beautiful places in the United States. Thanks to its geographical location, natural features and rich history, the city is famous as contrasting, diverse 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 the Pacific Ocean, connected to each other by the Golden Gate Strait. The numerous hills on which the city is located, oceanic winds and frequent fogs have in some way become its “calling 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 the financial and industrial center of the region. Today, many research centers and industries related to high technology, genetic engineering and medical electronics are located here, 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 Mexico declared independence from Spain, the territory of modern California became Mexican, and the new city 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 food, 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. The city's public transportation network is considered to be the best on the West Coast, including above-ground and underground light rail, buses, trolleys, a commuter rail network, as well as a ferry service and the famous historic cable car.

San Francisco's light metro (light rail) or buses are often crowded, but this is perhaps the best way to travel 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 in the middle of a 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 of the 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.

Have you been to California? California is a piece of paradise located on the west coast of the American continent, one of the most beautiful states in the USA. The city of San Francisco is rightfully considered the pearl of California. and this is not an accident. Spread over more than 121 square kilometers on the northern coast of the San Francisco Peninsula, washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean and Golden Bay, it remains a dream for tourists around the world.

Amazing nature, combined with world-famous sights created by human hands, and a centuries-old history are a real value for the successful development of the tourism industry of the economy.

San Francisco city map

Economic Development of San Francisco

San Francisco is a confident leader among the largest US cities, both in terms of population and density. Despite this, the majority of its residents are not indigenous, but arrived from other states in search of work or better living conditions. As one of the largest cities on the West Coast, San Francisco is the main artery of California's financial, cultural and transportation activities.

Thanks to its favorable geographical position - access to the Pacific coast, equal distance from such world megacities as London and Tokyo, Seattle and San Diego, the presence of seaports, one of which is the port of Oakland, airports - favorable conditions have been created here for business development and establishment economic ties. The basis of the city's economy is tourism. The number of foreign tourists visiting the city every year is huge. The development of the tourism business also determines the rapid development of the city; evidence of this is the fact that San Francisco alone accounts for 30% of the commodity turnover of the entire coast. It is the most important financial center in the region.

The city's infrastructure is quite well developed. The largest companies developing the latest technologies, research centers, and various types of production are located here. Particular attention should be paid to the famous technology center - Silicon Valley, which is also located in San Francisco. Great attention is paid to developments in the field of pharmacology, research is being conducted in genetic engineering, biotechnology, and new medical electronics are being developed.

Despite the rapid and steady growth of the economy, the cost of living in San Francisco is extremely high. The high cost of housing, food and consumer goods is one of the most pressing problems of the city. It is noteworthy that with a city agglomeration of 7.4 million people, almost 12% remain unemployed and are below the poverty line. The reason for this is the oversaturation of the labor market with representatives of undemanded professions who have received a good education and have at least a bachelor's degree. The state authorities, trying to solve the problem of poverty, are pursuing a consistent social policy, providing assistance to the poor and homeless. However, favorable climatic and social conditions have become attractive to numerous homeless people from neighboring states, who organize entire pilgrimages in the hope of finding refuge in a new place.

San Francisco is a city of contrasts

San Francisco can rightly be called a city of contrasts. Its uniqueness can be seen in its architecture, its layout, and even in the faces of its people.

It is noteworthy that in San Francisco there are representatives of more than six races, while in percentage terms the numerical difference between them is small, among them are whites, Asians, African Americans, Indians and the rest - other or mixed races, Hispanics of any race represent 15.1% of the population San Francisco. The city is also known for its tolerant attitudes towards representatives of non-traditional orientations. One of its districts, Castro, is considered the capital of homosexuals. The contrast of the city can also be seen in its architecture. Despite the fact that the city is overpopulated, its distinctive feature is low-rise buildings located close to each other. The only difference is the city center, where high-rise buildings of offices, banks, and shopping centers are built.”

Like many megacities around the world, San Francisco is divided into districts. There are about forty of them in total. Each district is a separate conglomerate with its own attractions and infrastructure. But there is still a connection between them - to promote economic well-being. The most famous and popular among tourists are: Embarcadero, Financial District, North Beach, Union Square, Chinatown, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Civic Center, South of Market, Haight-Ashbury, Castro.

Sights of San Francisco

San Francisco has many places created specifically for tourists, pleasing the eye and touching the soul. Nature itself made sure that the city would attract with its beauty by placing it on the hills; there are more than fifty of them in the city. The most popular among them is Twin Peaks Hill.

It captivates not only with the beauty and perfection of nature, but also with the fact that having climbed to its top, you can see most of the city at your feet.

Probably the most visited place in the city is an area called Fisherman’s Wharf, which translates as “Fisherman’s Wharf”. Everything has been done here to develop the tourism business. The real decoration of the area is the Maritime Historical Museum, the aquarium, and Pier 39, where you can admire the inhabitants of the deep sea peacefully basking in the sun. All this abundance is skillfully complemented by networks of restaurants and bars waiting for their customers.

If you're a fun-loving person, head to North Beach. The city's most respectable restaurants, nightclubs and bars are concentrated here. But don’t forget to climb the famous Coit Tower, standing alone in the middle of this fun, to admire the beauty of the city at night and dream in the romantic light of the night lights.

Do you want to go to the shops and do some shopping? Head to the Union Square area. You will be surprised by the huge assortment of goods presented and give yourself unprecedented pleasure by purchasing another souvenir as a keepsake.

Not enough exoticism? You just need to know where to look for it! The most exotic place in the city is considered to be the Chinatown area, which translates as “a city within a city.” There are many shops crowded with exotic goods, markets, and restaurants here. Here you will satisfy the most extravagant tastes of both yourself and your friends by choosing the most unusual surprise.

Hotels and inns are located in the elite area of ​​the city - Nob Hill. The real attraction and architectural value here is the Grace Cathedral. Do you want to admire luxurious buildings and modern architecture? You are on Lombard Street - the most winding street in the world.

South of Market is famous for its museums. The most visited among them are the Zeum children's museum and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Have you ever met representatives of the hippie or punk movements? No? Then you are welcome to Haight-Ashbury - a favorite place of representatives of various countercultures.

The city hall and a number of buildings built in a strict classical style, surrounded by two squares, Civic Center Plaza and United Nations Plaza, are a real decoration of the Civic Center.

The park ensembles of Golden Gate Park and Lincoln Park stun the imagination and leave unforgettable impressions.

A walk through Golden Gate Park will take you to the west coast. Here, from the San Francisco Zoo to the park called “Earth’s End,” the vast sandy Ocean Beach stretches. Walk a little further and you will see the Golden Gate Bridge, the main entrance to the city.

East of the Golden Gate, in an area called Presidio, is the architectural ensemble of the Palace of Fine Arts - a favorite place for brides, and on the other side is the innovative interactive museum Exploratorium.

The attractions of San Francisco include the islands located in the bay. One of the most popular among tourists is the prison island of Alcatraz, to which more than one work of world classical literature is dedicated.

Development of the San Francisco transportation system

The pearl of the city and its calling card is the port of San Francisco. It was once one of the largest ports on the coast and ranked first in terms of the number of cargo transportations performed. Now the focus of the port’s work has changed somewhat and is intended to carry out the main part of the city’s infrastructure - contributing to the development of the tourism industry. The Ferry Building Marine Terminal, with its famous clock tower, is today not only a city landmark, but also a marine terminal and shopping center.

20 kilometers from the city is San Francisco Airport, the second busiest airport in the United States. It is second only to Los Angeles.

San Francisco can rightfully be proud of its roads. High-quality roads with comfortable, well-thought-out parking allow, in an overpopulated city, the transport industry to develop safely and contribute to the development of the tourism business.

San Francisco Climate

Perhaps nature has blessed San Francisco with many things. Along with a wonderful flora and interesting relief landscape, the city is not deprived of a mild climate. Located in the southern latitude, washed by cold streams of underwater currents, nature, having accepted all these combinations, awarded the city with a mild climate with slight seasonal temperature changes. The coldest month is January, when the air temperature drops rapidly, reaching an average of 9.7 degrees Celsius.

The warmest month is September, with an air temperature of 17.7 degrees. A real paradise for vacationers. The gentle warmth of the sun and the golden sea coast preserve and nourish dreams of summer and relaxation until the onset of the rainy season. With the arrival of November and into January, San Francisco plunges into the gloom of gray rainy days. The real riot of spring begins in San Francisco in February and March, when the cold gradually recedes, nature wakes up and enlivens the city with the aromas of flowering trees, adding the colors of luxurious flowers.

The most favorable time to visit San Francisco can be called April and May, when the morning thick fog first envelops the sleeping city in a shroud, bringing the freshness of the early morning and gradually recedes under the golden rays of the warm sun. Usually this time of year is dry and warm, but sometimes it rains. June and August are also quite warm months, but at night the cold air takes over the city so much that you involuntarily forget about the delights of a warm summer.