Our free, six-step vacation planner will walk you through the rest of these steps, one at a time. You can order it delivered by e-mail or just click on over to the online version right now:
Step 1: Get to Know the City by the BayStep 2: Where to Stay, Getting There
Step 3: Things to Do
Step 4: Day Trips
Step 5: Plan Ahead
Step 6: Preparing for the Trip
Things to Know for a San Francisco Vacation
- Weather: Many people think California vacation has sunny skies and warm weather 365 days a year, but it's not true in San Francisco. It's often foggy, temperatures over 80F are considered a heat wave, and the water is too cold for all but the heartiest souls at the beach. It rains in the winter, but seldom the rest of the year. April and October are two of the nicest months to vacation here. To have a comfortable vacation, check the climate for the time you plan to visit. You will probably need to pack warmer vacation clothing than you might think.
- Geography: Looking at a few maps and learning how the city is laid out will help you plan your vacation and know how to get from one attraction to another. You can save yourself embarrassment, too - I once hailed a taxi in Union Square and asked to go to the Chinatown gate, which is only a few blocks away!
Things to Do in Advance for a San Francisco Vacation
Unless you want to visit an especially popular restaurant or see a specific play, this is all you'll need to do before you come to San Francisco:- Reserve a hotel. If you usually vacation without advance hotel reservations, don't try it here. San Francisco is is a popular vacation destination, and many conventions are held here. Saturday nights are the busiest hotel night in the city.
- Don't rent a car unless you're planning on long side trips. Parking and driving in the city can be maddening. Take public transportation and use the money you save to get a nicer hotel room.
Order or Buy
- Alcatraz is a very popular vacation destination and visitors are limited. If you want to see it, save time standing in line and spare yourself possible disappointment by ordering tickets in advance.
- Buy other tickets and reserve tours ahead of time. It's not a must, but will make your trip more carefree and help keep the budget under control.
- This one's free, but if you are interested in their walking tours, print a copy of the City Guides schedule.
- Buy maps of San Francisco.
What to Bring on a San Francisco Vacation
- Warm clothing, even in mid-summer. I have never spent a colder Fourth of July than the last two years in San Francisco. When the fog comes in, you will want at a jacket, windbreaker or maybe even two or three sweatshirts. Get more tips on packing by season.
- Comfortable shoes. San Francisco is best visited on foot and you don't want to be uncomfortable.
- If your vacation is in winter, bring an umbrella and rain coat. If you don't have room in your suitcase, wait until the first drop of rain falls: the shops in all the tourist areas will sprout umbrellas faster than you can say: "I'm getting wet."
- Dressing up in California is generally a casual affair, so you won't need your suit and tie (or dress and high heels) unless you're planning a very special event.
