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Visas & entry
Visa Waiver Program travelers—including many Western European, UK, Japanese, South Korean, Australian, New Zealand and Singaporean passport holders—can generally visit for tourism for up to 90 days with approved ESTA; Canadians and Bermudians generally do not need a tourist visa. Most other visitors need a B-2 or B1/B2 visa. U.S. entry rules and country-specific visa restrictions can change quickly, so verify ESTA, visa and any suspension rules with the U.S. State Department or the relevant embassy before buying non-refundable travel.
Getting in
- San Francisco International Airport: The default gateway for international arrivals and a San Francisco-first trip, with the region’s strongest global network. BART links the International Terminal directly with downtown San Francisco, so it is the best arrival airport if you plan to stay car-free initially.
- Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport: Useful for domestic flights, East Bay stays and some lower-fare alternatives to SFO. BART connects the airport to Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco, though it is less convenient than SFO for a hotel in central San Francisco.
- San José Mineta International Airport: The practical southern gateway for Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz, Monterey or Big Sur, and often convenient for domestic flights. It is not the best choice for a San Francisco-only trip unless the fare or schedule is much better; reaching the city adds a substantial transfer.
Getting around
San Francisco works best on foot, Muni, cable cars, BART and ferries; a car is more burden than asset while staying in the city because of parking, break-ins and hills. BART is effective for Oakland, Berkeley and airport connections, but the wider region is fragmented: wine country, Point Reyes, the coast and much of Silicon Valley are far easier with a rental car. Pick up the car when leaving San Francisco, not on arrival, and budget generously for slow coastal roads, bridge crossings and rush-hour traffic.
Money
The currency is the U.S. dollar. Cards and contactless payment are accepted almost everywhere, but carry a little cash for small tips or backup; tipping remains expected, especially in restaurants, bars, hotels and rideshares. Sales tax is added at checkout, so displayed prices are not final.
Book before you land
Alcatraz Island ferry tickets, especially day tours and night tours · Muir Woods timed-entry parking or shuttle reservations · Napa and Sonoma winery tasting appointments during harvest and weekends · Major event tickets and accommodation for Outside Lands, Pride and Fleet Week weekends
- Dress for microclimates: a warm inland afternoon can coincide with cold fog and wind in San Francisco or on the coast; layers are non-negotiable.
- Do not leave anything visible in a parked car, anywhere in the region—especially at trailheads, viewpoints and in San Francisco or Oakland.
- Do not plan four winery tastings in one day. Two appointments, lunch, water and a designated driver is the sensible maximum.
- Golden Gate Bridge parking is very limited; use transit, bike, walk or rideshare rather than expecting to park at the main viewpoints.
- Check road, weather and wildfire-smoke conditions before coastal or North Bay drives, particularly in winter and fall.
- San Francisco’s most tourist-heavy waterfront blocks are not the city at its best; stay or spend time in real neighborhoods rather than treating Fisherman’s Wharf as the whole destination.
Entry rules change — verify visa requirements for your passport before booking this region.