Cheap flights to San Francisco

Look outside the window of your San Francisco flight and watch the dense fog begin to evaporate as the monumental Golden Gate Bridge slowly makes its debut and your sybaritic journey is about to commence.

For years the City by the Bay has been attracting bohemian artists, musicians and technophiles who all flock to its fascinating neighbourhoods and world-class museums. And holidaymakers who book flights to San Francisco won’t be disappointed either. Your first day should begin with a walk across the Bridge then hop on a cable car and take a hilly ride through the city. Stop in Chinatown, which has one of the largest Chinese communities in the US, and sample some delicious dim sum. Then take a nostalgic stroll down the famous Haight-Ashbury district, where hippies congregate and in 1967 the ‘Summer of Love’ took place.

If you have some extra time, don’t miss a ferry ride to the chilling Alcatraz Island dubbed ‘The Rock’, home of the infamous prison where the likes of Al Capone and other notorious gangsters were imprisoned. Another island worth visiting is Angel Island. Although Angel was once a prison and quarantine station for immigrants, it’s come a long way since. Today visitors BBQ on the green grass, hike to the top of Mt. Livermore and go mountain biking around the picturesque island.

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San Francisco climate

San Francisco is surprisingly chilly, even in summer. Summer temperatures occasionally go above 21 (Celsius) with a morning fog over the city. Due to the fog, the city rarely sees more than a few hot days in a row, but just a few kilometres inland it’s clear, hot, and dry. Autumn has clear skies and temperatures in the mid-20s. Winter temperatures are usually in the teens and rarely go below freezing. But the winter rain combined with ocean breezes can make it feel cold. San Francisco is a popular holiday destination and has visitors, festivals, and events year-round. There’s always something going on.

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When to fly to San Francisco

Peak season:

San Francisco’s peak season is the summer when most of the tourists come to visit.

Off season:

Winter is the low season for flights to San Francisco; however, this is when the ballet and opera seasons are in full swing.

Shoulder season:

Mid-September to mid-November is the best time to visit San Francisco. Most of the tourists have gone home, and San Francisco is usually warm and sunny.

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Getting around San Francisco

Renting a car in San Francisco is more trouble than it’s worth. The city is covered with steep hills and one-way streets, traffic backups can be a nightmare and parking is scarce and expensive. You’ll only need a car if you’re heading out of town. It’s easy to get around on foot and the public transport system can get you anywhere else. 

San Francisco’s main transport network is the San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni). It has 100 bus lines with electric trolley buses and the famous historic cable cars. Riding one of the cable cars from Nob Hill down to Fisherman’s Wharf is an integral part of the San Francisco tourist experience. Check out the Muni Passports that offer unlimited rides for several days. 

Biking is a popular way to get around, but you’ll have to steel yourself to get up and over some of the hills. The easiest way to get a cab is calling ahead or lining up for one at a hotel stand. To get out of the city, you can hop aboard the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), the fast and efficient subway linking the city to the East Bay. You can also catch one of the many ferries sailing for Sausalito, Larkspur and Tiburon.

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