San Francisco city breaks
San Francisco caters to a variety of visitors, from those seeking fine wines and fresh seafood to tourists in town for a parade. There's fun for families, romance for couples, and the year-round mild temperatures help make it all possible. This multicultural and progressive city on the West Coast of America knows how to celebrate life.
21 ℃
Late spring and early autumn. View live forecast
11 hours
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the largest and busiest of airports in the Bay Area and approximately 22 km south of the city centre. Oakland International Airport (OAK) is about 40 km from downtown.
Travel guide
Things to do
Currency
Travel guide
Travel guide
Weather & Climate
Temperatures: Averages 15 (°C) in summer, 10 (°C) in the winter.
Best time to visit: Late spring and early autumn.
San Francisco has mild temperatures year-round, though winter can be rainy and windy. September and October are often warmer than summer months, and autumn is less crowded.
San francisco IS BEST FOR…
Explorers: Tick the city’s famous landmarks off your list during San Francisco holidays; don’t miss the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island prison, and Muir Woods National Monument.
Wine buffs: This place is the gateway to California’s stunning wine country. Take a tour of the famous Napa Valley and experience the region’s best vineyards (and their fruits) for yourself.
Families: It’s a child-friendly city with all kinds of fun-filled attractions for kids of all ages, including The Walt Disney Family Museum, where you can discover the origins of Mickey Mouse.
Fast facts:
Language: The language spoken in San Francisco is English.
Currency: The currency used in San Francisco is the US Dollar (USD).
Local time: San Francisco is 8 hours behind GMT/UK time.
Fly to: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the largest and busiest of airports in the Bay Area and approximately 22 km south of the city centre. Oakland International Airport (OAK) is about 40 km from downtown.
Flight time from UK: 11 hours
Tourist Information: Further San Francisco tourist information can be found at www.sanfrancisco.travel.
Visa / Health:
Before your holiday to San Francisco, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa for recommendations and advice on visas and health.
Getting around
By trolley: Tickets for the iconic trolleys can be purchased onboard (exact change) or at cable-car kiosks.
By light rail or bus: Transfer between bus and light rail for districts such as Mission, Castro and Fisherman’s Wharf.
By BART: The Bay Area Rapid Transit runs along Market Street. The commuter metro is useful for speedy travel between downtown and other parts of the Bay Area.
Events
Chienes tradition: With its sizable Chinese community, San Francisco hosts the nation’s largest Chinese New Year party. The first day in the Chinese lunar calendar is celebrated with parade floats and an 82-meter dragon winding through Chinatown.
Jazz Spectaculer: Summer kicks off each year with the 10-day San Francisco Jazz Festival. The greatest in jazz, Latin and world music perform in venues across the city.
Things to do
From artisan markets to museums and chocolate shops to parks, here’s our pick of the best things to do in Madrid. A city where ancient meets modern, Spain’s capital is bustling, vibrant and packed with culture.
Places to go
For a more unusual way to see the Madrid attractions, hop on a Segway and tour the city checking out all the sights as well as the Puerta del Sol and the Plaza Mayor. Or why not take them to the Planetarium on Avenida del Planetario, where there are plenty of interactive exhibits for all ages? On sunny days, hire a rowing boat at the lake in El Retiro Park, or pack a family picnic to make the most of Madrid’s scorching summers. There’s so much cultural history to enjoy in Madrid, and a walk around the museum district will give you a real feel for the city.Things to do in Madrid
El Retiro Park
With its lakes, monuments and beautiful gardens, El Retiro Park is one of Madrid’s true natural gems. If you need to escape the hustle and bustle … Find out moreSantiago Bernabeu
Football fans will enjoy a guided tour around the iconic home stadium of Real Madrid. Construction first began in 1945 and was officially … Find out moreSan Ginés Chocolaterie
First opened in 1894, the San Ginés Chocolaterie has become a true institution, so make sure you visit to find out why their traditional churros … Find out moreRoyal Palace Of Madrid
Pay a visit to the magnificent Royal Palace of Madrid, which is arguably one of the city’s most iconic monuments. See the largest palace in … Find out moreEl Rastro Flea Market
With its lakes, monuments and beautiful gardens, El Retiro Park is one of Madrid’s true natural gems. If you need to escape the hustle and bustle … Find out moreMuseo del Prado
At Madrid’s Museo del Prado, you’ll see artwork collected by Spanish kings between the 16th and 17th century, including work by Spanish, Italian … Find out moreCurrency
Madrid travel money
The currency in Madrid is the Euro. You’ll find plenty of banks and exchange offices in Madrid but a lot of travellers like to exchange their Sterling before they go. If you’re on a city break it’s good to be able to get on with enjoying the galleries of El Prado, checking out the shops in Barrio de Salamanca, or heading to the home of European football at Real Madrid without having to worry about finding somewhere to change your money or falling foul of high airport exchange fees.If you prefer to limit the amount of cash you carry, then you’ll find ATMs are plentiful. Ask your bank what they charge for spending money abroad and if you’re not happy with the fees, which can be quite high, you might find a pre-paid travel money card is a useful alternative. You can load it up before you travel, then top up as you need to. There’s no charge for purchases, and withdrawing your currency in Madrid is a flat cost, so you know exactly where you are. Cards are accepted in most major shops, bars and restaurants, making it an easy way to organise your spending.
