San Francisco – General Info
Quirky Facts
You can call it The City by the Bay, or Baghdad by the Bay, or The City That Knows How, or simply The City – just don’t call it Frisco.
Why? Well, back in the day (circa late 1940s), it tagged one as being oh-so-unsophisticated (horrors!). Not that this matters much anymore, but no one will think of you as a "hick" if you always call the Queen of the West the name it’s known by best: San Francisco.
Geography
San Francisco is a relatively small port city (49 sq mi/127 sq km) that rests on some 40 hills at the tip of a narrow peninsula in Northern California.
Bounded by the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay, the city can be accessed by car from the east on I-80 over the Bay Bridge (toll: $2), from the north on U.S. 101 over the Golden Gate (toll: $3) or from the south and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on U.S. 101 (no bridge, but still a pretty impressive entry way, especially at night).
San Francisco is 384 miles north of Los Angeles.
Climate
The climate here is moderate (between 40°F/4°C and 70°F/21°C), but when the famous fog is factored in it can seem colder.
The warmest months (and also the sunniest) are September and October. The coldest months (and rainiest) are December and January. The foggiest times are July and August.
If you don’t like the weather in San Francisco, turn the corner; microclimates make it possible for parts of the city to be shrouded in fog while others are bright and shiny. Bring clothing that can be layered. Set out in the morning with a light waterproof jacket over a sweater and a t-shirt and you should be prepared for what’s around any corner. Leave shorts and tanktops at home or at the bottom of your pack if you’re arriving from L.A. or Hawaii.
Transport
For transportation between Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco’s famed cable cars are one of the most accessible ways to go, although during peak tourist times (summer, fall and Christmas) you may wait as long as an hour to board! (fare: $2, no transfers).
Considerably a better bargain, and fairly reliable during the day and early evening are the MUNI (Municipal Railway System) buses and vintage streetcars (fare $1: 2 transfers within 2 hours allowed). MUNI transportation maps are available at the cable car ticket booths at Powell and Market Sts. and Hyde and Beach Sts.
Money
US Dollar.
American Express currency exchange offices are located at 560 California St.; 455 Market St.; and 333 Jefferson St. Call 415-536-2600 for hours of operation.
While you can probably survive on about $30 a day in San Francisco (providing you stay at a hostel, walk a lot and don’t eat much), allow for considerably more in order to thoroughly enjoy the city.
$40 to $50 a day (not including your accommodations) is fairly sufficient to cover cable car rides, see many sites, indulge in one of the city’s many fine restaurants or cafes and splurge on a cab ride back to your home base after a night of clubbing South of Market (SOMA).
Note to Smokers
The state of California prohibits smoking in restaurants and bars. Many bars have designated smoking areas on back patios or offer sidewalk seating which is fine when the weather is nice, but a drag on those cold and foggy San Francisco nights.
While there are loopholes (bars in which the owner is also the sole employee can allow smoking if the owner/bartender permits it), these are few and far between.
Your first clue as to whether smoking is allowed will be the presence of ashtrays on the bar or on your table. Be forewarned that ashtrays are becoming as rare a sight in California as the endangered condor.
Crime Watch
More serious crimes than indoor smoking do take place in San Francisco, although most of the major sightseeing destinations are relatively safe.
During the day, be careful of pickpockets when in crowded areas, especially on public transit. The city has a large and somewhat aggressive panhandling population. It is best to ignore these individuals to avoid confrontation.
At night, avoid walking through the area west of Union Square and east of Van Ness Ave., known as the Tenderloin, as well as the Civic Center, Golden Gate Park, South of Market (near 6th St.), the lower Haight and Mission St. (between 13th and 22nd Sts.). If you must travel through one of these areas to reach a destination, take a taxi (cost: about $7 to $10 with tip between most major S.F. destinations).
San Francisco Links
Citysearch Bay Area
Craigslist.org
Closet American
The Author
K.T. Drasky is a non-smoker who has never been mugged in San Francisco because she always carries cab fare and uses it before a neighborhood gets too sketchy. She has lived in don’t-call-it-Frisco for a long time now, and tonight is heading out for a much needed slice of Golden Boy.
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