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San Francisco travel guide

What to watch out for, what to see, what to eat, and how to get around — written for people arriving for the first time.

Last updated 2026-08-09

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Photo: LukePricePhotography · CC BY 2.0 · source

Common scams in San Francisco

10 reported scam patterns travellers run into in San Francisco, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.

Common scams in San Francisco — and how to avoid them →

Top places to visit in San Francisco

6 places worth your time in San Francisco, with what each is actually like and when to go.

Top places to visit in San Francisco →

Top food to try in San Francisco

6 dishes to eat in San Francisco, what is in them, and where they belong.

Top food to try in San Francisco →

Traditions and customs in San Francisco

5 customs and traditions in San Francisco — what they are, and how to take part without causing offence.

Traditional things to do in San Francisco →

Getting around San Francisco

How to travel around San Francisco — 5 options, what they cost, and which booking apps fix the fare before you go.

Getting around San Francisco: transport and taxi apps →

Rules to follow in San Francisco

4 laws, restrictions, and customs in San Francisco that travellers often break without knowing — and the fines or consequences that follow.

Rules to follow in San Francisco — laws and customs travellers must know →

Emergency contacts in San Francisco

2 emergency services in San Francisco you may need as a traveller — tourist police, ambulance, fire brigade and more. Save these before you go out.

Emergency numbers in San Francisco — police, ambulance, fire and tourist helplines →

Best places to shop in San Francisco

4 markets, malls and shopping districts in San Francisco — what to buy, when to go, and the tourist traps to avoid at each one.

Best places to shop in San Francisco — markets, malls, bazaars and street shopping →

Scam entries describe patterns reported in an area. They are not findings of fact, and they do not allege wrongdoing by any named business.