City trip San Francisco

When is the best time to go?

September and October are the golden months for San Francisco: temperatures of 18 to 22 degrees, virtually no morning fog and noticeably fewer tourists than in summer. May and early June are also pleasant. Avoid July and August if you want an unobstructed view of the Golden Gate Bridge: the famous "Karl the Fog" shrouds the bridge for half the morning on most days.

The best neighbourhoods in San Francisco

• North Beach San Francisco's Little Italy with Italian cafes, Washington Square Park and views of Coit Tower. The ideal base for day trips to Fisherman's Wharf.
• The Mission Lively and authentic, with Mexican street food, the famous street art of Clarion Alley and Balmy Alley, and the most local bar scene in the city.
• Haight-Ashbury The birthplace of the hippie movement: vintage shops, eclectic cafes and direct access to Golden Gate Park.
• Castro The historic LGBTQ+ heart of the city, home to the iconic Castro Theatre and the Rainbow Honor Walk.
• SoMa Trendy and central, close to SFMOMA and the San Francisco Giants ballpark.

Top 5 things to do in San Francisco

• Golden Gate Bridge Free to walk or cycle across. Rent a bike at Fisherman's Wharf and ride over the bridge to Sausalito for spectacular views.
• Alcatraz Island Day tour including audio guide and return ferry from $47.95 per adult (2026). Book weeks ahead: tickets sell out fast.
• Cable Car ride A single ride costs $12 (2026). Take the Powell-Hyde line for the most scenic route past Russian Hill, Nob Hill and Fisherman's Wharf.
• Muir Woods National Monument Ancient redwood forest just outside the city, admission $15 per person. Reserve your parking spot or shuttle in advance.
• Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 Free to visit: fresh sourdough bread, sea lions on the docks and the best views of the bay.

Flights + transport from the Netherlands

KLM flies daily direct from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to San Francisco International (SFO). The outbound flight takes around 10 hours 20 and usually departs during the day; the return takes around 10 hours 10. From Eindhoven (EIN) you always connect via Schiphol, typically on a KLM feeder flight.

Return tickets start from around €700 when booked 3 to 6 months ahead and rise to €1,100 or more during the summer peak season. Tip: avoid Dutch school holiday periods for the lowest fares.

Getting around: BART runs directly from the airport to Downtown San Francisco for around $11 (35 minutes, no transfer). In the city, use Muni: a day pass costs $5.50 for unlimited travel on buses, trams and metro. If you also want to ride the Cable Car, get the "Cable Car Plus" pass for $18 per day. Do not rent a car in the city: parking costs $40 to $60 per day and public transport is excellent.

What does a trip to San Francisco cost?

Hostels (2026): $60 to $75 per night in a dorm. Budget hotels: $120 to $180. Mid-range hotels: $200 to $300 per night including 14% tourism tax. Food is affordable if you eat local: a Mission burrito costs $10 to $15, dinner in North Beach $25 to $40. Alcatraz plus Cable Car plus Pier 39 costs around $65 per person for a full day.

Insider tip: the ferry from the Ferry Building to Sausalito ($16 one-way) gives you the best panorama of the skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge for almost nothing. And eat in The Mission: large burritos for $10 to $15.