Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

San Francisco proper occupies 47 square miles, including the offshore Farallon Islands, although the figure is more often rounded up to 49 square miles (a 7-mile square). The city population is just shy of 800,000 residents, while the metropolitan area reaches 7 million.

San Francisco, still enjoying the effects of the Gold Rush, remains the West Coast's center of banking and finance. It features a branch of the US Mint and the Federal Reserve. Its hometown companies include Levi Strauss & Co., Wells Fargo and The Gap. Top employers in the city include the Bechtel Group, Inc., Levi Strauss and Chevron. The computer industry is also prominent in the area, and Silicon Valley, just 40 miles south of San Francisco, hosts some of the world's largest computer-affiliated corporations. The Letterman Digital Arts Center, affiliated with Lucasfilm, also distinguishes the area with its digital entertainment facility.

San Francisco's sales tax is calculated at 8.5%. The lodging tax is 14%.

Weather

Many a traveler has made the mistake of confusing Southern California's climate with that of San Francisco. However, the two couldn't be more different. San Francisco is surrounded by water on three sides, and its geography allows it a mild, year-round temperature (rarely exceeding the 60s F), but it also makes the city susceptible to fog, breezes and quick variation from sun to clouds. As a result, hoofing it about is a pleasant prospect, but visitors should expect to bring a jacket and to layer their clothing for maximum comfort. The city is such an anomaly that people who work in San Francisco but live outside its bounds (even within a half-hour's drive) can wake up at home in 80° weather and require a turtleneck when they get into the city.

Holidays & Business Hours

On federal and state holidays, many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours. Naturally, policies vary, but in general, the following holidays are broadly observed:

Coming & Going

The city's primary airport, serviced by major carriers, is San Francisco International (SFO), located about a half-hour from the city center. Oakland International (OAK), also about thirty minutes away, handles discount carriers.

Transportation to the city from the airport varies, depending on your needs. Taxis are great for expense-account trips since fares from the airport to downtown range from $40-45. Vans and shuttles make the same journey for about $12-15. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), the regional subway system, is accessible at the airport's International terminal. Trains require use of BART cards, which function like debit cards, subtracting fares as they're used. They can be purchased at BART stations. Although affordable, BART commutes often involve transfers and can be time consuming.

Making Your Way

If you're interested in seeing San Francisco's main tourist sites, you can likely walk from place to place. The city's main section is relatively compact, and if you don't mind braving a few hills, walking is a great way to immerse yourself in local ambience.

Otherwise, the San Francisco Municipal Railway, or Muni, handles public transportation in the city itself. It includes a light rail component, standard buses, trolley buses and cable cars. The latter, a San Francisco signature, costs $5 per one-way trip. Bus fares are $1.50, and if you know you'll have a transfer, buy that ticket when you purchase the one for your initial leg (you may be asked to show it). Muni passes – which allow unlimited travel for a set fee for 1, 3, or 7 days – are a great deal for quick-moving tourists and visitors.

Taxis can be hard to locate and are not always reliable, so use them sparingly. And if you're not venturing beyond the city proper, avoid renting or driving a car. Parking is expensive and difficult to find; the trouble of having an automobile often outweighs the benefit.

News & Views

If you're trying to keep abreast of local and national news while in the Bay area, look for San Francisco's two established newspapers: the Chronicle and the Examiner. If you're interested in more independent views, two alternative publications that prove especially good for arts and nightlife include the San Francisco Bay Guardian and the San Francisco Weekly. They're also conveniently free. Where San Francisco, a magazine that caters to tourists, covers upscale dining, galleries, nightlife and shopping.

Quirks & Curiosities

Perhaps the biggest adjustment visitors to San Francisco must make is getting acclimated to its hills. Maps don't show elevation, just the street grid, so the city's varied terrain can come as a surprise when you're on foot, especially when you have to scale Lombard Street to get back to your hotel or climb Telegraph Hill to reach Coit Tower. Still, that's part of the fun, and you quickly learn to adjust your route for ease and convenience.

Should you be driving in San Francisco, take safety precautions when you park. To prevent a runaway car, turn your wheels towards the street if you're parked going up a hill and towards the curb if you're parked facing down a hill. These actions help if brakes should fail, and not only are they a good idea, they're city law.

Although Rice-A-Roni is often associated with San Francisco, other foods have ties just as strong. Ghirardelli chocolate was once manufactured at Fisherman's Wharf and is still a much-loved local treat. Clam chowder served in a hollowed-out sourdough bread bowl is also a city favorite. It's especially popular at stands and restaurants along the Wharf.

When strolling along Fisherman's Wharf, be on the lookout for a bit of greenery tucked alongside a trash can, especially if folks are standing around watching for something. Behind those branches is the Bushman, a longtime city institution. He crouches down, waiting for tourists to pass by unawares, at which point he leaps up and yells at them, startling everyone around – much to the delight of the gathered crowd.

Budget-minded travelers should consider purchasing a CityPass when they come to town. The ticket booklet grants admission to five museums and a bay cruise, and it lets you ride the MUNI bus and cable car system for 7 days – all for less than 50% what you'd normally pay. Plus, you avoid standing in line for tickets. A few restrictions apply, and a few alternatives are offered. Purchase your booklet online at http://citypass.com, or buy one at participating attractions.

Getting Your Bearings

As much as you plan a trip, you can never hope to know a city like locals do. That's why visitors centers are such a great resource. Check them out for recommendations on lodging, dining, and local attractions. Their collection of resources is sure to give you a leg up on everything you need to do and see. Contact the main branch at:

San Francisco Visitor Information Center 900 Market Street Hallidie Plaza, lower level 415-391-2000 – phone 415-283-0177 – phone 415-362-7323 – fax www.sfvisitor.org Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm; Sat-Sun 9am-3pm

Necessities - Post Offices

It's usually not too difficult to spot a drop box when you're out and about, but if you need to conduct more serious postal business, it's not always that easy. These locations are convenient to downtown:

150 Sutter Street San Francisco, CA 94104 415-765-1761

1640 Stockton St San Francisco, CA 94133 415-362-3128

2055 Lombard St San Francisco, CA 94123 415-351-1875

Common Courtesies

Although tipping is generally a personal matter, there are some guidelines that prove helpful to travelers. At restaurants, servers typically get 15% of the bill, although 10% acknowledges basic assistance, and 20% awards exceptional service. It is also common now for some restaurants to charge an automatic gratuity of 18% for groups. You should be aware of this possibility before providing an additional tip. Taxi drivers usually fit into similar guidelines by receiving a tip equivalent to 15% of the tab.

Often, a dollar tip covers many situations. Bartenders are customarily given $1 per cocktail, hotel maids are provided $1-2 for each day of a stay, bellhops get about $1 per bag, and a coat-check clerk typically receives $1 as well. The exception is a concierge, who generally receives $5-$10 for standard service (additional assistance suggests more).