San Francisco Vacation Rentals

San Francisco Travel Guide

San Francisco is the 13th-largest city in the U.S. and the 4th-largest in the state of California. Ranking as the 7th most-visited city in America in 2017, it's the preferred destination for those looking to check Northern California and its wide range of activities and wonders. San Francisco's culture is distinct. From its bright houses built into hills to its cable carbs to its iconic bridges, the city is unlike any other. The population is extremely diverse, with large Hispanic and Asian populations coming from a long list of countries. Locals are friendly, accustomed to tourist crowds and generally happy to help with directions.

Things to Do in San Francisco

Popular neighborhoods include Fisherman's Wharf for its view of Alcatraz and endless waterfront attractions, the vibrant Haight-Ashbury section for its painted homes and eccentric shops, and the Marin Headlands just across the Golden Gate for their breathtaking views of the bay.

Best Time to Visit San Francisco

The city's weather is notoriously strange and can often be chilly in the summer with thick layers of fog. We recommend the fall as the time to visit in order to catch great weather and dodge the thick crowds.

A Local's Guide to San Francisco

Stay in San Francisco to discover the history, culture and stunning views of this west coast resort. The northern California destination is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. It’s known for the foggy climate and steep streets which give Instagrammers all over the world tons of amazing snaps.

Known as “City by the Bay”, Frisco, SF, San Fran and Golden Gate City, there are many ways to see this incredible place, whether by public transportation, cable car or even just on foot.

Skyscrapers, like the Financial District's Transamerica Pyramid, gives the city skyline a unique look. And a San Francisco vacation home gives visitors the opportunity to have a great stay just moments from the biggest landmarks of Golden Gate Bridge and Union Square.

Vacationers with just a few days to spend in a vacation rental in San Francisco need to make sure to fit in as much as possible.

A visit to the notorious Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay with the former prison on-site has to be on every vacationers must-do list. Visitors can be “locked in” to experience the full feeling of the prison and what it must have been like for past prisoners.

Art lovers should check out the Asian Art Museum which has one of the most comprehensive Asian art collections in the world, with more than 18,000 works of art in its permanent collection, some as much as 6,000 years old.

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is also worth checking out for the internationally recognized collection of modern and contemporary art.

Take a walk through Downtown San Francisco to stare up at the towerblocks of the financial districts as well as having a meal at the Tadich Grill, the city’s oldest restaurant.

No trip to San Francisco is complete without taking in the views of Golden Gate Bridge but vacationers should also plan to spend a day in Golden Gate Park or one of the regional parks and beaches in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The parks in San Fran see more than 13 million visitors a year.

Take a trip to Pier 39 for shops, restaurants, a video arcade, street performances, the Aquarium of the Bay, virtual 3D rides, and views of California sea lions.

For adventurous travelers, there really is nothing better than climbing up to Twin Peaks. Named after the 922-foot-high summits, this residential neighborhood with modern homes includes a 64-acre hilltop park which has hiking trails leading up to 360-degree views of the Bay Area.

A popular spot for tourists is the Fisherman’s Wharf which is on the northern waterfront. There’s everything from food stalls selling crab and clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls as well as souvenir shops and postcards. There are also sea lions to spot and historic ships in the water.

There are plenty of rentals in San Francisco to choose from and they are available year-round. The city isn’t known for being a very hot resort and is more suited to travelers that enjoy sightseeing or museum-hopping rather than sun-seekers looking for a beach.

The best time to visit is in September to November. It seems unlikely, but fall sees the warmest temperatures of the year and the area is not crowded with summer tourists.

Spring is another good time to visit as there is less rainfall than the rest of the year.