How to Time Your Trip to San Francisco

San Francisco is truly a city like no other, a colorful, tolerant and scenic home for people from all across America and the world. And the ocean and bay combine to make San Francisco's weather as unique as the city itself.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sunglasses
• Travel Clothes
• Walking Shoes
• Local Guidebooks To San Francisco
• Maps
• Airline Tickets
• Travel Services
• Cameras
• Film
• Maps
• Cameras

General Considerations

1. Visit San Francisco in May, September or October for the best weather, but remember that gorgeous weather is a possibility any day of the year. The climate varies each year, and even varies among neighborhoods. June, July and August are often cool and foggy, suitable only if you're trying to escape from a hot location.

2. Check out what festivals, expositions and live performances are happening.

3. Take care of your flight, transportation and accommodations (see Related eHows).

4. Check the weather forecast for San Francisco shortly before leaving.

Attractions and Seasonal Events

5. Celebrate Chinese New Year in San Francisco's famous Chinatown. There's a parade, fireworks and the most authentic celebration you'll find without flying to Asia. The celebration is centered around Grant Avenue in late January or early February.

6. Learn about Japanese culture - martial arts, tea ceremonies and peerless food -at the Cherry Blossom festival, in late April.

7. Jog from San Francisco Bay across the city to the Pacific Ocean. The Bay to Breakers, on the third Sunday in May, is a race with so many thousands of eccentrics that it feels like a parade.

8. Fly your rainbow in June, the month San Francisco's gay community celebrates its freedom. There's a film festival and Gay Pride Week; on the last weekend, Castro Street hosts Pink Saturday, and the Gay Freedom Day Parade is Sunday.

9. View this spectacular city from above. Walk up to Twin Peaks, a small double-tipped mountain sitting in the middle of San Francisco. You'll see the city, the bay, the ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge and beyond. Alternatively, ride the elevator to the bar at the top of the Mark Hopkins Hotel in Nob Hill, or try Coit Tower in North Beach.

10. Walk. Just walk. Hilly San Francisco is small enough and scenic enough to make walking exhilarating. Favorite neighborhoods include Chinatown, North Beach, the Mission, the Castro, Haight-Ashbury, South of Market (SOMA), the Embarcadero and the Financial District. If you prefer parks, try the Presidio, Golden Gate Park or Stern Grove.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're not a walker, you can drive to the top of Twin Peaks.
• Summer is the season when travelers might wish to avoid San Francisco. Its attractions are overrun by tourists, prices are higher, and the weather is often clammy.
• Rainy weather or poor visibility cause significant delays at the San Francisco International Airport; find out if your airline flies to Oakland Airport, which is often a better alternative.