San Francisco United States

Mediterranean

• Airport

  San Francisco International Airport (SFO) · 21 km south of downtown

• Transfers

  BART Train (30-35 min, $10.15) · SamTrans Bus (40-60 min, $2.50) · Shared Shuttle (45-60 min, $18-25) · Taxi (25-40 min, $50-70) · Uber/Lyft (25-40 min, $40-60)

• Transit

  BART Rail, Muni Metro, Cable Car, Bus

• Tips

  SF highly walkable and bikeable - one of best US cities for no car · Cable cars iconic but crowded - arrive early or use Muni instead · Hills are steep - wear comfortable shoes, use transit uphill · BART connects East Bay, Muni covers SF, Caltrain goes to South Bay · Download MuniMobile app for tickets and real-time arrivals · Fog and wind common - dress in layers even in summer

• Walkability

  high

• Language

  English, Chinese, Spanish

• Currency

  US Dollar ($, USD)

• Customs

  Tech culture and innovation hub · Progressive, liberal values · Strong environmental consciousness · LGBTQ+ friendly and inclusive · Coffee culture - artisan cafes everywhere · Startup and entrepreneurial mindset

• Etiquette

  Be environmentally conscious - recycling/composting · Respect homeless population - don't photograph · Use public transport - eco-friendly · Be punctual for meetings · Casual but professional in tech scenes

• Visa

  ESTA required for visa waiver program countries ($21, apply online). Others need visa.

• Power

  120V, 60Hz · A, B

• Healthcare

  Excellent medical facilities but very expensive. Travel insurance essential. UCSF, Stanford nearby.

• Safety

  MODERATE · Car break-ins epidemic - NEVER leave anything in car, even trunk · Tenderloin and parts of SOMA unsafe - avoid at night · Package theft common in residential areas · Homelessness and drug use visible in many areas · Watch belongings on public transit (BART, Muni) · Fisherman's Wharf and tourist areas generally safer · Fog can make it cold even in summer - bring layers

• Emergency

  Police 911 · Ambulance 911