Hyphen/ Local Life

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Before you Go

Basic Info

Currency

US Dollar (USD / $)

Exchange rate: 1 USD = 0.87 EUR

Time Zone

GMT–8

DST–7

DST begins at 0200 (local time) on the second Sunday in March and ends at 0200 (local time) on the first Sunday in November.

Dialling

International calling: +1 Citywide: 408, 415, 510, 650, 707, 925

Always include the area code for calls made from outside the US.

Weather (Avg. Temperture Range)

Spring (Mar–May): 9–17°C /48–63°F

Summer (Jun–Aug): 11–23°C /52–73°F

Autumn (Sep–Nov): 10 –22°C /50–70°F

Winter (Dec–Feb): 7–15°C /45–59°F

Useful Websites

Getting around San Francisco https://www.sfmta.com

US visa application https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/ us-visas.html

Emergency Calls

Ambulance, Fire, or Police 911

Official Visitor Information Centre (ViC) +1 (415) 391 2000

Consulates

China +1 (415) 852 5900 Japan +1 (415) 780 6000 France +1 (415) 397 4330 Germany +1 (415) 775 1061 UK +1 (415) 617 1300

Before you Go

Transportation Airport Express Transfers

SFO Airport—Downtown SF (BART)

From international Terminal to Civic Center / Powell St. / Montgomery St. / Embarcadero: 0500-2353 (Mo–Fr), 0630–(Sa), 0800–(Su) $9.65 one-way (free for 4-) Trains / Journey: Every 15 mins / 30 mins

OAK Airport—Downtown Oakland (BART)

From airport to 12th St. / Oakland City Center (Coliseum Station): 0500–0000 (Mo-Fr), 0600–(Sa), 0800–(Su $8.65)

one-way (free for 4-) Trains / Journey: Every 6–20 mins / 30 mins

Public Transport Muni* (buses, metro trains, streetcars, cable cars)

Lyft / Uber Ford GoBike

Taxi

BART

*A single ride fare is good for 90 mins of travel

SF Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) https://www.sfmta.com

How to Pick a Neighborhood in San Francisco

Geographically, San Francisco is tiny, roughly 49 miles wedged onto the end of a peninsula. But in cultural terms, San Francisco contains multitudes, with a difference of even a single block at times meaning different neighborhood character, history, aesthetic—and, more importantly, a different set of price brackets. In an August 2018 survey released by real estate site Trulia, 42 percent of San Franciscans wish they had moved to a different neighborhood than the one they now call home.

“

I have always been rather better treated in San Francisco than I actually deserved. ”

—Mark Twain American writer

First Things First, Consider your Bottom Line

Living in San Francisco is more expensive than it’s ever been, except for during the Gold Rush in 1851 when a single chicken egg cost the equiva lent of $104 in present-day currency. Still, these days nearly 40 percent of San Franciscans end up rent burdened; the figure is only that low because many of those who can’t afford the city have moved away. So the first and last variable most of us consider is how much we can afford to spend. Note that these are only partial guides, since what those maps actually show is the median rent on their respective sites. For would-be home buyers, real estate group Para gon has an exhaustive map of home prices in different SF neighborhoods.

While these tools may or may not necessarily reflect what you’ll end up paying in a given neighborhood in dollar terms, they do reflect which areas are more likely to carry a premi um and which ares are likely to be on the lower end of the pay scale.

Get to Know your Neighborhood’s Reputation

This is tricky, because San Francis cans are in constant disagreement about exactly how many neighbor hoods the city has, where the hoods begin and end, what their reputations are, and who has the right to decide such things in the first place. But most neighborhoods are more or less mainstays, many famous for their distinct history and culture: The Castro’s role as an LGBTQ mecca; Noe Valley’s high concentration of families; the historic architecture (and historically pricey real estate) of Pacific Heights; and neighborhoods like the Sunset, Outer Richmond, and Chinatown’s history as immigration hubs have endured for decades.

Check out Curbed SF’s guide to San Francisco neighborhoods to get a feel for the flavor of each area, but remember that there’s more to a neighborhood than just the surface, that reputations are complex things.

Housing

For example, Beat writer Jack Ker ouac wrote about the South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood’s reputation as a seedy skid row in his book Lonesome Traveler. But for decades, SoMa has also been the city’s center for Filipino culture. Meanwhile, the neighborhood’s leather bar scene, once seen as seedy itself in Kerouac’s day, now gets City Hall recognition as an import ant cultural asset. There’s always more to a neighborhood than meets the eye.

Consider your Transit Needs

Good news is that, as a quick glance at a Muni map will tell you, there’s hardly a square yard of San Francisco that’s not within hopping distance of a bus stop. San Francisco Planning Department determined that 96 percent of parcels in the city are within half a mile of a major transit line. The bad news is that Muni has such a lousy reputation that famed Chronicle columnist Herb Caen coined the term “Munierable” decades ago—a moniker that sticks. You can check how often— or not often, as the case usually is— Muni bus and light rail lines arrive via an online tool operated by the city to see how well serviced your would be neighborhood is in practice.

San Francisco is a regional economy and commuting between to different cities is standard but also tricky; no single transit system connects to every common destination. BART is the primary lifeline in and out of the city—reaching into Daly City and parts of the East Bay—but won’t extend to Silicon Valley for years to come. The transit system is also remote from most of SF in geographic terms. Nevertheless, living within walking distance of any BART station is an asset worth pursuing. Caltrain connects the city straight to Silicon Valley, but these days the sys tem struggles to modernize itself.

The city’s ease of access to mass transit turns out to be something of a white elephant and bear additional research for the ramifications on your commute. Unless, of course, you commute by car, in which case the answer is simple: Traffic will be an endurance test no matter where you live.

Move out of your comfort zone.

grow if

are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new. ”

—Brian Tracya Famous public speaker

“

You can only

you

Consider Where you Want to Live Near

San Francisco is full of beautiful places, but sometimes that’s a game of give and take.

Commute times in the Bay Area are some of the nation’s highest. Thanks to the tightly compacted design of our streets, even a commute of just a few miles can take a deceptively long time. (The N Judah, for example, is famous for its hour-plus-long rides from the Sunset District to downtown during rush hour.)

This means that finding a place to live near your job—or at least near one of the city’s relatively efficient transit lines th at serves the area around your place of business—isn’t just a convenience but could be a necessity. But if you want to live near a park, you’re in luck: San Francisco is the only major city in America where every home is within at least half a mile of a public park, according to the Trust For Public Land.

The city is also teeming with museums, historical markers, privately-owned public parks, public art, oddities, and, of course, some of the most famous landmarks and tourist sights recogniz able the world over.

Some people relish the idea of living next to one of the most of photo graphed places in the world. Others, like the neighbors near the Full House home will attest, consider it an enormous pain.

Even a seemingly small lure like a popular dog park can impact quality of life—particularly if you need find regular street parking—for those who live nearby. Consider whether you like the idea of being at the center of the action and always take a look around the surrounding blocks to see if you notice anything remarkable— if you do, other people are certainly going to notice it too.

Lombard Street

How do you Like Waterfront Views

San Francisco is a strange case study in that, being at the business end of a peninsula, the city is surrounded by waterfront views and oceanic access. Most of the entire west side of the city is one long stretch of beach. Though popular with surfers and dog walkers, Ocean Beach is almost perpetually gray and foggy, and the neighborhoods it borders have historically been consid ered far-flung and branded with names like Outer Sunset and Outer Richmond.

Of course, this is all good news for those who do want to live near water ways, as these spots are, ironically, some of the few remaining affordable (by SF standard) options.

Can you Climb Every Mountain

San Francisco’s hills should be taken seriously, particularly for those with ac cessibility concerns or health issues about exertion. While a lot of apps and online tools rank SF neighborhoods for walk-ability, few of them take the topography into consideration. The city has a highly detailed topographical map that records every change in elevation of greater than five feet.

Consider the Weather

While the city is small, it does come with many microclimates. The further west you go, the chillier and foggier it will be. The Mission and SoMa seem to stay the sunniest.

Consider Places Off the Beaten Path

No matter how many times you hear it bears repeating. So it’s worth consider ing some of San Francisco’s traditionally overlooked hoods.

Historically, SF housing demand has concentrated in the north and the east sections of the city. Delving west or south brings you to places that, by and large, are more residential and considered remote.

Take a Look at What’s to Eat

In 2012, San Francisco became the single most restaurant-dense city in America, with more than 39 dining establishments per 10,000 residents. Second-place Fairfield County had fewer than 28, so it wasn’t exactly a close contest.

Transportation

How to Get Around San Francisco: Transportation Basics

San Francisco is made up of 49 square miles of long boulevards, curvy streets, hidden alleyways and lots of hills. But have no fear! Follow these tips, along with some of our app recommenda tions, and you’ll be the transportation hero of your San Francisco adventure.

You will find zipping around the city without a car is not only easy and affordable, it’s actually more convenient 99% of the time. Driving in the city can be challenging and parking fees are costly. Details on the public transportation, ride-sharing and taxi cabs are below. If you’re going to drive a car in the city, follow our San Francisco parking guide.

Getting to San Francisco

Flying into San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

United Airlines is the leading carrier into SFO, with the most domestic and international flights serving the airport annually. United’s domestic flights are based out of Terminal 3, with service in the International Terminal as well.

BART Bay Area Rapid Transit’s, or BART’s, all-electric trains are a fast, inexpen sive, and dependable way to get from SFO to San Francisco easily and avoiding traffic. Once you have your luggage, follow the signs for AirTrain, a free tram service to all terminals. Take either the Red or Blue AirTrain line to the Garage G and BART stop in International Terminal G to take BART. BART fares are based on distance traveled; the greater the distance, the higher the fare. A round-trip fare from SFO to downtown San Francisco is $19.30 ($9.65 one-way). Buy your ticket at ticket machines at the SFO BART station.

Then place your ticket at the designated slot on an entry faregate. When it pops out from the top slot, remove it to open the gate and board the San Francisco/ Antioch train. When you arrive, repeat the same procedure to exit the station. If you don’t have enough value on your ticket to exit, don’t worry—you can add money to the ticket to exit at the Add Fare machine in the station. Clipper Multi-transit cards are also available for purchase at designated ticket machines in BART stations. It can be used on BART and other transit systems including Muni buses and Street cars in San Francisco.

Ride-Sharing Apps

With app-based transportation services, including Lyft and Uber, you can arrange to ride with drivers using their personal, non-commercial vehicles via smartphone. The services pick up passengers at the curb on the Departures of all terminals.

Transportation

Flying into Oakland International Airport (OAK)

BART

Taking BART from OAK is an easy and low-cost option to get to San Francisco. After you’ve picked up your luggage, look for BART signs in the baggage claim. The station is located across from the Terminal 1 baggage claim area and a short walk from Terminal 2. Board a train for the quick eight-minute ride from OAK to the BART Coliseum station, where you can transfer to the BART train bound for your final destination in San Francisco. OAK trains depart every 5 minutes from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Service is less frequent at other times. Round trip BART fares from OAK to San Francisco ($20.40), downtown Oakland ($15.90) or other East Bay cities are less than half the cost of taxis or shuttles to the same destination.

Ride-Sharing Apps

Smartphone app-based transportation services like Lyft and Uber serve OAK, providing rides via drivers in their personal, non-commercial vehicles. Arrange your ride via the app, and then follow the signs for Smartphone App Rides in Terminals 1 and 2. Drivers wait for passengers on the second curb of the pickup area. Fares and travel times vary according to demand and local traffic, but a typical ride from OAK to SFO takes approximately 45 minutes and ranges in price from $30-45.

Shuttle, Taxi and Limo Service

Prices vary for shuttles, taxis and limousines from OAK to San Francisco. There are multiple options and special prices for traveling groups. You can call or make your reservation online.

Flying into San Jose Airport (SJC)

Caltrain

Caltrain provides commuter rail service along the San Francisco Peninsula. To get from the San Jose Airport to the Santa Clara Caltrain Station, take the Airport Flyer-VTA Route #10 bus. The Airport Flyer makes a continuous loop between the Metro Light Rail Station, the Santa Clara Caltrain Station and the Airport Terminals. A new shuttle departs each designated stopping point approximately every 15-30 min utes from 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. One-way fare is $2.

Caltrain fares are based on the number of zones that are partially or wholly traveled through by the passenger. There are two Caltrain stops in San Francisco: 22nd Street and Fourth Street. Both are in Zone 1. Allow a min imum of 60 minutes to arrive in San Francisco. Occasionally, the trip might take longer. For more information, see How to Get to San Francisco from San Jose.

Shuttles

Prices vary for shuttle service from SJC. There are also multiple options and special prices for traveling groups. You call or make your reservation online.

Arriving by Train

Amtrak offers a comfortable and enjoyable way to get to San Francisco. The city is served via Thruway bus connections at Emeryville. Ride with the convenience of amenities and picturesque scenery right outside your window as you explore what the Bay Area has to offer.

1. From the North, take the Coast Starlight from Seattle and Portland.

2. From the South, the Coast Starlight travels daily from Los Angeles

3. From the East, the California Zephyr travels from Chicago and Denver daily.

4. The Amtrak San Joaquin offers departures from Bakersfield and Fresno.

The Capitol Corridor, also operated by Amtrak, serves 18 stops between Sacramento and Silicon Valley. Keep an eye out for any available special deals

Money Matters

“

Beginner’s Guide to Banking

San Francisco is exciting, moody, exhilarating.

I even love muted fogs. ”

—Julie

Christie British actress

Most of us wouldn’t feel very safe keeping all of our hard-earned cash under our pillows at night, so we open bank accounts and park our cash there instead. Banks and credit unions help keep your money safe and they can also grow your wealth, depending on the type of bank account you choose.

What is a checking account?

Best for:

Those who want a safe place to keep their money with few restrictions on accessing it.

Not for:

Those who want to earn a lot of interest on their money.

You should open a checking account for money you plan to use for everyday spending. Unlike savings accounts, CDs, and money market accounts, there are no restrictions on when or how often you can withdraw money from a checking account, as long as you don’t withdraw more money than you have. They’re ideal for paying bills and you can easily turn your check ing account funds back into cash as needed with the included debit card. You can also purchase checks for your checking account if you prefer to pay this way.

While some online checking accounts offer interest, these accounts are rare, and even the best interest-bearing checking accounts usually have annual percentage yields (APYs) lower than most savings account APYs. If you’re hoping to grow your money, you’re better off using one of the other bank accounts listed below.

Some checking accounts charge a monthly maintenance fee, but they might waive this if you meet certain requirements, like having a certain number of deposits per month or maintaining a minimum balance. Other fees you might run into with checking accounts are ATM fees for using ATMs outside of your bank or credit union’s network or overdraft fees if you try to withdraw more money from your checking account than it contains.

What is a savings account?

Best for:

Those who want a low-risk way to grow their money.

Not for:

Those who plan to withdraw money frequently from their account.

A savings account is a low-risk account where you can earn interest on your money. Banks and credit unions take the money you place into your savings account and use it to finance loans for other customers. Then, they give you a portion of the interest they earn from the borrower.

Money Matters

A savings account isn’t the best choice if you expect to withdraw cash from your accounts often. That’s because it’s subject to Regulation D. This is a fed eral law that restricts savings account holders to six “convenient” withdrawals or transfers per month. Convenient transactions include transfers made online or over the phone, bill payments or other recurring transfers, and over draft transfers. If you have more than six of these per month, your bank or credit union will charge you extra fees. You can make additional “inconvenient” withdrawals, though, including visiting a branch location if your financial institution has them or requesting a mailed check from your bank. Savings accounts don't usually include checks or debit cards for accessing funds. You may need to transfer funds to a checking account before you can withdraw the money via check or debit card payment. You also need to be mindful of the account's minimum balance requirement. If it has one and you let your balance fall below that level, you might incur additional fees.

What is a certificate of deposit (CD)?

Best for:

Those who want to earn a high interest rate and don’t need to spend that money anytime soon.

Not for:

Those who think they’ll need to withdraw their money before the CD’s maturity date

A certificate of deposit (CD), also known as a share certificate if you’re using a credit union, is a special type of savings account that offers much higher interest rates -- but there’s a catch. When you put the money into a CD, you’re agreeing that you won’t touch it for the length of the CD term. This can be anywhere from a few months to several years. Usually, the longer the loan term, the higher the i nterest rate. The best CDs can offer APYs of around 3%. You can withdraw money from your account before it reaches its maturity date (the end of the CD term), but you'll pay a high penalty. This is often a certain number of months' worth of interest, and the farther away you are from your maturi ty date, the greater the penalty. A few CDs, known as no-penalty CDs, do not charge you if you withdraw your mon ey early, but these usually have lower APYs than other types of CDs.

How to Select a San Francisco Auto Repair Shop You Trust

This chapter covers appliance rentals, domestic services for people with disabilities, information for international newcomers, and more.

It’s because we rely so heavily on our vehicles that car trouble is such a stressful inconvenience. And by carefully choosing a San Francisco auto repair shop, you’ll find peace of mind and get your car back on the road fast.

So, how do you choose the shop that’s right for you and your car? Research and good information are the keys to success. Read the following articles to find out how you can get the information you need to be confident in your choice of an auto repair shop in San Francisco, including car shops that serve the major areas of Sunset District, Mission District, Richmond District, Tenderloin and Bernal Heights, as well as all the smaller districts of the city.

Look for State Licensed and Professional Automotive Mechanics in San Francisco

Not all auto repair mechanics are the same, and their skill level, experience, and personal philosophies about auto repair can help or hurt you. So, it’s important that you choose a qualified, honest auto repair shop in San Francisco that will repair your vehicle correctly the first time and keep it running well for years to come.

All auto repair shops operating in California must be licensed by the Bureau of Automotive Repair. You can check the license status of any local automotive repair shop by visiting the Bureau of Auto Repair’s website. Any recent violations, complaints or disciplinary actions will appear on their license. All Diamond Certified companies have already been thoroughly vetted for you, including license verification. But if you’re unable to choose a Diamond Certified car mechanic in your area, you’ll have to do the research yourself.

Some of the best automotive tech nicians in San Francisco included in the larger areas of Bernal Heights, Tenderloin, Mission District, Sunset District and Richmond District have earned certifications and completed advanced automotive repair training. These auto techs are able to repair and maintain your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s specifications. That’s because shops and car mechanics with these industry certifications have taken additional courses and passed industry examinations proving they have knowledge and skills that other mechanics may not be able to match.

Top 6 Most Visited Shipping Stores in San Francisco

FedEx Office Print & Ship Center

FedEx Office in San Francisco, CA provides a one-stop shop for small businesses printing and shipping expertise and reliable customer service when and where you need it. Services include copying and digital printing, direct mail, signs and graphics, Internet access, computer rental, fax services,... Website: https://local.fedex.com/en-us/ca/ san-francisco/office-4095/

The UPS Store

The UPS Store #4546 in San Francisco offers in-store and online printing, document finishing, a mailbox for all of your mail and packages, notary, packing, shipping, and even freight services locally owned and operated and here to help... Website: https://locations.theupsstore.com/ca/ san-francisco/2370-market-st

Mail Access

We are a family owned and operated business. Reliably serving since 1985 and growing fast, we specialize in Mailbox Rental and Package Shipping services along with personalized service. Website: http://outpostmailaccess.com

PostalAnnex+

PostalAnnex+ of San Francisco offers UPS, FedEx and USPS shipping, private mailbox rental, notary public service, copy service, mailing supplies, shipping supplies and other business services. Website: https://www.postalannex.com/137

Jensen’s Mail & Copyr

Jensen’s Mail & Copy located at 5214F Diamond Heights Blvd, San Francisco CA is the go-to resource for packing, shipping, printing and business service needs of the residents and businesses of San Francisco, CA. Our team of dedicated, professionally trained experts understands the meaning of Super-Star Customer Care—we focus on saving you time and money by ensuring you get the right products and services at the right price—in a single, quick visit. Website: http://www.jensens-sf.com

Navis Pack & Ship

Navis Pack and Ship in San Francisco is an expert in the packing and shipping of all items Fragile, Large, Awkward or Valuable.

Website: http://www.gonavis.com/ca1102

Education School System in San Francisco

Typical American public elementary schools consist of children aged 6-12 and have Kindergarten to 6th grade. From here they usually attend a middle school of 7th and 8th grade, than finish schooling at a High School from 9th to 12th grade. There are variations of this format found throughout the nation, but most follow this layout. School is usually in session from September till June.

Public schools are supported by the taxpayers and budget and education officials are determined by public voting. If you don't know which zone and school your child will attend, call 311 or visit the Department of Education Website.

San Francisco hosts a population that is more educated than average. Two-thirds of the Bay Area residents have education and training beyond high school, and well above 40 percent have graduated from college and beyond. A full 16 percent of city residents hold graduate degrees, topping the rankings of major cities in the United States. Founded in 1851, San Francisco Unified School District educates approximately 55,000 of San Francisco’s pre-school, elementary, middle and high school students at 34 preschools, 102 K-12 schools, 8 county/ court schools, and 9 charter schools.

Private School

There are many excellent private schools in the San Francisco area and Bay Area Private Schools guide offers an excellent overview of the schools available. Private schools funds are achieved through student paid tuition, with chances for scholarship for worthy students. Many schools are religiously affiliated and are completely separate from the state.

Universities

Universities are quite expensive with prices rising every year. Public univer sity can cost around $7,000 to $12,000 in tuition alone with housing, books, and other academic necessities costing much more. Private university is much more expensive with tuition costing somewhere between $20,000 and even up to $50,000 annually. The academic school year usually runs from September to June with an optional summer quarter which is another expense. Scholarships and financial aid help students attend the university of their choice, but most students must take out loans to complete their education. Not only do students need money to get into their dream school, they need to have high enough scores on national tests like the SAT or ACT, achieve at least the minimum GPA at their high school, and apply themselves to extra circular activities like sports and social clubs. Extras, like being the descendent of an alumni can also reflect positively in an applicant's favor. The better the college, the more difficult it is to be accepted. "Ivy League" schools like Harvard, Brown, Cornell, Princeton, Yale, and many others outside of these old names have an excellent reputation and must keep standards high to retain their prestige.

Mission Dolores Park

Sustainable City

Sustainable City is a dedicated initiative to achieve the long-term sustainability of San Francisco’s built and natural environment. It includes city-wide and neighborhood-scale efforts addressing classically environ mental sustainability categories: climate protection, energy, water, waste and materials, air quality, ecology and resilience. In its commitment to the long-term vitality of SF's built and natural environment, the Planning Department embeds a comprehensive sustainable lens across all of its ini tiatives. These include neighborhood plan development, land use, housing, and transportation policies, public space and urban design, community engagement, and more. The Sustainable City Team leads creative and collab orative partnerships with other City agencies and key stakeholders to sup port and exceed existing environmental regulations, maximize benefits, and facilitate widespread innovation and implementation.

Sustainable City Key Goals

Establish environmental sustainability as an essential and mutually supportive element of livability, afford ability, and equity;

Integrate and institutionalize sustainability within policies and projects through out the city, serving as a resource for City staff and the larger community; Maximize equitable co-benefits and inspire participation across communities.

Green Living

Citywide Sustainability

We work to advance San Francisco’s established environmental goals through supportive policy and legislation, citywide plans, and the development of a framework for measuring and monitoring sustainability across the city.

Building-scale Sustainability

The Sustainable City Team coordinates with other City agencies on green building policy and studies that address improving the efficiency and the sustainability of the City’s new and existing building stock.

Neighborhood-scale Sustainability

The San Francisco Eco-District program endeavors to amplify sustain ability performance and co-benefits through neighborhood-scale projects. The Sustainable City Team works with stakeholders, partner agencies, devel opers, and utilities to develop policies and programs that exceed City goals and requirements. By leveraging innovative and systems-based solutions, these intentionally “green” neighborhoods are more effective and efficient.

The Municipal Green Building Task Force provides communication among city departments on green building issues and policy development, supports the integration of green building practices into city departments, and plays a key role in implementing Chapter 7 of the Environmental Code. The task force consists of a representative from each of the city departments list below and one member of the public.

Related projects include: Sustainable Chinatown Central SoMa Eco-District Mission Rock Pier 70 India Basin

Resources

www.sfmta.com/get ting-around-san-francisco www.sftravel.com/article/ how-get-around-san-francisco-trans portation-basics www.fool.com/the-ascent/banks/ www.diamondcertified.org/san-fran cisco-auto-repair/ www.expatarrivals.com/amer icas/usa/san-francisco/educa tion-and-schools-san-francisco www.easyexpat.com/en/guides/ united-states/san-francisco/school/ school-system.htm www.sfplanning.org/project/sustain able-city#about