Golden splendour, a vibrant waterfront and that iconic bridge – San Francisco holidays are near the top of the list when it comes to beautiful American city breaks

From its beautiful Bay to those iconic cable cars, San Francisco is as multilayered as its famous morning fog.

You can be shopping on fancy Union Square in the morning and cosying up for clam chowder along Fisherman’s Wharf in the afternoon. There are sea lions to see, classic crooked hills to climb and a creative counterculture to explore. Passionate about art and literature, you’re just as likely to tour the world class SFMOMA as you are to stumble into a dark and edgy beatnik-vibe bookstore. Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge or cycle all the way over to sun kissed Sausalito. Taste your way around lantern-lit Chinatown and grab tickets to a San Francisco Giants game. Stroll the famous Ferry Building’s artisan market stalls and catch sunset views from the legendary Twin Peaks lookout point.

Offering handpicked inspiration, Kuoni makes it easier than ever before to coast into your favourite cities.

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San Francisco Hotels

Our recommendations for the best places to stay in San Francisco

Fairmont San Francisco

If heart throbs were hotels, Fairmont San Francisco would be one of them. With regal looks, histo...

Argonaut Hotel

An ode to both the Gold Rush era and its waterfront location, The Argonaut crushes on-trend nauti...

The Handlery Union Square San Francisco

Mix up your sightseeing with some downtown downtime at The Handlery. This smart city choice sits...

Hotel Emblem

Devilishly stylish Hotel Emblem is a wild-child mix of luxe cocktails and Beat Generation literat...

Hotel Triton

You might just mistake Hotel Triton for the home of a globetrotting art collector friend.

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

The Hyatt Regency sits right on the waterfront and is just steps from the Ferry Building where yo...

Staypineapple, An Elegant Hotel, Union Square

If you’re allergic to the stuffy and the formal then you’re on the same wavelength as creative cr...

Hotel Caza Fisherman's Wharf

Every inch a tourist hotel geared towards leisure travellers, Hotel Caza is just a few minutes fr...

Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf

Inspired by the Italian flavours of its nearby North Beach neighbourhood, Hotel Zoe is all Tiffan...

Hotel Zephyr

Creativity collides with cool city vibes at Hotel Zephyr. Expect playful experiences and phenomen...

Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa

Matching Sausalito’s slow mo seaside scene, Casa Madrona is all siesta-ready rooms and bobbing-bo...

Westin St Francis

Crushing it in the classic hotel/trendy location stakes, The Westin St. Francis sits right on Uni...

Omni San Francisco

With an enviable central address just a stroll from Chinatown and Union Square, It’s nicely toppe...

Holidays in San Francisco

  • San Francisco
  • 5 Star

If heart throbs were hotels, Fairmont San Francisco would be one of them. With regal looks, historic spirit and unrivalled Bay and city views, this is the go-to for a sophisticated stay.

  • San Francisco
  • 4 Star

An ode to both the Gold Rush era and its waterfront location, The Argonaut crushes on-trend nautical elegance without sacrificing history and is our default choice for San Fran.

  • San Francisco
  • 3.5 Star

Mix up your sightseeing with some downtown downtime at The Handlery. This smart city choice sits in prime position for Union Square and has a hacienda style courtyard with an outdoor heated pool.

  • San Francisco
  • 4 Star

Devilishly stylish Hotel Emblem is a wild-child mix of luxe cocktails and Beat Generation literature.

  • San Francisco
  • 4 Star

You might just mistake Hotel Triton for the home of a globetrotting art collector friend.

  • San Francisco
  • 4 Star

The Hyatt Regency sits right on the waterfront and is just steps from the Ferry Building where you’ll find the best cheese, coffee and chocolate in San Francisco.

  • San Francisco
  • 4 Star

If you’re allergic to the stuffy and the formal then you’re on the same wavelength as creative crash pad Staypineapple. Here, it’s all about complimentary sweet treats and interiors that flirt with a playful sunshine palette.

  • San Francisco
  • 4 Star

Every inch a tourist hotel geared towards leisure travellers, Hotel Caza is just a few minutes from the sidewalks and sourdough of famous Fisherman’s Wharf.

  • San Francisco
  • 4 Star

Inspired by the Italian flavours of its nearby North Beach neighbourhood, Hotel Zoe is all Tiffany blue cruiser bikes and trendy trattoria with a memorable fire pit courtyard garden.

  • San Francisco
  • 4 Star

Creativity collides with cool city vibes at Hotel Zephyr. Expect playful experiences and phenomenal Bay views against a backdrop of raw shipping container design.

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City Sightseeing San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off and Alcatraz Visit - 48 Hour Ticket

The Hop-On Hop-Off Official City Tour begins at Fisherman's Wharf. Heading Downtown, you'll see the Barbary Coast, Embarcadero, and the Ferry Building before you arrive at Union Square. Hop off for some shopping or stay on board to visit the Civic Center area with great views of San Francisco's City Hall, the Opera House, and the Symphony Hall.

The tour continues towards Alamo Square. Stop to admire the Victorian Painted Ladies, then drive through bohemian Haight Ashbury, where you can see the murals and art dedicated to the San Francisco hippie culture. The next stop is Golden Gate Park. Hop off to seek out the Conservatory of Flowers, de Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences, and the Japanese Tea Gardens. There are miles of hiking trails to explore the diversity of the park. Next up: the Golden Gate Bridge. You'll cross the 1.7-mile bridge with the chance to hop off at North Vista Point to take pictures of the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz Island, and the Goldentour continues into Marin County and stops in Sausalito, where you can hop off the bus, take a stroll, and enjoy lunch by the waterfront.

On the way back to Downtown, you'll pass the Palace of Fine Arts and continue through historic Van Ness Avenue before reaching Chinatown. Then it's back to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, where San Francisco's famous Sea Lions bark a 'welcome back' to you. Your ticket includes a visit to Alcatraz, the infamous prison island. Take the ferry across the Bay for a 45-minute headset-tour inside the prison cellblock before exploring the prison and island at your own pace.

The city tour takes 150 minutes without stops, plus an extra 60 minutes for the Sausalito tour. You can stay on Alcatraz for as long as you choose - ferries return every 30 minutes.

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Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off: 1- or 2-Day Ticket (Incl. walking tour)

Hop on board a Big Bus Sightseeing Tour of the City by the Bay and catch the best views of its distinctive landmarks and hear live commentary about its history as you go. There are 20 stops all around spectacular San Francisco. You'll see the beautiful parks, architecture you'll recognise from the big screen, and pretty views from an open-top bus. Hop on and off to create a customised journey around the city. Your ticket also includes a choice of four walking tours. Explore either Chinatown, North Beach, Barbary Coast, or Fisherman's Wharf on foot - don't forget to check what time they start. The fun doesn't stop at night - your ticket includes a Night Tour of the city, a panoramic bus tour that starts by climbing historic Nob Hill for a magnificent close up of Grace Cathedral. The bus then makes its way across the Bay Bridge to Treasure Island to view the skyline. Back in the city, the tour concludes along the Embarcadero.

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Get to know San Francisco and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.

TIME DIFFERENCE

GMT -8 hours

CURRENCY

US dollars

FLYING TIME TO DESTINATION

11 hours

RELIGION

Christianity

LANGUAGE

English