vacances et voyage information

San Francisco is a city in the state of California, and it is estimated to be the fourth most populated city of the state. Home to over 7.2 million people, the city of San Francisco is a part of the San Francisco Bay metropolitan area. The city is nicely located right at the very tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, with the Golden Gate to its north, the Bay to its East and the Pacific Ocean to the west of the city. Known as the "Golden City by the Bay", this windy city is definitely a great place to visit.

Arriving

You could get a flight to either the San Francisco International Airport, or the Oakland airport. From the SFO, taking a cab would take around 20 minutes to reach the city and it should cost somewhere around $30. As for Oakland Airport, taking the cab could cost twice as much. If you are budget savvy, you could board the Bay Area Rapid Transit train from both places to get to the city, cheaper and faster.

Traveling Around

You do not really have to worry about transportation as there are abundance of options in the city. If you are planning to walk, be sure to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for steep hills. Among the modes of transportation are the likes of Segways, ferries, rickshaws, electric Muni buses, trolley cars, light rail, and the BART subway system. Don't forget the iconic cable cars. Useful if you're heading to Fisherman's Wharf. If you are in the city, dial 511 to access information on its public transportation systems.

You could opt to hire a car instead, but keep in mind that finding parking spots could be very difficult. Even if you are able to get parking, expect to pay a lot for it. The going rate is about $6/hr or $20/day. Vandalism of cars is a common occurrence so don't leave any valuables behind.

If you are thinking about cabs, it is best to directly call for one, as that is what most people do in the city. Uber is another alternative transportation in the city. They're more expensive than regular cabs but a lot more reliable and comfortable.

Other Things You Should Know

When it comes to dining in restaurants, be prepared to tip at least 15% to 20% as it is expected, even if you are not happy with the service. If you need your internet connection, there are plenty of places around the city that you could get free Wi-Fi. While you might imagine San Francisco to be a city of sun, sand and beaches, be wary that its weather varies radically from one neighborhood to another. So be prepared to bring sweater no matter where you are going, as it could be warm at a place, and cold at another!

Caro Hill is an author, a yoga enthusiast and writes about living in San Francisco, her adopted city. She's slowly convinced that moving to San Francisco was one her better ideas.

View the original article here