Traveling to San Francisco on business? Known as the City by the Bay, SF, the Golden City or just “the City,” this eclectic place has a lot of history, popular culture and stunning views to offer. We’ve put together a list of the top things to do in San Francisco, the best time to visit San Francisco, where to stay and everything you need to know for your business trip to San Francisco.
There’s a lot to think about when it comes time to plan a business trip, and the best thing you can do is be prepared with all the facts that will make it as smooth as possible.
So, let’s dive in!
How to get around San Francisco for business travelers
There are many ways to get around:
- Ride share
- Taxi
- Bus
- BART (Bay Area Rapid Tansit)
- Tram
- Cable car
Unlike many US cities, San Francisco is highly walkable. So if you’re wondering how to get around, once within city limits, you can plan on walking most places. The city is only 7 miles x 7 miles in surface area (11 km x 11 km), so you can easily cover it while visiting. There is a small caveat: what looks close on the map, might include walking up a steep hill that may add 15 minutes to your commute.
And for those intrepid travelers, you may even try taking a self-driving car from Waymo. To use Waymo in San Francisco, download the App, set your pickup and drop-off locations, and request a ride. When the driverless car arrives, don’t get surprised, simply unlock it via Bluetooth through your phone, jump in, buckle your seatbelt, and press “Start Ride” on the internal screen. No more small talk with the taxi driver necessary.
Getting to and from the SFO airport
- From SFO: BART (30 min to downtown, $10.55) or rideshare/taxi (25-45 min, $45-70).
- From Oakland (OAK): BART (40 min, $11.65) or rideshare (30-50 min, $40-65)
pro tip
Keep in mind the SFO airport is one of the busiest airports in the country, connecting with over 50 international destinations, so it is more likely you will travel to SFO over OAK.
Where to stay in San Francisco
The best area to stay in San Francisco will depend on the industry and the reason for traveling.
- SoMa/ Union Square: (SoMa stands for South of Market Street). If you’re traveling for conferences and conventions, chances are it will be at Moscone Center, Hilton San Francisco Union Square, Hyatt Regency San Francisco or the SVN West. This makes the SOMA/ Union square area best to stay.
- Financial District/ Embarcadero: Good for those traveling for finance or banking reasons.
- Mission Bay/SoMa: If you’re traveling to visit a tech, startup, or creative team, it’s a good idea to stay in the SoMa or Mission Bay areas, which have a lot of coworking spaces and many of the major Tech companies have their offices here. Also a good area for Health or Pharmaceutical companies, where the UCSF campus is located.
- Financial District/ Nob Hill: These two areas are especially good for those working in the financial sector or legal and consulting.
Pro tip: If you’re staying in the Union Square, SoMa or Financial District areas, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s best to avoid walking west or southwest into the Tenderloin neighborhood. Those streets that are best to avoid after dark are: Taylor Street, Jones Street, and Mason Street as you go south toward O’Farrell, Ellis, and Eddy streets.
Best co-working and remote work spots
- WeWork has several locations across the city
- Dynamico Space – have time between meetings? This is a great space to work from and get an idea of the work culture in the heart of downtown
- Mindspace – good workspace in the Financial District
- Sightglass – Grab a coffee at this industrial-style coffee shop in SoMa and work from there, or even have a quiet meeting from here
- Saint Frank coffee- with a few spots around the city, in the financial district, embarcadero and Sunset district, this is a good place to have a meeting, work remotely or simply grab a good cup of coffee
Things to do in San Francisco
If you have some time between meetings or simply want to add on some bleisure time, San Francisco is a great place to explore.
1. Take one of three cable car routes in San Francisco
There are three different routes: the Powell-Hyde Line, the Powell-Mason Line, and the less crowded California Street Line, which passes through Grace Cathedral and Nob Hill. If you’re looking to see the Lombard crooked street, then jump on the Powell-Hyde line.
2. Check out Sales Force tower
Take an elevator to the roof top and wander around the impressive rooftop gardens of Sales Force tower.
3. Cross over the Golden Gate Bridge – Bike or take a ferry into Sausalito
Whether you’re looking for a more relaxed route or rather get a bit of exercise, it’s definitely worth a day trip to the quaint town of Sausalito. You can rent a bike, and bike across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito and have lunch and turn around, or even take the ferry back.
4. Unwind along the Embarcadero
Wander along the Embarcadero. Whether you want to grab a bite between meetings at the Ferry Building or you have a little extra time one Saturday morning and you can check out the iconic Ferry Building Farmer’s Market, this beautiful waterfront area has a lot to offer.
5. Check out a San Francisco museum
Visit one of the many San Francisco Museums, the Asian Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum, the deYoung, or the Palace of the Legion of Honor. Depending on your interests, you may also consider checking out the Exploratorium, an interactive museum that opens up for an adult-only evening to explore without the crowds, as does the Academy of Sciences.
6. Take in some fresh air at Golden Gate Park
Many don’t know but the Golden Gate Park spans 1,017 acres and is about 20% larger than New York’s Central Park. Originally built back in the late 1800s. It features several museums, a Japanese Garden, a live bison herd and hundreds of thousands of different trees.
Best time to visit San Francisco
The best time to visit San Francisco is late Spring (April or May) or September and October, where the climate is moderate and usually sunnier. Contrary to popular belief, the summer is perhaps the worst time to visit San Francisco, with marine fog rolling off the Bay and temperatures as low as 13°C (55°F). The city is full of microclimates, which makes temperatures vary quite drastically from one area to the next, especially if you are close to the Bay or the Ocean.
Average temperatures
- March to May: Average high 63°F (17°C), average low 48°F (9°C)
- June to August: Average high 72°F (22°C), average low 55°F (13°C)
- September to November: Average high 70°F (21°C), average low 54°F (12°C)
- December to February: Average high 57°F (14°C), average low 45°F (7°C)
San Francisco travel guide: good to know before traveling for business
- The city has many microclimates, which makes bringing layers a must. Pack a light scarf or wind breaker that you can carry with you no matter where you go (even if it’s apparently sunny, the weather can shift quickly)
- Download the Citymapper and official Muni app so you can plan your routes on public transportation and even purchase your tickets
- If you are planning on dining at one of the city’s top restaurants, make plans well in advance as they tend to book up, especially during conference season
- Be careful when choosing where to stay downtown as you can easily go from a strategic spot located downtown, to a dodgy spot in or near the Tenderloin district
- Tips are more than just a suggestion. Plan on tipping 15-20% at restaurants, $1–$2 per drink at bars, 15–20% for rideshares, and $1–$2 at coffee shops. Within San Francisco city limits, some restaurants add a 3-6% Healthy SF mandate to provide their waiters and waitresses with health insurance.
FAQ
What is the best time of year to visit San Francisco?
September and October, not summer. Marine fog peaks in July and August, and the June Gloom is a real thing, with barely any sunny days in June, and the fog is so prevalent that it even has its own name and Instagram account @karlthefog
Which hotels are closest to Moscone Center?
Some of the closest business-friendly hotels to Moscone Center are:
- W San Francisco- about 2 minutes’ walk
- The St. Regis San Francisco – about 2 minutes’ walk
- Canopy by Hilton San Francisco SoMa – about 4 minutes’ walk
- San Francisco Marriott Marquis – about 5 minutes’ walk
How do you get from SFO to downtown San Francisco?
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is the fastest and most cost-effective option. Trains run every 15-20 minutes, take around 30 minutes to reach downtown, and cost approximately $11-$12 one way.
Alternatives:
-Taxi: 25-45 minutes, usually $50-$75
-Uber/Lyft: 25-45 minutes, typically $45-$65+
What can you see in San Francisco with half a day free?
1:00 p.m. – Walk through Yerba Buena Gardens (30 minutes)
1:45 p.m. – Visit the Ferry Building and enjoy lunch overlooking the Bay (60 minutes)
3:00 p.m. – Take a cable car to Lombard Street and Nob Hill (60 minutes)
4:30 p.m. – Stop at Fisherman’s Wharf for views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge (60-90 minutes)
6:00 p.m. – Head to SFO for your evening flight.
Is San Francisco walkable for a business trip?
Yes, San Francisco is very walkable for business travelers, especially around SoMa, Moscone Center, the Financial District and Union Square, although the city’s famous hills can make longer walks more demanding. Areas such as Nob Hill and Russian Hill are steep, which is where the historic cable cars can save time and energy.
How much should you budget per day for a business trip?
San Francisco is not a cheap city, for which a realistic budget for a business traveler is $300-$500 per day, including:
- Hotel: $250-$400
- Meals: $60-$120
- Local transport: $15-$40
For reference, the U.S. General Services Administration per diem for San Francisco in 2026 is $259/night for lodging (up to $272 in peak months) and $92/day for meals and incidentals.