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San Francisco Travel Resources

San Francisco Travel Resources

San Francisco California, USA Travel Guide

Digital Planning Tools

Mobile Applications

  • MuniMobile

    For San Francisco public transit tickets.

  • BART Official App

    For Bay Area Rapid Transit information.

  • Google Maps/Citymapper

    For navigation and public transit directions.

  • Uber/Lyft

    For ride-sharing services.

  • Yelp/OpenTable

    For dining reviews and reservations.

Online Planning Guides

Traditional Guides

Recommended Guidebooks

Many general San Francisco guidebooks are available. A detailed city map supports navigating the hilly streets.

Find San Francisco Guidebooks

History & Culture Reads

Explore books like "Imperial San Francisco" or "Tales of the City" for insights.

Discover History Books

Local Publications

Pick up free local papers for event listings.

Safety & Well-being

Emergency Contacts

  • Dial 911 for Police, Fire, Ambulance.
  • UCSF Medical Center for care.
  • California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC).
  • Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

Lost Documents & Natural Disasters

  • Report lost passport to local police immediately.
  • Contact consulate for emergency travel documents.
  • Cancel lost credit cards immediately.
  • Earthquake: Execute "Drop, Cover, and Hold On."

Dive into San Francisco

San Francisco on Screen

  • Watch "San Francisco" (1936 film)
  • Enjoy "Dirty Harry" (1971)
  • See "Mrs. Doubtfire" (1993)
  • Explore "Inside Out" (2015 animation)

Creative Expressions

  • Summer of Love music heritage.
  • Bands like Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane.
  • Discover contemporary San Francisco artists.
  • Visit local galleries.

Connect with Locals

  • Join TripAdvisor forums.
  • Reddit's r/sanfrancisco.
  • Specific travel blogs for tips and discussions.
  • Language apps: Duolingo, Google Translate are practical.

Emergency & Safety

Critical Safety Information

Emergency Numbers

  • For immediate emergencies involving Police, Fire, or Ambulance, dial 911.
  • Keep emergency contacts handy.
  • Save hotel front desk number.
  • Know your country's embassy contact.

Hospital Locations

  • UCSF Medical Center: 505 Parnassus Ave.
  • California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC): Van Ness Campus.
  • Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital: 1001 Potrero Ave.
  • Familiarize yourself with locations.

Lost Document Procedures

  • Report passport loss/theft to local police immediately.
  • Obtain a police report for insurance.
  • Contact your country's consulate for emergency travel documents.
  • Call bank to cancel credit cards immediately.

Natural Disaster Guidance

Earthquake Actions

  • Execute "Drop, Cover, and Hold On."
  • Seek shelter under sturdy furniture.
  • Stay away from windows.

Outdoor Earthquake Safety

  • If outdoors, move to an open area.
  • Stay away from buildings and power lines.
  • Adhere to directions from local authorities.

Air Quality Awareness

Wildfire Smoke Protocols

  • Check the air quality index (AQI).
  • If it registers unhealthy, stay indoors.
  • Use air purifiers if available.

Staying Informed

  • Follow emergency alerts on phones.
  • Monitor local news for updates.
  • Seek guidance from authorities.

Further Exploration

  1. Explore music from the Summer of Love.
  2. Learn about Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane.
  3. Discover contemporary San Francisco artists.
  4. Seek podcasts on city history or culture.
  5. Gain insights into local food scenes.

Digital Connections

  1. Join TripAdvisor forums for tips.
  2. Explore Reddit's r/sanfrancisco.
  3. Read specific travel blogs for discussions.
  4. Use Duolingo or Google Translate for basic phrases.
  5. Learn Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese basics.

Film & Literature

Classic Films

Watch "San Francisco" (1936 film) or "Dirty Harry" (1971).

Family Favorites

Enjoy "Mrs. Doubtfire" (1993) or "Inside Out" (2015 animation).

Local Literature

Read "Tales of the City" by Armistead Maupin for city spirit.

Critical Alerts

Adhere to guidance from local authorities, including emergency alerts on phones and local news sources.

Digital & Print Resources

Mobile Applications

Navigation & Transit Apps

  • Google Maps / Apple Maps

    For general navigation and directions.

  • MuniMobile

    Purchase Muni transit tickets.

  • BART Official App

    Information for Bay Area Rapid Transit.

Dining & Ride-Sharing

  • Yelp / OpenTable

    For restaurant reviews and reservations.

  • Uber / Lyft

    For convenient ride-sharing services.

  • AccuWeather / Weather Channel

    For San Francisco specific weather forecasts.

Online Planning Resources

Official Visitor Guides

SF Travel (Sftravel.com) for comprehensive visitor information.

Visit SF Travel

Attraction Sites

Golden Gate Bridge Official Site (Goldengatebridge.org) for details.

Explore Golden Gate Bridge

Alcatraz Information

Alcatraz City Cruises (Cityexperiences.com) for booking and info.

Book Alcatraz Tickets

Print & Local Resources

Recommended Guidebooks

  • Many general San Francisco guidebooks are available.
  • A detailed city map supports navigating hilly streets.
  • These traditional guides offer insights.
  • Physical copies can complement digital tools.

Local Literature & News

  • "Imperial San Francisco" for history.
  • "Tales of the City" series captures the city's spirit.
  • Pick up free local papers like SF Weekly for event listings.
  • Follow official tourism social media accounts.

Dive & Exploration

Films & Documentaries

  • Watch "San Francisco" (1936 film).
  • Enjoy "Dirty Harry" (1971) and "The Rock" (1996).
  • "Mrs. Doubtfire" (1993) and "Inside Out" (2015 animation).
  • Explore documentaries on city history.

Music, Art & Online Communities

  • Explore music from the Summer of Love.
  • Discover contemporary San Francisco artists.
  • Join TripAdvisor forums or Reddit's r/sanfrancisco.
  • Use Duolingo or Google Translate for basic phrases.

Additional Learning

Seek podcasts about San Francisco history, culture, or food for insights.

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