San Francisco — Practical travel tips

Local customs

• Tip 15–20% at restaurants; check if service charge is included.
• People are casual but value personal space and queuing.
• Be eco-conscious: recycle, avoid single-use plastics, respect bike lanes.
• Respect neighborhood residents; noise late at night can draw complaints.

Transportation options

• Muni (buses, streetcars, light rail) for local trips; buy fares via MuniMobile or Clipper card.
• BART for regional travel to/from SFO and East Bay; expect fare-by-distance pricing.
• Cable cars are touristy — buy tickets in advance (visitor passes available).
• Rideshares and taxis cover gaps; bike-share and e-scooters are common but watch steep hills.
• Carry a Clipper card or set up contactless payment for faster boarding.
  (sfmta.com)

Safety

• Stay aware in busy tourist areas (pickpocketing opportunistic); keep valuables secure.
• At night, stick to well-lit, populated streets; public transit is generally safe but remain alert.
• Avoid leaving items visible in parked cars; car break-ins are a frequent crime.
• If you see a medical or safety emergency, call 911; for non-emergency city issues, use 311.
  (sftravel.com)

Insider tips

• Walk or take cable cars for scenic neighborhoods (North Beach, Chinatown, Mission); plan steep walks.
• Visit attractions early weekday mornings to avoid crowds and long lines.
• Weather is microclimate-driven: layer up and carry a windproof jacket — it can be chilly by the water.
• Buy a 1/3/7-day Muni Visitor Passport if you’ll ride a lot; compare totals vs single fares.
• Use multiple transit apps (MuniMobile, Transit, Google Maps) for real-time updates.
  (inside-guide-to-san-francisco-tourism.com)