San Francisco - Useful Information
Inoculations
There are no inoculations required for visits to the United States.
Useful Numbers
International dialling code: +1
Emergency Numbers
Police: 911
Fire: 911
Ambulance: 911
Alternatively: San Francisco Central Dispatch (when using a mobile phone) (415) 553 8090
San Francisco Visitor Centre
900 Market Street, Hallidie Plaza
Tel: (415) 391 2000
United Kingdom Consulate
1 Sansome Street
San Francisco
Tel: (415) 617 1300
Currency
The American currency is the Dollar ($), comprised of 100 cents. Banknote denominations run from $1 to $100.
Tipping
A service charge is not normally included on the bill in restaurants (with the exception of parties of six or more) - the average tip is 15-18% of the total cost.
It is expected to tip taxi drivers 15% of the fare.
The average tip for hotel porters is $1 per bag one-way.
Climate
The climate of San Francisco is known as a marine climate and is as changeable as the seas that surround the city on three sides. The summer fogs are notorious, rolling in morning and evening to sit below the rust red pillars of the Golden Gate Bridge, but they rarely persist. In general, the city is cool to mild throughout the year, with wet winters and pleasant summers (August to October are normally the warmest months) - although rain, blown in from the Pacific, is never far away, and can be tricky to predict. Temperatures range from the mid 20’s in summer, to single figures in winter.
Timezone
GMT - 8