Destination information
Crammed into a relatively small area surrounded by the bay and the Pacific Ocean, it’s possible to walk the length and breadth of San Francisco. Holidays here have a special close-up quality – you’ll find friendly faces and a great atmosphere as you explore on foot, taking in the various neighbourhoods.
Chinatown is lively and bewitching, with its shops selling curios and restaurants tempting you with their sizzling delights. Union Square is for department store shopping, and downtown drinking and dining. North Beach has some great Italian restaurants, and is also famous for its association with the Beat poets. Holidays to San Francisco have to include a visit to the well-to-do Nob Hill on one of the famous cable cars (it's compulsory to take a ride!), while swanky Russian Hill and Pacific Heights are a delight to stroll around. In Mission, sample some great Central American food in the funky restaurants.
Down at Fisherman's Wharf, you can meet sea lions, sample delicious local seafood and take the ferry to Alcatraz Island, home of the world's most notorious prison. And San Francisco holidays wouldn't be complete without a walk across Golden Gate Bridge. Take a stroll over this unmistakable landmark to reach Golden Gate Park - a delightful place for a relaxed afternoon away from the buzz of the city. You can also Ascend Coit Tower for stunning views of the bay and the whole city. Sonoma and Napa wine valleys are slightly north, with Carmel and Monterey 2 hours south, down beautiful Highway 1.
Read on to find out more about our fantastic range of San Francisco holiday packages:
Eats & drinks
Famous for fusion cooking, San Francisco is home to some of the best restaurants in the west. There's Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Thai and even a few Indian restaurants together with usual favourites such as the Hard Rock Cafe®. The Stinking Rose garlic restaurant is a must for lovers of this pungent herb - booking is essential!
Getting around
Either explore on foot or hop aboard one of the many cable cars, but hold on tight, riding down some of those steep streets requires nerves of steel!
Getting there
There is 1 Virgin Atlantic flight per day and it takes about 30 min to get to your hotel from the airport.
Postcards from... Top ideas from our travel experts
Our Top 5 hotels
Here in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf, this much-loved hotel is also where you can find our Virgin Holidays' office. Getting around is easy - the cable car turnaround is 2 blocks away (taking you all the way up to Union Square) and city tours leave opposite. The ferry dock, for that essential trip to Alcatraz, is just a few minutes' walk away. The hotel is divided into 2 sections.
In an excellent location, the hotel is just a short walk from PIER 39. Ghirardelli Square and The Cannery are also close by, together with shops, restaurants and various nightspots. Enjoy a Martini or some sushi at the lobby lounge with its outdoor lobby and open fire pits to warm up during cool San Francisco evenings. The rooms now all have Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ beds.
Perched conveniently on the edge of the bay at Fisherman's Wharf, this Kimpton Deluxe Hotel is a nautically inspired boutique hotel has something of the feel of a luxury cruise ship.
The Holiday Inn Express is conveniently located at Fisherman's Wharf, close to many attractions, including PIER 39 and Ghirardelli Square, as well as being adjacent to the Holiday Inn Fisherman's Wharf. A smart, maritime theme throughout creates a warm and relaxing respite from the many things to do in San Francisco.
The elegant Westin St Francis is located in the heart of cosmopolitan San Francisco, overlooking the picturesque Union Square. This wonderful hotel has enjoyed a rich, colourful history at the centre of the city's social and cultural life. The bustling lobby leads out to the famous cable cars which stop right outside making for real convenience when exploring this unique city.
Weather and climate
Different destinations have different magic touches so make sure to check out the "Rockstar Service" to see what makes your holiday with us so special.
Events calendar
Key Dates
Feb - Presidents' Day
Feb - The Oscars
Apr - Easter
May - Memorial Day
Jul - Independence Day
Sep - Labour Day
Oct - Columbus Day
Nov - Veterans Day
Nov - Thanksgiving Day
Dec - Christmas Day
Additional info
Time difference - GMT -8 hours
Transfers
If you don't require car hire, retirn transfers are available at the following price: £41 per person.
Private Transfers
Feel like a film star and guarantee that your hotel is the first and only drop-off with this fantastic private limo airport-to-hotel transfer! You'll have checked in and be riding a cable car before anyone else arrives! All limo prices are from £90 - max 4 passengers. £148 - max 6 passengers.
Virgin Holidays' concierge service: contact your resort rep before you travel!
Here at Virgin Holidays we’re always coming up with new ideas to make our customers feel even more special than they already are! What better way to do this than put you in touch with our resort reps before you even leave the UK, allowing you to ask questions, check out facts and purchase a complete range of tour & attraction tickets from the experts on the ground. We are delighted to offer this exclusive service for all holidays booked to San Francisco, and to make it even more personal we have a dedicated expert just waiting to hear from you. To add to the convenience our hours of service are 6.00pm – 9.00pm GMT Mon-Fri. We’ve planned this to coincide with the time you’ll probably be getting home from work, so why not give us a call? Tel: 0844 557 3890 (UK national rate only, we take care of the international charges) Alternatively just send an email to: sanfranrep@virginholidays.com So what are you waiting for?
Napa Premium Outlets®
Just over an hour's drive from San Francisco you will find the Napa Premium Outlets® mall. With a FREE designer gift and discount vouchers for Virgin Holidays' guests on offer.