Business Offices: 09:00-5:00, daily
Banks: 09:00-15:00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:00-17:00, Monday to Friday; 08:00-13:00, Saturday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00-18:00 daily although some stay open later
Museums: 10:00-17:00, some open on weekends

San Francisco has a deserved reputation as a fairly safe and congenial city. Never leave your bags unattended and don’t flash any valuables such as money or jewellery. San Francisco also has a large homeless population, whose panhandling annoys many locals and visitors. Some neighbourhoods should be avoided late at night. The Tenderloin, the Western Addition, the Mission District, the lower Filmore area and around lower Haight are known to be threatening.

Another potential hazard in San Francisco is an earthquake. The city lies along an active fault line, so be warned that there is always the possibility of one happening during your visit. If you feel a trembler, stand under a doorway or against a wall, and away from windows.

The basic unit of currency in the United States is the dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. Bills come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100. Coins come in denominations of 1 (penny), 5 (nickel), 10 (dime), 25 (quarter) and 50 (half-dollar). 

Although most businesses in America take credit cards and bank debit cards these days, it is still advised that you keep some cash to hand. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the airport and most large banks in the city, but it’s probably best to simply charge things on your credit card.

Private currency exchange offices are not common in American cities so it’s best to go to a bank or use your credit card to withdraw cash. ATMs are on almost every corner in the city. You may find that the rates for a cash advance are better with your debit card than at the bank. Cirrus and Plus are widely accepted and usually offer exceptional exchange rates.

Visitors coming from outside the country must fill out a customs declaration form at the airport upon arrival. Non US residents may import 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2 kilograms of tobacco, one litre of alcohol and gifts with a value up to $100. Meat products, seeds, plants and fruits are prohibited. For additional information, contact the US Customs Service.

110V, 60Hz, all plugs are two-pronged.

Americans are not known for their strict etiquette and the residents of San Francisco are particularly famous for their freedom of expression. In this city you will find the whole gamut of humanity, from flamboyant entertainers to conservative bankers. But in general, people who live in San Francisco are considered friendly and willing to engage visitors in conversation.

If you dine at a restaurant, wait until everyone at the table has been served before you eat. If a toast is offered, you should stop eating and wait until the toast is finished before resuming. There are no set rules for who pays the bill at a restaurant. Unless specifically invited by someone to dinner, most people simply pay for their portion of the bill. Waiters are expected to be tipped between 15 and 20 per cent for their service. For groups of six or more, a 15-18% percent gratuity is often added to your bill, and no additional tip is necessary.

The dress code in San Francisco is fashionable, but in a relaxed way. Be prepared to wear nice clothes if you go out to a restaurant or club, but don’t feel like you need to put on a jacket and tie. California is a very health conscious state. Smoking outdoors is acceptable, but be aware that most people in San Francisco now frown on the habit.

No specific vaccinations are required to visit the United States. However, it’s best to make sure you are up-to-date with your basic inoculations such as tetanus and hepatitis. Although the tap water is safe to drink, it’s always better to use bottled water since your body won’t be used to the local microbes.

If anything does happen during your visit, there are excellent medical facilities right in San Francisco. Many of the staff and doctors are bilingual, and can speak a range of languages. Visitors from other countries should check whether they are covered by their medical policy in the United States. If not, it’s wise to get some travel insurance to cover any unexpected hospital costs. The price of travel insurance is very small compared to a typically exorbitant American medical bill. If you simply feel ill, there are Walgreens pharmacies located all over the city, and many of them are open 24 hours.

Saint Francis Memorial Hospital: +1 415 353 6000

Emergencies: 911

English is the main language in the United States, but San Francisco is so incredibly diverse that you’re just as likely to hear other languages on the streets, especially Spanish.

European Union nationals need to fill out a form requesting a visa at least 72 hours before they plan to travel to the US. You may need to show evidence of funds and an onward ticket. Canadians also require a passport to enter the US.

San Francisco has excellent tourist information offices located at the major tourist centres around the city. They can provide you with maps and brochures. The main centre can be found at Hallidie Plaza, lower level Union Square and can be contacted by calling: +1 415 391 2000 or by visiting the website at: www.sfvisitor.org