If you’ve never made the trip north from San Diego to San Francisco, you might find yourself asking the childish “are we there yet” questions, long before you reach your destination. Even though the two California getaways sound like sister cities, the 500 mile distance between them is comparable to traveling from Nashville to Chicago.

Key Facts

Ever since Sir Francis Drake discovered the beauty of the bay and its potential for maritime trade, San Francisco has captured the hearts and imaginations of those who have been blessed to explore her treasures.

Surrounded by the gorgeous beauty of the Pacific, the bay area draws over five million business and holiday visitors every year. For hundreds of years, the famous port city has welcomed immigrants from all over the world, making San Francisco a city with extremely rich culture and diverse ethnic influences.

You can explore the city by hiring a driver or by taking the inexpensive and convenient Caltrain, or BART, public transportation. If you want to rent a car, the airport provides shuttle service to the rental center.

Hints and Tips

The flight from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) lasts, on average, between one and a half to two hours. Take the time to decide whether to visit Alcatraz or Fisherman’s Wharf, and make sure to plan an evening to take in the wonder of Chinatown. You'll barely scratch the surface of all there is to do in the enigmatic city, where vociferous ribaldry meets laid-back paradise.