The Unofficial Guide
to San Francisco Tourism
...insider tips from a local

COVID-19 Status: at midnight on Monday, March 16, San Francisco was placed under a "shelter-in-place order.

All residents were ordered to stay home, except for necessary trips to grocery stores and essential medical visits, and solo outdoor activities like hiking.

The city had been gradually reopening of many businesses and activities, but in December, came under a strict, stay-at-home directive, due to a sudden increase in infection and hospitalization rates.

Since then, Covid numbers have dropped significantly.

Big changes coming June 15 (assuming the Covid numbers stay down).  California is scheduled to fully reopen, meaning all business sectors will reopen to full or almost full capacity, including concerts, stadium sports and festivals.

Most recently, May 6, 2021, SF has moved to a less restrictive status. 

Public transportation options have been cut back. See SF transit for more info.

The cable cars are expected to resume running in the fall, starting with the Powell-Hyde Line.

See COVID rules for current SF status.

Mask rules: everyone in SF is required to wear a mask when they are outside and within 30 feet of other people. Now fully vaccinated people may go without masks outdoors, but must wear masks in indoors settings.

Masks must be worn in stores and places of business  and people not within the same household must stay 6 feet apart.

June 15 mask changes: fully vaccinated people can go without masks indoors as well, with some exceptions like hospitals, schools, nursing homes and on public transit.

SF Curfew is over.

What is open? Muir Woods, the Botanic Gardens, Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Garden, SF beaches, Golden Gate Bridge, and Twin Peaks (car access on Portola) are all open.

Parking lots for SF beaches, Twin Peaks, and the Golden Gate Bridge are open. But the Welcome Center lot and Merchant Road lot are closed.

Restaurants can now be open to 50% capacity for indoor as well as outdoor dining, and many restaurants are open for take-out or delivery.

Bars that serve food can serve customers indoors.

Businesses can allow customers inside, up to 50% capacity. Malls are open.

The SF Zoo is open again.

Offices: can reopen up to 50% capacity.

Alcatraz is open. The Day Tours are running on a reduced basis. The Cell Block is open also. See Alcatraz.

Hair salons, and open air tour buses and boat cruises can now operate.

Indoor museums are open, including the CA Academy of Sciences. 

Travel to SF:  Non-essential travel to SF is discouraged but the quarantine requirements are no longer in effect.

Hotels are  accepting reservations, up to 25% capacity, but travelers are urged to limit contact with others in the hotel.

Exploratorium:  opening July 1.

Playgrounds: open.

Schools: many private schools are open. SF public  schools started in-person learning for elementary students April 12. Older grades: negotiations are ongoing. Hopefully will open for fall classes.

Limited opening: indoor gyms and indoor movie theaters to 50% capacity.

Indoor swimming pools are open to 50% capacity.

Indoor concerts, live theater, and sporting events,  may open at 50% capacity. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test will be required. See more info on indoor events.

Some venues are waiting until June 15 because capacity limits don't work for those businesses.

Napa and Sonoma county wineries are open.

For a handy list of what's open or closed in SF, plus info on what's open in other cities and counties of California, see California reopening schedules.

See coronavirus news in the SF Chronicle for articles and updates.

See SF closures timeline.

Also see site closures for the National Park Service (Alcatraz, Muir Woods, etc).

Plus helpful info on which parks and hiking trails are open in the Bay Area.

And to check the air quality (fires) in SF and the Bay Area, see airnow.gov and the SF Chronicle map showing current tests.