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

COVID-19 Status: at midnight on Monday, March 16, 2020, 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 was gradually reopening 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 had dropped significantly, but recently started rising again.

Big changes June 15, 2021:    California is "fully reopened", meaning all business sectors will reopen to full or almost full capacity, including concerts, stadium sports and festivals. SF is basically open, though somewhat more cautious in some regards.

Vaccine requirements:  Starting August 20, 2021, SF requires that all restaurants, bars, theaters and gyms check for proof of full vaccination.  

Documents accepted: paper or digital vaccination records.

See SF Chron article re: vaccination.

As of August 20, 2021, almost 80% of eligible SF residents have been fully vaccinated.

Public transportation options had been cut back, but are expanding again. See SF transit for more info. Masks are still required of everyone on public transit.

The cable cars are running again and are free during August! In September, they will resume full (paid) service, starting with the Powell-Hyde Line, and the other 2 lines to follow after.

See COVID rules for current SF status.

Mask rules: another change, starting  August 3,2021. Everyone is now required to wear a mask indoors in SF, whether vaccinated or not. People may go without masks outdoors unless the area is densely populated. Hospitals, schools, nursing homes and  public transit, still require masks.

What is open? Muir Woods, the Botanic Gardens, Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Garden, Pier 39, SF beaches, Golden Gate Bridge, most museums, and Twin Peaks (car access on Portola) are all open.

Parking lots for SF beaches, Twin Peaks, and the Golden Gate Bridge are open, including the Welcome Center lot.

Restaurants can now be open to full 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 full capacity. Malls are open.

The SF Zoo is open again.

Offices: can reopen up to full capacity.

Alcatraz is open. Both the Day Tours and Night Tours are running now. The Cell Block is open also. See Alcatraz.

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

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

Travel to SF. Per the California Dept. of Public Health: non-essential travel to SF from outside California is discouraged but the quarantine requirements are no longer in effect.

Unvaccinated travelers are urged to get tested before and after arrival, and to self-quarantine for 7 days, but this isn't mandatory.

"Non-essential travel" basically means tourism.

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

Exploratorium:  open.

Playgrounds: open.

Schools: many private schools are open. SF public schools started in-person learning for all students this fall.  Masks will be required for students in SF public schools.

Indoor gyms and indoor movie theaters are open to full capacity.

Indoor swimming pools are open to full capacity.

Indoor concerts, live theater, and sporting events,  may open at full capacity. For indoor gatherings of >5,000, proof of vaccination or negative Covid test will be required.

Outdoor events for >10,000: may require proof of vaccination or negative test, but aren't required to.

Check individual events for requirements.

Napa and Sonoma county wineries are open.

For a handy list of what's open or closed in California, see California reopening schedules.

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

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.