South San Francisco

Tourist places in South San Francisco, South San Francisco Travel Info

South San Francisco City Overview

South San Francisco is a city in San Mateo County, California. Known as "The Industrial City," it is a major biotech hub (Genentech) and industrial center. It is located just south of San Francisco and north of SFO airport.

Location and Climate

South San Francisco is located on the San Francisco Peninsula. It has a Mediterranean climate. It is known for being windier than neighboring cities due to the "Gap."

Best Time to Visit

Late summer and early fall are the best times to visit for warmer weather.

Best Ways to Get Around

BART and Caltrain serve the city. SamTrans provides bus service. It is a convenient base for exploring the Bay Area.

Top 5 Things to Do

  1. Hike Sign Hill Park: Hike up the hill to see the large concrete letters spelling "SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO" and enjoy panoramic views.
  2. Walk the Oyster Point Trail: Stroll along the bayfront trail near the marina and biotech campuses.
  3. Shop at Tanforan: Visit The Shops at Tanforan, a shopping mall built on the site of a historic race track (and WWII assembly center).
  4. Explore Downtown Grand Avenue: Visit the local shops and restaurants on the main downtown street.
  5. Visit the Wind Harp: See the 92-foot tall aeolian harp sculpture on a hill overlooking the city.