San Francisco Basics

San Francisco is one of the most iconic cities in the United States. Used as the backdrop for hundreds of movies and TV series, people from around the world make make pilgrimages to the city to see it for themselves. San Francisco is the fourth most populous city in California, with a population of 805,000 as of the 2010 Census. By contrast, the Bay Area metro area, including the South Bay and East Bay, has a population of 7.15 million people.

Tourism is the backbone of the San Francisco economy; in 2010, the city hosted 15.9 million visitors, and they spent $8.3 billion in local businesses. Finance and technology are also important sectors; it's home to more than 30 international financial institutions, as well as tech companies such as Twitter, Zynga and Yelp. Interestingly, small firms with fewer than 10 employees and self-employed firms make up 85% of city business establishments.

San Francisco enjoys a cool-summer Mediterranean climate, generally characterized by moist mild winters and dry summers. Since it is surrounded on three sides by water, San Francisco's weather is strongly influenced by the cool currents of the Pacific Ocean, which moderates temperature swings and produces a mild year-round climate with little seasonal temperature variation. During the summer, rising hot air in California's interior valleys creates a low pressure area that draws winds from the North Pacific High through the Golden Gate, generating the city's characteristic cool winds and fog.

San Francisco enjoys a cool-summer Mediterranean climate, generally characterized by moist mild winters and dry summers. Since it is surrounded on three sides by water, San Francisco's weather is strongly influenced by the cool currents of the Pacific Ocean, which moderates temperature swings and produces a mild year-round climate with little seasonal temperature variation.
During the summer, rising hot air in California's interior valleys creates a low pressure area that draws winds from the North Pacific High through the Golden Gate, generating the city's characteristic cool winds and fog.

Because of its topography and maritime influences, San Francisco's neighborhoods exhibit a multitude of distinct microclimates. The high hills in the geographic center of the city are responsible for a 20% variance in annual rainfall between different parts of the city. They also protect neighborhoods directly to their east from the foggy and sometimes very cold and windy conditions experienced in the Sunset District (along the coast). The residents who live on the eastern side of the city enjoy an average of 260 clear days, and only 105 cloudy days per year.

The dry season of May to October is mild to warm, with average high temperatures ranging from the mid 60s to the low 70s F, and lows ranging from the low- to mid-50s F. The rainy season of November to April is slightly cooler, with high temperatures ranging from high 50s to the mid-60s F and lows ranging from the mid 40s to the low 50s F. On average, there are 67 rainy days a year, and annual precipitation averages 20.4 inches (520 mm).

In San Francisco, you can download your Kindle newspaper and magazine subscriptions, as well as books and selected blogs, through AT&T's 3-G coverage in the city.

Look for the following local festivals, holidays and events taking place in San Francisco in 2012:

• New Year's Day, January 1.


• Chinese New Year Festival and Parade, February 11. Sponsored by Southwest Airlines, the colorful Golden Dragon parade is not to be missed.


• 161st Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17. The parade begins at 11:30 at Market and Second Streets, and winds its way past City Hall. Other activities include the Irish festival in Civic Center Plaza, complete with Irish food, music, art and dancing.


• Good Friday, April 6.


• Easter, April 8. The most important Christian holiday.


• 55th Annual San Francisco International Film Festival, April 19 to May 3. The San Francisco International Film Festival is the longest-running film festival in the Americas.


• 45th Annual Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, April 7, 8, 14 and 15. Spotlights the traditional customs and culture that are part of the rich heritage of Japanese Americans. The big parade takes place on the 15th.


• 101st Annual Bay to Breakers, May 20. This 12k footrace includes serious runners and costumed participants.


• 42nd Annual San Francisco Pride Celebration & Parade, June 23 and 24. The San Francisco Pride parade is a world-renowned LGBT pride parade, attracting over a half million participants.


• Independence Day, July 4. Day-long celebrations at a number of venues in the city. There's a huge fireworks display held at Pier 39.


• San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, September 1 to 23. Free Shakespeare in the park, held at the Presidio's Main Post Parade Ground Lawn (between Graham Street and Keyes Ave.).


• 17th Annual Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival, September 8 and 9. Admission to this festival is free, but tickets must be purchased to taste chocolate; $20 gets you 15 samples.


• San Francisco Fleet Week, October 4 to 8. The festivities include a parade of US Navy ships, ship tours, military displays, an impressive air show including the Blue Angels and more.


• Oktoberfest by the Bay, September 30 to October 2. Celebrating in the true tradition of Munich's famed festival, Oktoberfest by the Bay will include nonstop music, singing, dancing and the very best in German food and drink.


• Halloween, October 31. There's nothing like Halloween in San Francisco!


• Thanksgiving Day, November 22. A day to give thanks for the things one has at the close of the harvest season.


• 47th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Ghirardelli Square, November 23. Lots of Christmas festivities for the whole family to enjoy before the tree lighting, which takes place at 5:50 pm.


• Christmas Day, December 25. Celebrates the birth of Christ.