San Francisco Tourism Statistics - How Many Tourists Visit?

Page last updated: 06 August 2024

San Francisco, located in California on the west coast of the United States, is known for its iconic Golden Gate Bridge, lively neighbourhoods, bustling Chinatown, and historic landmarks, making it a popular destination for travellers worldwide.

Overview

How many tourists visit San Francisco each year?

San Francisco consistently draws over 23 million visitors each year, excluding the pandemic period.¹

In 2019, the city reached its peak with 26.2 million visitors, including 2.95 million international visitors.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline in 2020, with only 11.8 million visitors, a 55% drop from the previous year, and overseas visitors dropped to 500,000.

The city began to recover in 2021, attracting 17 million visitors, a 44% increase from 2020, with international tourists increasing slightly to 560,000.

Tourist numbers grew to 21.9 million in 2022 (including 2 million international tourists), but this figure was still 16% below 2019 levels.

Over 23.1 million visitors travelled to San Francisco in 2023, with 2 million being international visitors.

In 2024, the city expects to welcome around 23.7 million visitors, with 2.36 million expected to be international tourists.²

San Francisco’s visitor volume is expected to reach 2019’s 26 million in 2026.

How much do visitors spend in San Francisco every year?

Visitors spent a total of $8.8 billion in San Francisco in 2023, with international visitors contributing $4.64 billion to this figure.

In 2019, tourists contributed $9.56 billion to San Francisco’s economy, including $5.11 billion from international visitors.

In 2020, the total fell by 72% to $2.66 billion due to the pandemic, with international spending dropping to $980 million.

The year 2021 brought signs of economic recovery, with total tourism expenditures rising to $3.56 billion and international tourists contributing $1.17 billion.

The recovery continued in 2022, with expenditures rising to $7.46 billion, including $3.67 billion from international visitors, a 110% increase from 2021, but still 22% below 2019 levels.

By 2023, visitor spending grew to $8.8 billion, with $4.64 billion from international tourists, an 18% increase from the previous year.

Projections for 2024 anticipate a total spend of $9.45 billion, with international visitors expected to contribute $5 billion.

Visitor spending in San Francisco is expected to surpass 2019’s levels by 2025.

Where do visitors to San Francisco come from?

Oxford Economics’ 2022 and 2023 data indicated that the majority of visitors to San Francisco were from Mexico, the United Kingdom, Canada, India, and Germany. Although the precise numbers are unspecified, it’s clear that San Francisco’s appeal stretches across different continents.³

How many people visited San Francisco in 2022?

In 2022, San Francisco welcomed 21.9 million visitors, marking a 29% increase from 2021 but still 16% less than the 26.2 million in 2019.

Of the 2022 figures, over 2.19 million international tourists visited San Francisco. This indicated a 211% jump from the lows of 2020 and 2021 but still 41% down compared to pre-pandemic levels.

How much did visitors spend in San Francisco in 2022?

Tourism spending in San Francisco reached $7.46 billion in 2022, which was 110% more than the $3.56 billion spent in 2021.

Despite this increase, tourist spending remained 22% lower than the pre-pandemic level of $9.56 billion in 2019.

International visitors accounted for $3.67 billion of the total tourism revenue for the city in 2022.

Impact of Coronavirus – San Francisco Tourism Statistics 2020 and 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted San Francisco’s tourism in 2020, resulting in a drastic reduction in both visitor numbers and spending. The city only welcomed 11.8 million visitors, a 55% decrease from 2019, while spending plummeted to $2.7 billion, 72% less than the previous year. International tourists decreased to 500,000 (an 83% drop) with their spending falling by 81% to $980 million.

In 2021, tourism began to recover, with visitor numbers increasing to 17 million and spending rising to $3.6 billion. International visitors saw a 12% increase to 560,000, and their spending rose by 19% to $1.17 billion. This recovery marked a positive trend as the city adapted to post-pandemic conditions, leveraging its appeal to gradually restore its tourism industry.

When is the best time to visit San Francisco?

The best time to visit San Francisco is during the fall, from September to November. This period, often referred to as the “Indian Summer,” offers warm temperatures and the city is less crowded compared to the summer months.

Spring is another good time to visit, offering mild temperatures and blooming flowers.

Summer tends to be foggy and crowded, while winter is cooler and rainy.

What’s the best way to travel in San Francisco?

In terms of getting around, the best ways to explore San Francisco are on foot and by public transportation. The city’s layout makes it easy to visit numerous attractions within walking distance of each other, and its municipal transit system, including the iconic cable cars, is convenient.

However, if you decide to rent a car for more flexibility or to venture outside the city, there are numerous car rental agencies available in San Francisco.

USA Travel Resources

What are the top tourist attractions in San Francisco?

Pier 39: As one of San Francisco’s most visited attractions, Pier 39 welcomes over 10 million visitors annually. It features sea lion sightings, iconic city views, chowder tasting, and wine sampling.

Golden Gate Bridge: The iconic Golden Gate Bridge, known for its architecture and panoramic views of the bay and the city, attracts about 10 million visitors each year. No visit to San Francisco is complete without seeing this landmark.
Ferry Building Marketplace: With around 4 million annual visitors, the Ferry Building Marketplace is a vibrant hub for foodies and shoppers. It showcases local farmers and artisans in a lively atmosphere.

California Academy of Sciences: This museum, featuring an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history exhibits, offers an educational experience to its 1.5 million annual visitors.

San Francisco’s Chinatown: As the oldest Chinatown in North America, this district provides a dynamic cultural experience with its shops, temples, and eateries, drawing approximately 2 million visitors annually.

How many days are needed to experience all that San Francisco has to offer?

A stay of three to five days is recommended to fully experience San Francisco and its major attractions.

This duration allows visitors to explore popular sites such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf, and various neighbourhoods like Chinatown and Haight-Ashbury.

Where are the best places to stay in San Francisco?

Visitors have a wide range of lodging options from luxury hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses. Popular areas to stay include Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Embarcadero, which are central to major tourist sites.

Is tourism up or down in San Francisco?

Whether tourism in San Francisco is up or down is a subject of debate. On one hand, there are indications of recovery and improvement within the tourism sector after the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, the city’s perceived reputation, as viewed by some, is cited as having an impact and potentially “killing tourism across the Bay Area.”

Here are some key factors influencing tourists’ hesitation:

High Costs: San Francisco is known as one of the most expensive cities in the United States, both in terms of living and visiting. The high costs associated with accommodations, dining, and services can be a significant factor for tourists on a budget.

Homelessness and Safety Concerns: The city has a visible homelessness issue and has faced challenges with crime rates in certain areas, which may discourage some visitors, but not all are affected equally.

Cleanliness: Reports of cleanliness issues in certain areas of the city have circulated in the media and on social platforms, potentially discouraging visitors.

Crowds and Tourism: Popular attractions and neighbourhoods can become very crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons, which might be off-putting for some visitors seeking a more relaxed experience.

Pandemic Impact: The tourism sector is still recovering from the effects of COVID-19. Issues such as reduced flight availability, changing travel regulations, and health concerns may continue to impact tourist numbers.

The city and tourism industry stakeholders are actively addressing these challenges through various measures, including:

Enhanced Safety Measures: Increasing police presence and security initiatives in popular tourist areas to reassure visitors.

Cleanliness and Sanitation Efforts: Programs aimed at improving the cleanliness of streets and public spaces, and addressing sanitation concerns.

Homelessness Initiatives: Efforts to provide more support and services to the homeless population to mitigate the impact on the city’s streets and public spaces.

Marketing and Communication: Focused marketing efforts to highlight the positive aspects of San Francisco, its attractions, and the steps being taken to address the city’s issues.

While San Francisco faces challenges, it remains a city with incomparable attractions, vibrant culture, and beautiful landscapes. Awareness and action on these issues are key to revitalising its tourism industry and ensuring visitors can enjoy all that San Francisco has to offer.

California Travel Statistics Resources

USA Travel Statistics Resources

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Yellowstone National Park Statistics

References

SFTravel: Visitor Volume and Direct Spending Estimates – 2022 ↩︎
SFTravel: 2023 Visitor Impact Results and 2024 Forecast ↩︎
SFTravel: International Visitor Volume and Spending – Top Market ↩︎