San Francisco Tourism Statistics

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

San Francisco draws over 23 million visitors in a typical year, outside the pandemic period¹.

• Visitor numbers peaked at 26.2 million in 2019, including 2.95 million international visitors², before COVID-19 cut them by 55% to 11.8 million in 2020, with international arrivals falling to just 500,000.
• The rebound brought 17 million visitors in 2021² and 21.9 million in 2022, though that was still 16% below the 2019 peak.
• Numbers climbed back above 23 million with 23.1 million in 2023², 23.3 million in 2024³ and 23.7 million in 2025, around 2.2 million of them international overnight visitors⁴.
• San Francisco Travel expects that growth to continue. It forecast 24.2 million visitors for 2026 in May⁴, then raised that to 24.4 million in August.⁵

How many tourists will visit San Francisco in 2026?

• San Francisco Travel expects 24.4 million visitors in 2026, up from 23.7 million in 2025. In August it raised its forecast from the 24.2 million it projected in May.⁵
• Visitors are expected to spend $9.9 billion this year, and hotel revenue per available room is forecast to rise 14% to $188.⁵
• No year-to-date visitor count has been published yet. San Francisco Travel releases full-year visitor numbers the following spring.⁴

How many tourists visited San Francisco in 2025?

• San Francisco recorded 23.7 million visitors in 2025, up from 23.3 million in 2024.⁴
• In 2024, the latest year with a full breakdown, 15.3 million of the 23.3 million visitors were day visitors, 5.7 million were domestic overnight visitors and the remaining 2.3 million were international tourists.³

In 2025, San Francisco's top five international source markets were Mexico, the United Kingdom, China, Canada and India.⁴ Visitor numbers by country aren't published, but in August 2025 San Francisco Travel reported that visits from Canada were down 15% on 2024 and visits from Mexico were down 7.8%.⁶ Even so, the list shows the city's appeal stretches across three continents.

• 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 $2.66 billion, 72% less than the previous year. International tourists decreased to 500,000 (an 83% drop) with their spending falling by 81% to $980 million².
• In 2021, tourism began to recover, with visitor numbers increasing to 17 million and spending rising to $3.56 billion. International visitors saw a 12% increase to 560,000, and their spending rose by 19% to $1.17 billion². This recovery marked a positive trend as the city adapted to post-pandemic conditions, leveraging its appeal to gradually restore its tourism industry.

San Francisco remains a high-profile global tourism destination, known for its iconic landmarks, rich cultural heritage, thriving business-events sector, and unique neighborhoods.

2025

• Ranked #12 globally in the World’s Best Cities 2025 report by Resonance Consultancy⁸, highlighting San Francisco’s international appeal, innovation, and cultural vibrancy.
• Ranked #6 in the United States by the Trust for Public Land⁹ for its exceptional urban parks, waterfronts, and public recreation access.

2024

• In the World’s Best Cities 2024 list, San Francisco ranked #7 globally among more than 270 cities worldwide.¹⁰
• Two boutique hotels made Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice list:¹¹
  • Lodge at the Presidio ranked #5 Best Hotel in San Francisco.
  • Inn at the Presidio ranked #9 Best Hotel in 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.

• 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.

• Pier 39: As one of San Francisco’s most visited attractions, Pier 39 welcomed about 11 million visitors in 2023.¹³ 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 more than 10 million visitors each year.¹⁴ No visit to San Francisco is complete without seeing this landmark.
• Golden Gate National Recreation Area: The national park lands around the Golden Gate, including Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field and Ocean Beach, drew 15.7 million visitors in 2025, making it the second most visited National Park Service site in the country.¹⁵
• Ferry Building Marketplace: Visited by millions of people every year, the Ferry Building Marketplace is a vibrant hub for foodies and shoppers.¹⁶ 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 1.4 million annual visitors.¹⁷
• San Francisco’s Chinatown: As the oldest Chinatown in North America¹⁸, this district provides a dynamic cultural experience with its shops, temples, and eateries, with its dining, shopping and entertainment drawing more than 10 million visitors a year, according to the American Planning Association.¹⁹

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 neighborhoods 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.”²⁰

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 neighborhoods 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 revitalizing its tourism industry and ensuring visitors can enjoy all that San Francisco has to offer.