San Francisco
citySan Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is a cultural, commercial, and financial center of Northern California. Located on a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, it is the fourth-most populous city in California, with an estimated population of 830,235 in 2024. Known for its steep rolling hills, diverse architecture, and iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco offers a dense urban environment with a vibrant atmosphere. The city's economy is robust and diverse, driven by technology, healthcare, finance, insurance, real estate, and professional services. San Francisco is home to numerous companies, including Salesforce, Uber, and Airbnb, and attracts significant venture capital funding. Its thriving tourism industry welcomes millions of visitors annually, contributing substantially to the local economy. San Francisco is distinctive for its rich history, cultural bohemianism, and progressive values. From the Gold Rush era to the Beat Generation and the Summer of Love, the city has been a hub for innovation, artistic expression, and social change. Its welcoming attitude towards diverse communities, combined with its stunning natural setting, makes San Francisco a unique and desirable place to live.
San Francisco, California
- Classification
- Consolidated city-county
- Country
- United States
- County
- San Francisco
- Region
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Total Area
- 46 sq mi
- Land Area
- 46.89 sq mi
- Latitude
- 37.7775
- Longitude
- -122.41639
- Climate
- Mild Mediterranean climate
- Notable Features
- Golden Gate · Alcatraz Island · Twin Peaks · Farallon Islands
- Neighboring Areas
- Daly City · Brisbane · Oakland · Berkeley
- Population (2020)
- 873,965
- Est. Population (2024)
- 830,235
- Median Age
- 39.7
- Median Income
- $140,970
- Poverty Rate
- 11.15%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- White (36.8%), Asian (34.9%), Hispanic (16.2%)
- Government Type
- Mayor-Council
- Governing Body
- Board of Supervisors
- Body Size
- 11 members
- School District
- San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Public Utilities Commission · Recreation and Park Department
- Unemployment Rate
- 3.7%
- Economic Profile
- Diversified service economy · Technology hub · Tourism
- Employment Sectors
- Professional services · Tourism · High Technology · Healthcare · Finance
- Major Employers
- Salesforce · Uber · Airbnb · Levi's · Gap
- Students
- 50,000
- School Districts
- San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD)
- Colleges & Universities
- City College of San Francisco · San Francisco State University · University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) · University of San Francisco (USF)
- Transportation
- Highways · Public transit (MUNI) · BART · Ferries · San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Utilities
- Water (SFPUC) · Power (SFPUC) · Broadband/Fiber
- Major Facilities
- Hospitals · San Francisco International Airport (SFO) · Moscone Center
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Golden Gate Park · Presidio National Park · Lake Merced · Golden Gate National Recreation Area
- Parks & Trails
- Golden Gate Park · Presidio Trails · Lands End Trail · Lake Merced Park
- Founded
- 1776
- Incorporated
- 1850
- Named After
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Historical Significance
- San Francisco has been a major center of commerce, culture, and innovation in the American West, playing a significant role in the development of California and the United States.
- Key Events
- Establishment of the Presidio and Mission in 1776 · California Gold Rush of 1849 · 1906 Earthquake and Fire · Hosting the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition · World War II embarkation point