Organize your stay San Francisco
Covid-19 : current situation San Francisco
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply San Francisco. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information
Money San Francisco
The unit of currency is the dollar (US$). The denominations are 1, 2 (rare), 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 US$. Denominations higher than 50 US$ are sometimes refused, especially at the metro ticket offices, in cabs but also in some stores or restaurants. Uniformly green and white, American bills all look the same and require a minimum of attention. Especially since they all have the same size. Be careful not to make mistakes when you pay and always check when you get change. Thecoins are 1 cent(penny), 5 cents(nickel), 10 cents(dime), 25 cents(quarter) - used in buses and laundromats -, 50 cents(half dollar) and finally 1 US$, which are nowgolden. The 1 and 5 cent coins are all small and copper colored; all others are silver colored.
The exchange rate changes daily, so check with your bank before you leave or visit a specialized website, such as www.xe.com. In August 2022, the exchange rate is as follows: 1 US$ = 0.98 €; 1 € = 1.02 US$
Budget & Tips San Francisco
Money is a value that has a tendency to slip through your fingers in San Francisco! Life there has gone up quite a bit in recent years. While real estate prices have always beeń very high, other expenses were traditionally cheaper in San Francisco than in France. Bad news: this is no longer the case today. For European tourists, the United States is an ever more expensive destination. A stay in San Francisco will generally leave you with lasting memories and a bank account that looks rather grim... It is difficult to eat in a decent restaurant for less than 20 or 30 US$, difficult to stay in a barely salubrious hotel for less than 150 US$, public transportation is expensive, difficult to consume without leaving a 15 to 20% tip, etc.
Passport and visas San Francisco
To enter the United States, you need a biometric passport. France is part of the Visa Waiver Pilot (VWP) program, which allows all French nationals to enter the United States without a visa, for a maximum stay of 90 days. Since January 2009, to benefit from this visa waiver, it is necessary to make an online declaration for tourist stays in the United States. To do so, you will have to fill out the ESTA form online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov (and only on this site!) and pay the administrative fees, up to 14 US$. Be careful to fill out the form at least 72 hours beforehand and only through the above-mentioned site. Many fraudulent sites offer to take care of this administrative process for exorbitant costs. To enter the United States, all you need is a valid biometric passport, the ESTA and a non-refundable round-trip ticket and you do not intend to extend your stay. Finally, for any stay longer than 90 days, the visitor must have a visa. Several types of visas exist (student, work, etc.), but they are all quite difficult to obtain
To learn more about the type of visa to apply for and the steps to follow, visit https://fr.usembassy.gov/fr/visas-fr/. To obtain a visa for the United States, you must go to the US Embassy in Paris (http://fr.usembassy.gov). If you are not in France, here is the complete list of American consulates and embassies where you can apply for a visa: www. usembassy.gov
Driver's license San Francisco
For a stay of less than three months, the French driver's license of more than one year is valid in all states. You must be at least 21 years old (in some cases 25) to rent a car in the United States. As soon as the stay exceeds three months, the French driver's license is no longer sufficient and it becomes mandatory to take the driver's license in the state of residence. As the laws are different in each state, we advise you to contact the French consulate of the state that concerns you.
Health San Francisco
There are no health risks involved in going to San Francisco and the United States
Mandatory vaccination San Francisco
The travel ban, implemented in March 2020 in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic for travelers from the Schengen area, was lifted on November 8, 2021. As of today and for an indefinite period of time, only travelers fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are allowed to enter the United States. Vaccines recognized by the FDA or the World Health Organization (including Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines) are accepted. Both doses are mandatory (except for single-dose vaccines), even for someone who has contracted Covid. In mid-2022, all travelers must provide proof of vaccination and a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old before boarding a plane to the United States
Security San Francisco
The city of San Francisco is safe. But beware of the Tenderloin, where hundreds, if not thousands, of homeless drug addicts roam day and night...
Time difference San Francisco
It is 9 hours with France. When it is 5pm in Paris, it is 8am in San Francisco. This is true in winter as well as in summer, since the daylight saing time takes place at approximately the same dates in France and in the United States (within one or two weeks)
Spoken languages San Francisco
Contrary to what one might think, English is not the official language of the United States, since the country does not have one! San Francisco is a multilingual city, the three main languages are English, Spanish and Chinese. And a little French.
Communication San Francisco
You don't risk being cut off from the world during your stay in San Francisco. Free wifi is available in many restaurants, stores and, of course, hotels
Electricity and measurements San Francisco
The United States operates at 110 volts and a frequency of 60 Hz. Sockets have two flat plugs and light bulb sockets have screws (no bayonets). Whether you bring or buy electrical equipment locally, don't forget to bring adapters(converters), available at Best Buy and Duane Reade. If you buy appliances locally, be sure to buy the adapter before you return. But be careful! American standards are totally different from French standards, so be sure to buy only compatible equipment. The United States refuses to use the metric system, which does not make life easier for us. Distances are measured in inches , feet , yards and miles. Weights are measured in ounces, pounds and tons. Liquid measurements are even more complex and confusing: imperial (English) and American measurements are in pints and gallons, but are different (1 imperial pint = 1.25 american pint).
Luggage San Francisco
Sometimes you will be hot and sometimes cold. So, bring sunscreen (without hoping to be able to swim in the ocean which is too cold, but to sunbathe on the coast), a beach towel and a cap (although you will be able to find one to your liking on the spot), without forgetting sweaters. Sweaters are necessary in San Francisco, even in August (and of course in the mountains). You should also bring a windbreaker, which is useful if you go for a walk in the sea for example.
For nature lovers, a tent will be necessary for camping in the national parks. Take your own tent with you, as the local prices are high. You will also need a small flashlight, sleeping bags and sleeping mats to protect you from the humidity of the region, especially in winter and spring, before the first heat.
Those who want to hit the ski slopes of Mammoth Lakes will find all the equipment available for rent on site.
Santa Cruz is also full of surfboard rental stores.
Don't forget to bring an adapter for your electrical appliances, it is not always easy to find one on the spot (if not, you can find some in DIY stores).
