Airport Information
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is commonly referred as the gateway to the Pacific. One of the world's 30 busiest airports, SFO is committed to setting the standard for the industry. SFO was the first major U.S. airport to achieve 100 percent fully automated and integrated baggage screening. Today, because of the airport's quest for efficiency, passenger screening wait times are among the shortest in the nation.
SFO is also committed to drastically reduce its environmental impact over the next several years. It is working to reduce its own contributions to global warming, improve both air and water quality, and preserve natural resources. It implemented the green car rental program, which highlights hybrid cars. And, with the renovation of Terminal 2, that terminal has achieved the illustrious LEED Gold certification. Also, all shuttles operated by the airport have been converted to biodiesel.
SFO was one of the first airports to implement a Fly Quiet Program which grades individual air carriers on their performance on noise abatement procedures while flying in and out of SFO. The Jon C. Lon Fly Quiet Program was started by the Aircraft Noise Abatement Office to encourage individual airlines to operate as quietly as possible at SFO. The program promotes a participatory approach in complying with the noise abatement procedures.
The airport was originally opened May 7, 1927, on 150 acres of cow pasture. The original name, Mills Field Municipal Airport, the airport was renamed in 1955 to its current San Francisco International Airport. United Airlines has continually used the airport since the 1930s. Now, it is the sixth largest hub for United Airlines, but its only maintenance hub.
San Francisco International Airport was named Best Airport in North America in 2011. The airport has a wide range of restaurants, shopping, baggage storage, public showers, a medical clinic, and many other amenities. There is free Wifi through the terminal for public use.
The SFO Museum was the first cultural institution of its kind in an international airport. It has a diverse range of subject for both educational and cultural experiences for the airport passengers. With a constantly changing exhibitions passengers have made the museum a tradition and a must see for travelers, the museum is an integral part of airport.
With the remodel of terminal 2, the Arts Commission was able to reinstall works by leading local, national and international artists from its collection. Not only could it draw from its already extensive collection, it could commission new work, as well. The San Francisco Art Enhancement Ordinance, which mandated that 2% of total eligible construction costs of civic building project be allocated for public art, ensured the funds for Terminal 2's expansive public art program.
City Information
San Francisco is served by two airports, SFO, (San Francisco international) and OAK (Oakland international Airport). however most tourist prefer to fly into the Oakland international Airport since it's only a 45 min. ride via BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) or a 30 minute drive by car.
Tourists may find it difficult to navigate through San Francisco due to the fact that there is water on three sides. Unfortunately, the water that they see has only a one in three chance of being next to the Fisherman's Wharf. San Francisco is only 7 miles wide but it can take up to 45 min. to get from one side is city to the other because of traffic.
The best way to navigate San Francisco is by walking. Save it driving for out-of-town trips, for example, across the Golden Gate Bridge, to the wine country, or down the coast. traffic in San Francisco is horrendous. The cable cars are not really beneficial and are mostly for show. They have limited reach. In fact walking is the major mode of travel for its residents. Cycling is also a popular form of transportation with about 40,000 residents commuting to work.
Founded in 1776, San Francisco was named after Francis of Assisi. However, it was the California gold rush that could San Francisco on the map in one year (1849) the population increased from 1000 to 25,000 people. During World War II San Francisco was a port which most service members shipped out of to the Pacific.
Today San Francisco is one of the top tourist destinations in the world ranking 33rd out of 100 most visited cities worldwide. Most notable destinations within the city are the Golden Gate Bridge Chinatown and cable cars. By the end of the 19th century San Francisco was known for its flamboyant style stately hotels mansions and a thriving arts scene.
On April 18, 1906 the major earthquake hit San Francisco. More than three fourths of the city laying complete runs including almost all the downtown. Rebuilding of the city was quick. City rose again to squander when it celebrates read birth at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915.
San Francisco's weather is strongly influenced by the currents of the Pacific Ocean which provides moderate temperature swings and produces mild year-round climate a little temperature variation. The city has a variety of beaches and parks, and the Golden Gate National Recreation areas with the most visited parks in the National Park system.
San Francisco's character comes mostly from large immigration population from Asia and Latin America with 39% of its residents born overseas. San Francisco has a huge thriving arts community, which not only supports artists, but also writers, performance artists, and musical entertainers. The second-largest opera company in North America is the San Francisco Opera.
With many museums in the area to go to, one is never at a loss for culture or to learn anthropological facts. The city has many art museums music museums, as well as the Exploratorium, and an interactive science museum.
Financial district is centered with Union Square which is a principal shopping and hotel district. Cable cars carry riders up steep inclines to the summit of knob Hill, and then down to Fisherman's Wharf, the tourist area. Nearby, is San Francisco's Chinatown which was established in the 1840s.
