San Francisco is the cultural, commercial, and financial center of Northern California. It covers an area of about 46.89 square miles (121.4 km 2 ), is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 13th-most populous in the United States, with a little over 880,000 residents. San Francisco is located on the West Coast of the United States at the north end of the San Francisco Peninsula and includes significant stretches of the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay within its boundaries. Several picturesque islands—Alcatraz, Treasure Island and the adjacent Yerba Buena Island, and small portions of Alameda Island, Red Rock Island, and Angel Island—are part of the city. Also included are the uninhabited Farallon Islands, 27 miles (43 km)
offshore in the Pacific Ocean. The mainland within the city limits roughly forms a seven-by-seven-mile square, though its total area, including water, is nearly 232 square miles (600 km 2 ).

A popular tourist destination, San Francisco is known for its cool summers, fog, steep rolling hills, eclectic mix of culture, architecture, and landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, the former Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, Fisherman’s Wharf, and its Chinatown district.

Time zone
San Francisco resides within the Pacific Time Zone (UTC-7 hours).

Language
English is the official language of the United States, and is the predominant language used in San Francisco, However, San Francisco is a multicultural mix where Mandarin and Cantonese Chinese and Spanish are also widely spoken by many residents and businesses.

Currency & Credit Cards
The currency used in the United States is the US Dollar. All major credit cards are typically accepted in most hotels, shops and restaurants.

Banking
Banking hours are typically 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, with extended hours including weekends at some locations. Most banks have automatic teller machines(ATMs), which can be accessed 24 hours a day, using bank or credit cards on major international banking networks such as Cirrus and Plus.

Tipping
Some properties and resort hotels include tips or gratuities to simplify bookkeeping. This will usually include gratuities for housekeeping, bell service and food service. If meals are included in the price, customary gratuity will be calculated at 15 per cent. Visitors should be advised that the standard tip in most restaurants is 15 to 18 per cent.

Taxes
The sales tax in San Francisco for most goods and services is 8.5%.

Climate
The climate in San Francisco has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate characteristic of California’s coast, with moist mild winters and dry summers. San Francisco’s weather is strongly influenced by the cool currents of the
Pacific Ocean on the west side of the city, and the water of San Francisco Bay to the north and east. This moderates temperature swings and produces a remarkably mild year-round climate with little seasonal temperature variation.

Among major U.S. cities, San Francisco has the coolest daily mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures for June, July, and August. During the summer, rising hot air in California’s interior valleys creates a low pressure area that draws winds from the North Pacific High through the Golden Gate, which creates the city’s characteristic cool winds and fog.

In August, the average high temperature is 68.1°F (20.1°C) and the average low is 55°F (12.8 °C). You should plan on bringing a light rainproof jacket or fleece as our evenings can cool off.

Electricity Supply
You may need an adaptor and power converter. If you bring any electrical appliance to the USA, you may need an adaptor to fit the US electrical receptacles. Outlets and voltage is 110 volts 60 Hz.

Wireless Internet
Wireless Internet will be provided for all attendees onsite at the Conference.

Medical Clinics & Insurance
Should you require medical assistance of a non-emergency nature, there are many private medical clinics in the surrounding area that visitors can access. Please note that all expenses must be paid up front unless alternative arrangements are made through your insurance provider. If your required medical assistance is of an emergency, you will be taken to a local hospital. Please note that all expenses must be paid up front unless alternative arrangements are made through your insurance provider.
For medical emergencies, please call 9-1-1

The US does not pay for hospital or medical services for visitors. Make sure you have health insurance to cover any medical costs BEFORE you come to the US.

Smoking Laws & Legal Drinking Age
Smoking is not permitted by law in public buildings, on public transit, in shopping malls, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and casinos. Smoking is not permitted within 10 feet (3 meters) of a doorways, windows, or air intakes. In California the legal age of drinking is 21 years old.

Visas
Please check with your country’s requirements for travel to the US. The Conference can provide you with an official invitation letter upon request. More information: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/572/~/entering-the-u.s.—documents-required-for-foreign nationals-%28international

Water
The water quality in San Francisco is high and drinkable to our visitors.