San Francisco Connectivity Guide 2025
Your Complete Guide to Staying Connected in the City by the Bay
Quick SF Connectivity Guide
Best Connected Areas
SOMA & Financial District
Tech hub with excellent 5G
Union Square
Shopping area with free WiFi
Mission Bay
New development, strong signal
Castro & Mission
Good coverage, many cafes
Coverage Challenges
Steep Hills
Signal shadows on hillsides
BART Tunnels
No signal underground
Golden Gate Park
Spotty coverage in center
Ocean Beach
Weaker signal near water
Network Coverage Overview
Best hill coverage
Strong downtown 5G
Good value option
Tech District & Downtown
Tech Hub Coverage Tips
- • SOMA has the best 5G coverage in SF
- • Tech company campuses offer guest WiFi
- • Financial District has redundant networks
- • Conference centers have enterprise WiFi
Key Business Areas
Tech Company WiFi
- Salesforce Transit Center: Free public WiFi
- Twitter Building: Guest WiFi in lobby
- LinkedIn SF: Visitor WiFi available
- Moscone Center: Conference WiFi
Neighborhood Connectivity Guide
Castro
Vibrant neighborhood with good coverage. Many cafes and bars offer WiFi.
Mission District
Tech worker favorite with excellent coverage. Valencia St has many WiFi spots.
Pacific Heights
Hilly area with some signal shadows. Fillmore St shops have WiFi.
Fisherman's Wharf
Tourist area with good coverage. Pier 39 and restaurants offer WiFi.
Airport Connectivity
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Major West Coast hub with excellent connectivity
Airport WiFi
- • Network: #SFO FREE WIFI
- • Free unlimited access
- • Available in all terminals
- • Speed: 25-50 Mbps
Mobile Coverage
- • Excellent 5G throughout
- • All carriers present
- • BART station has signal
- • AirTrain has coverage
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Alternative airport across the bay
Airport WiFi
- • Network: OAK WiFi
- • Free with ads
- • Terminal coverage
- • Speed: 15-30 Mbps
Getting to/from Airports
- • BART to SFO: Good coverage
- • Caltrain: Variable signal
- • Rideshare areas: Strong signal
- • Airport shuttles: No WiFi
Public Transit Connectivity
Transit Connectivity Reality
- • BART has no onboard WiFi
- • Underground sections have no signal
- • Muni Metro underground similar to BART
- • Cable cars and buses rely on cellular
Transit Coverage by System
Alternative Transit Options
- Caltrain: Some cars have WiFi, check schedule
- Ferry: Golden Gate Ferry has WiFi
- JUMP Bikes: App requires data
Fog & Hills Impact
SF's unique geography creates connectivity challenges - but Karl the Fog won't affect your signal!
Hill Coverage Issues
- • Twin Peaks: Weak spots on slopes
- • Nob Hill: Good at top, shadows on sides
- • Russian Hill: Variable coverage
- • Telegraph Hill: Strong at Coit Tower
- • Potrero Hill: Generally good
Weather Impact
- • Fog: No impact on cellular signal
- • Wind: No connectivity issues
- • Rain: Minimal impact if any
- • Earthquakes: Networks designed to survive
- • Microclimates: Don't affect coverage
Iconic Locations Coverage
USA eSIM for San Francisco
Why Choose eSIM for SF?
- Instant activation at SFO or Oakland
- Works on all major networks in SF
- Essential for BART/Muni navigation
- Coverage from Ocean Beach to Bay Bridge
Recommended Plans
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SF fog affect mobile connectivity?
No, San Francisco's famous fog doesn't impact cellular signals. However, the city's steep hills can create coverage shadows in some areas. Overall coverage remains excellent throughout the city.
Is there WiFi on BART trains?
BART doesn't offer WiFi on trains, but cellular coverage is good in above-ground sections. Underground stations and tunnels have limited to no signal. Most stations have cellular repeaters.
Which SF neighborhood has the best connectivity?
SOMA (South of Market) and the Financial District have the best connectivity due to tech company presence. Mission Bay and Potrero Hill also have excellent 5G coverage. The Presidio and Ocean Beach areas may have weaker signals.
Can I rely on WiFi at tourist spots?
Major attractions like Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, and the Ferry Building have public WiFi. However, it can be slow during peak times. Having mobile data ensures you can navigate between spots and share photos without interruption.
What about connectivity during Fleet Week or Pride?
Major events like Fleet Week, Pride, and Outside Lands cause significant network congestion. Carriers deploy temporary towers, but expect slower speeds. An eSIM with good data allowance gives you better connectivity options during crowded events.
Ready to Explore San Francisco?
From the Golden Gate to Silicon Valley, stay connected throughout the City by the Bay with our USA eSIM. Navigate steep hills, track cable cars, and share your SF adventures.