For anything life-threatening, call 911. For everything else, an urgent care clinic or a 24-hour pharmacy is usually faster and cheaper than an ER, and San Francisco has both in the neighborhoods where most visitors stay.
Quick decision guide: where to go for medical help in San Francisco
- Minor illness (cold, flu, minor infection, small cuts): Go to an urgent care clinic such as Carbon Health or Concentra.
- Prescription refill: Head to a 24-hour Walgreens pharmacy. Several locations near Union Square and the Mission District stay open around the clock.
- Serious emergency (chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, major bleeding, seizures, loss of consciousness): Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Do not drive yourself.
- Poison exposure: Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 immediately, any time of day or night.
- Dental pain or eye injury: Carbon Health and some urgent care clinics handle minor dental and eye issues. For serious eye injuries, go to UCSF Medical Center or Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.
Hospitals with 24-hour emergency rooms in San Francisco
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital at 1001 Potrero Ave is the city's only Level I Trauma Center, meaning it handles the most severe emergencies 24 hours a day. It is in the Mission District, about a 10-minute drive from Union Square.
The emergency room accepts all patients regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Call 415-206-8000 for general information.
CPMC Van Ness Campus at 1101 Van Ness Ave is about a mile west of Union Square, a 19-minute walk. Sutter Health runs it.
The emergency room is open 24 hours and treats adults and children. Its entrance is at 1260 Franklin St. Phone: 415-600-3333.
California Pacific Medical Center, Davies Campus at Castro and Duboce in the Castro neighborhood operates a full emergency room and is a 10-minute drive from SoMa. Sutter Health runs this facility. Phone: 415-600-6000.
UCSF Health Hyde Hospital, formerly Saint Francis Memorial at 900 Hyde St is on Nob Hill, making it the closest full-service hospital to Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Financial District.
The emergency room operates 24 hours a day. Phone: 415-353-6000. Nearest Muni Metro: Powell Street Station (about a 10-minute walk uphill).
Urgent care clinics across San Francisco neighborhoods
Carbon Health Urgent Care, Mission at 3024 Mission St in the Mission District sees walk-in patients for illness, minor injuries, lab work, and STI testing.
Hours run 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. You can book ahead through the Carbon Health app to cut wait times. Phone: 415-231-3099.
Carbon Health Urgent Care, SoMa at 340 Brannan St covers the SoMa neighborhood and is a short walk from the Caltrain station. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. This location works well for travelers staying near Moscone Center or the waterfront.
Concentra Urgent Care, San Francisco at 26 California St in the Financial District handles occupational health and general urgent care. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This location suits travelers who get sick on a weekday and are staying near Union Square or the Embarcadero. Phone: 415-362-8600.
One Medical operates several San Francisco locations, including near Union Square and the Financial District. Members book same-day appointments through the One Medical app. Non-members pay a membership fee to access care, so check the app for current pricing before you go.
San Francisco urgent care and hospital comparison
| Facility | Neighborhood | Type | Hours | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zuckerberg SF General Hospital | Mission District | Level I Trauma / ER | 24 hours, 7 days | 415-206-8000 |
| UCSF Health Hyde Hospital (formerly Saint Francis) | Nob Hill | Full ER | 24 hours, 7 days | 415-353-6000 |
| CPMC Van Ness Campus | Van Ness Avenue | Full ER | 24 hours, 7 days | 415-600-3333 |
| California Pacific Medical Center, Davies | Castro | Full ER | 24 hours, 7 days | 415-600-6000 |
| Carbon Health Urgent Care, Mission | Mission District | Urgent Care | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily | 415-231-3099 |
| Carbon Health Urgent Care, SoMa | SoMa | Urgent Care | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily | See app |
| Concentra Urgent Care | Financial District | Urgent Care | Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 415-362-8600 |
24-hour pharmacies near Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Mission District
Walgreens runs the most 24-hour pharmacy locations in San Francisco, and three of them are close to the neighborhoods where most travelers stay.
Walgreens, Powell Street at 135 Powell St is the closest 24-hour pharmacy to Union Square and Nob Hill. The pharmacy counter stays open around the clock. Nearest Muni Metro: Powell Street Station, about a 2-minute walk. Phone: 415-984-0797.
Walgreens, Marina District at 3201 Divisadero St serves travelers staying near Fisherman's Wharf or the Marina. The pharmacy operates 24 hours. Phone: 415-931-6417.
Walgreens, Mission Street at 1979 Mission St covers the Mission District and is accessible from the 16th Street BART Station, about a 5-minute walk. The pharmacy counter is open 24 hours. Phone: 415-861-3136.
CVS Pharmacy operates locations near Union Square and SoMa, though most CVS pharmacies in San Francisco close by 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. Check the CVS store locator for current hours before you go.
What to expect with costs and insurance
Emergency room visits in San Francisco cost several hundred to several thousand dollars without insurance, depending on what treatment you receive. Urgent care visits run significantly less, often between $150 and $300 for a basic visit without insurance, though prices vary by clinic.
If you carry travel insurance, call your insurer before you go to a facility so they can confirm coverage and, in some cases, arrange direct billing. Most San Francisco hospitals and urgent care clinics accept major US insurance plans. If you're visiting from abroad, bring your insurance card and a credit card, since upfront payment is common for out-of-network or uninsured patients.
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital has a financial assistance program for uninsured and low-income patients. Ask at the admissions desk or call 415-206-8000 to ask about the program before or after your visit.
Practical tips for getting medical help in San Francisco
- Download the Carbon Health app before you travel. You can book same-day urgent care appointments at Mission and SoMa locations and skip the walk-in wait.
- If you stay near Union Square or Nob Hill and need a 24-hour pharmacy, the Walgreens at 135 Powell St is a 2-minute walk from Powell Street Muni Metro Station.
- For non-emergency medical questions at any hour, call the UCSF nurse advice line at 415-353-2300. A registered nurse can help you decide whether you need urgent care or an ER.
- For a serious emergency near Fisherman's Wharf or North Beach, go to UCSF Health Hyde Hospital (formerly Saint Francis Memorial) at 900 Hyde St on Nob Hill. It is the closest full ER to that part of the city.
- Keep a photo of your insurance card and any prescription labels in your phone's camera roll. Urgent care staff and pharmacists need this information, and having it on hand speeds up the process.
- If a doctor in another state wrote your prescription, California law allows pharmacists to dispense a 30-day emergency supply in most cases. Ask the pharmacist at any Walgreens location.
Getting to a hospital or clinic without a car
San Francisco's public transit network, including Muni Metro and BART, connects most major hospitals and urgent care clinics without requiring a car or rideshare. Transit also saves you the parking costs that add up near hospitals like UCSF Parnassus and UCSF Hyde. In an emergency, skip both and call 911.
Official sources for medical help in San Francisco
- San Francisco Department of Public Health: The city's official public health agency. Find community health centers, mental health resources, and public health alerts.
- UCSF Health: Book appointments, find urgent care locations, and access the nurse advice line at 415-353-2300.
- California Poison Control System: Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison emergencies. The line operates 24 hours a day.
- SF Health Network: The city-run network of hospitals and clinics, including Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Laguna Honda Hospital.
Things to do in San Francisco, by neighborhood
Where to start in each neighborhood, and what’s on there this weekend.
All 68 San Francisco hotel guides →
Frequently asked questions
What's the closest 24-hour pharmacy to Union Square in San Francisco?＋
The Walgreens at 135 Powell St operates a 24-hour pharmacy and is about a 2-minute walk from Powell Street Muni Metro Station. It is the most accessible around-the-clock pharmacy for travelers staying near Union Square, Nob Hill, or the Financial District. The store number is 415-984-0797.
Where should I go for urgent care near Fisherman's Wharf?＋
Carbon Health has urgent care locations in the Mission District and SoMa, both reachable by Muni in about 20 minutes from Fisherman's Wharf. For something closer, UCSF Health Hyde Hospital (formerly Saint Francis) at 900 Hyde St on Nob Hill has a 24-hour emergency room and is about a 10-minute drive or Muni ride from the Wharf. For minor issues, the Carbon Health app lets you book ahead and reduce wait time.
What's the nearest hospital emergency room to SoMa?＋
UCSF Health Hyde Hospital at 900 Hyde St is the closest 24-hour ER to Moscone Center and central SoMa, about a mile away. Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital at 1001 Potrero Ave in the Mission District is the city's only Level I Trauma Center. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 and let paramedics decide which facility to use.
What's the best urgent care option in the Mission District?＋
Carbon Health Urgent Care at 3024 Mission St sees walk-in patients from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and handles illness, minor injuries, and lab work. You can book through the Carbon Health app to reduce your wait. For after-hours emergencies in the Mission, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital at 1001 Potrero Ave is about a 5-minute drive.
How do I get medical help in San Francisco without insurance?＋
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital accepts all patients regardless of insurance and has a financial assistance program for uninsured visitors. The SF Health Network also runs community health centers across the city that offer sliding-scale fees. For urgent care, Carbon Health and Concentra accept self-pay patients, and you can ask for a cost estimate before your visit.
What's the number for Poison Control in San Francisco?＋
Call 1-800-222-1222 to reach the California Poison Control System, which operates 24 hours a day. You can also visit calpoison.org for guidance. If the person is unconscious, having a seizure, or not breathing, call 911 instead.
