Description of Local Area
San Francisco is a vibrant and diverse city of 800,000 inhabitants. People of many different ethnicities live in the Bay Area, and our host families reflect this diversity. Host families can include single people, couples, single-parent families, and families with multiple generations living in one home. Many of our host families are of Filipino descent, and their family-oriented culture means that they treat the students they host as part of their own family. All host families are English speaking and are eager to share the diversity of San Francisco with international visitors.
Host families can be located in the residential neighborhoods in the southwestern part of San Francisco, but most are located in the adjacent towns of Daly City, South San Francisco, and Pacifica. Some of the San Francisco neighborhoods where host families live include: Glen Park, Mission Terrace, Excelsior, Bernal Heights, Portola, the Outer Mission, the Outer Richmond, and the Outer Sunset.
Description of Accommodation
Staying with a local family is a great way to immerse oneself into American culture. This interaction with a family helps students communicate and practice their English in a more relaxed environment whilst also exposing themselves to new experiences – be it lifestyle, local food or simple day to day routines.
Most homes are single family or 2 family homes. The latter is usually two floors with one home on one floor and one on the other. Students are placed in a single or twin room. Each room is furnished with a bed, desk, dresser and closet, while some rooms have TVs and other amenities. It is important that rooms and living areas are kept neat and tidy. Students also have access to a shared bathroom.
Bed linen and towels are provided by the host family. Some San Francisco families do not have a washing machine in their home and use the services of a laundromat – this information will be included in the host family profile. In cases where families have a washing machine, students can use the laundry facilities although the number of washes per week remains at the discretion of each family.
Accommodation Features
Bed linen provided
Phone
*Incoming calls only
Internet access available
Type of Room
Single / Twin
Bathroom type
Standard: shared
Board status
B&B or
Half Board
Emergency Number
1-424-428-8866
Available
Year round
Arrival and departure
Saturday/Saturday
Journey to school
The typical commute from a homestay to school is 45 – 60 minutes by public transportation. Times are approximate. San Francisco’s transport system is run by MUNI, which operates in San Francisco only, and BART, which is regional. If students are staying in South San Francisco, Daly City, or Pacifica they will need to pay regular BART fares as well as fares for other local buses. There isn’t a monthly BART pass available for outside San Francisco. Students should expect to pay between $60-$200/month for public transit (price depends on where host family is located; students may or may not qualify for the monthly discounted transit pass). In many host family locations, public transportation may not be available after 8 or 9 pm.
Host Family Locations
Host families are located either in the city limits of San Francisco or in the adjacent towns of Daly City and South San Francisco. Some of the typical neighborhoods where host families live are: Bernal Heights, Glen Park, Inner and Outer Richmond, Inner and Outer Sunset, St. Francis Wood, Excelsior, Castro and Mission.
Airport Pickup
IF YOU BOOKED AN AIRPORT TRANSFER:
Arrival at Airport (All students under 18 years old must book return airport transfers if arriving and departing between 8:00pm and 8:00am)
What information do I need to give to book an airport transfer?
Please provide your flight number, arrival time, terminal and airport of origin – minimum 2 weeks in advance. The driver will contact you the day before your flight via WhatsApp or email.
Who will I meet at the airport?
For international flights: You will meet an EC transportation representative, who will pick you up at the curb, cross to the middle island and just before the Taxi zone. Look for a sign saying “LIMOUSINE ZONE” and wait for your driver there.
For domestic flights: Exit baggage claim to the curbside and notify your driver via WhatsApp or email which door you exited.
It is best to be in touch with your driver upon landing.
What should I do if I cannot find the EC representative? If you have any problems locating your driver, you
can reach our transfer service at +1 408 722 4486 for any issues to speak with Gerson Ayala (identify yourself as an EC San Francisco student).” Please do not call the EC emergency phone unless you have called this number first. (Useful phrase to use: Hi, my name is (Maria Angeli). I am from (Italy). I am near exit A/B/C).
What should I do if I have missed my flight or my flight is delayed?
You should notify EC by calling 1-424-428-8866 (from the information desk or a mobile phone) to rearrange your transfer time and avoid additional cost. (Useful phrase to use: My name is (Maria Angeli). I am from (Italy). My flight has been changed. My new flight number is (1234) arriving at (time)
What should I do if I haven’t booked an EC transfer?
The easiest way to travel from the airport is by taxi. Shared door-to-door shuttles are also available at a cheaper price. BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) trains also run from SFO airport and are the cheapest way to get to downtown San Francisco, see www.bart.gov
EC San Francisco emergency phone number at +1 424 428 8866.
EC San Francisco School Telephone +1 415 362 3300.
Cancellations
Cancellation prior to arrival
Students cancelling fewer than 14 days before arrival will be charged a two-week accommodation fee at the standard accommodation rate and accommodation placement fees.
Cancellation after arrival
Students leaving their accommodation must give notice in writing 4 weeks prior to termination. After deducting the price of accommodation used, including the required notice period, charged at standard accommodation rates, students will be refunded the remaining accommodation costs. If the 4-week notice period is not provided, a cancellation fee equal to 4 weeks of the accommodation cost will apply.
House Rules
- No smoking is permitted
- Families might have pets
- Students might be given a house key though alternative arrangements might be sought
- Possibility of no kitchen use
- Students arriving in EC accommodation between 22.00 – 08.00 may be asked to book alternative accommodation for their first night. This is to ensure student’s safety on arrival.
Students are required to follow EC Student Code of Conduct, failure to do so can result in termination of the accommodation.
For more accommodation terms and conditions please refer to EC accommodation policy.
Gallery
Images are for representation purpose only. Actual furnishings may differ from those shown. Amenities and services are subject to change.
Please refer to partners.ecenglish.com for the most up to date factsheet. Information live on this site will supersede any information provided earlier
