Getting Tested for STDs in San Francisco, CA

Confidential testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is widely available in San Francisco. You can choose from walk-in clinics, community health centers, private labs, and at-home tests based on your schedule, budget, and privacy preferences.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most commonly reported STDs in San Francisco County. Many infections do not cause symptoms, so testing can make sense after a new partner, a possible exposure, or as part of routine sexual health care.

STD testing locations are spread across the city, including central neighborhoods near Market Street and other major corridors. You can compare options by cost, turnaround time, and how results are delivered, then choose the setting that feels most comfortable.

Find an STD Testing Location in San Francisco, CA

You can find accredited labs, clinics, and community testing sites across San Francisco. Many locations are near Market Street and other central neighborhoods, with more options throughout the city and statewide STD testing in California.

A health care provider can help you choose the right tests and the right timing based on your symptoms, exposure, and medical history.

What to expect from STD testing

STD Testing Options in San Francisco, CA

You can choose from community clinics, private lab testing, doctor visits, and at-home testing in San Francisco.

STD testing options in San Francisco

When Should I Get Tested for STDs?

If you are sexually active in San Francisco, chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most commonly reported STDs in the county, and those are the infections most worth screening for. If a partner disclosed an STD or suggested testing, get tested even if you feel fine since many STDs have no symptoms and testing is the only way to know. The CDC recommends routine screening for sexually active people based on age and risk, including screening after new exposures. A health care provider can help you choose the right tests based on your situation and timing.

What Will Be Tested in an STD Panel?

A routine STD panel usually includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, and syphilis. Some providers also add hepatitis testing, and herpes testing in certain situations.

Here is what usually happens when you go in for STD testing:

  1. Register online or at the front desk.
  2. Answer questions about symptoms, recent exposure, and the type of testing you need.
  3. Give a urine sample, blood sample, and/or a swab from the throat, rectum, vagina, or penis, depending on the tests ordered.
  4. Get results, usually one to three business days after the lab receives your sample.

A routine STD panel may include:
– Chlamydia
– Gonorrhea
– HIV types 1 and 2
– Syphilis

A broader STD panel may also include:
– Hepatitis (A, B, and C)
– Herpes (oral or genital)

If you had oral or anal exposure, ask whether you need throat or rectal swabs. Urine testing alone does not check every site. The CDC STI screening recommendations explain how test choices can vary by age, symptoms, and risk.

How Much Will STD Testing Cost in San Francisco, CA?

STD testing in San Francisco usually costs $0 to $250, depending on the provider and the tests ordered. Single tests often cost less than a full panel, and office visit fees may be separate.

If you have insurance, most plans cover preventive STD testing at 100% with no copay. If you do not have insurance, clinics such as Planned Parenthood of San Francisco and San Francisco City Clinic may offer sliding-scale fees or free testing for qualifying residents. If privacy is your top concern, at-home STD tests often cost about $169 per panel.

How Fast Will I Get My Test Results in San Francisco, CA?

Most lab-based STD results in San Francisco are ready one to three business days after the lab receives your sample. Same-day rapid HIV screening is available at some locations, while full panels and community clinic testing may take longer because of appointment demand and lab volume.

Before you book, ask how the site delivers results, whether it offers rapid testing, and when the lab starts processing samples. The CDC overview of HIV testing explains how rapid HIV tests and lab-based HIV tests differ.

STI Statistics in San Francisco County, CA

Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD in San Francisco County, with a rate of 697.3 per 100,000 in the latest available data. That context matters because many infections do not cause symptoms, so routine testing often starts with common bacterial STDs rather than visible signs.

San Francisco County also reported 10,923 cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, including 5,016 gonorrhea cases, according to the latest CDC STI statistics. In a densely connected city, numbers like these show why regular screening is a normal part of sexual health care.

HIV testing is also part of many screening plans in San Francisco. County-level data shows 11,389 people living with HIV, which is why many clinics let you add HIV screening during the same visit. If you test on a regular schedule, such as every three to six months when you have new partners, the process can feel routine and private.



Cities Near San Francisco, CA for STD Testing

Free STD Testing Centers in San Francisco, CA

Free or low-cost STD testing is available at community clinics across San Francisco. These centers can be a good fit if cost, privacy, or insurance coverage is a concern.

Many sites offer confidential testing, treatment, and referrals for follow-up care. Check hours before you go, since walk-in availability can change.

Alliance Health Project

  • Address: 1930 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94102
  • Number: (415) 621-4858
  • Hours: Check website or call for current hours

Planned Parenthood of San Francisco

  • Address: 1650 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110
  • Number: (415) 821-1282
  • Hours:
    • Monday: 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    • Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    • Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • Sunday: Closed

San Francisco AIDS Foundation Magnet Clinic

  • Address: 470 Castro St., San Francisco, CA 94114
  • Number: (415) 487-3000
  • Hours: Check website or call for current hours

San Francisco City Clinic

  • Address: 356 7th St., San Francisco, CA 94103
  • Number: (415) 487-5500
  • Hours:
    • Monday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Tuesday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Thursday: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Friday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Saturday: Closed
    • Sunday: Closed

STRUT

  • Address: 470 Castro St., San Francisco, CA 94114
  • Number: (415) 437-3400
  • Hours:
    • Monday: Closed
    • Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    • Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    • Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    • Friday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
    • Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    • Sunday: Closed