How to visit, scheduling, dress code, and visitor requirements
All visits at San Francisco County Jail #2 and the SFGH ward are scheduled online. Sign-ups open at 9:00 a.m. the day before you want to visit. CJ#2 uses fixed 30‑minute time slots: mornings run 9:20–9:50, 10:00–10:30, and 10:40–11:10; afternoons run 12:20–12:50, 1:00–1:30, and 1:40–2:10. Bring an unexpired government‑issued photo ID—without acceptable ID, your visit may be denied. Expect to be searched entering and leaving jail property. In the visiting area, only keys and ID are allowed. Infants may bring one blanket and a bottle or pacifier, but electronics, food, and drinks are prohibited. Minors under 18 generally must be with a parent or guardian, though 16–17‑year‑olds can apply to visit unaccompanied through an interview with the One‑Family Counselor.
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If your teen is 16 or 17 and wants to visit someone at San Francisco County Jail, there's a specific program that allows minors to visit without an adult present. Here's how eligibility works, what paperwork you'll need, and what to expect from the One‑Family Counselor interview.
Scheduling your first jail visit can feel overwhelming, especially when timing matters. Here's how to book a visit at San Francisco County Jail #2 (CJ#2), plus tips to avoid losing time on the day of your appointment.
For San Francisco County Jail #2, visiting sign-ups open at 9:00 a.m. the day before your visit. So if you’re trying to visit on Saturday, you’ll need to sign up after 9:00 a.m. on Friday (and for a Sunday visit, sign up after 9:00 a.m. on Saturday).
Most denied visits are avoidable. These three rules trip people up the most: bringing the right ID, expecting to be searched, and knowing you can't visit the same person twice in one day.
San Francisco County Jail #2 keeps things strict—you can carry almost nothing into the visiting area. Check the lists below before you go. The wrong item could cost you your visit or worse.
Schedule your visit online for County Jail #2 (and the SFGH ward). Sign-ups open at 9:00 a.m. the day before the visit date.
Bring an unexpired, government‑issued photo ID and present it to Sheriff staff. If you don’t provide acceptable ID, your visit may be denied.
Generally, no—minors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire visit. However, 16–17‑year‑olds can apply to visit alone through a special program that requires documentation and an interview with the One‑Family Counselor.
Trying to locate a woman in San Francisco's jail system? County Jail #2 is where you need to look.
