san francisco travel vlog

The Ultimate San Francisco Itinerary

From the Golden Gate Bridge and the fortress of Alcatraz, to the murals of the Mission District and the bright lights of Chinatown – this San Francisco itinerary will give you a great introduction to the city.

Welcome to San Francisco! Surrounded by lush hills and Californian coastline, and filled with famous monuments such as the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco has plenty to offer visitors.

You can satisfy your food cravings in Chinatown, marvel at the vibrant murals of the Mission District, and tour the city in a traditional cable car. And don’t worry about that ethereal fog that sometimes looms over the bay – it’s all part of what makes this city unique.

To help make your travel dream a reality, I’ve put together the ideal itinerary for 3 days in San Francisco, aimed at first time visitors and taking in some of the city’s best sights, sounds and smells.

If you’re looking for things to do in San Francisco, simply use my San Francisco itinerary, travel tips and guide for inspiration!

Oh, and if you fancy making your trip extra special, check out my pick of the best hotels in San Francisco with a view .

Best Time to Visit San Francisco

In terms of weather, San Francisco is known for the fog that descends in the bay area. Added to that, its coastal location means that the city never gets too hot, even in peak summer. Winter and spring, however, can be unpredictable and rainy, so to experience the best weather, I’d recommend visiting in autumn. Temperatures hover around 22 degrees Celsius, the main sights won’t be too crowded, and you’ll get to see the Californian forests in their colourful autumn tones.

San Francisco Itinerary

Cross the golden gate bridge.

Nothing can quite prepare you for the sight of the gleaming Golden Gate Bridge, which spans the mile-long strait connecting San Francisco to Marin County. This breath-taking feat of human engineering is the iconic symbol of the city, and crossing it is one of the most popular things to do in San Francisco.

If you just want to relax, the Golden Gate Bridge can be admired at your leisure from Crissy Fields, a park which offers excellent views of both the bridge and Alcatraz.

Alternatively, hire a bike at Fisherman’s Wharf, traverse the 1.7 mile-long bridge, and spend the day exploring the coast on the far side of the bay. If you’ve got the energy, it’s even possible to get all the way to Muir Woods by bike, where you can explore the grove of giant sequoia trees.

Grab Lunch at Fisherman’s Wharf

Classic San Francisco destination, Fisherman’s Wharf has become something of a tourist trap in recent years. As the major jumping-off point for tours to Alcatraz, this bustling waterfront is often criticised for high prices and long queues.

However, despite the crowds, Fisherman’s Wharf is definitely worth a visit, if only to taste fresh crab or a delicious clam chowder from the street vendors. Don’t miss the noisy sea lions at Pier 39 – a unique attraction that should definitely be part of your San Francisco itinerary!

Wander Through Chinatown

San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the best places in the city to wander, explore, and eat to your heart’s content!

Leave space in your San Francisco itinerary for a meal here during your stay, and take advantage of the colourful shops and streets. If you love taking photos, you’ll be in your element.

Ride the Cable Cars

Did you even visit San Francisco if you didn’t ride one of the city’s iconic streetcars?

They transport passengers across the city, all the way from Union Square up to the top of Nob Hill. Atmospheric, creaking and beautifully decorated, a ride on the cable cars is one of the most unusual things to do in San Francisco.

The Powell-Hyde line will take you from Fisherman’s Wharf past some of the city’s most iconic sights. Don’t miss Lombard Street too, the famous flower-clad hill known for its sharp hairpin bends.

Admire Coit Tower

Perched on the top of Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower is one of the city’s most famous landmarks.

Ascend the tower for a fabulous panorama of the city and the bay, or stay at ground level to admire the murals that adorn the base – painted by local artists during the Great Depression of the early 1930s.

Take a trip to Alcatraz

While spending the morning doing an audio tour of a former prison might not sound like a reason to get out of bed, you can’t visit San Francisco and not take the trip to Alcatraz. It was a real highlight for me.

Be sure to book in advance as a lot of the slots sell out. The tour offers a fascinating insight into the various attempted escapes and the big name criminals who used to be imprisoned there. It’s pretty eerie, but will definitely strike a chord.

Eat a Burrito in the Mission District

After a busy day exploring some of the most popular tourist attractions in San Francisco, head to the Mission District for great views over the city from Dolores Park, and some of the best Mexican food you’ll taste in California.

This trendy, diverse neighbourhood offers buzzing nightlife, as well as some of the city’s best bookshops, and vintage clothing stores. When I visited I went on a great food tour , during which I learned all about the history of the area and tasted some incredible and diverse cuisine. I’d definitely recommend adding that to your San Francisco itinerary if you have time.

Chill out in the Golden Gate Park

The Golden Gate Park is a lovely place to spend an afternoon. It features a traditional Japanese tea garden, a beautiful arboretum and several museums, all surrounded by tranquil walking trails.

Don’t miss the California Academy of Sciences – one of the most eco-friendly museums in the world! This vast park is a wonderful place to come in spring and summer, when it’s decorated with colourful flowers in full bloom.

Explore Haight-Ashbury

San Francisco is synonymous with the hippie movement of the 1960s, and Haight-Ashbury is where it all began. Although it’s become somewhat gentrified in recent years, this iconic neighbourhood still belongs on any San Francisco itinerary.

You’ll find vintage bookshops, cool cocktail bars, and colourful painted houses (including the former home of the band members of the Grateful Dead!).

Party in the Castro

Top off your San Francisco itinerary with a night out in the rainbow-clad streets of the Castro.

Home of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, this vibrant part of the city is a wonderful place to explore. You’ll find thrift stores, vintage clothes, bars, and clubs – everyone is welcome and you’ll be in for a fabulous night out.

Stay at a Luxurious Hotel in San Francisco

Palace hotel.

Located in downtown San Francisco, just off Market Street, the Palace Hotel is one of the city’s most glittering jewels. This stunning hotel is decorated in the Beaux Arts style, and has hosted plenty of Hollywood stars and international celebrities over the years.

You’ll find a restaurant decked out in glittering chandeliers and a beautiful domed ceiling, a state-of-the-art spa, and some of the most luxurious rooms in the city.

Check availability and latest prices at the Palace Hotel here

Huntington Hotel

Located in a great location in Nob Hill, the Huntington Hotel is one of San Francisco’s classiest offerings.

This luxury hotel offers spacious rooms and an uber-cool piano bar with regular live music. If long days of sightseeing have worn you out, take advantage of the wonderful spa facilities – the ideal way to unwind during your San Francisco travel itinerary.

Check availability and latest prices at Huntington Hotel here

Loews Regency San Francisco Hotel

The Loews Regency San Francisco Hotel offers, without doubt, the best view of any hotel in San Francisco.

With stunning vistas over the bay and the bridge (the hotel even provides binoculars so you can really make the most of it), it’s hard to beat for location.

What’s more, the service is warm, friendly and attentive, and the hotel has everything you might expect from a luxury place to stay. The ideal spot for those seeking a little luxury in a memorable location.

Check availability and latest prices at Loews Regency San Francisco Hotel here

Search for other hotels in San Francisco using this handy map

Tours in san francisco, straight to the gate: escape from the rock bay cruise.

Alatraz is one of San Francisco’s most notorious monuments, an impenetrable prison located on an offshore island, once home to some of America’s most dangerous and deadly criminals.

This cruise circles the island, giving you the best view of the city, the bridges and the island itself, and you’ll be entertained along the way with some gruesome stories of escape attempts over the decades.

Check prices and availability here

Redwoods and Wine Country

San Francisco offers easy access to some of California’s most beautiful natural spots, and this tour is a great way to experience the best marriage between nature and culture.

In the morning you’ll explore the Redwood Forests, filled with towering, gargantuan redwoods. In the afternoon, you’ll tour some of the Napa Valley’s best vineyards, sampling some wine and learning more about this diverse industry.

Looking for other cool places to visit in California? Don’t forget to check out my Los Angeles itinerary , which is packed full of amazing food recommendations, fun day trips and great views.  

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Chloe Gunning

With a passion for food, fun and adventure, Chloe is the content creator behind one of the UK's top travel blogs Wanderlust Chloe. From volcano boarding in Nicaragua, to sailing around Sicily and eating her way around Japan, her travels have taken her to some of the coolest spots on the planet. Named Travel Influencer of the Year in 2022, Chloe regularly works with a number of tourism boards, producing inspirational travel content across multiple platforms. Find out more about Chloe here.

1 thought on “The Ultimate San Francisco Itinerary”

About two years ago I visited San Francisco for the first time – it was amazing. Think I covered mostly everything in your itinerary. I didn’t see Redwoods Forest though which was a shame!

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San Francisco: Travel Diary (Vlog Included)

Check Out My Vlog on YouTube

A weekend away.

It didn't take long for San Francisco to become mine and Kirby's favorite city to visit in the states. The first time we were there we wanted to move within about and hour... Until we saw rent prices were double what Denver was. Short lived dream, but we did know we loved the area and couldn't wait to explore. It's a colorful city, with tons of life and a ton to do/see. This most recent San Francisco Travel Diary is much more relaxed than the one with family while still fitting in a few must visit spots.

Our first trip there was with family while this second trip was just us two (after Kirby attended Dreamforce last year) so we were happy to get two different experiences all in the same place. I had done a previous post on New Year, New Adventures  that highlighted our trip over New Year's Eve 2016 with the family. We visited Redwood Forest (In a limo, no joke), Sonoma for lots of wine and even got to tour Alcatraz Island which was way cooler than I expected. 

SHOP ALL OF MY LOOKS

For The Love of Travel

Like I stated above, Kirby was invited to Dreamforce last year which is a week long event held right in San Francisco. Of course, I knew I was going to meet him there the second he got invite because why not? Traveling is one of our favorite things to do together and any opportunity that we get we totally jump at. There is just something about traveling the world with your loved one that gives you the most magical feeling.

The funny thing is, when I arrived in San Francisco Thursday we were both so tired after such busy weeks that we stayed in at the hotel and ordered a pizza. Looking back I still laugh, but it was actually really fun and something we've never done before in any place we've visited. I guess sometimes you just need to stop and chill with the one you love most even if it is a a completely different and super cool city.  

We are living our adventure  

Our days we're definitely packed, but going at a pace we choose instead of keeping up with 8 of my family members gives off a much different vibe. Don't get me wrong, traveling with my huge family is a ton of fun, but its so different when it's just Kirby and I. We made a pack to skip the Ubers and walk everywhere which definitely pushed us into scenes we never would have found without walking. For instance, we stumbled upon the movie Ant Man 2 being filmed which was such a big production for what seemed like such a small scene. We also walked from our hotel to the Painted Ladies and all the way back down to the bay which became exhausting, but we passed such amazing neighborhoods and spots that we had never heard of and had so much fun exploring them.

Two things we obviously made time for: the famous Irish coffee's at The Buena Vista and of course, In-N-Out burger (no shame). It was so fun just exploring the city one block at a time and we felt like we were really able to take in the culture and the vibe the city gave off by walking everywhere.

Colorful San Francisco

It was a really special and fun weekend that we truly didn't have anything planned for which made it that much more awesome. Traveling with Kirby is honestly one of my favorite things to do. We have the same laid back attitude, but both always want to make the most of our time so our trips are full of new things, lots of laughter and constant wandering down different streets and into new restaurants.

Another funny thing hat happened was we actually ended up at the same restaurant in China Town that we did with my family and one of the same Italian Restaurants. So I guess my statement sounds weird, but I swear its usually all new and random things. The Italian restaurant was by complete accident and we didn't even realize until Kirby went in to use the restroom and we just laughed. What are you going to do? The food was just that good haha!

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This site is absolutely fabulous!

Nicely put together! SF sightseeing rarely disappoints.

What are you searching for?

Weekend in San Francisco: My 2nd Vlog

My new favorite travel app: detour.

But while I was walking around those same areas, I did actually learn a lot more about them. And that was because of this new app Detour that I happen to discover when I was reading online about things to do in San Francisco.

I love exploring a city on foot. But there’s only so much you can learn about a city by reading a travel guide. That’s why tours with a local are often great. But then you have to find one, sign up for a tour and be at a specific time and place to meet them. Not ideal when I don’t have much time and don’t know exactly what my day is going to look like.

So what Detour does is it offers ten walking tours in different neighborhoods, on your phone. It’s pre-recorded, but because of GPS they know exactly where you are, what walking directions to give you and what story to tell you when. After the first five minutes I wished I had more time so I could do them all. They’re fantastic.

I did two of them, ‘Beyond the Painted Ladies’ and ‘Haight-Ashbury’ (with actor Peter Coyote as your tour guide). Both take about an hour, and I learned so much about the history and the people, interesting things that happened in certain houses that you otherwise would have never known. Or they tell you to go into a building that doesn’t seem to look that interesting, to find a hidden gem on the inside. I loved it!

San Francisco is the first city with these tours, but they’re launching other cities around the world soon.

Okay, so now here it is: my San Francisco travel vlog. Enjoy (better in HD!)

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San francisco travel blog — the fullest san francisco travel guide for a great trip for first-timers.

San Francisco, a city that feels close to anyone coming here, is located at the tip of a peninsula between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Coast. Many tourists who traveled here share the same comment that having not visited San Francisco is like not coming to America. Because this place is known as the most attractive city on the West Coast of America, there are many beauftiful places to visit. San Francisco is famous for its summer fog, Victorian architecture, cable car and stunning views. So, what to do and how to visit San Francisco? Let’s check out our San Francisco travel blog (San Francisco blog) with the fullest San Francisco travel guide (San Francisco guide) from how to get there, where to stay, top things to do, best places to visit … to clear the answer!

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San Francisco travel blog: Overview of San Francisco

San Francisco is the leading cultural and financial center of Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area, USA. This is one of the most visited cities in the world. According to historical records, the city of San Francisco dates back to 3000 BC. Currently, San Francisco has an area of ​​about 121.4 square kilometers with approximately 900 thousand residents. San Francisco is famous for its cool, foggy in summer, steep hills, diversity in architecture and unique landscapes such as the Golden Gate Bridge, the old prison on Alcatraz Island or Chinatown …

People often say, “Only in San Francisco” has a reason for it. Well-known for its diverse culture, music and picturesque scenery, San Francisco is an inspiring city that attracts many visitors from all over the world to visit. Here you will see various mixed styles, from Hippie people to university students and other cultures (French, Spain, Asian, Latino…). San Francisco is one of the most exciting and great cities in America and it is also the most expensive city in America.

Read more: San Francisco itinerary 3 days — What to do in San Francisco in 3 days & How to spend 3 days in San Francisco?

San Francisco travel guide: Is San Francisco traveling safe?

San Francisco is a dynamic but quite complicated city, and full of dangers like Los Angeles. Especially when we went to the subway station in downtown. OMG, this place is extremely messy because tourists are crowded and homeless people are no less crowded. As far as I know, there are nearly ten thousand homeless people in San Francisco, so you can meet them anywhere, especially downtown area. And you must be extremely careful when strangers come enthusiastically to guide the directions, like us, when we just got off the subway, they came and ask where to go and give directions, so I thought they helped us, but when we said thanks, they ask for money. Not to mention that some people ask for money, we did not give, then they were following and cursing. In this case, we also dare not say anything, just quietly go quickly and find ways to avoid crowded places like this.

San Francisco blog: When to visit?

San Francisco’s climatic character is reflected in writer Mark Twain’s quote “The coldest winter I have ever experienced is a summer in San Francisco”.

The city is endowed with a Mediterranean-like climate, characterized by mild, humid winters and warm, dry summers. Because its three sides are surrounded by sea, the climate of San Francisco that is strongly influenced by the cold ocean currents of the Pacific tends to be less different in terms of climate between the seasons.

The average temperature in summer: Highest: 70°F (21°C) and lowest 20°F (9°C). In winter, the highest temperature is 60°F (15°C) and the lowest temperature never reaches freezing. The combination of the cold seawater and the heat of continental California creates fog in the western half of the city in all day during the summer, with less fog in the east. There are about 160 clear days and 105 cloudy days a year.

The best time to visit San Francisco is spring or autumn (September to November). Coming here in the summer, you will experience exciting activities such as swimming, surfing, scuba diving … You should not travel to San Francisco in winter, although the cost may be cheaper but the inclement weather will interfere your trip.

San Francisco travel guide: How to get?

San Francisco International Airport (SFO), located 21 kilometers to the south of the city. Some airlines in Vietnam operating direct flights to San Francisco must be mentioned such as Vietnam Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Asiana Airlines …

• Hanoi – San Francisco (connecting flights) with fares ranging from $859.38 – $3,222.67. You can buy airline tickets such as Vietnam Airlines, American Airlines, ANA All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Asiana Airlines, Korean Air …
• Ho Chi Minh City – San Francisco (connecting flights) with the fares ranges from $730.69 – $3,440.97. You can buy tickets from some airlines such as: Philippine Airlines, American Airlines, ANA All Nippon Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Japan Airlines, EVA Airways …

How to get from San Jose to San Francisco?

From San Jose you can take a free bus to the train station to get to San Francisco. We take the Dash bus number 201. Note: only the bus with word “Dash” take you to the station, do not be confused with other buses.

Then from the station you can take the Caltrain’s train from San Jose to San Francisco costs $10.5 per person and takes about 1 hour 30 to 1 hour 45 minutes to arrive. This fare is valid for 4 hours, which means if you buy the ticket at 11AM, you have to take the train at that time until you get off the train at 3pm will expire, so during this time instead of going straight to San Francisco, you can get off at the mid-road stations to visit, such as stop by Redwood city, then catch the next train to continue going to San Francisco.

The ticket cannot be pre-purchased but must be purchased within the same day. That means you have to use it immediately. Every 30-45 minutes there will be 1 trip from San Jose to San Francisco.

From the Caltrain train station to the hotel, you have many options. If you have abundant time like us, you can take the bus, train, high-speed train, subway … But before take public transport to your hotel, you have to walk across the street, the opposite side Caltrain train station to catch N train.

Note: If you do not see the security guard to ask, you should try to find them, do not ask the stranger lest you get in trouble. This is also the advice of the guard I asked, she wrote the instructions very detailed on a paper, I went straight to my hotel just thanks to her guide without asking anyone else.

Getting from downtown San Francisco to the airport

To getting from the city center to the airport you can choose shuttle that pick you up at the hotel for 15 USD or take the train to the airport like us. Or go by BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) train, every 15 minutes with a trip, travel time to get to the airport about 30 minutes. Tickets can be purchased from BART vending ticket machines at subway stations, with a one-way fare of $9.65. After that, you will go to SFO by take the yellow train line, the last station is the airport so you can rest assured.

Check-in at the airport is also quite takes time, although the notice board opening check-in time was from 6am, so we queued long, but until 6:30am, the staff shows up and they finished pretty soon, so it’s best if you come 3 hours before flight time for the long-haul flight.

San Francisco guide: Public transportation in San Francisco

The public transport in San Francisco is quite developed, giving you many choices in moving from one street to another. You can choose public transport: F-Street Cars, Trains, Buses, Streetcars, Cable cars… in which, bus and cable car are the two most used means in this beautiful city.

• San Francisco CityPASS

You should buy MUNI tickets to use all public transport (except iconic cable cars). It covers 30 bus routes as well as subway services to all corners of the city. Ticket price: $1.5 / adult, children under 5 years old are free, and valid within 2 hours.

If you travel a lot, you should choose MUNI Passport , you can travel for free unlimited, applicable to all buses, street cars and cable car with its prices: $11 for 1 day passport, 18$ for 3 days, 24$ for 7 days. If you have any question, you can contact: +1 (1) 415 – 673 – MUNI or +1 (1) 415 – 673 – 6864.

F-Street car

The route starts from Castro Street and Market Street to Jones Street and Beach Street. The car runs from 6 am to midnight. Ticket price: $1.5/person/trip. For this type of vehicle you can also use the MUNI Passport.

This is a popular means of transportation in San Francisco, BART is The heavy rail elevated and subway system connects San Francisco with the East Bay, Oakland and surburbs. BART only runs until midnight. In the city center, BART trains run underground along Market Street. Contact phone number: +1 (1) 510 – 465 – 2278.

Serving route from San Francisco to Marin County and parts of Sonoma. Ferries depart from a wharf located at the end of Market Street to Larkspur and Sausalito. For more information call: +1 (1) 415 – 455 – 2000.

There are 3 routes running from 6:30 am to midnight. Ticket price: $5 / person (from 7AM – 9PM) and $1 for the rest of the day. There are two popular cable car routes:

• The Powell – Hyde (Line 60) runs from a terminal at Powell Street and Market Street, through Nob Hill and Russian Hill, to Hyde Street and Beach Street at Fisherman’s Wharf. See details here.
• The Powell – Mason (Line 59) also departs from a terminal at Powell Street and Market Street, via Nob Hill to North Beach to the Bay and Taylor at Fisherman’s Wharf. See details here.

San Francisco travel blog: Best places to visit and top things to do

From the downtown you can easily take the bus or other means to all the attractions in San Francisco.

This is an experience that no one definitely wants to miss when traveling to San Francisco, as these cable cars cover all routes of the city, and pass through many tourist attractions or beautiful landscapes with up and down slopes are very romantic. In downtown, I chose to take the cable car on the Powell-Mason Line 59, in near Powell Street and Market Street in downtown. If you could, you should wake up early to catch the trip at 7 a.m., even though we arrived at 7 a.m., but when we got there had to line up for an hour before our turn, during rush hours you might have to wait up to 3 hours. Of course, to take beautiful pictures and videos, you should enlist early to get the best seats in front.

Cable car ticket price: $7/trip or a one-day ticket is 20 USD.

Tips: You just sit and head to the Fisherman’s Wharf stop, not get off at the middle of the road, because it will be difficult to get on the next ones because they are always full. When you reach the last stop or choose to stop at Lombard Street, you can head up to explore this most beautiful, winding road.

Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, and Ghirardelli Square

This is an area covered with many rocks along the riverbank and is one of the most visited places in San Francisco. There are quite a few street art performers here, souvenir shops, and many upscale restaurants. This is an attractive place to visit and explore but do not eat here, the food is too expensive and not delicious.

Fisherman’s Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf is a good place for anyone who likes to eat seafood but the price is quite high, as far as I remember 1/2 lobster costs up to $25, excluding taxes, a portion of fish and chips is $17. There is also a sour bread with clam chowder that costs more than $8 per/portion. You can try the delicious fresh seafood in San Francisco, I really like to eat it at Waterbar and Anchor Oyster Bar.

Mechanical Museum: In Fisherman’s Wharf, there is also a museum of old games / equipment for you to visit and can be played for 25 cents or more per game.

Then we headed towards Pier 39, which is the busiest piers in the San Francisco, and there is also selling fresh fruit of farmers (this place is also known as the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market). I bought 2 oranges, 2 peaches, 12 strawberries, 4 figs for expensive price of $32, so to buy cheap fruit, you just go to Chinatown. For example, I paid $7 for 2 oranges at Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, but the previous day I bought it in Chinatown for only 82 cents.

Ferry tickets to gettingn around the bay are also available at Pier 39 to visit San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Prison with traveling time on board is 1-2 hours.

Mission Quarter

Mission District is the perfect place to visit at night. After a busy day of visiting, let come and relax in Dolores Park and enjoy stunning views of the city, tasting Mexican food, and relax at vibrant bars, clubs and food court.

Golden Gate Bridge

The very famous symbol all over the world of San Francisco. To get to the Golden Gate Bridge, we took the blue tram from Pier 39 towards Fisherman’s Wharf. Then continue to took the red bus No. 28, this is the easiest route to go because the bus only stops at the Golden gate bridge. To the last stop you just step down to visit. You should come here in the afternoon to be able to see the bridge in the beauty of the day and in the evening, each time has its own beauty.

Note: The wind here is very strong and with the addition of sea smoke from the sea, so remember to bring your jacket to keep warm.

Golden Gate Park

You also should spend a day to explore Golden Gate Park, visit Rose Garden, Japanese tea garden, De Young museum, and many trekking, hiking trails… MUNI bus number 28 with the last stop is Road 19 will stop at Park Presidio Boulevard and Fulton street, from here you walk through Rose Garden and turn left at John F. Kennedy Drive to get to the De Young museum.

With a length of 3 miles stretching about 30 blocks (units of measure) towards the sea, this park is 20% larger than New York Central Park. If you walk through the park it will take about half a day.

The Palace Of Fine Arts

This Roman-style art palace is a remnant of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. This is one of the most photographed spots in San Francisco.

Address: 3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123, United States Opened: 1915 Hours: 10AM–5PM/Monday: Closed

Besides Chinatown in New York, this is the famous and largest Chinatown in America. The first Chinese immigrants arrived on the west coast and opened stores in San Francisco. Because of the racial segregation, this neighborhood has become an all-Chinese neighborhood, and even though the racism had been abolished, the area is still only Chinese. Chinatown is a great place to enjoy Chinese food. There are also teahouses, bars, souvenir shops, and cookies. Well, on Stockton Street there is a lot of food and fruit.

You can take bus number 30 to get to Chinatown. To get back to downtown and end the day in San Francisco, you can take bus 30 to Powell Street.

Take a ferry around the Bay

Let take a ferry and cruising around the bay in the afternoon to see the city from the water. You will take a lot of beautiful photos, learn more information about the bay or wildlife and river life. There are many tourist businesses here, but the economical way to visit the harbor is to use a public ferry for about 7 USD. You can refer to the prices and routes in advance on the website of the ferries.

Castro District

Castro is a gay area in San Francisco and a great place to go out at night. This area has a number of ethnic and modern restaurants that serve quite famous organic food.

Haight Ashbury District

As the birthplace of the anti-cultural movement in America, Haight became a vacant lot during the summer of 1967, also known as the Summer of Love. The Hippies used to live here, but since the young people moved in, they bought all the colorful houses in Haight-Ashbury and replaced the old shops into upscale and most modern boutiques, restaurants and cafes.

Transamerica Pyramid

Is the tallest skyscraper in San Francisco. Located in the heart of the financial district, another famous landmark of San Francisco apart from Golden Gate Bridge.

Lombard Street

When riding a cable car, you definitely will recognize Lombard Street and find it the most winding road in the world. Watching cars and bicycles alternately move through the zigzag-shaped road is also a pretty enjoyable experience.

One more landmark of the city is the Coit Tower, located at the top of the Telegraph hill. Built in 1933 with the main purpose to adorn the city, Coit tower walls are painted by 27 paintings by contemporary artists. From the top of the tower, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city (ticket to the top of the tower is 8 USD). If you do not want to spend money for the ticket, you can also explore the grandeur of the monuments and paintings painted on the walls.

Alcatraz Prison

This is an old federal prison on Alcatraz Island, where the most serious criminal inmates in America are held. The prison closed in 1970 and became a national monument where everyone can visit. There is no fee to visit the island, but you have to pay to take a boat to get there. I recommend you take a tour, go to meet the site manager for more interesting information about this island. You should book a ferry early to reach the island if you travel in the summer because this season is quite crowded (Daytime ticket is $36 USD, night is $43).

Crissy Field

If you walk along the harbor towards the center of town, you will find a park with stretch of beach and restaurants, fishing docks and discus play areas, locals jogging, dog walking, or lying on the beach. Here you also get a panoramic view of the harbor.

Quite close to the city center, Napa and Sonoma are world-famous as wine lands, if you like wine and have time, give it a try. There are many day trips to the Napa valley, but you should try to stay and explore one night here, which is very enjoyable.

Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods is the closest area to San Francisco where you can see the giant maple trees. You won’t find large conifer trees here (only available in Sequoia National Park but quite far away). However, if you want to explore the green areas near the center then this is a great suggestion.

Just cross the Bay Bridge from San Francisco (about 5 minutes drive) to reach Oakland. With its own history and culture (including arts, music, festivals, food, and sports teams), Oakland is famous for its hippie and bars and specialty restaurants. You will explore many things if you stay here for a day or two.

Across the bay and near Oakland is the exciting city of Berkeley: Home to music, hippies, students, and left-wing college of Berkeley. There are many vegetarian restaurants, street art performances, and eclectic shops (including jewelry shops and other street items).

San Francisco blog: What to eat?

Dungeness crab.

One of the most legendary foods in San Francisco is Dungeness crab. You can go to Crab House at Pier 39 to enjoy the best Dungeness crab in the city.

Pizza is a famous dish of San Francisco people. You can easily buy pizzas in the food stores of the city.

San Francisco is widely known for its international culinary culture. And Thai food is no exception. The city has many restaurants for you to enjoy great Thai curries and delicious pad Thai.

Ghirardelli Ice Cream

The ice cream here is extremely delicious, guys. At Ghirardelli, remember to order Banana Split to try (this dish here is also called the Golden Gate). If you go with two of you, you should only order one part is enough, because they also promote two more chocolate ice cream. In addition to ice cream, Ghiraredelli is also famous for its chocolate, also yummy.

Address: 2 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105, United States

Dining at Ferry Building

Ferry building is one of the top culinary paradise worth trying in San Francisco. There are usually lots of food and drink stalls outside the building, and a farmer’s market on weekends. Inside the building, you will find a restaurant or a food court that sells local dishes, as well as cheese stalls, wine bar, and more.

Address: 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94111, United States Hours: 7AM–10PM

Relax with alcohol drinks

After all the exploration trips, you should not miss the moment enjoying the great taste of beer at regional breweries. There are also many bars and beer clubs in the center. Mission and Castro neighborhoods are two of the best nightlife venues.

Japanese neighborhood

There are delicious sushi here, popular with Japanese and Korean food. Shabu Sen restaurant has delicious ramen you should not miss!

Note: Food costs in the US are quite expensive. A normal meal (for example in Mc’s Donald) costs about $5 – $10, but if you eat in other restaurants, in addition to the cost of the meal, you have to tip 5 – 10% because this is American culture. In short, if you eat out, you will likely spend 50 – 100 USD for food every day!

San Francisco travel guide: Shopping

Shopping in San Francisco is very convenient. Nordstrom Rack (Address: 901 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States) has a lot of discounted brand items, from a few tens to thousands of dollars per each. Macy’s (Men and Women) right in the city center, near Union Square filled with clothes and cosmetics, the price isn’t too expensive either. Bloomingdale’s on Market Street are just as plentiful, but there may be more premium brands with higher of prices compare with Macy’s. In addition, on Market Street, there are various stores of clothing, shoes, accessories, supplements.

You can also buy essential items at Target on Mission Street, with the symbol of a red-white circle-shaped with red dot at center, exactly like the meaning of the its name (target). For electronics, Best Buy is a true paradise, at 13th Street and Harrison Street, take the bus number 49 to street 14th Street and walk down to 13th Street to come. There are also iPhone, iPad, smartphone, laptop, all kinds of accessories for electronics, cameras … However, the price is not very cheap. After buying, if you don’t like, it can be returned, but it seems like no more than 3 times. In general, the culture in America is that after you buy, and do not like, let keep the label, the invoice, easy to return, get refund to your credit card or in cash. That’s why I told you will crazy with shopping.

If you want to buy medicine and supplements, you should go to Costco (Address: 450 10th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States) , waiting for their promotions. For clothing, shoes and bags are the easiest to buy at outlets, otherwise wait every month in 1 or 2 days, the shopping malls will have discount programs, tourists are normally given a voucher of 10% discount, you remember to go upstairs of Macy’s and Bloomingdale and ask Customer Service, show your passport and receive the voucher.

City Lights Bookstore (Address: 261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States) still owned by the talented poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti is also worth a tour and chooses to buy some of the best books for your favorite genre.

Some souvenirs you should buy for loved ones are: San Francisco Pictures, Keychains, Postcards, Golden Gate Bridge model, T-shirts, or paintings, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Canned Fog, Napa and Sonoma Wine.

San Francisco travel blog: Where to stay?

Below we recommend more best cheap, budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Staypineapple, An Elegant Hotel, Union Square , a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $149/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Fairmont San Francisco , a top rated 5-star hotel with room rates from $325/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Club Quarters Hotel in San Francisco , a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $99/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• San Francisco Marriott Marquis , a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $159/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Grand Hyatt San Francisco Union Square , a top rated 4-star hotel with room rates from $159/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

You can find more, check rates, availability & book for hotels in this city on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

San Francisco travel blog: Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to San Francisco you can refer to

• San Francisco Grand City Tour (with Optional Muir Woods and Sausalito Combo Tour)
• Go San Francisco – All Inclusive Pass
• San Francisco Mega Pass
• Go San Francisco – Explorer Pass
• San Francisco City Tour & Golden Gate Bay Cruise
• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Ticket
• Golden Gate Bay Cruise
• San Francisco: 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat
• San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise
• San Francisco Zoo Admission Ticket
• San Francisco: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour
• San Francisco: Half-Day Wine Country Excursion with Tastings
• SF: Alcatraz Ticket w/ 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Night Tour
• San Francisco: Yosemite National Park & Giant Sequoias Hike
• San Francisco: California Sunset Boat Cruise
• San Francisco: Muir Woods, Giant Redwoods, & Sausalito Tour
• GoCar Tour: Golden Gate Bridge & Lombard Loop
• San Francisco: Muir Woods Redwoods and Wine Country Tour
• From San Francisco: Muir Woods and Sausalito Half-Day Trip

Are you looking for more top things to do in San Francisco: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here . And San Francisco itinerary 3 days — What to do in San Francisco in 3 days & How to spend 3 days in San Francisco?

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CALIFORNIA , NORTH AMERICA , SAN FRANCISCO , UNITED STATES · March 16, 2018 Last Updated on March 14, 2024

10 AWESOME EXPERIENCES NOT TO MISS IN SAN FRANCISCO

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive a small commission when you make a purchase using our link.

They say it takes a lifetime to truly experience the beauty of California! After visiting San Francisco recently, I can wholeheartedly believe that it will take at least half of one to see just the city of San Francisco!

Silicon Valley, the beautiful flora and fauna, and the hippie movement have all molded San Francisco into a uniquely diverse city and it’s one of the best cities I have ever been to.

In this post, I am putting together a list of 10 awesome experiences that you should not miss when you visit San Francisco.

1) WATCH THE SUNRISE OVER THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

Visiting the Golden Gate Bridge must be at the top of your list already and you must be aware that there are multiple viewpoints from which you can admire this beauty. But watching the sunrise from the Battery Spencer observation deck is a whole new experience altogether! 

Fog is a natural, beautiful and rather famous weather phenomenon, not only in San Francisco, but across the entire stretch of coastal California. Watching the sunrise from Battery Spencer (which is a viewpoint at an elevation) ensures there are more chances for spotting fog underneath the already beautiful bridge – the whole experience is surreal!

HOW TO GET TO BATTERY SPENCER

To get to Battery Spencer from the city, you can take the Sausalito-Alexander Ave from the 101 freeway. From there, Follow Bunker Road until you make a left on McCullough Road. Finally, follow the roundabout and take the 3rd exit to Conzelman Road, which you can follow all the way to the dirt parking lot.

There are 2 dirt lots, so if you don’t find parking at the first one you can continue a little longer to the 2nd parking lot.

You can also take public transportation to get you close to the viewpoint. Check the bus schedules, but you can take the 76X-Marin Headlands Express muni bus and get off at the Conzelman Rd & Kirby Cove Rd stop. From there it is a short walk to the Battery Spender viewpoint!

2) TASTE SOME HIGH-QUALITY CALIFORNIA WINE IN NAPA

Did you know if California were a separate country, it would be the fourth largest wine producer in the world, and that 90% of the wine consumed in the United States is from California?

More than the actual wine itself, wine-tasting in Napa Valley  and Sonoma Wine county of California is an experience in itself. These two regions have grape fields stretching for miles together and have a lot of wineries, which offer varied wine tasting tours for visitors. Ensure you book a slot and sip some tasty wine! 

You can easily drive to the wineries yourself, but if you want to be able to really partake in wine tasting safely without worrying about driving, there are plenty of tours you can book who will arrange the wineries and transportation for you! Some well reviewed wine tours from San Francisco include:

• Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco
• Napa Wine Tour With Castello Di Amorosa
• Wine Country by Helicopter with Tastings

3) RIDE THE LAST MANUALLY OPERATED CABLE CAR

San Francisco’s cable car system is the world’s last manually operated cable system and riding in this across the hilly roads of San Francisco will make you feel like you are riding a toy train in a fairy land! This is one of the iconic moments you should definitely experience if you ever visit San Francisco.

There are three lines operated today so choose the one that will suit you if you want to use it as a commute.

If you are riding the car just for the experience, I would urge you take the cable car near Union Square, so you can get the best seats or best foot-board stops if you choose to ride the car from the outside! Do not mind the long queues at Union Square for you will also get to see the Cable car turnaround (where the cars are changed tracks every single time they make their trip back!).

It’s good entertainment you will not get anywhere else, even on the other stops.

Our Top Places To Stay In San Francisco :

• Omni San Francisco
• Hotel Nikko San Francisco
• Huntington Hotel
• The Donatello Hotel

4) TREK AMIDST THE GIANT SEQUOIA TREES 

If you don’t have time to visit the giant sequoia trees in Sequoia National Park or Yosemite, don’t worry! You can have a taste of all that at a 16 mile distance from San Francisco at the Muir Woods National Monument !

The giant sequoia trees, their significance to California, the history of this national monument and other valuable information will be included in the free tours organized by the park. Don’t forget to take a small trek amidst the giant sequoias – you will love it!

You can either drive to Muir Woods yourself or book a tour that includes transportation and your entrance fee to the park as well.

5) TAKE A STROLL THROUGH LITTLE ITALY

Take a nice long walk from Grace Cathedral in Nobb Hill and cross China Town to finish at Little Italy’s beautiful Saints Peter & Paul Church. You will see how the landscapes and neighbourhoods change drastically all in one long stroll!

By the time you finish your long walk, you will be in the mood for  Tony’s Pizza Napoletana right in front of Saints Peter & Paul Church! You will be surprised to see the long queues outside the pizzeria waiting to be seated inside and people munching on America’s Best Pizzas (Forbes listed) seated in chairs outside the pizzeria, without worrying about the California sun.

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6) SPEND THE DAY IN FISHERMAN’S WHARF

The Northern waterfront area is where Fisherman’s Wharf is situated and this houses a cluster of tourist attractions that you wouldn’t want to miss: Pier 39 , Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, Maritime National Museum along with innumerable shops selling sumptuous food and heaps of souvenirs for you to grab, and Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge on the Pacific at the other side of the wharf! 

Half a day in the neighborhood and the other half for a Golden Gate Bridge cruise and Alcatraz tour will be a perfect day along the ocean! Watching the cute sea lions lazing in the Pier, gorging on fresh seafood at the wharf, taking a Golden Gate Bridge cruise, and tasting a yummy chocolate sundae at Ghirardelli Square are experiences that will make your day memorable!

7) WATCH THE SUNSET AT TWIN PEAKS

If Battery Spencer offers the best sunrise views of Golden Gate bridge, Twin Peaks sunsets have a different type of beauty to them! Drive up to the peaks around half an hour before sunset and you can see the city come to life and the city-buzz taking its full form, with thousands of lights lighting up and the sunlight slowly fading away in the background.

It’s a truly beautiful sight and the experience will be a perfect way to end a busy day in the city. Driving slightly before sunrise will also help you secure a parking spot at the hilltop.

8) RELAX IN GOLDEN GATE PARK 

The Golden Gate Park is a mini-California in itself that will take a long time for you to actually finish seeing. This park is a little over 1000 acres in area, which is around 20% larger than New York’s Central Park!

This humongous park houses De-Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences (two architectural marvels) and a Japanese Tea Garden which are all attractions in themselves!

Pick and choose what you want to do here based on the time you have; I would recommend you do the Japanese Tea Garden if you have time for only one attraction. Look for the free guided tours organized by the garden to better understand the garden’s structure and the authentic beauty of a Japanese Tea Garden.

9) THRIFT-SHOP FOR VINTAGE BEAUTIES 

The neighbourhood of Haight-Ashbury has a deep-rooted history and this place is the origin of the hippie counterculture! It’s filled with a lot of vintage inspired hotels, murals, and restaurants.

M ore importantly, you will see some of the best vintage thrift shops where you can get everything from gorgeous Nordic sweaters to Victorian jewelry. There are even Tibetan clothing stores and clothing & shoe stores of upcoming designers at competitive prices.

Go early in the day, wearing your comfortable clothing and take all your money with you!

Haight-Ashbury is also home to some of the best quick food in San Francisco. Be sure to check out Street Taco, Veganburg, and Parada 22 for some great lunch meals.

10) GO RESTAURANT HOPPING IN MISSION DISTRICT

You have probably heard a lot of great things about the murals in Mission District, but Mission District doesn’t only stand for its murals: the free-spirited vibe that’s prevalent across San Francisco resonates at Mission District much more strongly and the restaurants here keep up to it as well!

So go restaurant-hopping in San Francisco, particularly in Mission District, which is filled with restaurants whose cuisines are fresh, indomitable, and lively. There is a twist, either in the menu or in the décor or both.

If you like fusion food, it’s the best here – even if you are not so fond of it, I urge you to try it here! I tried a Michelin-star restaurant, a gastro-pub and a Latin-American restaurant all in Mission District and what was a common chord in all three was how distinct they all were in whatever they do (and how they were refreshingly good at it).

Some of the best restaurants in the Mission district include Lolo, Flour + Water, and Delfina. And don’t forget to wait in line at the famous Bi-Rite Creamery & Bakeshop for some of the best ice cream you’ve ever had!

SAN FRANCISCO WRAP UP

A lot of people say San Francisco is the new New York of the West Coast. While the fleeting statement might be controversial and slightly far-fetched, I felt at least in terms of sightseeing, options are aplenty in this Californian city, just like New York!

If you have more time you can take road trips from San Francisco or indulge in spending more time in the city itself, just people-watching! I wish that you travel to this beautiful city soon and get to experience everything I have mentioned and much more.

We hope that this article has helped inspire you to visit San Francisco. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.

Want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Go to our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.

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• The Best AirBnBs For Groups In San Francisco

Read More About California 

• 7 Budget-Friendly Activities In San Francisco
• 5 Must Do’s In Healdsburg, California
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We Are Travel Girls Contributor Iyswarya Abayamani Of TheSurrealSagittarian.com   Connect with Iyswarya  Instagram  | Facebook

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Discover the allure of San Francisco in this video

Here's why travelers leave their hearts in this California city.

In 1967 nearly 100,000 people flooded San Francisco ’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, creating a movement now dubbed the Summer of Love . More than five decades later, travelers still head to Haight Street, home to vegetarian cafés, smoke shops, and a sprawling Amoeba Music.

San Francisco isn’t exactly hippie headquarters anymore. Tech moguls moved in, housing prices have skyrocketed (making San Fran one of the most expensive cities in the United States), and high-rises are reshaping the downtown skyline. (Discover where to get amazing views .)

But even with all the changes over the past 50 some years, there’s still plenty to love about California’s City by the Bay. 

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FASHION | MODELING | LIFESTYLE

Recently, I started to make videos as a way to improve my confidence in front of the camera, especially the talking parts. I also found making videos a more efficient way of showing the audience what happened.

July 4th 2019, I traveled to San Francisco from Irvine. The entire trip was a blast with awesome food, gorgeous views, friendly locals, and more. The essence is in this vlog video and I hope you can enjoy it. 😀

Which place do you want to travel to the most if you get a week off!? Let me know your thoughts and maybe I will make it my next destination :D.

All Comments are Welcomed

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Long Weekend: San Francisco

Golden Gates and impenetrable prisons aside, this city of hippies and hipsters has everything from beaches to blues bars to keep you entertained. Daniel Watson-Weller, of SOSF tours , shares his tips for a wild weekend in San Fran.

San Francisco is a stunning, creative, organic, funky and wild city. Gold brought thousands of adventurous souls to create a city which now tweets to the new tech industry. San Francisco has its icons, its landscapes, its architecture but it also has its unique personality. Currently this personality is revealed as you view the people, sipping their organic sustainable, dripped just for you cup of coffee. This personality stops you on the street smiles and asks if you need help. At the same time this personality can be the crazy person talking to no in particular while walking down Market street…

Doing a grand tour of the United States ? Don’t forget we’ve also got city guides to New York , Chicago , LA , Indianapolis … and more to come !

Enjoyed this? Please share...

Current version updated on January 16th, 2019

First published on May 2nd, 2018

Posted in City Guide with destination tags San Francisco , USA

3 thoughts on “ Long Weekend: San Francisco ”

Which is most popular festival or event in San Francisco and which is best tourist spot when i go in summer …

Ongoing Events in San Francisco is Cherry Blossom Festival on April 9-10 and April 16-17, 2016.

Also the Great Dickens Christmas Fair is coming too

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The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in San Francisco

Travel + Leisure is exploring America one three-day weekend at a time. Here’s what to do on a short trip to the City by the Bay.

If you don’t plan well, a weekend vacation in San Francisco can be marked by wrong turns, windy walks across the Golden Gate Bridge, and waiting in lines at all the wrong places. Go in September, and you’re already on the right track—it’s the most reliable month for mild, sunny weather. And while each neighborhood is said to have its own weather microclimate, each has its own cultural climate as well. In a strategically planned weekend like this, you can hit the best neighborhoods (and attractions) for a comprehensive view of the quickly changing city’s cultures—from techie SoMa, to the windswept coast, to the hip Mission District.

Start your weekend in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood, a swift BART ride from SFO. A block from Montgomery Station lies the Palace Hotel. The city’s historic hotel first opened in 1875, and was once the largest luxury hotel in the world. Recently it’s undergone a massive renovation (and now part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection), bringing it into the modern age while still keeping its ritzy gold-and-glass charm. Head to the opulent Garden Court atrium, where a white-linen brunch is served beneath a dozen chandeliers.

Beyond the Palace walls is San Francisco’s modern era of tech, art, and unabashed gourmet gluttony.

After being closed for two years, SFMoMa re-opened this spring. It’s now more than twice the size of the former one, for more world-class modern art in an architectural space that serves as a piece of art itself.

Recoup with dinner a few blocks east at Mourad , a new ultra modern Moroccan-California restaurant that could be mistaken for an off-site SFMoMa exhibit. Hold out for the flaky basteeya, with duck, aprium, and lemon verbena. Indulge in a nightcap back at the Palace Hotel’s Pied Piper bar, where longtime locals are always eager to chat up a visitor over a drink.

San Francisco’s Outer Sunset neighborhood is still flying under the radar for most travelers, but locals trek across the city to this slow-paced enclave for its mellow vibe. A grid of colorful townhouses gives way to Noriega Street, one the neighborhood’s pedestrian streets. Begin with breakfast at Devil’s Teeth Baking Company , where surfers stand in line for breakfast sandwiches with homemade biscuits. Walk it off on the way to the beach, but first, make a pit stop a few blocks down at General Store on Judah Street, a destination shop selling modern ceramic and woven fixtures, textiles, and a makeshift apothecary in a Kinfolk -esque space (don’t miss the garden patio and greenhouse in the back).

From there, make your way three blocks to Ocean Beach —a scenic place to watch the sun sink into the Pacific. Bonus: Fire rings are now available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Just remember to BYOWood.

After sunset, head back up to Judah Street to finish the evening at Outerlands , a driftwood-adorned restaurant tastefully inspired by the beach a few blocks away. The food is rustic Californian (think hangar steak with snap pea pesto and peaches), and best consumed in a cove of the succulent-strewn parklet in front.

It’s not a complete trip to San Francisco without a trip to Dolores Park , a swath of grassy land in the Mission District where nearly all of the city’s cultures collide. Do as the locals do, and stop by Ritual Coffee for a potent cup of drip coffee. Then, swing by Bi-Rite market for proper picnic provisions (rosé, fresh sourdough bread, and cheese), make your way across the street to the park, and find a perch to watch the entertaining flow of city residents.

When the fog rolls in (as it always does), head to one of Mission’s dozens of taquerias to warm up and refuel. While it’s hard to go wrong, Taqueria El Farolito is the reigning favorite for its crisp overstuffed burritos—a satisfying send-off before your departure.

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San Francisco Itinerary: An Epic Travel Guide Blog

Last updated on April 5th, 2024

San Francisco is a city for everyone that worth takes a lifetime to slowly discover. Here we have put together a three days San Francisco itinerary with all the best things to do in San Francisco. Feel free to adjust the schedule, and create your own two or three days San Francisco itinerary.

Home to the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco (SF) is one of my favorite cities in the world. The city’s history is rich and filled with California Gold Rush lore and colorful immigrant stories. It has all sorts of excellent museums, Victorian architecture, and the oldest and biggest Chinatown in the country. All this makes San Francisco one of the unique American destinations on many travelers’ lists.

However, planning a trip to a big city like San Francisco is not easy. There are so many iconic sights and places to visit that hard to squeeze it into a few days of visit. Ideally, I think you should plan on spending at least three days in San Francisco in order to see the bare minimum of what the city has to offer. It makes a great city break with 2 days in the city and another 1 day to the nearby attractions. You can explore it beyond the typical tourist attractions if you have additional days.

To help you plan your trip to San Francisco, I’ve put together the perfect San Francisco itinerary . In this San Francisco travel guide blog, you’ll learn to figure out what to see, what to do, where to stay, where to eat, and the suggested San Francisco itinerary to fit them all within 2 to 3 days of the visit.

Table of Contents

San Francisco Pre-Trip Essential

In this section of the San Francisco travel guide, I like starting with a few quick travel tips and some of the essential travel information for your San Francisco itinerary.

Best Time To Visit

San Francisco is a year-round travel destination. But the weather is unpredictable! The city is famous for the fog that suddenly rolls in on a sunny day. That being said, it is important to know what is the best time to visit San Francisco if you want to avoid ‘Karl the Fog’ and have the blue sky and perfect weather.

The best time to visit San Francisco is during the fall from September to November. At these times of the year, San Francisco is less fog and the temperature is warmer. It is also fewer crowds compared to summer. Spring is another good time to visit San Francisco, thanks to its mild temperature.

While the rainy season typically runs from late November through April, so expect some rainfall and cloudy mornings around the bay.

Getting Around in San Francisco

When visiting San Francisco you’re going to be moving all around the city as you sightsee. This means that it’s in your best interest to know your options for getting around in the city. While San Francisco is pretty compact, it is still too big and not easy for visitors if they choose to walk to visit all the major attractions.

Public transportation in San Francisco runs on the BART and Muni system. BART includes the underground subway system and MUNI includes streetcars, cable cars, and buses. As a visitor, mostly you will use Muni for getting around in the city. You can rely on San Francisco’s public transport network, and mix with walking and Lyft or Uber for your visit to SF.

You can also take the San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour as it includes all the major stops at San Francisco’s must-see attractions such as Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Pier 39.

Driving in San Francisco is a great option as it is more flexible and convenient. But you will need to be extra careful. San Francisco is a hilly city and some roads are small and hilly. It can be challenging and difficult to drive with steep hills and slopes. Besides, parking is limited and you will need to be patient when looking for a parking lot especially when getting to the popular attraction.

We rented a car and drove to San Francisco as part of our California East Coast trip. We always use Rentalcars.com as it always offers the best rental car prices and is reliable  – Check Prices Now!

Best Place To Stay

The best place to stay in San Francisco is Union Square. We believe Union Square is the most convenient location to stay in San Francisco, especially for a relatively shorter trip. It is a great base for exploring the city and is perfectly linked with public transportation. It also has the best selection of accommodation, from luxury to budget options.

Below we share some of the best options to help you decide what works best for you.

Mid-Range :  Handlery Union Square Hotel is a very nice hotel, as central as possible. It has a perfect location, with a 5-minute walk from the Powell Street cable car line. The rooms are classically designed and very clean.

Mid-Range :  The Chancellor Hotel on Union Square is one of our favorite picks for staying in San Francisco. It is located just half a block away from union square and within walking distance of the Powell Street cable car line. There is a wide range of room types, from single rooms to family suites for your stay in San Francisco. Prices are in the mid-range for the quality of the accommodation.

Luxury : Hotel Nikko San Francisco combines a modern, trendy, and comfortable interior with an outstanding location for your trip to San Francisco. It offers good facilities like a gym, pool, and spa for hotel guests. Upscale toiletries and rainfall showers are a lovely bonus and the room rate includes breakfast. Located within walking distance of bustling Union Square. Also, directly opposite the hotel is a stop for the hop-on and hop-off bus.

3 Days in San Francisco

Here is the suggested San Francisco itinerary, and how I’d fit everything in 3 days. You can follow this exactly, or use it as inspiration.

Day 1 in San Francisco Itinerary :

• View on Golden Gate Bridge (1-2 hours)
• Walking over the Golden Gate Bridge from Welcome Center (1 hour)
• Visit the Palace of Fine Arts (2 hours)
• Half-Day Tour to Alcatraz (3-4 hours)

Day 2 in San Francisco Itinerary :

• Ride The Iconic Cable Car (1-2 hours)
• Union Square (1-2 hours)
• San Francisco’s Chinatown (2-3 hours)
• Lombard Street (1 hour)
• Wandering at Fisherman’s Wharf (2-3 hours)
• Watch the sea lions at Pier 39 (1 hour)

Day 3 in San Francisco Itinerary :

• Take the scenic route along iconic Highway 1.

DAY 1: San Francisco Itinerary

Golden gate bridge.

No trip to San Francisco is complete without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge. We recommended kicking start your 3 days San Francisco itinerary with one of the city’s most iconic sights. This 1.7-mile red suspension bridge spans the Golden Gate strait in California and connects San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean.

Golden Gate Bridge is an engineering marvel that draws your eye no matter where you view it from. The bridge can be enjoyed from many points throughout San Francisco and Marin County. No matter where you stand, this iconic bridge is one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring sites in San Francisco.

Battery Spacer East Trail – Best View of Golden Gate Bridge

For a first-time visitor to San Francisco, the best way to experience the Golden Gate Bridge is to head to Battery Spacer . It is a great spot to view the Golden Gate where you can have a stunning view of the bridge stretching far into the distance.

We arrived there in the late morning but it was cloudy and the fog obscured the view of the top of the bridge. The parking lot is almost full, so come early.

Several bicycles and footpaths run along the east side of the bridge at different levels, making it a pleasant stroll. We enjoyed the great view while strolling from the Battery East Trail to the Visitor Center.

San Francisco Travel Guide Tips : Parking is extremely limited and tricky. We parked at the East Battery Parking Lot where the Parking fee is $1.20/hour or $7.00 for all-day from 10:00 to 17:00. Be sure not to leave any valuable items in your car.

Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center

From Battery East Trail, it took us only a 3-minute walk to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center .

The Welcome Center offers merchandise and historical information. This is where you can learn information about the history, architecture, and construction of the bridge. You can also buy souvenirs including postcards, t-shirts, magnets, and wonderful collections about Golden Gate Bridge. Some of them which are worth considering buying.

Besides, this welcome center is also the starting point on the Southeastern end for pedestrians walking over the bridge. You can choose to walk the bridge to admire it up close.

It is an easy walk to different good vantage points of the bridge. The bridge is about 2 miles long but you can walk as far as you want. We took multiple photoshoots and enjoyed the stunning close-up view of the Golden Gate Bridge!

Expected to spend 2-3 hours exploring the Golden Gate Bridge

Palace of Fine Arts

If you find yourself in the city and you have some time to wander, be sure to stop at the Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina district of San Francisco. It is an iconic site visible from many parts of the bay area and well worth your time to visit this beautiful location.

The Palace of the Fine Arts was built in 1915 for the Panama Pacific Exposition in order to exhibit works of art presented there. You’ll find a classic Roman structure complete with rows of Corinthian columns, ornamental urns, friezes, and carved decorations. It is one of the most beautiful spots in the city and popular with both tourists and locals. The gorgeous work of architecture and building make for amazing photos, especially when you have nice weather.

We spent some time walking through the palace garden admiring the beautiful craftsmanship. Walking around looking up at the massive architecture and archways is breathtaking. The gardens, the lagoon, the fountains, and the trees are all so peaceful. It took us about an hour to explore it from all sides.

Half-Day Tour to Alcatraz

Located on a lonely island in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz is a popular quirky tourism attraction in San Francisco. This former prison is the most famous federal high-security prison and home to some of the worst criminals in the US. Famous inmates were al Capone, machine gun kelly, the birdman of Alcatraz, and Mickey Cohen. It was shut down in the 1970s and has since become a national landmark people can explore.

The trip to Alcatraz was the first time we get up close to the prison in the USA. The place is full of history, stories, facts, and interesting information. The audio guide is included and it is very detailed. It’s very interesting to be there on a ferry and see the Prison.

Visiting Alcatraz is also a half-day activity and we spent almost 3 hours wandering the island. There’s so much to see and do, it’s a place to spend a half-day trip. You can take a ferry from the Embarcadero to Alcatraz and spend time exploring the cell blocks and grounds.

San Francisco Travel Guide Tips : Our Alzatraz ticket was booked last minute at the San Franciso and it is likely to sell out for the day we joined. Make sure to get your tickets early before your visit because this is an extremely popular attraction. We recommended booking the Alcatraz Tour a few weeks ahead of your trip. You may consider coupling it with the San Franciso Grand City Tour from Viator with a high reputation among customers.

Check the tour information :  Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Grand City Tour

DAY 2: San Francisco Itinerary

Ride the iconic cable car.

With San Francisco full of hills and valleys, the ride on the cable cars presents amazing vistas. Nothing is more recognizable than the iconic Cable Cars and every visitor should take a ride on the city’s famous Cable Cars. It is a great way to get around the city and take in the experience.

The San Francisco Cable Car has three routes:

• California Line (Red Line) provides a great downtown view and Grace Cathedral.
• Powell-Hyde Line (Blue line) goes through Union Square, Chinatown, Lombard Street, and Fisherman’s Wharf.
• Powell-Mason Line (Green line) goes through Union Squares, Chinatown, Nob Hill, Cable Museum, and Fisherman’s Wharf.

The most popular San Fran Cable Car route is hopping on the Powell Hyde Line from Powell & Market station , which goes through Russian Hill, Lombard Street, with the final descent opening to a grand view of the bay to Fisherman’s Wharf.

At $8 a ride, it’s probably not the most economical transport in San Fran. But you can download the Muni apps and buy a day ticket for $13 or 3 days for $31. Make two trips minimum each day (there and back) and you make money as well have a thrill.

Riding Journey with Cable Car

As a visitor to San Francisco, we decided for getting around in San Francisco using the cable car on our second day in San Francisco itinerary. But you opt to experience the cable car for a single trip to experience this most exciting city.

The cable car is controlled in a masterly manner. But it can dangerous, especially most people enjoy hanging off the side of the cable car. Prepare for a bumpy hilly ride when inside the cable car along the journey. We enjoyed our riding journey with the San Francisco Cable Car. You can feel the enthusiasm when the moment you queued up until you finish the ride. Strongly recommended!

San Francisco Travel Tips : The queues get super long for the cable car ride. So try to go as early as possible. And if you want to take the perfect photo with the iconic cable car, there are some empty cable cars parked at Francisco & Taylor (near Fisherman’s Wharf). You can hop on for free and get the shot from as many angles as you’d like!

Union Square

The bustling Union Square is the center point for San Francisco’s theater and shopping district and is always busy with locals and tourists. The surrounding area has department stores such as Macy’s and Neiman Marcus, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, bars, hotels, and much more.

You can go shopping and dine in Union Square. Or you can also enjoy soaking in the sunshine; watching people come and go or just grabbing a cup of coffee sitting down and relaxing.

Union Square is also the transportation hub for San Francisco. The San Francisco cable car (Powell Mason & Powell Hyde) is a couple of minutes’ walk from here. Besides, you can also consider taking the Hop on Hop off sightseeing bus that embarks from Union Square. 

San Francisco Chinatown

Every visitor to San Francisco should visit Chinatown . Located near the financial district downtown, Chinatown is the most densely populated area in the entire U.S, mostly the Chinese community. You will find all sorts of Chinese restaurants, bakeries, cafes, food stands, and shops. It is always busy with people doing their daily business, shopping for food, socializing, and meeting friends.

We then headed to Chinatown from Union Square. In this historical neighborhood, we walked past the first fortune cookie factory and went to the oldest temple, Tin How Temple. It’s fun strolling along the streets and stopping by any shop that catches your attention.

Don’t forget to check out the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory to watch them hand-make fortune cookies. You can also take the sample to try your fortune!

Popular Golden Gate Bakery

Most people who visit Chinatown come here in search of great eats. Many eateries are excelling at dumplings, pork buns, Peking duck, dim sum, and many more delicious cuisines. The most crowded and popular eatery is the Golden Gate Bakery . Their Hong Kong’s style egg custard tart is a sweet, creamy pastry that often gets sold out within hours of opening the bakery.

We enjoy strolling down Grant Street, shopping for local products, or picking up some souvenirs. Besides, we also had dim sum for our lunch at Chinatown.

It’s impossible not visiting Chinatown in 3 days in San Francisco. There are many interesting things to see and worth exploring. It is an experience not to miss, so make sure you add a visit to your San Francisco itinerary.

Lombard Street

The “most crooked” Lombard Street is one of the popular to-dos lists in any of the San Francisco itineraries. It’s the famous street with 8 zigzag sharp turns but with its 27 degrees angle. Many visitors flock to Lombard Street and drive down this windy street. There is always a big crowd, both driving and walking. 

In fact, Lombard Street is not the most crooked street in the country. But the people that live on this road of go out of their way to make it beautiful especially in the spring. The steepness of the windy cobbled street is fantastic to see when visiting.

Driving down this winding street on a hillside is great fun. It is a fun experience for the first-timer to drive down the hill. But even if you are not driving, watching from the bottom from some of these longer cars that try to attempt the drive down is fun! We were amazed to see cars driving down this beautiful one-way street, lined with stunning flower beds with its 8 unique hairpin bends. It was spectacular and unique!

Fisherman’s Wharf

The Fisherman’s Wharf is another must-visit in the San Francisco itinerary. Almost all people will visit this popular waterfront attraction on any given trip to San Francisco. It is always had excitement no matter what hour you visited. There are lots of shops, restaurants, marinas, entertainment, and museums. It is always busy and crowded with tourists and locals.

Besides, Fisherman’s Wharf is also where the tours leave for Alcatraz, along with other bay ferries for sightseeing or specific destinations on the bay.

Come to Fisherman’s Wharf if you are looking for what to eat in San Francisco. There are plenty of dining options, from street foods to varying quality seafood. You must have the Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl of bread . It is very tasty and filling. San Francisco must-try food!

It’s worth a visit to Fisherman’s Wharf just to get the tourist experience in San Francisco.

A day of shopping and watching the sunset is always a great activity at Pier 39 . It is an attractive place to wander, with a fantastic view and great atmosphere. Once you’ve walked here, you can stroll down the street lined with more stores and restaurants. There are a few pretty good street performers.

But the fun is in watching the protected seals that have taken over a big chunk of the pier. You’ll spot a huge group of sea lions on the docks which have been living at Pier 39 for decades. It is also one of my favorite things to do in San Francisco.

We all fall in love when watching the sea lions hang out, swim, bark, and play around the dock. It is so wonderful to see them so close. Don’t feed them and they’re protected!

DAY 3: San Francisco Itinerary

On the last day of your San Francisco itinerary, I recommend getting out of the city and heading for a scenic road trip or wine tasting in Napa Valley.

Scenic Route along Highway 1

Napa Valley is California’s most famous wine region. It is also one of the most popular day trip destinations from San Francisco with a relatively easy 60-90 minute drive north from the city. You could easily take a day trip to this wine country to sip on some of the best wines in the world. If you don’t have a car, you can also join the tour departed from the city to explore some of the best wines in California.

Tour Recommend : Napa Valley and Sonoma Full Day Wine Tour from San Francisco

Another worth recommendation is iconic California’s Highway 1 for a scenic Pacific Coast Highway road trip. Named one of America’s most scenic drives, the route from San Francisco to Big Sur is the most scenic stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway.

The road trip has many vista points with great views and attractions along the way. You will see rugged coastal, majestic views, unique hikes, and unforgettable beaches along the journey.

We started from San Francisco, drive south to Big Sur , and ended in Los Angeles. It was a long driving journey but definitely worth it. We documented our Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip from San Francisco to Big Sur. Feel free to take a look if you are planning for a scenic Highway 1 route.

Further Read : Big Sur Itinerary: Highway 1 Road Trip Travel Guide Blog

More San Francisco Travel Tips

Here are the San Francisco travel tips to help you make the most of your travel time in the city:

• Know the weather before you’re out. The wind and frog keep SF weather on the chilly side. We recommended dressing in layers with a windbreaker or hoodie to protect from strong wind.
• Wear comfortable shoes. San Francisco is a city for walkers, and you’re going to be doing a lot of hill climbing during your visit.
• The Golden Gate is amazing and you can view it from a different perspective other than the popular vantage point. We love the Golden Gate view from Baker Beach!
• If you plan to tour Alcatraz Island, remember to make reservations for at least two weeks ahead. The tour is extremely popular and fills up fast!
• Parking is notoriously bad in San Francisco. The parking fee is expensive and very limited.
• Lyft share rides or Uber are convenient and budget-friendly. If you’re taking this, you’ll no need to worry about the outrageous parking fee in the city.
• Car break-ins are quite common, especially in touristy areas. Be sure to leave NOTHING valuable in your car.

Overview: Planning For San Francisco Itinerary

There you have it – the San Francisco itinerary for 3 days ! You should now see the iconic Golden Gate, natural scenery, a bustling downtown, unique prison tours, and so much more. There’s certainly a lot more to do in San Francisco than I could ever fit into a few days of the visit. Use this suggested San Francisco itinerary as your starting point and see where your trip takes you. I promise it won’t disappoint!

Are you planning a trip to San Francisco or other interesting places in California? Feel free to read more on our California travel guide blog posts below:

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