PERFECT 3 Days in San Francisco Itinerary (Written by a local!)

Plan an AMAZING 3 days in San Francisco with our complete city guide inc. where to stay, eat, things to do & day trip ideas (+ insider tips!)

Making your way over to the West Coast (aka Best Coast) and not sure exactly where to start with your visit to the massive state of California? Fret no more, San Francisco should be number one on your list! San Francisco is located almost smack-dab in the middle of California’s coastline and is hands down one of the most diverse and exciting cities in the US. And to get you started we have put together a fantastic guide to 3 Days in San Francisco (written by a local) to help you put together the perfect San Francisco Itinerary.

We’ve got tips on the best time to visit San Francisco, where to stay in San Francisco, the top 15 things to do in San Francisco, where to eat in San Francisco and even how to get around this amazing city! So what are you waiting for? Scroll down now and start planning your perfect weekend in San Francisco!

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The Best Time To Visit San Francisco

As with most North America tourist destinations, the best time to visit San Francisco is the shoulder seasons of spring (March, April & May) or Autumn/Fall (September, October & November). Visiting at these times means that you get the benefit of warm – but not sweltering – temperatures and don’t have to deal with the inflated crowds that the summer months (June, July & August) inevitably attract.

It would also be wise to keep in mind when the public holidays fall in the US and avoid traveling around or at these times if you can – even if it is in the shoulder seasons of Spring and Fall (such as Memorial Day on 27 May, Labor Day on 2 September & the Easter Holidays in April each year).

Things to do during 3 Days in San Francisco (Plan the perfect San Francisco Itinerary)

Visit the Golden Gate Bridge

Arguably San Franciscos top tourist sight, It would essentially be criminal if you visited San Francisco without stopping by to see the Golden Gate Bridge! Whether you have access to a car or not, there are so many different ways you can see and experience the grandeur of the Golden Gate.

There is a pedestrian walkway that spans the entire mile-wide bridge, as well as a separate bike-friendly path, which are both fun ways to experience this world wonder (Hint: Read this guide to Walking the Golden Gate Bridge to find out what to know before you go!)

Of course you can always get across via car or tour bus as well and on the Marin side of the bridge you can stop in the visitor’s center and gift shop to learn even more about the history of the bridge and get some great pictures with the San Francisco skyline as your backdrop.
And if you can’t get enough of these magnificent structures, be sure to include a visit the the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in the East Bay on your San Francisco Itinerary.

Ride a Cable Car

San Francisco is home to one of the world’s last manually operated cable car systems. Though it used to be the most used mode of transportation when it was first created in 1873, you can still easily hop on one of its three remaining lines for a ride through the city whilst you explore San Francisco.

The convenient exit and entry stops also happens to be located at some of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.

Want to get an insider’s look at how the cable cars run? Visit the Cable Car Museum and actually see the gears churning. You won’t find something like this in any other city.

Be a tourist at Fisherman’s Wharf

Sure, it might be a little crowded but Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco is a must-do for anyone visiting the city (even locals love it, though they’d never admit to it). Fisherman’s Wharf is central to the Historic Waterfront District in the city and is so popular for tourists because of everything else that has made its home there.

Included in the Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood are popular attractions, including Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, sea lions, and one of the best clam chowder bowls in the state (even if they did originate in New England!)
Pier 39 is a playground for adults and kids alike. They have amusement park-esque games and rides mixed within souvenir shops, restaurants, and bars – complete with a carousel right in the middle.

**Foodie Tip**And if you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, Ghirardelli Square is the perfect spot to indulge. It is a quaint plaza that is surrounded by a 5-star hotel and the headquarters to Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. You can take a tour of the facility or stop in at the storefront for a scrumptious ice cream sundae with chocolate fudge (believe me, it’s well worth the calories).

Go Shopping in Union Square

One of the top things to do in San Francisco is to visit Union Square

Union Square actually used to be where Civil War rallies were held, but the square has since morphed into a hub for high-end shopping in San Francisco. Department stores, fancy boutiques, art galleries, luxury hotels and the theater district surround the square on all sides. During the holiday season you’ll find the square taken up by an outdoor ice rink.

Union Square is a part of the city that is always bustling with life. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see a street performer or two. Hop on a cable car and head to the square!

 

Take a trip to Haight Ashbury

The Haight-Ashbury district in San Francisco is famously known as the birthplace of the hippie counterculture movement of the 1960s and the “Summer of Love”. Today it is still acts as a hub for the vagabond, free-loving, and eccentric folk of San Francisco as well as a fun residential neighborhood and must-see district.

Throughout the neighborhood you can see glimpses of what it once was, with its tributes to The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Janis Joplin around every corner. While you stroll along the streets, stop in at the numerous record stores, thrift shops, and funky eateries that all pitch in to help keep the hippie spirit alive today!

**Foodie Tip** And if you’re feeling a bit parched or hungry, Magnolia Brewing on Haight street is a great spot for fresh local bites and brews.

Note: if you’re a craft beer enthusiast, San Francisco has a booming microbrew scene for you to enjoy. In addition to Magnolia, check out a few other beer recommendations in SF and in California as a whole in my list of the best beer in California.

See the Painted Ladies

Alamo Square’s ‘Painted Ladies’ are one of the most photographed locations in San Francisco, and some of the most famous houses in the world. They are a beautiful example of Victorian architecture and where they rise in tight formation along the “postcard row” backdropped by the San Francisco’s city skyline, it makes for a beautiful contrast.

You can visit at any time of the day but if you are hunting for that perfect Instagram shot, make sure you are there around sunset, when the suns rays cast a golden glow across the facades.

Crissy Field and the Lyon Street Steps

Looking for a more relaxed way to spend your time in bustling San Francisco? Head to Crissy Field along the Bay side of the city, and experience some of that Northern California’s beach vibes.

Crissey Field also has an excellent view of the opening to the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. There’s usually a food truck or two posted up on the weekends here as well.

And not too far from the stretch of shore along the Bay is a SF hidden gem: the Lyon Street Steps. As you make your way up the 322 steps to the top you’ll be treated to some unique views of the city: the Palace of Fine Arts, the stretch of the San Francisco Bay, and the gorgeous mansions of the Pacific Heights district.

Explore Chinatown

San Francisco has one of the world’s oldest and largest Chinatowns. The San Francisco Chinatown was established in 1848 and has played an integral part in the history, culture, and livelihood of Chinese immigrants.

There are countless street vendors selling anything from luggage to herbal remedies, there are always fresh meats on display at the local grocery or butcher shop, lanterns strung above the streets, and laundry hung out to try on many of the apartment building balconies. There is no doubt you’ll truly feel transported when you walk through the streets of Chinatown in San Francisco.

And to top off your Chinatown experience, make sure to take a tour at the Fortune Cookie Factory to learn more about the cookie’s history and get an included sampling. Did you know that the fortune cookie was actually created in San Francisco?

North Beach and Coit Tower

Once you’re done exploring Chinatown, head over to another highly popular San Francisco neighborhood – North Beach (aka Little Italy). This small-town treasure in the big city is a historically Italian neighborhood and the influence is certainly still prominent today.

Delicatessens, authentic Italian restaurants and cafes, and fun nightlife are aplenty in this neighborhood – and if you want the inside scoop on nonna’s cooking, go along to the Little Italy Behind the Scenes Food Tour where you’ll be taken on a guided walking tour visiting artisan bakeries, chocolateries, and olive oil producers – and you get tasting samples at each spot too!

**(Another) Foodie Tip** Experience North Beach like a local: end the day with a slice of Tony’s pizza and walk up to Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill for some one-of-a-kind panoramic views of San Francisco and the Bay Area as the sun goes down. From here you will also get a great view of the famous 8 hairpin turns of “Crooked Street” (which is Lombard street if you are looking for it on a map!).

Embarcadero and Ferry Building Marketplace

A fun stop for your afternoon in the city should include the Embarcadero Building and Marketplace.

The Embarcadero not only serves as the port for the major ferry systems that connect other areas of the Bay Area to the city, but also houses many restaurants and shops that are local to the greater Bay area and is the start of Market Street – a main thoroughfare through the city which takes you all they way up to Hayes Valley – San Francisco’s hipster neighbourhood.

**Foodie Tip** At the marketplace, you can try the foods that make the San Fran culinary scene so unique and world-renowned. For a great burger, check out Gott’s Roadside in the Ferry Building.

Take a tour of Alcatraz

You’ve probably seen it in movies or at least heard of it, but now is your time to see it in person.

Alcatraz is easily one of SFs top tourist attractions and is an island in the San Francisco Bay and was once a military and federal prison. It has since been converted to a National Historic Landmark that you can tour. For an added element of cool, take a tour of Alcatraz at night – it’s very eerie!

Planning your trip to Alcatraz is a great time to combine a couple of tours in one hit, with options for cycling tours at sunset, adventure cruises around the bay – and for the night visits – they are best combined with a bigger day trip outside the city such as to Yosemite National Park or out to the Napa Valley (I mean you may just need a glass of wine or two after a creepy night in Alcatraz!)

Get Cultured at SFMOMA

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by SFMOMA (@sfmoma) on Mar 24, 2019 at 9:00am PDT

One of the top San Francisco attractions, the current SFMOMA (The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art if you were not sure) was newly opened in 2016 with an expanded 7 floors of exhibits. This tripled the galleries space which now holds more that 33,000 modern and contemporary artworks by Alexander Calder, Chuck Close, Frida Kahlo, and numerous others, and even has an entire floor dedicated solely to photography.

If you love a good museum, SFMOMA is one of the best and well worth including during your 3 days in San Francisco. Pre-Book you half day entry ticket here.

See a Giant’s game

You don’t have to be a sports fan to appreciate a good game of baseball at a beautiful stadium. The energy in and around the stadium is palpable throughout the city, there’s nothing like being in a city for their team’s home game! If you’re visiting during baseball season then this is a must.

**Foodie Tip** If the game isn’t enough to convince you, the park also serves more than just your average Ball Park Frank. Oracle Park (previously known as AT&T Park) also serves margaritas, wine, Ghirardelli sundaes and nachos.

Golden Gate Park

You could fill an itinerary for a few days with everything the botanical garden at Golden Gate Park has to offer. It takes up over 1,000 acres of the city and houses numerous attractions, including the DeYoung Museum, the California Academy of Sciences, the Japanese Tea Garden (above), Conservatory of Flowers, Stow Lake, and even an antique carousel.

You can adventure, relax, eat, paddle boat, and see some Bison (yes, bison!) all within the park borders! And if you want to cover as much ground as possible in the shortest time, we highly recommend joining a Segway Tour around the park which will take you all the best spots in 2 hours – and it’s a whole lot of fun too!

The Best Day Trips from San Francisco

Have an extra few days in San Francisco (or have already seen all the usual tourist sights?!) – then these day trips / road trips from San Francisco are a great way to get out and explore more of California.

• Opt outside and explore one of America’s favorite NPs on this full day tour combining Yosemite National Park (which also includes a 1-hour Sequoia Walk among some of the tallest trees in the world.) Book this Yosemite Experience early – it is likely to sell out!
• Head out to Wine Country: Visit 3 of Northern California’s most prestigious wineries in the Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley. You’ll tour the estates, learn about the wine-making techniques and – obviously – get to sample some of the goods with wine tastings at each spot. And the best bit – the round trip transport means you have a designated driver built in! Book your Napa Valley Wine Tasting Tour here.
• Walk Among Giants: This half day tour of Muir Woods features 1.5hrs among the ancient Californian Redwood trees in Muir Woods National Forest and includes round trip transportation from your hotel.
• Visit Monterey and Carmel on this Pacific Coastal Highway Tour. This full-day tour takes you along California’s stunning coast to experience the beauty of Highway 1 between San Francisco and Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea and includes all road tolls.