San Francisco itinerary: 1 to 7 days
Plans for one to seven days in San Francisco, day by day: Chinatown, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge first, then the cable cars, Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower, the Presidio, the Castro and Golden Gate Park as you add days. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 3 days
San Francisco in 1 day
Day 1
Chinatown Must see
One of the oldest Chinatowns in North America, entered through the Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue.
Alcatraz Island Must see
The former federal prison on an island in the bay, reached by ferry, with an audio tour of the cellhouse.
Golden Gate Bridge Must see
The 1937 suspension bridge in International Orange, with a pedestrian walkway across the Golden Gate strait.
San Francisco in 2 days
Day 1
Alcatraz Island Must see
The former federal prison on an island in the bay, reached by ferry, with an audio tour of the cellhouse.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Must see
Historic ships at Hyde Street Pier and a maritime museum in a streamlined 1930s bathhouse at Aquatic Park.
Golden Gate Bridge Must see
The 1937 suspension bridge in International Orange, with a pedestrian walkway across the Golden Gate strait.
Day 2
Transamerica Pyramid Must see
The pointed 48-storey skyscraper of the Financial District, part of the city's skyline since 1972.
San Francisco cable car system Must see
The world's last manually operated cable car system; the Powell Street lines climb the hills to the waterfront.
Chinatown Must see
One of the oldest Chinatowns in North America, entered through the Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue.
Lombard Street Must see
The one block of brick road on Russian Hill with eight hairpin turns between flower beds.
San Francisco in 3 days
Day 1
Twin Peaks Must see
Two hills near the centre of the city, with a sweeping view across downtown and the bay.
Lombard Street Must see
The one block of brick road on Russian Hill with eight hairpin turns between flower beds.
Golden Gate Bridge Must see
The 1937 suspension bridge in International Orange, with a pedestrian walkway across the Golden Gate strait.
Day 2
Chinatown Must see
One of the oldest Chinatowns in North America, entered through the Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue.
San Francisco cable car system Must see
The world's last manually operated cable car system; the Powell Street lines climb the hills to the waterfront.
Transamerica Pyramid Must see
The pointed 48-storey skyscraper of the Financial District, part of the city's skyline since 1972.
San Francisco Ferry Building
The 1898 ferry terminal on the Embarcadero, now a food hall with a farmers market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Day 3
Fisherman's Wharf Must see
The northern waterfront of seafood stands, souvenir shops, piers and boat tours of the bay.
Pier 39 Must see
A pier of shops and restaurants at Fisherman's Wharf, known for the sea lions that lounge on its floating docks.
San Francisco in 4 days
Day 1
Twin Peaks Must see
Two hills near the centre of the city, with a sweeping view across downtown and the bay.
Lombard Street Must see
The one block of brick road on Russian Hill with eight hairpin turns between flower beds.
Golden Gate Bridge Must see
The 1937 suspension bridge in International Orange, with a pedestrian walkway across the Golden Gate strait.
Day 2
Chinatown Must see
One of the oldest Chinatowns in North America, entered through the Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue.
San Francisco cable car system Must see
The world's last manually operated cable car system; the Powell Street lines climb the hills to the waterfront.
Transamerica Pyramid Must see
The pointed 48-storey skyscraper of the Financial District, part of the city's skyline since 1972.
San Francisco Ferry Building
The 1898 ferry terminal on the Embarcadero, now a food hall with a farmers market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Day 3
Fisherman's Wharf Must see
The northern waterfront of seafood stands, souvenir shops, piers and boat tours of the bay.
Pier 39 Must see
A pier of shops and restaurants at Fisherman's Wharf, known for the sea lions that lounge on its floating docks.
Day 4
Ghirardelli Square
A former chocolate factory above Aquatic Park, now shops and restaurants, including a Ghirardelli ice cream parlour.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Must see
Historic ships at Hyde Street Pier and a maritime museum in a streamlined 1930s bathhouse at Aquatic Park.
Alcatraz Island Must see
The former federal prison on an island in the bay, reached by ferry, with an audio tour of the cellhouse.
San Francisco in 5 days
Day 1
Twin Peaks Must see
Two hills near the centre of the city, with a sweeping view across downtown and the bay.
Mission Dolores
San Francisco's oldest surviving building, an adobe mission chapel from 1776 with a painted ceiling, a small museum and a peaceful cemetery.
Mission Dolores Park
A sloping hillside park of lawns and palm trees with a wide skyline view, where locals gather to picnic and sunbathe.
Day 2
Palace of Fine Arts
Bernard Maybeck's domed rotunda and colonnade, built for the 1915 exposition and reflected in a quiet lagoon in the Marina District.
Presidio of San Francisco Must see
A former army post turned national park site, with trails, beaches, museums and views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge Must see
The 1937 suspension bridge in International Orange, with a pedestrian walkway across the Golden Gate strait.
Baker Beach
A sandy beach below the Presidio cliffs with the Golden Gate Bridge close overhead, popular for walks and sunset photographs.
Fairmont San Francisco Must see
A grand hotel from 1907 at the top of Nob Hill, where the United Nations Charter was drafted in 1945.
Day 3
Chinatown Must see
One of the oldest Chinatowns in North America, entered through the Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue.
San Francisco cable car system Must see
The world's last manually operated cable car system; the Powell Street lines climb the hills to the waterfront.
Transamerica Pyramid Must see
The pointed 48-storey skyscraper of the Financial District, part of the city's skyline since 1972.
Fisherman's Wharf Must see
The northern waterfront of seafood stands, souvenir shops, piers and boat tours of the bay.
Day 4
Pier 39 Must see
A pier of shops and restaurants at Fisherman's Wharf, known for the sea lions that lounge on its floating docks.
SS Jeremiah O'Brien Must see
A World War II Liberty ship at Pier 45, one of only two of its kind still in working condition.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Must see
Historic ships at Hyde Street Pier and a maritime museum in a streamlined 1930s bathhouse at Aquatic Park.
Day 5
Alcatraz Island Must see
The former federal prison on an island in the bay, reached by ferry, with an audio tour of the cellhouse.
Fort Point, San Francisco Must see
A Civil War-era brick fort directly beneath the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge.
San Francisco in 6 days
Day 1
Twin Peaks Must see
Two hills near the centre of the city, with a sweeping view across downtown and the bay.
Fort Point, San Francisco Must see
A Civil War-era brick fort directly beneath the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge Must see
The 1937 suspension bridge in International Orange, with a pedestrian walkway across the Golden Gate strait.
Day 2
Fairmont San Francisco Must see
A grand hotel from 1907 at the top of Nob Hill, where the United Nations Charter was drafted in 1945.
Chinatown Must see
One of the oldest Chinatowns in North America, entered through the Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue.
San Francisco cable car system Must see
The world's last manually operated cable car system; the Powell Street lines climb the hills to the waterfront.
Transamerica Pyramid Must see
The pointed 48-storey skyscraper of the Financial District, part of the city's skyline since 1972.
Day 3
Fisherman's Wharf Must see
The northern waterfront of seafood stands, souvenir shops, piers and boat tours of the bay.
Pier 39 Must see
A pier of shops and restaurants at Fisherman's Wharf, known for the sea lions that lounge on its floating docks.
Day 4
SS Jeremiah O'Brien Must see
A World War II Liberty ship at Pier 45, one of only two of its kind still in working condition.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Must see
Historic ships at Hyde Street Pier and a maritime museum in a streamlined 1930s bathhouse at Aquatic Park.
Alcatraz Island Must see
The former federal prison on an island in the bay, reached by ferry, with an audio tour of the cellhouse.
Day 5
Presidio of San Francisco Must see
A former army post turned national park site, with trails, beaches, museums and views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Day 6
Union Square
The central plaza of the shopping district, surrounded by department stores and hotels, near the Powell Street cable cars.
Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
An Episcopal cathedral on Nob Hill, with two labyrinths and doors cast from Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise in Florence.
Lombard Street Must see
The one block of brick road on Russian Hill with eight hairpin turns between flower beds.
San Francisco in 7 days
Day 1
Twin Peaks Must see
Two hills near the centre of the city, with a sweeping view across downtown and the bay.
Mission Dolores
San Francisco's oldest surviving building, an adobe mission chapel from 1776 with a painted ceiling, a small museum and a peaceful cemetery.
Mission Dolores Park
A sloping hillside park of lawns and palm trees with a wide skyline view, where locals gather to picnic and sunbathe.
Day 2
Palace of Fine Arts
Bernard Maybeck's domed rotunda and colonnade, built for the 1915 exposition and reflected in a quiet lagoon in the Marina District.
Presidio of San Francisco Must see
A former army post turned national park site, with trails, beaches, museums and views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge Must see
The 1937 suspension bridge in International Orange, with a pedestrian walkway across the Golden Gate strait.
Baker Beach
A sandy beach below the Presidio cliffs with the Golden Gate Bridge close overhead, popular for walks and sunset photographs.
Fairmont San Francisco Must see
A grand hotel from 1907 at the top of Nob Hill, where the United Nations Charter was drafted in 1945.
Day 3
Chinatown Must see
One of the oldest Chinatowns in North America, entered through the Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue.
San Francisco cable car system Must see
The world's last manually operated cable car system; the Powell Street lines climb the hills to the waterfront.
Transamerica Pyramid Must see
The pointed 48-storey skyscraper of the Financial District, part of the city's skyline since 1972.
North Beach
San Francisco's old Italian quarter, with espresso bars, trattorias and City Lights bookshop, once the haunt of the Beat poets.
USS Pampanito (SS-383)
A World War II submarine at Pier 45, open as a museum ship from the torpedo rooms to the engine room.
Lombard Street Must see
The one block of brick road on Russian Hill with eight hairpin turns between flower beds.
Day 4
Coit Tower
A 1933 Art Deco tower on Telegraph Hill, with Depression-era murals inside and views over the bay.
Pier 39 Must see
A pier of shops and restaurants at Fisherman's Wharf, known for the sea lions that lounge on its floating docks.
SS Jeremiah O'Brien Must see
A World War II Liberty ship at Pier 45, one of only two of its kind still in working condition.
Fisherman's Wharf Must see
The northern waterfront of seafood stands, souvenir shops, piers and boat tours of the bay.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Must see
Historic ships at Hyde Street Pier and a maritime museum in a streamlined 1930s bathhouse at Aquatic Park.
Ghirardelli Square
A former chocolate factory above Aquatic Park, now shops and restaurants, including a Ghirardelli ice cream parlour.
Day 5
Alcatraz Island Must see
The former federal prison on an island in the bay, reached by ferry, with an audio tour of the cellhouse.
Fort Point, San Francisco Must see
A Civil War-era brick fort directly beneath the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Day 6
The Castro
One of the first gay neighbourhoods in the United States, centred on the 1922 Castro Theatre and its rainbow crosswalks.
Haight-Ashbury
The 1960s hippie district around Haight Street, now vintage shops, record stores and painted Victorian houses near Golden Gate Park.
Alamo Square, San Francisco
A hilltop park facing the Painted Ladies, a row of Victorian houses with the downtown skyline behind them.
Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
An Episcopal cathedral on Nob Hill, with two labyrinths and doors cast from Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise in Florence.
Day 7
Sutro Baths
Ruins of a huge Victorian bathhouse on the cliffs at Lands End, with a cave and ocean views.
Lands End
A wild stretch of coastal park on the city's northwest tip, with cliff trails, a labyrinth and views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Golden Gate Park
A park of over 1,000 acres with the de Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences and the Japanese Tea Garden.
San Francisco Ferry Building
The 1898 ferry terminal on the Embarcadero, now a food hall with a farmers market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Watch: San Francisco in 3 days
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to San Francisco
September and October are often the warmest and clearest months in San Francisco, with less fog than summer. June to August is busy with visitors but often cool and foggy, especially near the Golden Gate. Winter, from November to March, is mild but brings most of the year's rain, and spring is mild with green hills.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in San Francisco on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in San Francisco on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in San Francisco on GetYourGuide or on Viator
- From the airport: a private transfer in San Francisco with Kiwitaxi
- Sightseeing pass: save on San Francisco's top attractions with Go City
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for United States from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in San Francisco with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for San Francisco
- Alcatraz ferries leave from Pier 33 and often sell out; book as far ahead as you can.
- A Clipper card, also available in phone wallets, works on Muni buses and streetcars, the cable cars and BART.
- Bring layers: fog and wind off the bay keep the city cool even in summer.
- Queues for the cable cars at the Powell Street turnaround are long; boarding at a stop further up the line is often quicker.
- Walk onto the Golden Gate Bridge from the south end, near Fort Point and the bridge welcome center.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Alamo Square, San Francisco: Urban, Public domain
- Alcatraz Island: Chris6d, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Baker Beach: BradleyPelton, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Chinatown: Christian Mehlführer, User:Chmehl, CC BY 3.0
- Coit Tower: Kyle Harmon from Oakland, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Fairmont San Francisco: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0
- Fisherman's Wharf: Ricky36, Public domain
- Fort Point, San Francisco: Ɱ, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ghirardelli Square: Towerman86 at en.wikipedia, CC BY 3.0
- Golden Gate Bridge: Rich Niewiroski Jr., CC BY 2.5
- Golden Gate Park: Dennis G. Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Grace Cathedral, San Francisco: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Haight-Ashbury: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 2.5
- Lands End: Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lombard Street: Christopher Michel, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mission Dolores: David Ohmer from Cincinnati, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Mission Dolores Park: Alexwennerberg, CC0
- North Beach: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 2.5
- Palace of Fine Arts: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pier 39: Chris6d, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Presidio of San Francisco: NPS, Public domain
- SS Jeremiah O'Brien: Godsfriendchuck, CC BY-SA 3.0
- San Francisco Ferry Building: JaGa, CC BY-SA 4.0
- San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park: Sanfranman59, CC BY-SA 3.0
- San Francisco cable car system: unknown author, Public domain
- Sutro Baths: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0
- The Castro: en:user:Jamezcd, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Transamerica Pyramid: Supercarwaar, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Twin Peaks: InvadingInvader, CC BY-SA 4.0
- USS Pampanito (SS-383): Sanfranman59, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Union Square: Lordsamp, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
