Ah, San Francisco. San Francisco holds a unique place in both of our lives. Initially, we met in San Francisco, which likely factored into our blossoming relationship. But beyond that, various defining phases in our relationship unfolded within the City by the Bay.
As for the remainder of the complex, there are two pools, one for children, a playground, a sunroom with lounge chairs taking in the sun, and beautiful, lush gardens. My favorite spot is the central terrace, where you can observe some incredible Lanzarote sunsets. Ultimately, if you appreciate sports, you can access the tennis court, billiards room, and paddle court for an additional fee.
We no longer reside in San Francisco (that location is quite expensive, indeed – too costly for travel bloggers, anyway), but we spent just shy of a decade exploring the city and the surrounding area in Northern California together. We’ve participated in everything that we recommend below in this San Francisco itinerary, and much more. We’re as close to experts on the topic as possible without having grown up in the city.
We`re here to assist you in planning an incredible itinerary for San Francisco – we`ve created a thorough guide for spending 4 days in San Francisco, though we also have opinions (expressed strongly) about spending more or less time in the city.
With that initial statement out of the way, let’s discuss what you will find covered in this guide.
- Some helpful tips and strategies about San Francisco that we learned over a decade in the city that may be useful.
- A detailed 4 day San Francisco plan, broken down day-by-day to help you organize your trip. We share ideas for what to see and do in San Francisco.
- Our recommendations on what to do with more or less time in San Francisco, depending on your schedule.
- A few key logistical points – transportation within the area, access to and from the airport, etc. – that are important to consider to make the trip smoother.
Lagos is an ancient port city turned coastal vacation town situated on the border of Western and Central Algarve.
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Table of Contents
What Can You See with 4 Days in San Francisco
Look, we spent just under a decade exploring San Francisco together, and we still have places that we haven’t quite reached. It’s a large city with tons to do and see, and you won’t be able to tackle it all on your first or second trip.
However, four days gives you a nice amount of time to dip your toes in and immerse yourself in the city to see what makes it special and captures the hearts of so many visitors.
There will undoubtedly be attractions, bars, restaurants, and locations that you’ll have to save for your next trip (which you’ll probably already be planning on the trip home).
With a four day timeframe, we suggest dedicating three of those days immersed in the city itself, experiencing the vibrant neighborhoods, world-class cuisine scene, and picturesque areas ideal for walking tours.
On the final day, venturing out of the city on a daytrip is recommended to explore one of the many cool regions within an hour of the center. Three options will be provided to choose from, based on preferences.
Over the course of your time in the city, you’ll have opportunity to do a mix of the principal tourist attractions – things like the Golden Gate Bridge,Golden Gate Park,Alcatraz, and the Ferry Building – while also saving some time to explore some of our favorite neighborhoods in San Francisco.
Do You Need a Car in San Francisco?
No. Definitely not. In fact, when we lived in the city, both of us opted to either get rid of our car or leave it somewhere else because parking in the city is problematic.
It is advisable not to drive between locations during your day exploring the city, as staying mobile on foot is most efficient.
If driving yourself around the city, planning for paid parking or spending 15-20 minutes searching fruitlessly for free parking (risk ticketing) will be necessary.
If you’re hiring an automobile and using San Francisco as a jumping off point for a northern California road trip, we have a few hints.
If at all possible, we’d strongly recommend leasing a vehicle AFTER you stay in San Francisco.
For example, if you fly into San Francisco and are planning on spending a day in the city before departing, we’d rent the car starting on the day you’re leaving.
Of course, if your road trip ends in San Francisco, just reverse the itinerary and leave your vehicle at the airport before your stay in the city.
An alternative would be to park your rental car in a covered, secure lot. If you’re staying overnight and your hotel has parking, we’d choose to pay for it and plan to use Lyft / public transportation to get around.
We lived in San Francisco for almost a decade, and are well-aware that vehicle break-ins are a regular occurrence, especially for automobiles that do not have California license plates (which are more likely to belong to tourists and contain possessions).
Where to Stay in San Francisco
We would STRONGLY advise staying elsewhere rather than Fisherman’s Wharf or the Financial District
Even though most major hotels are situated in that area.
To be sure, you would be quite central, but Fisherman`s Wharf is exceedingly devoid of charm and crammed wall to wall with sightseers, and the Financial District is dormant over the weekend.
Since you have 4 days, you don’t need to worry too much about staying somewhere completely central so you can pack in all of the tourist attractions – you’ve got the gift of time!
We stayed in a private room at both Los Patios Hostel in El Poblado, and Casa Cliché in Laureles and would advise both. Los Patios is a sizable hostel that feels nearly like a hotel, with nice kitchen facilities and a rooftop bar. Casa Cliché is a much smaller operation, and has a great little patio area out back.
Hotels vs. Vacation Rentals in San Francisco: Which to Choose?
Rental properties in San Francisco are something we`d like to touch on briefly.
San Francisco, similar to most major cities in North America, is facing a complete housing crisis that is chiefly caused by demand for housing being much higher than supply. While we wouldn’t exclusively attribute vacation rentals (like Airbnb) as the primary driver, they certainly contribute as a factor.
I have mixed views about temporarily living in vacation rentals located in urban areas.
On one hand, as a traveler living with Celiac Disease who typically relies on kitchen access, campervans offer an accommodation that has enabled visiting locations not as easily experienced staying in hotels, where use of a small refrigerator might be uncertain.
However, in cities experiencing a housing crisis caused by limited housing stock meeting high demand, vacation rentals exacerbate the problem by removing long-term rental units from the market since landlords can often earn more income by renting them out periodically on weekends.
There are certain advantages and disadvantages to staying in vacation rentals. To be a more responsible traveler, our recommendation would be selecting hotels in San Francisco.
Nob Hill: Charming, Central, and Beautiful
Nob Hill is where we resided for our last three years in San Francisco. It’s leafy, charming, and superbly central, which is why we love it.
Polk Street offers plenty of tasty food and drink options, and a walk downhill to the north takes you into North Beach, the historically Italian stronghold in San Francisco that remains one of the best neighborhoods to explore on foot (though I wouldn`t advise staying there).
Places to Stay in Nob Hill
Petite Auberge: Following our move out of the city, we opted for a brief stay to revisit our former stomping grounds in Nob Hill. We selected Petite Auberge because, similar to the neighboring White Swan Inn, it seemed the most charming hotel in the area. Indeed, it`s closer to a bed & breakfast than a hotel. They describe it as part bed & breakfast, part boutique hotel, which accurately matches our experience. The rooms have very French flair with floral print wallpaper and wooden furnishings. Some rooms include a fireplace, which we appreciated greatly.
White Swan Inn: The nearby hotel to Petite Auberge, located a brief walk away, shares many comparable features. Though the theme focuses on the English countryside here, with plaid patterns substituted for flowery wallpaper.
Stanford Court Hotel: Both the conversation participants have passed by this refurbished boutique hotel in the Nob Hill neighborhood of San Francisco on multiple occasions while traveling to and from their places of employment using the cable car, an experience they undoubtedly find highly enjoyable. It`s situated in a very favorable location especially for those visiting the city for work owing to its proximity to the Financial District, making it a great home base for exploring San Francisco.
Union Square
Look, Union Square may not be the most thrilling neighborhood in San Francisco. It`s likely not even in the top 10.
It attracts many visitors, contains numerous chain retailers and skyscrapers, essentially lacking the charm that made many of us, including myself, fall for San Francisco through the years.
However, it DOES have the most extensive choice of lodgings in the city. And it’s not near. If you examine the pros and cons list for Union Square (which, incidentally, you can find in our manual to the most effective areas to remain in SF), it generally comes down to “it’s well-connected and central with a lot of motels, but it type of sucks so intend on exploring elsewhere.”
Places to Stay in Union Square
CitizenM: It is important to note that we are fans of CitizenM hotels, and this hotel located in the heart of Union Square is virtually identical to their other properties around the world. They basically took the entire concept of a luxury hotel, discarded all preconceived notions (such as the requirement for a bellhop and a spacious bathtub) and constructed an affordable boutique hotel from scratch. The rooms are intended for sleeping, meaning they are compact (even according to San Francisco standards), but they have sizable comfortable king beds, blackout curtains, and soundproofing to ensure you get what you pay for – a good night`s rest. Additionally, they have moved in-room amenities like coffee machines and ironing boards to common areas, so the cost of the room is lower. For more details on precisely why, please read about our experience staying at the CitizenM Seattle.
Palihotel San Francisco: Another hotel chain known for excellent service and refined interior design is Palisociety, which is headquartered in Los Angeles. Their San Francisco property occupies a prime spot near the edge of Union Square in Nob Hill. The rooms come in queen, king, suite, and multibedroom layouts, including some two bedroom suites – an uncommon configuration among hotels aside from adjoining rooms.
4 Days in San Francisco: Our Version of a Perfect 4 Day San Francisco Itinerary
Now that we`ve covered some important logistical details, here is how we would recommend spending your time in San Francisco as a first-time visitor.
And, to be clear, the standard locals-approved abbreviation for San Francisco is “SF” (“ess-eff”).
We’re going to assume that:
- You won`t need to worry about parking or moving your vehicle since you don`t own a car.
- As someone who`s never visited San Francisco before, you`ll want to experience all the popular attractions.
- You enjoy exploring the finest neighborhoods in San Francisco on foot.
What to Book in Advance: Generally, there aren`t many sights in the below itinerary that you`ll need to book ahead of time. The exception is Alcatraz. You`ll want to pre-book your visit to Alcatraz several months in advance. It does sell out quickly, and if it`s a must-do for your trip, reserve 2-3 months ahead. A couple weeks or a month in advance, consider pre-booking activities such as walking excursions or cooking classes.
Here’s an overview of the proposed 4 day itinerary below:
- Day 1: The Ferry Building, North Beach, and Alcatraz at Night
- Day 2: Golden Gate Park, the Lands Ends Trail, and watching the sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge
- Day 3: Explore the NoPa and Mission District neighborhoods
- Day 4: Choose Your Own Experience – 2 Day Trip Possibilities
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Day 1: The Ferry Building, North Beach, and Alcatraz at Night
Spend your first day exploring three great neighborhoods in the east of the city (North Beach, Chinatown, and Nob Hill) before ending with an evening trip to Alcatraz Island.
The Ferry Building
Kick off your trip to San Francisco by heading to one of our favorite spots in the entire city – the Ferry Building.
If fate allows you to be in town on a Saturday, make sure this day falls on Saturday.
A popular farmers market held at the Ferry Building features fresh locally grown produce from around Northern California as well as ready-made foods from artisan brands. More info can be found here.
There’s also a new “Fog City Flea Market,” which is a makers/vintage market that occurs on Sundays. More information here (you’ll have to find it on the events page).
The Ferry Building essentially consists of numerous local businesses, each with their own stall or storefront. Most places here have bigger locations elsewhere in the city, but have a stall here to cater to the thousands of visitors a day who make their way to the Ferry Building.
Here are a few of our preferred areas at the Ferry Building.
- Blue Bottle Coffee: One of the original specialty coffee companies globally, Blue Bottle has now developed a worldwide empire of minimalist coffee shops decorated with their signature blue cup logo. While it’s not my preferred place to get coffee in San Francisco (that honor likely goes to Sightglass), they produce a quality cup of coffee.
- Humphry Slocombe: When it comes to frozen dessert in San Francisco, there are precisely two places that originate immediately, and Humphry Slocombe is one of them (foreshadowing: you’re going to the other one later in the afternoon / evening). Humphry Slocombe is recognized for their groundbreaking flavor mixtures – my older sibling still speaks about the initial (I believe?) “Secret Breakfast” he had a decade ago, which was bourbon frozen dessert with corn flakes. They have a storefront in the Mission District too.
- Mariposa Baking Company: A bakery fully without gluten! Featuring croissants and baguettes as well as other tasty options. Their sandwiches are also quite good – the California and Gobbler are favored selections of Matt.
- Dandelion Chocolate: Craft chocolate made from precisely two ingredients – cocoa butter and sugar. Who knew chocolate could be so fruity?! They also create delicious hot chocolate, though last time we were there they had temporarily paused doing that at the Ferry Building location. Head over to their cafe on Valencia Street in the Mission District for an even deeper experience, or to their factory in the Mission for a chocolate tour!
- Heath Ceramics: We really like Heath! In fact, our daily coffee mugs are from Heath. If you have a fondness for exquisite pottery, be sure to stop by their stand at the Ferry Building. Even better would be to head to their showroom in SOMA, or their factory located over in Sausalito, which has been functioning since 1959!
- Epicurean Trader: This locale possesses a full storefront in the Marina, an excellent place to procure all varieties of specialty food items (we shop for their cider and chocolate assortments). It is pricey yet we appreciate how few other sites offer most of their stock.
- Gott’s Roadside: If you’re hungry and seeking a burger, this is where to go. They offer veggie burgers and gluten free buns (though they’re not risk-free for Celiacs).
North Beach and Chinatown
From the Ferry Building, you’re within walking distance of a few of San Francisco’s iconic neighborhoods – North Beach and Chinatown. We’d recommend doing a little afternoon stroll that incorporates the highlights of both of them.
If you’re up for some walking, this walk is about as aesthetically pleasing as possible. However, it does feature some elevated areas – you’re in San Francisco, after all!
Begin by walking north up the wide road that runs along the water just outside the Ferry Building. It’s worth stopping at Pier 7 ( here on Google Maps), which features one of my favorite city views
Chinatown
Walkable from the Ferry Building and North Beach is San Francisco’s Chinatown, one of the largest in the country, and it is well worth exploring if time allows.
Before departing, ensure to learn about what Chinatown signifies and what it represents, which isn’t exactly pleasant reading. Widespread racism against Chinese immigrants in the 1800’s and laws that excluded them from other neighborhoods (does this seem recognizable?
It`s a familiar strategy that was often employed which led to the creation of communities that still exist today. It`s more than just a place to go to check out the Cookie Factory.
With that context in mind, exploring this neighborhood seems enjoyable.
Regretfully, I’m not the right individual to assist you in exploring the culinary scene, since I have Celiac Disease and can’t consume gluten (which is ubiquitous in most Chinese dishes I’ve come across). Here’s a helpful guide to dining in Chinatown.
An even more preferable option would be to embark on a guided tour through Chinatown, which presents a superb chance to gain knowledge about the history of Chinese immigration in California, indulge in some delicious cuisine, and receive insider recommendations on where (and what) to dine in the area.
China Live, a big light-filled food corridor (it’s kind of similar to Eataly for Italian food) that is part bistro, part home goods store, all with a laser focus on Chinese food and culture. If you’re brief on time and not really hungry, that’s a good stop to make.
We would head to the Dragon`s Gate and the area surrounding Grant Avenue, where an assortment of shops and restaurants can be found.
North Beach
North Beach is at San Francisco’s northeast corner, and is a historically Italian area.
The Italian community in San Francisco settled here previously, and you’ll notice their impact on the area as you walk by one Italian trattoria after another.
North Beach today also functions as a nightlife center, and the stretch along Broadway contains numerous storefronts illuminated after dark, advertising everything from theatrical productions to gentlemen`s social clubs.
The area we’d focus your time on is the stretch along Columbus Avenue, which diagonally runs through the center of the neighborhood.
On the southern end of Columbus Avenue in North Beach lies the City Lights Bookstore, one of California`s premier independent book retailers. SUPPORT INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES. They are particularly renowned for their activism role in San Francisco.
If you feel like drinking, 15 Romolo is one of our regularly visited places in the city for beverages (particularly if we’re waiting for a table at Tony’s). It’s also one of the only locations we know in San Francisco where you can sample Sherry, which we discovered on our recent trip to Spain.
Tony’s Pizza Napoletana is one of our favored pizza restaurants anywhere in the world. Their pizza winning awards in Italy is a strong endorsement of their high quality.
Reservations are not accepted, and there is often a long line outside from opening until closing. Don`t be shocked to find yourself waiting two hours or more on a weekend afternoon or evening to be seated.
Obviously, you might not be hungry just yet, and we’ve got plenty of food lined up for you later in the afternoon. However, if you’re wanting to sample the pizza, they have a pizza-by-the-slice spot next door.
We`d stroll from City Lights up to Washington Square, which is a pleasant park where a variety of characters can be found relaxing in the San Francisco sunshine.
After soaking in the sights and ambient sounds of the park, make your way up the hill to the iconic Coit Tower
Coit Tower
Up next is Coit Tower, which involves some climbing however you approach it.
Coit Tower was constructed in the 1930’s at the top of Telegraph Hill as a monument to a San Francisco firefighter who passed away in 1929 and left a generous sum to the city.
There are some truly interesting murals inside the tower focusing on the city during the Great Depression, and the view over the San Francisco Bay from the base is pleasant, including the Golden Gate Bridge.
It’s free to visit the ground floor murals, which is where most of them are situated, but you’ll have to join one of their guided excursions to perceive the murals on the second floor.
You also have the option to go all the way to the top of the tower using the elevator, where the views of the city are even better. It is fairly costly at $11 per adult, so we`d probably skip it if we were you, as the perspectives from the tower`s base are pleasant.
Both guided excursions and elevator tickets can be reserved here.
One of my favorite perspectives of Coit Tower is from the highest point of Lombard Street. Well, truly, it’s from the top of one of the roads in Russian Hill adjacent to Lombard – Filbert Street ( here on Google Maps).
The Alcatraz Night Tour
Visiting Alcatraz is something that most travelers visiting San Francisco want to do, but many locals haven`t given much thought to. That`s truly accurate for Alysha, who spent her whole life in the Bay Area and just made it to Alcatraz for the initial time a couple years ago.
Alcatraz is a previous federal jail situated on an island in the center of the San Francisco Bay. One of my earliest recollections of Alcatraz is seeing it inThe Rock, a tremendously entertaining “escape from Alcatraz” movie starring Sean Connery and legendary Nicholas Cage.
It might not look like it when you watch the likes of Cage and Connery do it, but the currents and freezing water make it nearly impossible to escape from Alcatraz.
It operated as a fully functioning federal penitentiary until the 1960’s, and has since become one of the most visited attractions in the city.
If you acted wisely, you scheduled your AlcatrazExcursionWELL in advance. They sell out months ahead of time. We’d strongly suggest doing the night tour if possible – it’s eerie, and you get panoramic views of the city lit up at night, which is breathtaking.
We`ve only been to Alcatraz once, for the night tour. It`s a super cool experience because you get INCREDIBLE views of the city from the island.
If tickets for tourists to Alcatraz are sold out by the time you begin to schedule your reservation, you have one option for seeing it, and that is taking a guide-led tour. Partake in a led tour of Alcatraz with Take Walks.
Day 2: Golden Gate Park, the Lands Ends Trail, and the Golden Gate Bridge at Sunset
On your second day in the city, focus your activities in the western area, starting with a morning meal and stroll through Golden Gate Park before concluding with the top hike in San Francisco ending at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
Brunch at Zazie
Start your day with midday meal. For whatever reason, people in San Francisco absolutely adore waiting in lines for midday meal.
Pick any Saturday or Sunday during certain times of the week, one could see groups of people congregating and waiting patiently outside some of the more trend-setting restaurants located around the metropolitan area, ready to enjoy a relaxing midday meal.”
Since you’ll be exploring Golden Gate Park today, it makes sense to head directly to one of our favorite brunch spots – Zazie.
We’ve legitimately waited for two hours for brunch here, and we’d do it again without hesitation. It’s also a good spot for dinner, for what it’s worth. There are no reservations, and you put your name on the list and they’ll text you when the table is ready for you. It’s worth it for the benedicts.
Make sure to see if you can sit in their lovely backyard patio area.
The other note is that they pay their employees adequately and include it in the cost of your meal, so tipping is unnecessary.
Stroll through Golden Gate Park
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My earliest residence in San Francisco bordered the northern periphery of the park, and strolls through Golden Gate Park on weekend mornings quickly became a staple activity Alysha and I enjoyed together early in our relationship.
There are a few points of interest to inspect at Golden Gate Park, which is sure to be one of the highlights of your 4 day itinerary in San Francisco:
- Memories from childhood school trips remain of the lovely Japanese Tea Garden within Golden Gate Park, a beautiful oasis offering a serene setting including a tea house where one can relax with tea.
- The De Young Museum is one of the better art museums in the city, with expansive collections of American and African art (among others), though we’re not huge art museum enthusiasts.
- The Botanical Garden link is lovely in spring and early summer (and free for SF residents!).
- The Academy of Sciences which is my preferred museum in SF and is great for kids (and adults on Thursday nights at Nightlife, when the museum is accessible but transforms into a nightclub with drinks, music, and events for the 21+ crowd. It’s a blast!).
- Stow Lake where you can hire pedal boats and troll around the small lake.
After dinner, try gelato at either Grom (our favorite gelato in Rome) or Frigidarium, likely the most renowned gelato shop globally.
You likely don’t have time to do all of the museums / gardens, so we’d choose one and save the rest for your next trip. And we’d probably pick either the Botanical Garden or the Japanese Tea Garden, if it were us.
Provided below is a pathway we suggest if you intend to travel from one end of the park to the other.
Ocean Beach & Sutro Baths
Your next stop is the Ocean Beach, also known as the Pacific Ocean.
You can either take the scenic route through the park and make some stops, or get a Lyft from the last destination in the park and head straight to the beach.
The beach itself isn’t particularly noteworthy. And, truthfully, it’s usually foggy and/or windy and cold.
So the San Francisco beach experience is likely to differ from the typical southern California beach scene. It will probable be cold, windy, foggy, and populated by people dressed warmly in puffers and hoodies rather than swimsuits.
We truly appreciate the outlook from Sutro Heights Park (roughly here on Google Maps) where, on an uncommon clear day, the beach extends miles southward.
An additional place that is highly appreciated in this nearby area is Andytown Coffee, which simultaneously provides some of the finest coffee in San Francisco and also some of the most difficult to obtain, since their two locations are quite far out here near the shore.
Whenever we`re in the vicinity, we make certain to stop by, and think you likely should too if you want a quick energy boost before starting your hike.
You can view the outcomes by zone here – obviously some are more competitive than others.
We’ll do our best to summarize it all in this brief section, but for additional information on camping in the park, reference the National Park Service’s guide.
The Lands End Trail
Commence at Sutro Baths, the ruins of a former bathhouse on the coast that was destroyed to build high end apartments (that were never started – explore about the history here) and begin on the Lands End Trail.
Spend a moment walking downhill to admire the baths and the perspectives. Then head uphill on the northern flank and commence your hike.
Winding along the coast rewards with impressive perspectives of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge from varied angles. Undertaking the route from west to east, initiating at Ocean Beach and concluding at the bridge vista, maintains the structure in the forward field of view throughout the experience.
Follow the trail to Baker Beach, where you can pause to appreciate the perspectives of the Golden Gate (and watch out for the undressed people at the north east end!).
Then make your way to Marshall’s Beach for a hands-on and intimate encounter with the Golden Gate Bridge (watch carefully for the undressed individuals).
Finally, continue to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, where you can choose to walk across the bridge and back if you please.
Here’s a map of the route. It’s going to take you several hours. Take your time and enjoy the endless coastal beauty that the walk has to offer.
For those seeking less costly lodging, think about staying further south around the village of Little River.
Sunset at the Golden Gate Bridge
Ultimately, after hiking a couple of miles with the bridge increasingly coming into view, you’ll have finally arrived at the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza.
What is typically the first image that comes to mind when considering a visit to San Francisco? Most individuals would instantly mention the Golden Gate Bridge.
What they don’t indicate in all the travel guides is that the Golden Gate Bridge is actually a little bit miserable on most days.
The location of the bridge implies that it’s regularly foggy, windy, and cold. There’s a probable chance that it’s one – or all – of those things when you visit, so be sure to bring ample layers!
A note: At least half of the time, the Golden Gate Bridge is covered by mist. Did you know that the fog in SF has a name? It’s Karl. Karl the Fog. If you have a clear day during your time in San Francisco, take advantage and head to the bridge. Fair warning – even though it`s sunny downtown, the bridge might be foggy.
When at the bridge, there are a few locations we`d be certain to visit for stunning photographs.
- The Main Viewpoint: Go here for the classic view of the bridge.
- The Batteries: Definitely do some exploring of the batteries (that’s the old bunker-like structures) too, which are a unique aspect of this part of California.
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Another great vantage point for viewing the bridge is from below, which can be done at Fort Point. It`s a 0.7 mile downward hike from the toll plaza, and if one doesn`t have a vehicle, planning to catch a Lyft to your subsequent destination from there could circumvent needing to walk back up the incline 
Day 3: NoPa and the Mission District
On your third day in San Francisco, spend your day wandering through some of our favorite neighborhoods in San Francisco – NOPA and the Mission – with plenty of time for nourishment along the way.
Breakfast + Coffee in NoPa
NoPa, shorthand for “north of the panhandle,” represents a charming residential neighborhood on the eastern edge of Golden Gate Park. It`s the place to view classic Victorians, which are spread throughout the streets (though the most iconic batch are the brightly painted homes featured in the television show Full House).
This area is a great spot to begin your day, which will be full of food. A key street with places for breakfast, brunch, and coffee is Divisadero Street.
To start, coffee. Sightglass Coffee Roasters is likely one of my top coffee shops in San Francisco, and they have a location directly on Divisadero Street. Alysha enjoys Matching Half Cafe (who offer coffee beans from Andytown, an additional great coffee roaster in San Francisco) for their chai.
If you’re in the mood for a heartier brunch, head to Brenda’s Meat & Three. The sister establishment to Brenda’s Soul Food, which is an illustrious brunch locale in the Tenderloin, this location has basically the identical menu with a superior placement and significantly diminished queues.
They serve cuisine inspired by the owner`s childhood in Louisiana, focussing on “French Soul Food”. Treats like beignets and biscuits with gravy are served (unfortunately not suitable for those with celiac disease – this is not a gluten-free friendly establishment). Friends and family consistently enjoy the menu items, however.
If you’re more in the mood for pastries, there are two great options in this part of town, where Matt lived for four years before we moved in together.
Again, neither has gluten free options, which is why the individual makes others undertake the difficult task of enjoying delicious croissants and various other pastries to help evaluate them.
- B Patisserie: This bakery has been prominently featured repeatedly, situated on the same street as Brenda`s, permitting those who are extremely hungry to enjoy both destinations concurrently in an indulgent brunch extravaganza. Their interpretation of French pastries is somewhat modern, merging traditional French techniques with more innovative flavor combinations. They provide a vast selection of pastries that changes consistently, but be aware that popular items may sell out so arrive early if feasible.
- Arsicault Bakery: This establishment (somewhat farther away in the Inner Richmond area) was always on our route to the nearby farmers market on weekends, and I never once observed a lineup here until one Sunday morning shortly after Bon Appétit acclaimed them as one of the top new bakeries in the nation in 2016, specifically highlighting their croissants. Now, there’s a line that wraps around the block every weekend morning, and they consistently sell out of their buttery croissants by noon (if not earlier). There are plenty of additional options too, like Pain au Chocolat and some savory selections, but you should definitely try the croissant at minimum once.
Alamo Square and the Painted Ladies
After breakfast and spending some time shopping, stroll up to Alamo Square and the Painted Ladies, made renowned by the TV show “Full House.”
Once past Divisadero Street, you`ll start realizing Victorians are fairly common sights in this part of the city, questioning how they came to be so famous.
It’s primarily owing to the panorama from Alamo Square, the park across the street, where you’ll have a pleasant view of the Ladies in the foreground, with the San Francisco skyline in the background.
Did you know this is the most photographed spot in all of San Francisco?
If you’re there on a weekend, visit the Lady Falcon Coffee Club truck located in the middle of the park for another cup of coffee. This time, from a locally owned business operated by females.
Corona Heights Park
Most people will guide you to Twin Peaks, which is undoubtedly an excellent perspective of the city, but it’s continuously crowded with tourists seeking for that picture perfect view of the downtown San Francisco skyline with Market Street acting as a excellent guiding line in the foreground.
However, we’d point you to a much less visited spot – Corona Heights Park – where you get a similar view without all the crowds.
You can locate it here on Google Maps.
From there, stroll down into the Mission District, where you’ll be spending the remainder of your third day in the city.
The Mission District
The Mission District is easily one of our favorite neighborhoods in San Francisco for a few different causes.
The weather is one distinguishing factor. Locals in San Francisco understand that the Mission district consistently experiences temperatures at least 5 degrees higher than other areas free of the fog usually present.
We`ve experienced situations where the temperature was 48 degrees with fog and wind at our residence in Nob Hill, yet merely a mile away in the Mission district it was a sunny 65 degrees.
Second is the cuisine and beverages. There is no better neighborhood to experience the local fare than the Mission. From renowned bakeries and ice cream shops (there are two!) to taquerias and Burmese cuisine, the Mission essentially has it all.
Last, but certainly not least, is Mission Dolores Park, which is probably the best park in San Francisco after Golden Gate Park.
For those reasons, we think that the Mission deserves a visit on your trip to San Francisco. Here’s what we’d do with your time in the Mission.
However, you should be aware that it is undergoing rapid gentrification, and the effects of this process are evident.
You’ll encounter people from all walks of life in the Mission, which is evident when you walk down Valencia Street and see newly established hipster coffee shops and home goods stores neighboring Mexican grocery stores and taco shops that have been there for decades.
It is noteworthy that the Mission, as the oldest neighborhood in San Francisco containing the most venerable building still standing in the city, has traditionally been home to the Latino populace within San Francisco.”
Until recently, that is, when rapidly increasing rents have pushed out residents who have lived there for decades in exchange for tech workers and hip brunch spots and fancy cocktail bars.
We won`t solve issues of gentrification here, yet fully acknowledge part of our enjoyment spending time in the Mission stems from the bars, restaurants, and shops resulting directly from gentrification.
Instead of trying to solve it, we’d advise you to explore this article in the SF Chronicle about the Mission’s history and how it is evolving to understand the issues facing the neighborhood.
Valencia Street
Valencia Street is one of the prime shopping streets in the city. If you’re looking for trendy clothing boutiques and upscale home goods stores, there’s no better place to browse.
Here are some shopping highlights:
- Taylor Stitch (men’s), Azalea(women’s), and Voyager(women’s) for three of my preferred clothing boutiques in the city.
- Acacia for household items, like locally created candles and pottery.
- Therapy for gifts, books, and other random items
- Fellow for coffee paraphernalia. I enjoy their pour-over kettle. They also hold a nice coffee cupping on Saturday afternoons that’s worthwhile for coffee lovers.
- Artemisia – Zero Energy Home with a View: Located on top of a hill above the town of Winthrop where it offers beautiful scenery but remains near enough to walk into the community, this four bedroom eco-friendly and solar-powered residence is marvelous. It hosts an abundance of natural illumination, amazing views of surrounding landscapes, and sufficient accommodation for larger groups.
Of course, Valencia Street also offers many great dining and drinking establishments. We`ll discuss a couple spots on Valencia Street in the `eating in the Mission` section below, focusing here on coffee, tea, and hot chocolate options.
- Luxurious Penthouse in Downtown Whitefish (2 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms): New development in downtown Whitefish. This open floor plan penthouse is on the top floor, and has amazing sights from the terrace. Inside you’ll find freshly new kitchen appliances, snuggly beds, and a washer and dryer for you to utilize.
- Bow River Trail: We don’t have a specific route, but we think you should travel along the river out to the Canmore Engine Bridge ( here on Google Maps), which offers a cool view with the bridge in the foreground over the river, with the Three Sisters in the background.
Specifically, you’ll find a lot of discussion about the immigrant experience in San Francisco and throughout the United States in general, and about the growing gap between the richest and poorest inhabitants which continues to expand at an alarming rate. More information on the project here.
Mission Dolores Park
Mission Dolores (or the proper name, Mission San Francisco de Asís) which is a few blocks north of the park that is named after it, is the oldest intact building in the city.
It was built wayyyy back in 1776, when the Catholics arrived with a mandate to evangelize the indigenous people who had called California home for millennia.
A tale as old as time.
You can see the original mission next to the newer and more lavish basilica at the corner of 16th and Dolores.
Mission Dolores Park, on the other hand, is one of the most popular parks in the city, especially on warm, sunny days, when thousands flock to the park with picnic blankets and alcoholic drinks in tow, dressed in the minimum amount of clothing possible, to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Mission.
This is an entertaining place for a picnic meal or picnic happy hour, and supplies can be procured at nearby Bi-Rite Market which boasts a good variety of wine, beer, cheese, crackers, and whatever else is craved.
Directly across from the park is one of Alysha’s favorite places in San Francisco – Bi-Rite Creamery, which likely has the best ice cream in the city.
Dinner and Drinks in The Mission
From affordable taquerias to more upscale restaurants, the Mission has a good range of food and beverages to enjoy.
We’d recommend exploring the local restaurants and bars in the neighborhood, where you have plenty to choose from for dinner and drinks.
Where to Eat in the Mission
Tartine: This corner bakery at 18th and Guerero is highly referenced across various media platforms like Instagram and Netflix. This compact yet cozy bakery is the initial location, where you’ll find all sorts of delightful, definitely NOT GLUTEN FREE treats such as croissants and other kinds of pastries alongside life-changing breads. Alysha has a list of places that she will consume gluten (most of the time she doesn’t because I have Celiac Disease, and it makes our lives easier) and this is included. They have a bigger, more brunch-style space a few blocks away called the Manufactory, too.
Taquerias: The Mission is probably most famous for its taquerias. Go to La Taqueriafor Mission style burritos, and Taqueria El Farolito for tacos. Of course, there’s a nearly endless number of different options in the area – here’s a guide for you to find the perfect taqueria for yourself.
Burma Love: Sister restaurant of Burma Superstar, which is one of our favorite locales to dine in San Francisco (and was right near my initial flat in the city). If you’ve never sampled Burmese cuisine, this is the place to do so. Procure the tea leaf salad (duh) and the chicken curry.
Pica Pica: Venezuelan-style arepas, stuffed with different fillings such as chicken with spice, slow braised beef, and sweet plantains. We highly enjoy this location, and it’s completely gluten free. Get a cachapa too, which is like a sweet corn pancake filled with similar fillings as the arepas. Oh, and definitely get the orange spicy cream sauce too.
Start your day in Las Vegas by visiting the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign. You can catch the Hop-On/Hop-Off shuttle there and take it to the LINQ Promenade.
Where to Drink in the Mission
The Mission, while lively during the day, truly awakens after dark. Here are some of our favorite venues to obtain a drink in the Mission, though there are quite a few more excellent choices that we either haven’t experienced or completely forgot about.
ABV: Our absolute preferred cocktail bar in the city. Hands down.
Monk’s Kettle: Situated across from ABV, this bar emphasizes beer – specifically Belgian varieties – also hosting an admirable cider selection.
El Techo: Top-notch margaritas with excellent panoramic views over San Francisco from the rooftop. Need we say more?
Urban Putt: The setting of our second or third meeting in San Francisco, this is a bar with an extensive San Francisco-themed miniature golf course.
Day 4: Choose Your Own Adventure (2 Day Trip Options)
On your final day, we’d advise venturing out of the city on a day trip. As we’ve already discussed that you really shouldn’t rent a car if avoidable, we’ll provide some options for a car-free day excursion, which will sometimes involve booking a guided tour.
Option 1: Wine Tasting (in a Charming VW Bus!)
Some of the most renowned wine lands in the entire world are just an hour or two north of San Francisco. Napa Valley is the most famous, and also the most expensive and crowded.
We opted to head to Sonoma, which is a lesser known yet equally fascinating wine region adjacent to Napa where you’ll find significantly more affordable tastings that generally don’t require advance bookings.
We’re assuming you don’t own a car, which signifies you’ll need to join a guided tour if wanting to partake in wine tasting. Which, if we’re being truthful, is probably the best approach to enjoy the wine without concern for drinking and driving.
As soon as we noticed this wine sampling tour in a vintage Volkswagen Bus, we realized it necessary inclusion on the list. Note that this tour DOES NOT cover tasting fees or lunch, only the transportation to and from San Francisco and between vineyards.
One alternative could be this small group Sonoma wine trip, where the costs of tastings at three vineyards are covered (though not lunch), plus there is a stop on the return at Sausalito overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.
Option 2: A Hike in Marin County + Muir Woods
- Proeflokaal Arendsnest: An historically-styled beer bar with over 50 rotating taps focused solely on Dutch brews. They also had hard ciders available in bottles during our prior visits. We’ve been here three or four times now and would happily return again.
Marin County, where Alysha was raised, possesses some of the finest hiking routes in the Bay Area (and additionally the redwood forests). A perfect self-guided half day schedule would be as follows:
- Procure breakfast independently and drive over the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin.
- Stop by Equator Coffee along Highway 1 for some delicious coffee.
- Stop at Muir Woodsto see the towering redwood trees of Northern California – note that you will need to make a reservation beforehand for parking or the shuttle (runs weekends and holidays only).
- Hike either the Tennessee Valley Path(SPECTACULAR coastal panoramas) or to the summit of Mount Tamalpais (views across the Bay Area and of the city on a clear day).
- Stop at Flour Craft Bakery (100% gluten free!) in Mill Valley on the return trip for some lunch – order the blackberry earl grey scone and thank us later.
- Drive over the Golden Gate Bridge back into the city. You pay on the way back into the city, and you won’t need to stop – they’ll mail you the bill.
If a vehicle isn`t available, this will be slightly more difficult. In that scenario, focusing on Muir Woods is advised since it`s basically the only place guided tours are found.
Here’s a highly recommended guided sightseeing opportunity that would be at the top of our list (plus it includes a stop in Sausalito).
If your goal is to experience the first two day trips, we would advise booking this guided excursion that visits Muir Woods in the morning amid the redwoods, then continues to wine country for the afternoon.
What to Do with Less Time in San Francisco
Have less time in San Francisco? Here’s an outline of how we’d spend one, two, and three days in San Francisco. There’s a ton of overlap with the itinerary above, so you can still use those detailed sections to plan your trip!
One Day in San Francisco
Fortunately, guidance is available in the form of an entire guide detailing ways to spend one day in San Francisco!
Here’s the condensed version. If you’ve only got one day, we’d propose focusing on the Golden Gate Bridge, the Ferry Building and North Beach, and the Mission in an action-packed single day.
2 Days in San Francisco
For a brief visit to San Francisco over a couple days or a weekend, we would follow a schedule similar to days 1 and 2 above, then add an evening out for food and drinks in the thriving Mission District after admiring the Golden Gate Bridge scenery.
So your first day would be the Ferry Building,North Beach,Chinatown, and Nob Hill with an optional trip out to Alcatraz in the evening.
Your second day would focus on the western half of the city, starting with taking brunch in NoPa at a spot called Zazie, then spending time wandering through Golden Gate Park out to Ocean Beach, ending with a walk on the Lands End Trail for sunset views of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Then head to the Mission District for dinner and drinks.
3 Days in San Francisco
This one is easy! Follow days 1 through 3 of the proposed itinerary as written!
Sadly, that means no day trips from San Francisco, but three days provides enough time to explore the city itself, saving other destinations for a future visit.
The Best Time to Visit San Francisco
There is no real bad time to visit San Francisco, because the climate is moderate year round thanks to its location on the coast and doesn’t really vary that much.
The temperature can fluctuate between around 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit from summer to winter, however in general, it stays fairly consistent all year round.
You`re planning a summer trip to the Bay Area. As it`s in California, the weather must be ideal, right?
Wrong. Ish.
Between June and August, San Francisco transforms into the fog capital of the world.
It’s very, very unlike the climate in Los Angeles, which is the reference point that most people have for California`s weather pattern.
There’s a clear reason that you see so many “I <3 SF” sweatshirts around the city, and that clear reason is that people end up needing to buy an extra layer when they show up expecting 90 degrees and get 55 degrees and foggy.
However, it often clears during the day and it’s very pleasant to be there. Be sure to pack extra layers more than anticipated.
The best time to visit San Francisco are the shoulder seasons, particularly September and October. That’s when you’ll get warm, clear weather, and crowds will be slightly smaller as children go back to school.
Spring in San Francisco is great, especially if you venture outside of the city and experience the blissful short time a year (I jest, it’s more like four) where the hills around the city are actually green. Before they turn brown for the other 11 months of the year.
Winter in San Francisco provides a favorable time to visit for those seeking an affordable excursion. Unlike other areas of the country, there exists no risk of snowfall or exceptionally frigid conditions in San Francisco during this season. While precipitation levels do augment winter months, stretches of beautiful clear days punctuate periods of rain. Crowds and costs will be reduced (though remaining in San Francisco retains a modest cost).
How to Get to San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the closest airport to the city. That’s where you should fly into.
You might find some flight deals into Oakland International Airport (OAK), which is a little further outside the city, but is feasible. Sometimes I actually prefer flying into Oakland because it gets significantly less fog, which means fewer flight delays.
San Jose (SJC) is approximately an hour`s drive outside the city without traffic congestion, and I wouldn’t recommend flying there unless visiting Silicon Valley is the primary purpose.
How to Get into San Francisco from SFO
When you fly into SFO, I would take a ridesharing service or Uber to your lodging. BART, the public transportation choice, is around $10 per individual from the airport and will take about an hour. You can usually get a shared Lyft/Uber for under $30, and it`s considerably faster (unless there`s a lot of traffic).
Getting Around San Francisco
Parking in San Francisco is highly inconvenient. Do not rent a car for your whole trip. You will likely regret it.
Instead, use a mix of buses and Lyft to navigate around the city.
San Francisco has an urban transportation system designated MUNI that covers a big portion of the city. It’s affordable, relatively dependable, but it does occasionally halt twice a block, and it can take a LONG time to get from one end of the city to the other.
We also have an underground rapid transportation system called BART connecting parts of the city to Oakland, Berkeley, and beyond. It’s useful linking the Financial District and Mission areas, but that’s the extent regarding the below itinerary.
If you are in a hurry trying to see as much as possible in just a weekend, we’d recommend Lyftto navigate around the city. It’s fast, convenient, and you just need to download an app to your phone! They even have something referred to as Lyft Line that is basically a carpool that matches people heading in an identical direction to share costs.
San Francisco is one of the most stunning cities worldwide. With the towering Golden Gate, easy access to the Pacific shore, and its proximity to world-class outdoor activities, everyone should visit San Francisco at minimum once.
Headed to San Francisco? Plan the perfect trip with our other San Francisco Travel Guides
- Where to Stay in San Francisco (+Where Not To)
- Experiencing the best of San Francisco in a single day
- The comprehensive guide to gluten-free options in San Francisco link
- Excellent day trips from San Francisco including the wine country and scenic coastal areas
- Suggestions for Packing for San Francisco (Hint: Layering clothing is recommended)
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