4-Day San Francisco Itinerary

Arrival day

Before Day 1. Keep the first evening open, because the city rewards a slow walk.Details

From the airport: San Francisco International has its own BART station, and the train runs straight into the city and out to the Mission. A taxi or a rideshare also works, but the road in can be slow when the freeway is busy.
Getting around: Walk the flat stretches, ride a bus or a cable car up the big hills, and use a ferry for the water. A steep street looks short on a map and feels long, so leave a little more time than you expect.
What to pack: Bring layers and a windproof jacket. The weather changes from one neighborhood to the next, and fog can roll in over the bridge on a warm day. Comfortable shoes matter more than anything else.
First evening: Stretch your legs with a slow walk along the waterfront and have an early dinner. Day 1 starts at the Ferry Building, so you will already be close.

Day 1. The waterfront and the hills above it

5 stops · 2.9 mi

A day that starts at the bay and climbs. The market hall, Chinatown and Telegraph Hill sit close together, and the wharf and the crooked street are a short step away. Take the cable car if your legs ask for it.

Breakfast
Sourdough toast and coffee
San Francisco is famous for its sour, chewy sourdough bread. A slice with butter and a strong coffee is a good start to the day.
Local tip Buy a small loaf at a bakery and tear it as you walk.
1
MorningWorth the time
Ferry Building
A grand old terminal on the bay with a clock tower and a market hall inside. Walk through the stalls, buy something to eat and look out at the water.
Go when Morning, when the market hall is calm and the bay is bright.
Local tip Walk through the hall once without buying, then go back to the stall that smelled best. Step out the back to sit by the water.
Photo: Daniel Lu ( User:dllu ), CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 15 min walk0.7 mi
2
MiddayWorth the time
Chinatown
One of the oldest Chinatowns in the country, packed into a few blocks of narrow streets, bakeries and shops. Enter through the green gate and walk where it looks busiest.
Go when Late morning, when the streets and bakeries are busy.
Local tip Walk the side lanes as well as the main street. The small bakeries and herb shops are where the neighborhood really lives.
Photo: Christian Mehlführer, Use…, CC BY 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Lunch
Dim sum in Chinatown
Small plates of dumplings, buns and rolls, shared around the table. Many dim sum rooms line the streets of Chinatown.
Local tip Order a few plates at a time, since they come out and the table fills.
Photo: LeonardKong, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 16 min walk0.8 mi
3
AfternoonWorth the time
Coit Tower
A slim white tower on top of Telegraph Hill, with a wide view over the city and the bay. Walk down the Filbert Steps afterwards, through steep gardens and past houses with no street in front of them.
Go when Afternoon, on a clear day.
Local tip Walk up from the north side of the hill and come back down the Filbert Steps. Listen for the wild parrots in the trees.
Photo: Ryan Schwark, CC0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 14 min walk0.7 mi
4
AfternoonWorth a short look
Lombard Street
The famous crooked block of tight turns between flower beds, on the side of Russian Hill. Walk down the steps beside it and look back up.
Go when Mid-afternoon, before the line of cars builds.
Local tip Walk it on the steps beside the road, which is faster than driving it, and stop at the bottom to look back at the curves.
Photo: Victorgrigas, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 13 min walk0.7 mi
5
EveningAn evening stop
Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39
The old fishing waterfront, now a lively stretch of piers, street performers and views of the island. Sea lions often rest on the docks beside the pier, a sight in itself.
Go when Early evening, around sunset, when the light turns gold.
Local tip Walk to the end of the pier for the view of the island and the bridge, and stop to watch the sea lions on the docks.
Photo: Charles H. Townsend, Bure… on Wikimedia Commons
Dinner
A bowl of chowder in sourdough
A creamy clam chowder in a hollowed-out sourdough loaf is the classic bite on the wharf. Dungeness crab is a local treat when it is in season.
Local tip Ask what is fresh that day, and eat outside if the wind is calm.
Photo: kansasphoto, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons

If it rains. Keep the Ferry Building and Chinatown, which have indoor space, and take the cable car or a bus up the hills instead of walking them. Skip Coit Tower and the steps if the rain is heavy.

Day 2. The island and the bridge

4 stops · 3.7 mi

A day of water and sky. A boat to the island in the morning, then a slow walk west along the shore toward the great red bridge. Book the boat ahead.

1
MorningBook the boat ahead
Alcatraz Island
A rock in the bay that was a federal prison for decades. A short ferry ride crosses to it, and a walk with an audio guide goes through the cell house. Book the ferry well ahead, because it fills up.
Go when Morning, on one of the first ferries.
Local tip Book the ferry well ahead and check what time it leaves. Wear layers, because the island is windy even on a warm day.
Photo: Chris6d, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
By ferry back, then by road2.2 mi
Options
FerryAlcatraz City Cruises back to Pier 33, about 15 minutes. Check the times
RoadThen transit or a rideshare to the Palace of Fine Arts.
2
AfternoonWorth a short visit
Palace of Fine Arts
A domed pavilion of pale stone beside a lagoon, left over from a fair in 1915. A calm place to sit by the water and watch the swans.
Go when Afternoon, when the light hits the dome.
Local tip Walk all the way around the lagoon. The view of the dome from the far side is the one in the photographs.
Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Lunch
Lunch in the Marina
The streets of the Marina are full of cafes and small restaurants with sandwiches, salads and pasta. Pick one close to the Palace, or buy a picnic for the shore.
Local tip A picnic by the lagoon is the best table in the area.
About 18 min walk0.9 mi
3
AfternoonWorth the time
Crissy Field
A long grassy shore beside the bay, with a beach, a path and the bridge filling the end of the view. Walk it slowly, or sit on the sand.
Go when Afternoon, then walk toward the bridge as the light softens.
Local tip Take the path along the water. Dogs, kite flyers and joggers share it, so it feels like the city out for a walk.
Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 12 min walk0.6 mi
4
EveningWorth the time
Golden Gate Bridge
The red-orange bridge that crosses the mouth of the bay, opened in 1937. Walk out onto it, or stand at the south end and look up at the towers.
Go when Around sunset, when the towers glow.
Local tip Fog can cover the towers, so check the sky and be flexible. If it is thick, try again on another day.
Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Dinner
Dinner on Chestnut Street
A busy street of small restaurants in the Marina, with a mix of every cuisine. Walk it until a place looks good.
Local tip Go before the evening rush, or be ready to wait for a table.

If it rains. Alcatraz mostly runs in light rain, and the cell house is indoors. Keep that and the Palace of Fine Arts, and leave the shoreline walk and the bridge for a clearer hour.

Day 3. Painted houses, a big park and the peaks

3 stops · 12.3 mi

A day to wander the western half of the city. A row of colored houses, a park the size of a town, and a hilltop for the evening view.

Travel from Golden Gate BridgeAbout 14 min by car or transit3.2 mi
Where Day 2 ended.
1
MorningWorth a short visit
Alamo Square and the Painted Ladies
A row of colorful Victorian houses facing a hilltop park, with the downtown towers rising behind. Sit on the grass and look.
Go when Morning, when the light is on the front of the houses.
Local tip Stand at the top of the park and look across at the row with the towers behind it. Then wander into the streets beyond.
Photo: en:User:Paul.h on Wikimedia Commons
Lunch
Lunch in Hayes Valley
A small, stylish neighborhood a short walk from the square, with cafes, bakeries and small restaurants. A good place for a long sit.
Local tip Walk the side streets, where the best tables are tucked away.
About 9 min by car3.8 mi
2
AfternoonWorth the time
Golden Gate Park
A long green park that runs from the middle of the city to the ocean, with gardens, lakes and museums along the way. Pick one corner and let it fill the afternoon.
Go when Afternoon, with a corner of the park in mind.
Local tip The park is long, so do not try to see it all. Choose a garden, a lake or a museum and stay.
Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 13 min by car5.3 mi
3
EveningWorth the time
Twin Peaks
Two hills in the middle of the city with a view over the whole of San Francisco. It can be windy and foggy, so wear a layer and give it a few minutes.
Go when Late afternoon, ideally around sunset, then stay as the lights come on.
Local tip It is windy and cool at the top even on a warm day. Bring a jacket and take a few minutes to let the view settle.
Photo: Internet Archive Book Ima…, CC BY-SA 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Dinner
Dinner in the Castro
A friendly neighborhood just below the peaks, with cafes and restaurants for every taste. The old movie theater on the main street makes a good landmark.
Local tip Walk down from the peaks if you have the energy. It is steep but short.

If it rains. Swap the park for the California Academy of Sciences or the de Young museum, which are indoors, and leave the Painted Ladies and Twin Peaks for a dry day.

Day 4. The Mission

4 stops · 1.7 mi

A slow, sunny neighborhood day: an old mission church, a park full of people and streets covered in murals. The easiest day of the trip, with plenty of places to sit and eat.

1
MorningWorth a short visit
Mission San Francisco de Asís
The oldest standing building in the city, a small white church with a quiet garden behind it. Walk in and out of the old chapel and read the names in the cemetery.
Go when Morning, before the park fills up.
Local tip Step into the garden at the back, where the old cemetery is quiet. The tall church beside it is a later neighbor.
Photo by Tyler Ortiz on Unsplash
Breakfast
Pastry and coffee on 18th Street
A stretch of bakeries and coffee shops near the park. Pick a pastry, a coffee and a bench, and watch the neighborhood wake.
Local tip Ask for what came out of the oven that morning.
Photo: Peter Isotalo, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 7 min walk0.3 mi
2
MorningA place to sit
Mission Dolores Park
A sloping park with a view of the skyline, where half the neighborhood spreads out on the grass. Bring a snack and join them.
Go when Late morning, with a snack, or in the afternoon when the grass fills.
Local tip Sit on the upper slope for the skyline view and bring a layer, since it can turn windy.
Photo: Alexwennerberg, CC0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 7 min walk0.4 mi
3
AfternoonWorth a short walk
Clarion Alley
A narrow lane where every wall is covered in painted murals, changing from year to year. Walk it from end to end and look closely.
Go when Afternoon, when the light is even.
Local tip The murals change from year to year, so look closely and read the messages as well as the pictures.
Lunch
A burrito in the Mission
The big, foil-wrapped burrito is a local invention, and the Mission is where to eat one. Rice, beans, meat and salsa, all in one hand.
Local tip Order it with everything and eat it carefully, standing up.
Photo: samuelfernandezrivera, CC0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 19 min walk1.0 mi
4
AfternoonWorth a short walk
Balmy Alley
A short, quiet lane of garage doors and walls painted with murals, many of them decades old. A soft walk to close the trip.
Go when Afternoon, then find a cafe on the nearby streets.
Local tip It is a residential lane, so keep your voice low and walk, rather than stopping in front of anyone’s garage.
Dinner
Dinner on Valencia Street
A lively street of restaurants, bars and small shops that runs through the heart of the Mission. Dishes from every part of the world are close together.
Local tip Walk a few blocks off the main street if a place is full.

If it rains. Keep the mission church and a long lunch in a cafe. The alley murals are fine in a light drizzle, but skip the park until the sky clears.

Departure day

After the last day. Fix the way to the airport the night before, and the last morning can be slow.Details

Last morning: If there is time, walk the Embarcadero to the Ferry Building for a coffee and one more look at the bay and the bridge lights going out.
To the airport: BART is the steady way to the airport and does not sit in traffic. A car ride depends on the freeway, so leave early if you are driving.
If you rented a car: If you hired a car for the redwoods, return it in the city the evening before, so the last morning is only a train ride and a suitcase.

Questions people ask

How many days does this plan cover?

It covers 4 days in San Francisco, planned for late September. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.

Who is this plan for?

It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.

Is anything on this plan booked?

No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.

Can I plan my own days like this?

Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.

Can I change this plan?

Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.

How much walking is there?

Each day has about 1.7 to 9.2 miles between its stops, and 17.4 miles in all across 4 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.