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An trustworthy, sensible itinerary & information that can assist you plan your two days in San Francisco with out attempting to suit an excessive amount of in!
After I was researching my very own two-day journey, I discovered a number of nice weblog posts with itinerary concepts. However as soon as I acquired to San Francisco, I rapidly realised that every one the weblog posts I had learn have been very optimistic by way of timings! Both that or the bloggers may stroll on the pace of sunshine!
All of them packed a lot in that doing every little thing within the itinerary would have exhausted me, so I made a decision to put in writing a barely extra sensible and cheap information to seeing as a lot of San Francisco as potential – with out draining your self of all power!
Should you’re quick on time and wish fast solutions, you’ll discover a brief model of your complete itinerary (plus a map) on the backside of this web page. Use the contents menu beneath or scroll proper down to seek out it. In any other case, please maintain studying for my detailed itinerary and information to planning your time in San Francisco. Take pleasure in!
Is Two Days Sufficient?
Let me say proper off the bat that two days isn’t actually sufficient time for San Francisco. There’s quite a bit to see and do, and so many various neighbourhoods to find, that you may simply spend every week or two exploring the town.
However typically, two days is all you’ve – and fortunately, that’s nonetheless loads of time to tick off all the primary vacationer sights and discover a few totally different neighbourhoods. Simply don’t attempt to pack an excessive amount of in – and bear in mind that it’s going to take time to get between every attraction (I’ve included timings within the itinerary beneath).
High 6 Sights in San Francisco
I’ll kick off with a fast listing of all of the “important” sights in San Francisco – good when you solely have a few days to discover.
NOTE: This listing doesn’t embrace the town’s many museums or the key neighbourhoods, like Chinatown, as I’ll cowl these in additional element additional down the web page.
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Alcatraz
- Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39
- Hyde-Powell Cable Automotive
- Ferry Constructing
- Fairly streets and homes: Lombard St, the Painted Women, and the Mrs Doubfire Home.
Getting Round San Francisco
All of the blogs I’d learn promised that San Francisco’s centre could be very walkable – however I’d say that is solely partly true. Every neighbourhood is straightforward to discover on foot, however most of the metropolis’s sights are fairly unfold out – for instance, Union Sq. is a few 40-minute stroll from the Alcatraz Ferry.
San Fran can also be VERY hilly, so even comparatively quick walks will be fairly tiring (for me at the very least!). Fortunately, there’s an honest public transport community in place…
Transport Choices
Trams/Cable Automobiles: the town’s well-known cable vehicles have a reasonably in depth community. You should purchase a Customer Passport ticket which permits limitless rides on Muni, Muni Metro, historic streetcars, and cable vehicles for 1, 4 or 7 days. The one-day passport prices $13 – extra data right here.
Bus: once more, the bus community is in depth. I discovered that Google Maps wasn’t at all times correct, so that you’re greatest off utilizing the SFMTA’s Journey Planner. A $5 Day Cross permits for limitless journeys on buses, trains and historic streetcars.
Uber: I discovered Uber fairly costly for brief journeys (in contrast with the UK): for instance, a 10-minute drive price me $12. For longer distances it felt extra economical: the 5-mile drive out to Golden Gate Bridge was about $16. Nevertheless, I took a bus again from the bridge customer centre for $3 – so it’s far cheaper to take the bus!
Large Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: you could discover it simpler to get round by way of the hop-on, hop-off bus tour from Large Bus. This double-decker bus calls at many of the metropolis’s widespread sights, and contains an audio information – so it’s an effective way to cowl plenty of floor when you’re quick on time. Click on right here for costs and extra data.
Methods to Spend Two Days in San Francisco
Select ONE museum
There are plenty of nice museums in San Francisco – most of which must be visited for at the very least an hour or two to do them justice. If you wish to see plenty of the town, the trustworthy fact is that you simply’ll most likely solely have time for one or two museums.
Decide those that enchantment probably the most and make these your high precedence. I’ll present you the place you possibly can match them into your day one or day two itinerary beneath – for now, right here’s an inventory of a few of the high museums in San Francisco:
- de Younger Museum – historic artwork museum (and probably the most visited in SF)
- Walt Disney Household Museum – devoted to the life and work of Walt Disney.
- San Francisco Museum of Fashionable Artwork (SFMOMA)
- Asian Artwork Museum – greater than 18,000 works from each area of Asia.
- The Exploratorium – artwork and science museum full of interactive displays.
- Musée Mécanique – a unusual assortment of coin-operated mechanical devices and vintage arcade machines.
- Cable Automotive Museum – devoted to the town’s iconic cable vehicles.
- READ MORE: All Museums & Galleries in SF
Decide ONE of those neighbourhoods to discover in-depth
There are some superb, distinctive neighbourhoods and cultural districts dotted round San Francisco. After studying a extra jam-packed metropolis itinerary, I actually thought I’d have time to discover all of them – however by the point I used to be finished with all the primary vacationer websites, I solely made it to Chinatown!
You’ll discover a few of San Fran’s main neighbourhoods as you go to the vacationer sights or wander the town – however it’s price choosing one to discover in-depth. Right here’s a fast listing of the highest neighbourhoods to go to:
Chinatown
North America’s oldest and largest Chinatown; full of superb eating places, vibrant avenue artwork, and a few incredible galleries and museums. Don’t miss the Fortune Cookie Manufacturing unit to see the magic that makes these iconic snacks, or the free Chinese language Tradition Middle.
RECOMMENDED TOUR: Chinatown Culinary Strolling Tour
Haight-Ashbury
This was the birthplace of the Sixties “flower energy” motion, and the Summer time of Love lives on in streets of vibrant Victorian homes, funky murals, and a complete heap of impartial companies to discover.
RECOMMENDED TOUR: True Crime Tales from the Haight
Castro
The Castro District was one of many USA’s first homosexual neighbourhoods and stays the hub of SF’s LGBTQ+ tradition. Look out for the rainbow crosswalks – and the Rainbow Honor Stroll outdoors the long-lasting Castro Theatre: golden plaques celebrating LGBTQ+ pioneers.
RECOMMENDED TOUR: Castro LGBTQ Strolling Tour
READ MORE: Information to San Francisco’s Neighbourhoods
Two Days in San Francisco: Itinerary
Under, I’ve mapped out a two-day itinerary, grouping collectively the actions which might be best to go to on the identical day. However after all, you are able to do these in any order.
Brief on time? There’s a fast model and a map on the backside of this web page.
Day One
Golden Gate Bridge
How a lot time: 1-2 hours (extra when you stroll throughout the bridge)
Consider San Francisco, and also you’re most likely picturing the town’s iconic rust-red bridge. That is the one factor you actually shouldn’t miss whenever you go to!
Head straight to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Centre to study in regards to the bridge’s historical past and development. Behind the centre, you’ll discover a number of viewpoints to get some nice pictures of the bridge. I simply hope you get barely higher climate than I did!
High tip: In case you have time, you may bike or stroll throughout the bridge and climb as much as one of many viewpoints on the northern facet. The stroll throughout takes round an hour – or you possibly can take a 3-hour guided tour throughout the bridge to Sausalito with Blazing Saddles. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39
How a lot time: 1-2 hours (longer when you resolve to go to the aquarium or Madam Tussauds)
Journey Time from Golden Gate Bridge: 15-min drive / 20-min bus
One of the vital visited neighbourhoods in San Francisco is Fisherman’s Wharf, a vibrant district unfold alongside the bay with quite a few piers, scenic marinas, working fishing harbours, a incredible meals scene, and a few of the metropolis’s high sights.
It’s a really touristy space: there’s a complete strip with the likes of Madame Tussauds, Applebee’s, Exhausting Rock Cafe, and so forth. However the scenic marinas are price exploring – and there are many enjoyable issues to do within the space.
Don’t miss Pier 39, house to an enormous colony of sea lions who will be seen lazing on wood platforms. The ocean lions moved into the marina following an earthquake in 1990 and by no means left – presumably as a result of the marina offers them safety and considerable meals provides. Ultimately, the town gave up the marina for the ocean lion’s unique use – right this moment, you possibly can see them of their lots of all through many of the yr.
Extra Issues to do in Fisherman’s Wharf
Eat cioppino – an Italian-American “fisherman’s stew” crammed with the catch of the day.
The Musee Mecanique – I extremely suggest this small, quirky museum on Pier 45. It’s full of vintage arcade video games and coin-operated mechanical toys, most of which nonetheless work.
Pier 39 – in addition to the well-known sea lions, the pier itself is lined with arcades, eateries and kitschy memento outlets.
Ghirardelli Sq. – this stylish purchasing and eating space makes a great place to seize lunch (I like to recommend Barrio for tacos with a view!). Don’t miss the unique Ghirardelli Chocolate and Ice Cream Store – house to the world-famous scorching fudge sundae.
Aquarium of the Bay – a Smithsonian-affiliated aquarium with one of many longest saltwater tunnels within the USA.
Madam Tussauds – widespread wax museum with celeb likenesses. It’s not my cup of tea, however I do know lots of people like it.
High tip: you possibly can simply take a bus to Fisherman’s Wharf from the Golden Gate Bridge. They cease proper outdoors the Welcome Centre and the employees might be completely happy that can assist you determine which one you want.
Journey a Cable Automotive
How a lot time: 1 hour (extra if the queue is lengthy. I waited about 40 minutes to board and it was a weekday).
Journey Time from Fisherman’s Wharf: 10-min stroll
San Francisco’s cable vehicles are iconic – and extremely historic, courting again to the late 1800s. There are three historic routes to select from; the most well-liked (and probably the most scenic) being the Powell-Hyde cable automobile which runs between Fisherman’s Wharf and Market St (by way of Chinatown and Union Sq.)
From Fisherman’s Wharf, hop on the Powell-Hyde cable automobile line (a single ticket prices $8) and experience it so far as Lombard St for epic views from the highest of the hill. From right here, you can begin the tour I’ve outlined beneath. If you need an extended experience, take all of it the best way to the tip earlier than heading again to Lombard St – an effective way to absorb the sights!
Tour of San Francisco’s Scenic Streets and Vibrant Homes
How a lot time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Journey Time: Lombard St is a 10-min stroll or a couple of minutes by cable automobile
San Francisco’s steep hills and fairly, townhouse-lined streets are iconic. Likelihood is, you’ll recognise at the very least just a few of them from the Silver Display screen. Many a film has used these scenic streets as a backdrop, together with the likes of Herbie, Bullitt, Ant-Man, Mrs Doubtfire, and extra.
You may go to three of the primary sights on a stroll that takes round an hour. It’s a beautiful stroll that takes in a number of engaging streets and a few lovely structure alongside the best way!
Cease 1 – Lombard St: This super-steep east-west avenue is known for a one-block part with eight hairpin turns – dubbed the “crookedest avenue on this planet”. There are vibrant flowerbeds planted within the gaps between the turns, and from the highest, the views are fairly spectacular. This ridiculously flexible highway has additionally been the setting for some iconic film chase scenes, together with Herbie’s first movie The Love Bug.
Cease 2 – Mrs Doubtfire Home: The home used within the 90’s traditional Mrs Doubtfire is an actual place, at 2640 Steiner St (on the nook of Broadway St). It’s a non-public house, so you possibly can’t go to it, and the house owners have grown a big tree outdoors which makes it tougher to see than it was once. But it surely’s nonetheless price strolling by when you’re a fan of the film.
Cease 3 – Painted Women: This pastel-painted row of Victorian homes on Steiner (immediately reverse Alamo Sq.) is likely one of the most well-known sights in San Francisco. Nicknamed the “Painted Women”, these homes have been made well-known by the sitcoms Full Home and Fuller Home.
The Strolling Route
Take the tram from Fisherman’s Wharf to Lombard St. Take in the gorgeous views from the highest of the road, then stroll down the block to get a view wanting again up on the hairpin turns.
Take Larkin St, then Broadway for ten blocks to seek out Mrs Doubtfire Home. From right here, merely comply with Steiner St all the best way to Alamo Sq. for incredible views of the Painted Women and throughout the town.
High Tip: If you wish to pace issues up, hop on the 22 Fillmore tram from the Mrs Doubtfire home to the Painted Women.
Night
I’ll be trustworthy, as a solo traveller who tires simply, I used to be in my lodge room with an Uber Eats supply by 7pm each evening! However when you nonetheless have power, San Francisco has an important nightlife scene. Try these guides for more information:
Day Two
Ferry Constructing
How a lot time: 1 hour (longer if the farmers market is on)
Begin your day with a espresso or brunch on the iconic Ferry Constructing. This historic ferry terminal was inbuilt 1898 and was as soon as the gateway to the town. At present, it’s house to a strip of impartial eating places and outlets, together with numerous artisan meals suppliers. Don’t miss the incredible Guide Passage bookstore!
There’s additionally a year-round Farmer’s Market held in entrance of the constructing on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays – the place you’ll discover a few of the area’s greatest farmers and cooks. Don’t miss it!
High tip: Should you want to go to Alcatraz (beneath) first, the ferry constructing is lower than a 20-minute stroll away and makes a very good lunch spot for whenever you get again to the mainland.
Alcatraz
How a lot time: at the very least 2.5 hours (together with ferries to/from the island)
Journey Time from Ferry Terminal: 20-min stroll + 15 min ferry
No journey to San Francisco is full with out visiting Alcatraz Island and its notorious jail. I truly thought-about skipping this as I assumed it is likely to be slightly boring – but it surely turned out to be among the best issues I did in San Francisco!
This tiny island 1.25 miles offshore from SF has a captivating historical past. It’s been house to a fort, then a navy jail, then the utmost safety penitentiary most individuals affiliate with Alzactraz. In 1969, a bunch of Native Individuals known as the Indians of All Tribes occupied the island for 19 months as an act of political resistance (learn extra right here).
You may solely attain the island by ferry, organised by Alcatraz Metropolis Cruises: the round-trip ticket begins from $45.25 and contains entry to the island and the Cellhouse. It additionally contains the superb Cellhouse Audio Tour, narrated by former officers and inmates, which brings to life the historical past of the jail – I extremely suggest listening to this!
High tip: Lots of people recommend doing Alcatraz early to beat the crowds, however this actually is dependent upon the day and season: I visited on a weekday in April and the noon ferry was lower than 1 / 4 full.
Go to your chosen museum
See the part close to the highest of this web page for more information about the perfect San Francisco museums. You need to have time to go to one or two museums right this moment.
Discover one or two neighbourhoods
How a lot time: 1-2 hours (longer if you wish to take a tour)
See the part close to the highest of this web page about the perfect neighbourhoods to discover in San Francisco.
In case you have extra time
With slightly extra time in San Francisco, you may spend extra time exploring the town’s totally different neighbourhoods or go to just a few extra of the museums (see the sections masking this earlier on the web page). Alternatively, you may take one in every of these enjoyable excursions or get out of the town for a day journey:
Fast 2-day Itinerary Information for San Francisco and Map
Day 1
- Golden Gate Bridge (roughly a 15-minute drive or 30-minute bus from the town centre).
- Welcome Centre and viewpoints
- In case you have time, you may bike or stroll throughout the bridge and climb as much as one of many viewpoints on the northern facet. The stroll throughout takes round an hour, so take that under consideration when planning.
- Fisherman’s Wharf (20-minute bus experience from the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Centre). Whilst you’re right here don’t miss:
- Musee Mecanique
- Pier 39 sea lions
- Ghirardelli Sq.
- Journey the historic Hyde-Powell Cable Automotive
- Tour fairly streets and homes: Lombard St, Mrs Doubtfire Home, Painted Women
Day 2
- Ferry Constructing – nice for breakfast/brunch or a espresso overlooking the bay. Even higher if the Farmer’s Market is on.
- Alcatraz – take a ferry to the notorious jail island generally known as “The Rock”.
- Decide one Museum (see listing above). You’ll have time for 2 museums relying on how lengthy you spend exploring.
- Decide one neighbourhood to discover (see listing above).
Learn Extra
Causes to Go to Tuolumne County
11 Stops for a Tuolumne County Itinerary
So, that’s my information to spending two days in San Francisco with out exhausting your self! Acquired a query (or a tip of your personal)? Scroll down to depart a remark!
