San Francisco is a magical metropolis. Unreal views shock you round each nook of this quirky metropolis, beloved for its structure, meals scene, and variety.
I’ve visited San Francisco thrice for shorter journeys; as soon as with household, as soon as with mates, and as soon as alone. I’ve been enthralled every time and extremely suggest paying a go to – even when it’s just for a weekend! Listed below are just a few methods to spend just a few days on this Golden Gate Metropolis.
With extra public parks, seashores, trails, and pure viewing factors than you possibly can go to in every week, there’s loads of out of doors journey available. The general public transportation makes it straightforward to get round in an eco-friendly manner too.
With extra eating places than you possibly can go to in a 12 months, it’s tremendous straightforward to help domestically owned diners. (Really, an previous 2012 article reported that there was 1 restaurant for each 255 individuals in San Francisco – the best restaurant per capita within the nation.) That goes for outlets and companies too. Whereas there’s no disgrace in hitting a number of the prime vacationer sights, your cash spent on small, native biz will go a great distance.
Right here’s how one can spend 3 days in San Francisco, an ideal itinerary that leaves loads of room for personalization!
Day One – A Style of the Nautical Life
A big a part of San Francisco’s appeal is because of its location on the Pacific Coast, proper alongside the harbor. The truth is, San Francisco has a protracted maritime historical past that’s evident in every single place you look.
A visit to San Francisco is incomplete with out a go to to the Fisherman’s Wharf.
Breakfast at The Buena Vista
Kick off trip with an Irish espresso on the place the place they had been created at The Buena Vista, a nook spot serving up boozy drinks and bites since 1916.
Stroll the Wharf
See what number of of those you possibly can spot:
- The Wave Organ sculpture
- Hyde Road Pier
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Road musicians
- Madam Tussauds Wax Museum
- U.S. Pampanito
- Eureka Steamboat – nineteenth century paddle steamboat
- Lombard Road – an iconic road of hairpin turns and extremely manicured flower beds, on a 27-degree angle
- Umbrella Alley
- The Unique Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Store
Brush up in your historical past at a museum
The Maritime Museum is targeted on the native maritime historical past of San Francisco, as you might need guessed by the title!
The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Visitor Center is one other nice museum I loved to be taught extra in regards to the wealthy historical past of town, together with the gold rush, earthquakes, and past. Situated proper subsequent to the Argonaut, a nautical boutique resort that makes an amazing place to remain within the coronary heart of the Fisherman’s Wharf space.
Lunch at Sabella & La Torre
Smack dab in the midst of some scrumptious seafood stands is that this traditional eatery, which is my favourite spot for clam chowder and white wine. For those who’re searching for one thing fast, attempt their historic crab-stand, in operation since 1927.
Musée Mécanique
After lunch, hit up the Musee Mecanique for a day of vintage coin-operated devices, shows, and classic arcade video games.
Mission Dolores Park
Pop right into a grocery retailer for a bottle some picnic refreshments and head to Mission Dolores Park. Watch the sundown over the unreal views of town and revel in premiere individuals (and canine) watching. The remainder of the night is for dinner and drinks.
Day Two – San Francisco from Throughout the Harbor
Breakfast at Boudin
Residence of scrumptious sourdough bread since 1884, that is your spot for a nice breakfast proper within the middle of all of the motion. Attempt their famed sourdough on an english muffin breakfast sandwich or in a sourdough tortilla.
Don’t miss the 30-foot observatory the place the Bodudin bakers crafting batches of bread by hand.
A Day-Journey to Tiburon
Cross the bay through the the ferry to Tiburon for an tour that can deliver you previous Alcatraz, Angel Island State Park, and the Golden Gate Bridge. The city of Tiburon is house to only over 9,000 residents, who’ve a number of the prettiest views of their again yards round.
The primary ferry leaves at 10:15am from Pier 41, again on the Fisherman’s Wharf the place you explored on Day One. For those who’re feeling like day-drinking, you may get cocktails, seltzers, and beers on the ferry.
Relying on how hungry you might be – our group was at all times hungry – you possibly can both cease for brunch first or discover on foot. We did the previous and indulged at Sam’s Anchor Cafe. The views of the Yacht Membership and harbor are a sight to behold, and the seafood was scrumptious.
We let ourselves get talked right into a Aperol Spritzer large drink bowl (with 6-7 cocktails per fish bowl) which was enjoyable, though my mezcal margarita on the aspect was rather more to my style.
After brunch, cease in to the boutique present retailers alongside Most important Road after which set off in your stroll down The Tiburon Peninsula Historic Path. On the finish of the path, you possibly can be taught a bit extra in regards to the city on the Tiburon Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum.
Keep so long as you want and hit up the wine bars all through Tiburon – you possibly can take an Uber again if you happen to want to keep past the 4:25pm ferry house.
Dinner & Drinks
I may make suggestions for dinner however there are THOUSANDS of eating places in San Francisco. Work out which neighborhood you’re staying in and do a fast google seek for the most effective locations close to you. You’ll lower your expenses on ubering round to a diner throughout city and also you’ll discover locations as scrumptious because the few eating places I can personally suggest.
Day 3 – Chinatown and Stunning Seashores
Chinatown
The San Francisco Chinatown is likely one of the largest and oldest exterior of Asia itself. Principally, I recommend beginning your day right here with breakfast, exploring round Chinatown, after which having lunch. After lunch, time for a bit extra exploring round Chinatown. Then, it’s time for to benefit from the nice open air!
There are many walking tour options, if you happen to’d like an knowledgeable to take you thru all there’s to see. For those who’re extra of a DIY explorer, grab a map and hold a watch out for these well-known websites:
Naturally, a number of the better of Chinatown are the hidden gems greatest loved by stumbling throughout them by way of aimless wanderings.
Golden Gate Park & Ocean Seashore
After Chinatown, seize an e-bike and head west for Golden Gate Park. Spanning over 1000 acres, it’s arduous to overlook! The truth is, it’s really 20% bigger than Central Park in New York.
Notable websites embody the Conservatory of Flowers, the California Academy of Sciences, the Japanese Tea Backyard, and the Bison Paddock. Sure – there are precise bison in Golden Gate Park!
Earlier than sundown, bike to Ocean Seashore, only a block away from Golden Gate Park. To not be overwhelmed by the park, Ocean Seashore stretches 3.5 miles leaving you loads of room to look at the solar set with out bumping in to your neighbors. Towards the north of the seashore is Lands Finish Lookout just a few trails, and a labyrinth which offer one other viewing level for the Golden Gate Bridge.
Getting Round San Francisco
Electrical Bikes & Scooters
There are many methods to get round San Francisco! You’ll see e-bikes, electrical scooters, and common bikes all through town. These are an excellent enjoyable approach to discover, and extra eco-friendly than Ubers. And I can converse from private expertise that your scooter or bike will get you up the steepest of hills in San Francisco!
Ubers
Ubers had been extensively obtainable and we didn’t have any points getting an Uber throughout our weekend journey. I discovered the costs extra cheap than once I had visited Denver two months prior, which was shocking as I anticipated them to be extra outrageous in SF.
San Francisco Cable Automobiles
There are three cable vehicles that run by way of San Francisco, taking you thru a lot of the foremost vacationer sights. Test routes and ticketing data right here with this “SF Rider’s Guide“.
Public Buses, Trains, and different Ferries
Principally, all of the choices can be found right here. This website is devoted to San Francisco tourism – test them out for particulars on every riding system.
