Your Perfect 3-Day Itinerary for San Francisco
Ride the iconic cable cars of San Francisco, a picturesque city defined by the Golden Gate Bridge, steep rolling hills, and the historic Alcatraz Island.
San Francisco is served by SFO and Oakland airports and is well connected to the rest of the Bay Area. BART, Muni, and cable cars cover the city; wear good shoes for the hills. September–November is often the warmest and clearest; summer can be foggy. Book Alcatraz ferries and popular restaurants well in advance. Allow time for the bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, neighbourhoods like the Mission and Chinatown, and day trips to Muir Woods or wine country. Layer up—microclimates mean the weather changes block by block.
Discover the best landmarks, where to eat, and where to stay in San Francisco.
Best Time to Visit San Francisco
Spring
18°C / 10°C
Mild and breezy, clear skies
Summer
21°C / 13°C
Cool and famously foggy ("Karl the Fog")
Fall
21°C / 13°C
Warmest and clearest time of the year
Winter
14°C / 8°C
Chilly and rainy, need layers
Day 1
Golden Gate Bridge
Famed 4,200 ft art deco suspension bridge open to car, bike & foot traffic.
Morning activity: Golden Gate Bridge.
Swan Oyster Depot
No-frills counter nook in a fish market is a bustling landmark for raw-bar fare & casual seafood.
Lunch nearby: Swan Oyster Depot.
Alcatraz Island
Notorious prison & once home to Al Capone, now a museum with an audio tour, accessible by ferry.
Afternoon sightseeing: Alcatraz Island.
House of Prime Rib
Old-school, English-style restaurant serving acclaimed prime rib & martinis since the 1940s.
Dinner in the area: House of Prime Rib.
Fisherman's Wharf
Evening experience: Fisherman's Wharf.
Day 2
Muir Woods
Scenic, forested park featuring giant redwood trees, long hiking trails, a visitor center & more.
Morning activity: Muir Woods.
Tartine Bakery
Organic ingredients provide the makings for breakfast pastries, hot pressed sandwiches & coffee.
Lunch nearby: Tartine Bakery.
Sausalito
Afternoon sightseeing: Sausalito.
Scoma's
Spacious waterfront restaurant serving seafood pulled straight off the boat.
Dinner in the area: Scoma's.
San Francisco Bay Cruise
Evening experience: San Francisco Bay Cruise.
Day 3
Painted Ladies
Historical row of Victorian houses well-known for appearances on movies, TV shows & postcards.
Morning activity: Painted Ladies.
Ferry Building Marketplace
Vendors sell produce, cheese, coffee, candy & prepared food in this soaring, restored 1898 space.
Lunch nearby: Ferry Building Marketplace.
Chinatown San Francisco
Afternoon sightseeing: Chinatown San Francisco.
State Bird Provisions
Urban-rustic storefront setting for a changing menu of American small plates served dim-sum style.
Dinner in the area: State Bird Provisions.
Lombard Street
Street with scenic steep section featuring 8 hairpin turns & views of the bridge, Coit Tower & bay.
Evening experience: Lombard Street.