Can You Give Me a Great 3-Day San Francisco Itinerary?

Last updated: February 2026

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TL;DR: This 3-day San Francisco itinerary covers the city's top highlights with a local's twist. Day 1 explores the Embarcadero, Ferry Building, and Marina with ferry rides and waterfront views. Day 2 takes you to the stunning Land's End trail and into the vibrant Mission or Bernal Heights neighborhoods. Day 3 is all about Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach. Expect to walk 5-8 miles per day, budget $150-200 per person daily for food and activities, and layer up for the fog. This is the exact itinerary I've used with family and friends visiting San Francisco for the first time.

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Welcome to San Francisco! I've lived here for 8+ years (as a proud non-native local), and I've walked countless visitors through the city's hills, fog, and endless wonders. This 3-day San Francisco itinerary is literally the route I take my own family and friends on when they visit. Of course, your preferences might differ from mine (I'm admittedly food-obsessed and will plan entire days around bakeries), but this should be a solid jumping-off point.

Before we dive in, a quick note on safety in SF: despite what you may have heard, serious crime is actually fairly low and walking around is generally safe. I'd avoid the Tenderloin, mid-Market in SoMa, and the immediate 16th & Mission BART area, and just be smart. Car break-ins have thankfully decreased recently, but still don't leave anything visible in your car — especially at tourist spots. Better yet, take a Waymo or use public transit.

What's the Best Time of Year to Visit San Francisco?

Here's the thing about SF weather: it's not California beach weather like LA or San Diego. September and October are genuinely the warmest and sunniest months — we call it "SF summer" because actual summer (June-August) is foggy and cold on the west side of the city. May and early June are also lovely. Winter (December-February) is our rainy season but temps rarely drop below 45°F.

The fog is real, but it's also what makes SF magical. Just bring layers — always. I'm talking t-shirt + sweater + windbreaker. You'll shed and add them throughout the day as you move between neighborhoods.

How Should I Get Around San Francisco?

You don't need a car for this itinerary. In fact, I'd recommend against it — parking is expensive ($40+ per day) and break-ins are still a concern. Instead:

• Muni (buses and streetcars) — get a Clipper card or use the MuniMobile app
• BART for longer distances or airport trips
• Waymo (self-driving cars) for convenience, especially at night
• Walking — SF is only 7×7 miles, so neighborhoods are close but hilly

Check out my full guide on using public transit in SF for details.

Quick-Reference Packing List for San Francisco

• Layers (t-shirt, sweater, windbreaker)
• Comfortable walking shoes (you'll walk 5-8 miles per day)
• Sunglasses and sunscreen (even if it's foggy, the UV is strong)
• Reusable water bottle
• Small backpack or crossbody bag
• Light rain jacket if visiting November-March

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Day 1: Ferry Building, Embarcadero & Marina

The vibe: Classic SF waterfront with ferry rides, sea lions, and Italian food in North Beach
Walking distance: ~6 miles total (or take Muni F line to reduce)
Budget estimate: $80-120 per person (includes ferry, meals, transit)

Morning: Ferry Building & Waterfront (9am-12pm)

Start at the Ferry Building Marketplace (1 Ferry Building, Embarcadero BART station). This is one of my favorite places in the entire city — a food hall meets farmer's market meets architectural gem.

Coffee first: Grab a mint mojito iced coffee from Philz (seriously life-changing) or a pour-over from Red Bay Coffee. If it's Saturday, the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is happening outside and it's absolutely worth walking through — I always grab the Roli Roti porchetta sandwich and Primavera's chilaquiles.

Take a ferry ride: Buy tickets at the building for a round-trip to Angel Island (hiking and views), Sausalito (cute waterfront town), or Tiburon (more laid-back). The ferry ride itself is the highlight — you get incredible views of the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, and the city skyline. Budget 2-3 hours for this.

Lunch at the Ferry Building when you return: My top picks are Hog Island Oyster Co. (oysters and clam chowder), Gott's Roadside (burgers), Reem's (Arab street food), Senor Sisig (Filipino-Mexican fusion), or Lunette (French cafe).

Dessert time: Humphrey Slocombe ice cream (try Secret Breakfast flavor with bourbon and cornflakes — trust me) or head to Dandelion Chocolates for hot chocolate or bonbons.

Afternoon: Pier 39, Ghirardelli & Marina (1pm-5pm)

From the Ferry Building, hop on the historic F Market streetcar heading west toward Fisherman's Wharf (10-15 minutes, $3 with Clipper card). Get off at Pier 39.

Pier 39: Yes, it's touristy. Yes, I still recommend it. The sea lions are genuinely delightful and have been hauling out there since 1989. Also check out Musee Mecanique (free admission, just bring quarters) — a mind-blowing collection of vintage arcade games and mechanical instruments.

Walk west along the waterfront toward Ghirardelli Square (about 0.7 miles, 15 minutes). Get a hot fudge sundae at the Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop. I don't care how full you are. Then walk next door to The Buena Vista for an Irish coffee (they claim to have introduced it to America in 1952).

Continue to the Marina: From Ghirardelli, walk west through Aquatic Park and along Marina Boulevard. Stop at the Wave Organ (a quirky acoustic sculpture that makes sounds with the tide), grab coffee at Equator Coffee, and visit the Palace of Fine Arts (gorgeous Roman-inspired architecture, built for the 1915 World's Fair).

If you have energy, walk into the Presidio — a former military base turned national park. Highlights include the Yoda statue (at the Letterman Digital Arts Center), Lover's Lane trail, and Tunnel Tops Park (opened in 2022, designed by the same group that did NYC's High Line).

Evening: Dinner in Marina, Cow Hollow, or North Beach (6pm-9pm)

Marina/Cow Hollow options (all within 1 mile of the Palace of Fine Arts):

• Wildseed — plant-based comfort food (shockingly good even for carnivores)
• Roma Antica — cozy Italian, best gnocchi
• Hinoya Curry — Japanese curry, perfect comfort food
• Souvla — Greek, get the lamb pita
• Causwells — upscale American, fantastic burger

North Beach options (take the 30 Stockton bus from Marina, 15 minutes):

• Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store — Italian sandwiches and focaccia
• Sotto Mare — cioppino (SF's iconic seafood stew)
• Tony's Pizza Napoletana — James Beard-nominated pizza

After dinner, wander through North Beach's Italian cafes and bars — this is SF's Little Italy and it's lovely at night.

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Day 2: Land's End Trail & Mission or Bernal Heights

The vibe: Stunning coastal hike in the morning, then dive into SF's most vibrant neighborhood
Walking distance: 4-5 miles (Land's End) + 2-3 miles (neighborhood exploration)
Budget estimate: $60-100 per person

Morning: Land's End Trail (9am-12pm)

Take the 38 Geary bus from downtown to the Legion of Honor or Lincoln Park Steps trailhead (about 45 minutes from Union Square). The Land's End trail is hands-down one of the best urban hikes in San Francisco — you get sweeping Golden Gate Bridge views, hidden Mile Rock Beach, and the haunting ruins of the Sutro Baths.

The main trail is about 3.5 miles round-trip and relatively flat (by SF standards). Wear layers — it's often foggy and windy out here, but when it's clear, it's absolutely magical. I've walked this trail probably 50 times and it never gets old.

Pro tip: Stop by the Cliff House Bistro for brunch with ocean views before or after the hike.

Afternoon & Evening: Choose Your Own Adventure

From Land's End, you've got two great options depending on your vibe:

OPTION A: Mission District & Dolores Park (1pm-9pm)

Take the 38 Geary bus back downtown, then hop on BART or the 22 Fillmore bus to the Mission (16th St & Mission or 24th St Mission BART stations).

Dolores Park picnic: Stop at Bi-Rite Market (3639 18th St) for sandwiches, local snacks, and their famous salted caramel ice cream, then post up at Dolores Park for people-watching and skyline views. This is peak San Francisco — sunny microclimate, diverse crowd, incredible energy.

Mission food crawl: The Mission is SF's food mecca. Options include:

• Tartine Bakery — legendary croissants and morning buns (get there early, lines are long)
• La Taqueria — best burrito in SF (come at me, Mission locals)
• Lazy Bear — Michelin-starred tasting menu (splurge dinner)
• Tacolicious — upscale tacos and excellent margaritas

Activities: Take a cooking class at Story of Ramen or 18 Reasons, catch an improv show at Endgames, or grab drinks at the Magic Patio (hidden outdoor bar off 24th Street).

OPTION B: Bernal Heights (1pm-9pm)

Take the 38 Geary to downtown, then the 24 Divisadero bus to Cortland Avenue in Bernal Heights. This is one of my favorite neighborhoods in SF — local, unpretentious, with the best hilltop views.

Bernal Heights Park: Hike up to the peak (about 15 minutes from Cortland) for 360-degree views of the city. On clear days, you can see from downtown to the ocean. Dogs run off-leash here, so it's also a great spot for dog-watching.

Cortland Street: Walk down to Cortland for shops and cafes. Grab a drink at Holy Water (divey neighborhood bar with a killer patio).

Dinner options in Bernal/Mission adjacent:

• Cellarmaker House of Pizza — seriously great pizza, attached to a brewery
• Bac Lieu — Vietnamese, get the shaking beef
• Cuisine of Nepal — underrated gem, best momos
• The Front Porch — Southern comfort food
• Emmy's Spaghetti Shack — casual Italian
• The Rabbit Hole — cocktail bar with a quirky Alice in Wonderland theme

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Day 3: Golden Gate Park & Ocean Beach

The vibe: Museum day meets nature meets beach town vibes
Walking distance: 3-5 miles (depending on how much of the park you cover)
Budget estimate: $80-120 per person (museums are $15-36 each)

Morning: Best Bakeries & Coffee in the Inner Sunset (8am-10am)

Start in the Inner Sunset neighborhood. Take the N Judah Muni train to 9th Avenue.

Bakery stop: Get to Arsicault (397 Arguello Blvd) when it opens at 8am — this is the best croissant in San Francisco and possibly America (they won a James Beard Award). If you want Asian pastries instead, hit Pineapple King Bakery on Irving for Hong Kong-style egg tarts and bolo bao.

Coffee: Walk to Coffee Movement on Balboa Street for a latte before heading into Golden Gate Park.

Mid-Morning to Afternoon: Golden Gate Park (10am-4pm)

Golden Gate Park is massive (1,017 acres, larger than NYC's Central Park) so you'll need to prioritize. Here's my recommended route:

Start on the east side:

• Conservatory of Flowers — Victorian greenhouse with gorgeous seasonal displays ($11 admission, 30-45 minutes)
• Japanese Tea Garden — oldest public Japanese garden in the US, best in cherry blossom season March-April ($12 admission, 45 minutes)
• Bison Paddock — yes, there are actual bison in SF (free, 15 minutes)

Center of the park:

• San Francisco Botanical Garden — 55 acres of plants from around the world (free for SF residents, $12 otherwise, 1-2 hours)
• de Young Museum — art museum with free observation tower on the 9th floor for panoramic city views ($15 admission for galleries, 2-3 hours)
• California Academy of Sciences — natural history museum with planetarium, aquarium, and living roof with free public access ($36 admission for full museum, 2-3 hours)

Pro tip: Both the de Young tower and the Cal Academy roof deck are free to access without paying for museum admission — and the views are incredible.

Lunch on Irving Street: Walk south from the park to Irving Street (9th Avenue area) for food:

• Arizmendi Bakery — worker-owned cooperative, daily rotating pizza slices
• San Tung — famous for dry-fried chicken wings (worth the wait)
• Yuanbao Jiaozi — hand-pulled noodles and dumplings
• Arguello Market — gourmet sandwiches on dutch crunch bread

Late Afternoon: Ocean Beach & Outer Sunset (4pm-7pm)

Walk or take the N Judah to the end of the line at Ocean Beach. The Great Highway is closed to cars on weekends, making it perfect for walking or biking.

Explore:

• Ocean Beach — 3.5 miles of sandy coastline (cold water, strong currents, not for swimming but perfect for walking)
• Dutch Windmills — two historic windmills at the west end of Golden Gate Park
• Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden — blooms in spring, but lovely year-round

Andytown Coffee: Walk to Andytown (3655 Lawton St) and order the Snowy Plover — their signature drink with sparkling water, espresso, and whipped cream. It sounds weird, it's perfect. Sit outside if it's sunny (rare but magical on the west side).

Evening: Dinner in the Outer Sunset (7pm-9pm)

Stay in the Outer Sunset/Parkside area for dinner:

• Palm City — wine bar with rotating natural wines and small plates
• Thanh Long — old-school Vietnamese, famous for roasted crab and garlic noodles (family-run since 1971)
• Hook Fish Co. — casual seafood counter with excellent fish and chips
• Woods Beer Co. (Outbound location) — brewery with pizzas and a great back patio

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What If It Rains? Alternative Plans for Bad Weather

SF's rainy season runs November through March. If you hit bad weather, swap outdoor activities for these rainy day options:

• Museums: de Young, SFMOMA, Asian Art Museum, Exploratorium
• Indoor markets: Ferry Building, Alemany Farmers Market (covered sections)
• Dear San Francisco show — immersive theatrical love letter to the city
• Movie theaters: Alamo Drafthouse, Roxie Theater (indie films)
• Shopping: Hayes Valley, Valencia Street, Fillmore Street
• Spa day: Kabuki Springs, Archimedes Banya

What About Day Trips from San Francisco?

If you have extra time or want to swap out a day, these day trips are all within 1-3 hours:

• Muir Woods — giant redwoods, ethereal and stunning
• Sausalito/Tiburon — ferry ride + waterfront towns
• Napa/Sonoma — wine country (I have a full guide)
• Berkeley — UC campus, Telegraph Avenue, Tilden Park
• Half Moon Bay — coastal town, great for whale watching in winter
• Santa Cruz — beach boardwalk, redwoods, surf town vibes
• Yosemite — 4 hours but worth it if you have time

Check out my full list of best Bay Area hikes too.

How Can I Customize This Itinerary?

This itinerary works for most visitors, but here's how to tweak it based on your travel style:

For families with kids:

• Add Exploratorium (hands-on science museum), Children's Creativity Museum, or California Academy of Sciences
• Skip wine bars, add ice cream stops
• Take cable cars (kids love them)
• Check out my list of free things to do in SF

For foodies:

• Book reservations at State Bird Provisions, Nari, or Lazy Bear
• Add a best restaurants crawl day
• Visit best coffee shops throughout
• Do a best bakeries tour

For budget travelers:

• Use free activities: Lands End, Dolores Park, Ocean Beach, free concerts
• Skip museum admissions (or go on free days)
• Eat at taquerias and food trucks instead of sit-down restaurants
• Take Muni instead of Waymo/Uber

For couples/date night:

• Add sunset at Tank Hill or Twin Peaks
• Book wine bars, cocktail bars, or date night restaurants
• Walk the Lyon Street Steps or Batteries to Bluffs trail
• Catch live jazz

For first-time visitors who want classic tourist stops:

• Add Alcatraz (book 2-3 weeks in advance)
• Ride a cable car (Powell-Hyde line has the best views)
• Visit Lombard Street (the crooked street)
• Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge

Other Activities & Events Worth Knowing About

• SF City Guides — free walking tours led by volunteers (tip-based), covering every neighborhood
• Giants game — Oracle Park is one of the best ballparks in America. Grab garlic fries, an Irish coffee, and sit in section 307 for budget views. Pre-game at Red's Java House or Hi Dive Bar.



• Tiki bars — if you're into kitschy tropical drinks, SF has great options
• Nightlife — depends on your scene, but check out the Mission, North Beach, or Marina

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FAQ: 3-Day San Francisco Itinerary

How many days do you need in San Francisco?

Three days is the sweet spot for first-time visitors — enough time to hit major highlights without feeling rushed. Five days is ideal if you want to explore neighborhoods more deeply or add a day trip to Napa, Muir Woods, or Berkeley.

Is 3 days in San Francisco enough?

Yes, if you plan strategically. This itinerary covers the waterfront, a coastal hike, iconic neighborhoods (Mission or Bernal), Golden Gate Park, and Ocean Beach. You'll get a solid feel for the city's personality, food scene, and natural beauty. That said, I've been here 8 years and still find new spots, so there's always more to explore.

What's the best way to see San Francisco in 3 days?

Walk as much as possible (bring comfortable shoes), use Muni for longer distances, and focus on 2-3 neighborhoods per day rather than trying to cover everything. Prioritize experiences over checking off a list — like having a picnic at Dolores Park or watching the fog roll in at Ocean Beach — because that's what you'll remember.

How much should I budget for 3 days in San Francisco?

Expect $150-200 per person per day for a comfortable mid-range trip (includes food, activities, local transit). Budget breakdown: $40-60 for meals, $20-40 for activities/museums, $10-20 for transit, $50-80 for accommodations (if staying in a hotel or Airbnb). You can do it cheaper by eating at taquerias and skipping paid attractions, or spend more on Michelin-starred restaurants and premium experiences.

Is it better to visit the Mission or Bernal Heights on Day 2?

Mission is more vibrant, with better food options and nightlife — great if you want energy and crowds. Bernal Heights is quieter, more residential, and feels like "local SF" — perfect if you want a breather from tourist spots. Both are fantastic. I slightly prefer Bernal for the hilltop views and neighborhood charm, but Mission wins for food diversity.

Do I need a car in San Francisco?

No. Parking is expensive, hills are steep, and break-ins are still a concern in tourist areas. Use Muni, BART, and Waymo instead. The only time I'd rent a car is if you're doing a day trip to Muir Woods, Napa, or Yosemite where public transit doesn't reach easily.

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That's it — my tried-and-true 3-day San Francisco itinerary. I've walked this route with my parents, college friends, and skeptical Midwestern relatives, and it's won them all over. Yes, you'll get your steps in (10,000+ per day), and yes, you'll probably eat too many baked goods. But that's the San Francisco experience.

If you have questions or want more specific recommendations, feel free to reach out on Instagram @askme_sf — I love helping people plan their SF trips. Safe travels, and enjoy the fog!