Are you ready to explore the stunning City by the Bay? This 3-day San Francisco travel itinerary is the best for first-timers visiting this spectacular iconic West Coast city.
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San Francisco is a vibrant city that is well known for its iconic landmarks, unique culture, and one-of-a-kind landscapes. This detailed San Francisco travel itinerary will help you have the best time in the City by the Bay.
In this post, you will explore the best things to do in San Francisco, and also this is the best itinerary for first-time visitors to San Francisco. Find the best San Francisco photography spots and see the ultimate hidden gems in San Francisco for travelers to explore.
This 3-day San Francisco travel itinerary will take you to the best views of San Francisco, it will take you through the Financial District, Chinatown, an adventure to the Golden Gate Bridge, and more. Also, explore the history of Alcatraz Island, see the stunning architecture of the Painted Ladies, and so much more.
This post is all about the best 3-day San Francisco travel itinerary.
To start your 3-day San Francisco travel itinerary head to Fisherman’s Wharf. Fisherman’s Wharf is a very popular tourist attraction in the City by the Bay. It offers stunning views of the bay, has great coffee shops, and delicious seafood options There are also lots of waterfront activities that you can enjoy. Explore Pier 39 catch the sea lions in the ocean, and go shopping in some amazing boutique shops. Have a fresh seafood lunch at one of the many restaurants here in Fisherman’s Wharf. Also, be sure to explore Ghirardelli Square and indulge in some delicious chocolate treats. Once done exploring Fisherman’s Wharf you can take a ferry ride from here to Alcatraz Island.
Next, head on the ferry boat to Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz Island is known as “The Rock” and is one of San Francisco’s most iconic attractions. This was once a maximum-security federal prison, it is now a historical site that has some of the best views of San Francisco. There is an audio tour that explains what happened in the federal prison and also explains the history of the prison. This is a very unique and cool experience. You can explore the many prison cells, and walk through the solitary confinement cells, the dining hall, and the prison library. You can also see the escape route used in the 1962 escape attempt. Walk around the Island and take in the stunning views of the Bay and the City. Be sure to book tickets in advance as it does tend to get busy, especially during the touristy seasons.
After exploring the historical Alcatraz Island you need to do a cruise along the San Francisco Bay. There are many different boat cruises you can do around the Bay. Relax and take in the stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and the beautiful city of San Francisco all by boat. Sometimes you can also spot sea lions, dolphins, and even sea birds along the ocean. The different types of boat cruises include the Golden Gate Bay Cruise, the Sunset Cruise, the Alcatraz and Bay Combo Tour, Sailing Tours, and even private yacht rentals. Also, be sure to book these as far in advance as possible to ensure spots aren’t too full when you arrive.
The next stop is the Marina District, which is one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in San Francisco. There are some of the best waterfront views here, charming streets, cute boutiques, and great dining options. Stop here for some fun activities including walks along Marina Green where you can enjoy a sunset picnic or just relax along the waterfront. Visit the Palace of Fine Arts, shop, and maybe grab dinner on Chestnut Street, explore Fort Mason Centre, and enjoy the views from Crissy Field.
Start your day 2 of your 3-day San Francisco travel itinerary by grabbing some breakfast in the Mission District. The Mission District is one of San Francisco’s most vibrant neighborhoods with colorful murals, trendy restaurants, cafes, and shops. There is something for everyone in the Mission District whether you’re into art, history, trendy areas, and more. The most popular locations for street art and murals are Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley. Visit Dolores Park where you can see spectacular views of the city. Be sure to also shop at local boutiques and markets for handmade goods or even unique souvenirs.
After exploring the vibrant Mission District head to Golden Gate Park for the afternoon. Golden Gate Park is known as San Fransisco’s lush urban oasis. The park is over 1000 acres and it has lots of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and fun activities, and is one of the most iconic landmarks in San Francisco. Explore the Japanese Tea Garden to see some of the best gardens in the city. Visit the de Young Museum which is a world-class art museum. Take a tour of the California Academy of Sciences to discover a natural history museum with an aquarium.
Walk through the Conservatory of Flowers greenhouse. Rent a boat at Stow Lake and Strawberry Hill. Finally, explore the Rose Garden and Dahlia Garden to see beautiful vibrant roses and dahlias especially when in full bloom. You can also enjoy bike riding, a picnic, and even horseback riding. There is something for everyone here at Golden Gate Park.
Next, relax at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. Ocean Beach is a sandy beach along the edge of San Francisco and is a great place to relax and escape the city for a little bit. It is known for having some of the best sunsets, and a quiet serene atmosphere, and is great for nature lovers. First off enjoy the one-of-a-kind scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and the unique coastal landscapes. You could enjoy a walk along the beach and take in the peaceful sound of the water. Surfing and flying kites are also popular here. Explore the Cliff House and Lands End trail for amazing hiking opportunities. There is also a Beach Chalet Restaurant and Brewery you could visit for a quick bite or some drinks.
After relaxing at Ocean Beach go for a beautiful scenic walk along the Golden Gate Bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in San Francisco. The bridge is about 1.7 miles long and you can see everything from the city skyline, Alcatraz Island, the Bay, the beautiful coast, the boats and sailboats passing by, and more. There are walkways so it is safe to walk along just be sure to wear layers as it does get fairly windy along the walk—definitely a must-do when in San Francisco.
For the evening head to Sausalito. Sausalito is a beautiful waterfront town just across the Golden Gate Bridge. Here you will get laid-back coastal vibes and the best-illuminated views of San Francisco. There are lots of waterfront dining options, cute boutique shops, lots of art galleries, and so on. A perfect way to spend the evening after exploring the City by the Bay.
To start day 3 of your 3-day San Francisco travel itinerary do a hike at Twin Peaks. Twin Peaks is the best place in San Francisco to see a 360-degree view of the stunning city skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge. If you can try and make it there for sunrise, this is the best and least busy time to explore the Twin Peaks. The trails are easy and paved and great for all visitors. There is also lots of nature and wildlife to see and a great experience for everyone, especially outdoor adventure lovers.
After your morning hike to the Twin Peaks make your way to Chinatown in San Francisco. San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the oldest and most vibrant Chinatowns in all of North America. It has stunning architecture, lively markets, amazing places to eat, and lots of culture and history. Walk through the Dragon Gate, visit the Tin How Temple, shop all the markets, enjoy an authentic Chinese lunch, and walk the beautiful vibrant streets of Chinatown and the alleys. There is also a Chinese Historical Society of America Museum where you can learn a lot about Chinese immigration into the American culture.
Once you’ve explored the one-of-a-kind Chinatown, make your way to the Financial District of San Francisco. The Financial District is known as San Francisco’s Urban Hub and the center of the San Francisco business world. Admire the unique Transamerica Pyramid skyscraper in the center, and visit the Wells Fargo Museum to learn about the history of Wells Fargo and the California Gold Rush. Explore the Embarcadero Centre do some high-end shopping, and walk along the Embarcradero to see stunning views of the city. Shop the Ferry Building Marketplace and more.
After exploring the Financial District head over to North Beach. North Beach is known as San Francisco’s Little Italy because of its Italian heritage. This charming neighborhood is full of iconic landmarks, history, cool cafes, and lively nightlife. First visit Washington Square Park, a great place for a relaxing picnic, and it is surrounded by iconic buildings like the Saint Peter Chruch and the Saint Paul Church. Next, explore the City Lights Bookstore, here you can find poetry, history, literature, and so much more, It’s a cool experience. You also have to indulge in some Italian cuisine. Eat at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana for award-winning Neapolitan pizzas, Molinari Delicatessen for the best deli sandwiches, and North Beach Restaurant for one-of-a-kind fine-dining Tuscan dishes. You could also walk up Telegraph Hill which is a historic tower that offers a panoramic view of San Francisco.
Another one of the most popular things you have to see in San Francisco is the Painted Ladies. The Painted Ladies is a row of Victorian and Edwardian houses that is one of the most photographed attractions in San Francisco. These houses were also featured on the famous television show “Full House“, although not one of the actual houses on the show. The Painted Ladies is located right by Alamo Square Park, and this is the best spot to get some great pictures of all the houses. Explore the surrounding streets and see the other beautiful historic homes as well.
And the last thing you have to do on your 3-day San Francisco itinerary is take a ride on the famous Cable Cars. San Francisco’s Cable Cars are a popular form of transportation here and are also a huge part of the city’s history. This is also the world’s largest manually operated cable car system and is the best way to explore the city and the stunning city views. Some of the best routes include the Powell-Hyde Line to see views of Alcatraz, the Bay, and Russian Hill. The Powell-Mason Line goes through Chinatown and North Beach to Fisherman’s Wharf. The California Street Line which goes through the Financial District, Nob Hill, and Chinatown, is the least busy route to get from place to place.
For more on a USA West Coast travel itinerary including San Francisco check out the blog post “THE ULTIMATE ROAD TRIP USA WEST COAST GUIDE YOU NEED“.
There are many places to stay in San Francisco. Some budget-friendly options include Hotel Abri Union Square, Comfort Inn By the Bay, and The Mosser Hotel.
Mid-range places to stay in San Francisco are the Hilton San Francisco Financial District, Nob Hill Hotel, and Chancellor Hotel on Union Square. They are located near iconic landmarks.
Some great luxury accommodations in San Francisco include the Argonaut Hotel, the Noble House Hotel, Hyatt Place San Francisco/Downtown, and Hilton Parc 55 San Francisco Union Square.
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