The Ultimate 1 Day Itinerary San Francisco Guide
Is one day in San Francisco enough? Well, not really, but if that’s all you’ve got, let’s make the best of it. I’ve been to San Francisco MANY times which makes me an appropriate San Francisco travel guide.
Living in SoCal, it’s an easy flight and sometimes I’ve made the drive. I’ll save the road trip for another time.
In just 24 hours, you’ll be surprised by how much you can see of the city if you manage your time and stick to the schedule.
Let’s dive deep into this 1 day itinerary San Francisco trip where you’ll explore the most iconic parts of the San Francisco Bay area. Let’s begin…
1 Day Itinerary San Francisco
Stop #1: Alcatraz Island Tour
8:30am-12pm (3.5 hrs)
Alcatraz Island has always been a unique part of San Francisco’s history. If you don’t know anything about Alcatraz, this is an island off the coast of San Francisco that used to be high security federal penitentiary.
It’s a story of incarceration and slavery. Developed in the mid 19th century, this prison eventually became known as ‘The Rock.’
With high crime in the 1920’s to 1930’s, Alcatraz became an iconic prison that housed some of the most well-known criminals such as Al Capone, ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly and Robert Stroud ‘Birdman of Alcatraz.’
Because the prison is on an island, it made it difficult for prisoners to escape, but of course, prisoners tried. Since 1963, Alcatraz closed its doors because it was too difficult and expensive to operate.
Today, there are daily tours and I highly suggest you take the tour. The tour itself is about 2.5 hours and you have to take a ferry to the island. The ferries depart from Pier 33.
On the tour you’ll get to see inside the prison cellhouse and explore the island itself. Book your tickets online at their website.
Daily tours start at 8:40am to 3:50pm on the hour. But be sure to check the website for any changes in their schedule as the times are different from the spring/summer vs. fall/winter.
Take the 8:40am or 9:30am ferry (the 2 earliest ferries) so that you can be back by 12pm. The ferry ride is about 15 min each way.
There is a night tour and a ‘Behind the Scenes’ Tour option, but this San Francisco in one day itinerary doesn’t allow for it. If you would like to do either of these options instead, you’ll have to rearrange the itinerary to support it.
Also, the evening tours change during the winter, so if you’re going during that time, make sure to check the ferry schedule.
Safety Tip #1
Parking can be difficult and expensive in San Francisco. To make matters worse, SF has a problem with car break-ins. If you’re driving a car in the city, make sure you don’t leave any valuables sitting out in clear view. Car thiefs are quick.
The better option is to either take public transportation to get around or use Uber or Lyft.
From Pier 33, walk to Pier 39 for lunch. It’s about a 6 minute walk. As you are walking be sure to view in the distance toward the city the Transcontinental Pyramid Building and then the Coit Tower.
The Transcontinental Pyramid Building is a modern pyramid shaped skyscraper and is the second tallest building in San Francisco’s skyline.
The Coit Tower is a historic cylindrical column tower on Telegraph Hill. Inside are murals and fine arts with an observation deck at the top.
Stop #2: Pier 39 Wharf
12:15pm-1:30pm (15 min)
Pier 39 is one of the most iconic spots in San Francisco. Think seals, seafood and oceanfront. It’s a great place to hear and watch the seals, soak up some sun (if there is any), walk down the pier and the wharf area and of course get some good seafood. One thing that you must get at the wharf is clam chowder in a bread bowl.
Every time I go to the wharf, I just have to get clam chowder in a bread bowl. It’s just so yummy! The wharf is a great place to have lunch.
Here are some recommendations for places to get a meal.
Boudin – There are actually 2 locations around here. One is right on Pier 39. The other is further down off Jefferson. The one off Jefferson is really huge while the one on Pier 39 is small.
Either way, they serve up their famous creamy clam chowder in a soft sourdough bread bowl. They serve other types of food like sandwiches and salads, but when in Rome, opt for the clam chowder.
Codmother Fish & Chips – If you’re not feeling the clam chowder in a bread bowl but still want seafood, check out this place. You can get fish & chips, shrimp tacos, fish tacos and calamari. This place is a bit further down off of Beach St.
Fog Harbor Fish House – For a more upscale, dine-in ambiance, check out Fog Harbor Fish House where you can get freshly prepared seafood in all forms. Sit outside on the patio if it’s a nice day or dine in comfort and overlook the water. This restaurant is directly on Pier 39.
If you have extra time you can visit some of the souvenir shops if you’d like, take pictures or just explore the Embarcadero and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Walk to Ghirardelli Square.
1:45pm-2pm (15 min)
Stop #3: Ghirardelli Square
2pm-2:45pm (45 min)
For all the chocolate lovers out there, this is a must visit if you only have 1 day in San Francisco. Hopefully, you saved room for dessert after lunch because you’ll want to get dessert at The Original Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop. Have a sundae, shake or hot cocoa. Buy some chocolate to go and explore the Square.
Walk to Lombard St.
2:45pm-3pm (15 min)
Stop #4: Lombard Street
3pm-3:15pm (15 min)
Lombard Street is San Francisco’s famous windy road that has 8 sharp turns. Known as the ‘Crookedest Street in the World,’ Lombard St. is frequented by millions of visitors a year. You’ll see cars driving down the street, but it’s just easier to walk it.
In the 1920’s the switchbacks were put in place to make the street more scenic and safe for pedestrians. It became more famous in the 1960’s once it started appearing on postcards. San Francisco in a day most definitely should include Lombard St. for it’s uniqueness!
Vanessa’s Tip
Be considerate when walking down Lombard Street. The homes that line the street are actual residences so be mindful of where you are walking and what you are doing. Respect the neighbors and their property.
Also, watch for cars and be careful. Not only are is the road twisty, but it’s steep as well. Cars driving down the road may have a difficult time navigating it and you don’t want to be in their way.
Uber to Golden Gate Bridge to a lookout point.
3:15pm-3:30pm (10-15 min)
Stop #5: Golden Gate Bridge
3:30pm-4:15pm (45 min)
The MOST iconic and important piece of architecture in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. A 1 day itinerary in San Francisco would not be complete without a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge.
This suspension bridge connects the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. You’ll recognize it as the famous red bridge. Since it’s opening in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge is likely the most photographed in the world.
Something to keep in mind, if you drive over the bridge, there is a toll. If you park at one of the lookout points to admire and take pictures of the bridge, there is also a fee.
No matter where you park, there will be a fee. This is just another reason to not drive a car in SF.
Stop at one of the outlook points or walk a portion of the bridge. It takes about 30-45 min to walk it each way so you won’t have time to walk the full distance.
But take your pictures at an outlook point and maybe walk a portion of it. And hopefully the weather decent enough to get a good picture. The afternoon from 12pm-4pm is usually the best time to visit the bridge.
There are many outlook points where you can get a good view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Some of the more popular areas to view the bridge are the Golden Gate Overlook, the Pacific Overlook and Baker Beach to get a view from the West side of the bridge.
Or you can go to the Fort Point National Historic Site, Battery East Parking or Crissy Field on the East side of the bridge.
It is important to note that there is no parking for the Pacific Overlook but all the other lookout points have parking lots. There are no free parking lots for the lookout points.
If you want a close-up view of the bridge, go to the Fort Point National Historic Site which is a brick Civil War fortress.
If you want to get more of a zoomed-out view of the bridge, Crissy Field, Baker Beach and the Pacific Overlook are good options.
My suggestion is to stay on the East side of the bridge. While you’re there you can visit the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center and enjoy the more scenic side. There are also several public restrooms there.
In all honesty, you could spend a whole day around the Presidio area. If you’re into nature this is the perfect place to spend your day. Considered a national park, it’s a great place to visit for all ages.
For young families there are outdoor playgrounds, picnic areas, interactive outposts, the House of Air Trampoline Park and food places. For teens and older there are various trails, historical sites, memorials and the Walt Disney Family Museum.
Vanessa’s Tip
Since this is a 1 day San Francisco itinerary, it’s better to maximize your time and lessen the amount of time it takes to get from one place to another.
This means opting for the fastest mode of transportation which is likely a ride share situation. While it may cost more, you’ll get to see more things.
If you take public transportation such as the Muni or cable car it will take twice as long or even more to get from one place to another. While it will be cheaper, you’re sacrifice time.
Uber to Chinatown.
4:15pm-4:30pm (15 min)
Stop #6: Chinatown
4:30pm-6:30pm (2hrs)
Chinatown in San Francisco is the largest one outside of Asia and the oldest in North America. Chinatown spans from Bush St. to Broadway and Powell St. to Montgomery St. which encompasses 30 square blocks. It has a variety of restaurants, shops, events, hotels, museums and more.
Be sure to check out Waverly Place in the middle of Chinatown where you’ll see the red lanterns strung across the streets. Explore the shops, street art, architecture and if you’re lucky, attend an event.
Visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. While the area is small, there can be a line. Here you can watch the workers make fortune cookies and try some samples.
They sell a variety of cookies including dipped ones. You can even personalize messages! They close by 6:30 or 7pm so be sure to visit before they close.
Check out the Dragon Gate entrance which is an iconic symbol of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Take a quick picture to commemorate your visit.
For dinner, Here are some recommendations:
Hong Kong Clay Pot Restaurant – Experience traditional Chinese food that will hit the spot. Consistent, authentic and good quality. The atmosphere won’t blow you away, but you’ll have a good meal and be content.
Osmanthus Dim Sum Lounge – Satisfy your dim sum craving with BBQ pork buns, dumplings, pan fried noodles, shumai, onion pancakes and more. It’s a bit pricey for dim sum, but what restaurant isn’t pricey these days? Get a cocktail or tea and order away with their selection.
Hon’s Wun-Tun House – Wontons, wontons, wontons! If you’re a sucker for wontons and soup, try a wonton noodle soup. It’s the ultimate comfort Asian dish. They call them ‘wun-tun’ but it’s the same thing as a wonton so no need to get confused.
Mister Jiu’s – If you like dining in style, this high end contemporary Chinese restaurant will satisfy your palette. A contemporary take on Chinese food, you’ll get a more curated and eclectic variety of choices. It’s fine dining Chinese style.
Safety Tip #2
San Francisco is known to have a homeless problem. While most homeless people won’t bother you, there are many that have mental health issues and you never know what could happen. Always take precautions when walking around.
While Chinatown doesn’t border the Tenderloin area, it’s important to stay out of this area as it can be dangerous.
Stop #7: Cable Car
6:30pm+
At this point you have some free time after dinner to either ride the cable cars, experience some nightlife, grab a drink or dessert, see the bridge lit up at night or something else.
Between all of these, I’d recommend riding the cable car. It’s open from 7am-10pm daily and you can purchase a single one way ticket if you just want to experience it.
From Chinatown you can get on at various points such as California St. & Grant Ave., California St. & Kearny St., Washington St. & Powell St. or Sacramento St. & Powell St. Check the schedule here.
1 Day in San Francisco What to do at Night
The nightlife in SF is diverse. Everyone has their own idea of what’s fun or not fun for a late night activity. There are bars, lounges, comedy clubs and nightclubs. Or if you prefer peace and quiet, perhaps view the bridges at night when they are lit up.
Just be careful walking around at night as certain areas and neighborhoods can be sketchy. Always, pay attention to your surroundings and stay in well-lit areas. Aviod walking alone.
What to Pack for San Francisco for the Day
San Francisco is generally on the cooler side. There are many cloudy, chilly and breezy days so it’s wise to pack warm layers.
Check the weather but having layers, a sweater or jacket and good walking shoes are ideal. While many associate California with perfect weather, San Francisco does not fit this perception.
Where to Stay in San Francisco for a Day
Ideally, it would be wise to stay around the itinerary stops so that you can easily walk or take cheaper transportation to the points of interest.
Avoid the Tenderloin area and Union Square area is not the nicest. I’d recommend Pacific Heights, Nob Hill, North Beach, Fisherman’s Wharf or Financial District.
The Best Way to Get Around for this San Francisco One Day Itinerary
Ride sharing, walking or possibly an e-scooter. Seeing you only have a day in SF, it’s really not worth it to rent a car.
If you rent a car, not only will it be costly, but you will have to find and pay for parking. You will also have to be concerned about potential break-ins in which SF is notorious for.
Taking pubic transportation like the MUNI or cable car is possible and it will be a cheap option. However, it will take longer to get from place to place and eat away at your precious time.
You may have to cut something out of the itinerary. If you decide to take the MUNI, be sure to download the app so you can purchase any bus or train tickets online instead of paying cash. It’s just easier.
Walking (if possible) is recommended at least for short distances. You can also rent an e-scooter to get from one place to another which will be faster than walking.
San Francisco One Day Tour
If you find this San Francisco in 1 day itinerary is not something you want to do on your for whatever reason it’s just not for you, you could always opt for a tour.
There are many tours that will take the work out so you can just enjoy the sights.
There are hop on, hop off busses that take you to popular attractions and you can just get on and off as you please.
Or you could do a 1 day walking tour of San Francisco where a guide will personally take you from place to place.
A one day trip San Francisco tour has it’s pros and cons. On the pro side, you don’t have to worry about timing or how to get to an attraction or any of the details needed to have a successful visit.
But on the con side, you are restricted to where the tour takes you and you don’t have much freedom or flexibility to determine where you want to eat which to me is one of the best parts about traveling.
Finding good restaurants and good food is high on my list. But that’s just me.
If you’re more interested in a tour, check out these tours which I approve of.
San Francisco Urban Adventure and Alcatraz Tour
1 Day in San Francisco What to See if it’s Raining
If you just happen to be in San Francisco when it’s a rainy day, it can limit your ability to see everything on the itinerary with ease. You can still do all of the things mentioned in the itinerary but it will just be more wet.
Ferries will still operate going to and from Alcatraz. But you might not get that beautiful, picturesque image of the Golden Gate Bridge.
While it’s not ideal to visit San Francisco in the rain, bring an umbrella and waterproof clothing if it appears this will be the case.
San Francisco Stop Substitutions
Perhaps you like most of the above itinerary, but there are 1 or 2 stops you’re not that excited about. If there is any stop where you could make a substitution, it would be Chinatown.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t visit Chinatown, but out of all the stops in this itinerary, the others are hands down a must. Chinatown is worth a visit, but you could substitute it with some other equally great places.
Instead of Chinatown, you could substitute it for North Beach. North Beach is sort of like San Francisco’s version of a Little Italy.
It’s not called Little Italy, but it does have a more concentrated presence of Italian restaurants, historic chapels and churches and shops. You can also see Coit Tower from North Beach. It’s a quaint area that’s great for having a nice Italian dinner.
Alternatively, you could also substitute Chinatown with visiting the Painted Ladies, Alamo Square and Haight-Ashbury. The Painted Ladies are a set of iconic California Victorian architectural homes that are a representation of San Franciscan homes.
Built in the 19th century, the Painted Ladies are not unique to San Francisco. In fact, there are many homes that have this architectural style, but the Painted Ladies are the most famous as they have been featured in various movies. You can sit or view them from Alamo Square, which is a park across the street.
Close by is the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood which is known for its hippie vibe. With vibrant street art and murals to spicy clothing stores, tattoo parlors and music stores, this hippie scene cannot be contained. So if the flower power is strong in you, this area might be more of a draw.
As you may have noticed, San Francisco has many cultural pockets. It really depends on what draws your interest and seems more desirable to fit in a 1 day itinerary for San Francisco.
If you’re into Japanese culture you could visit Japantown which is not too far from the Painted Ladies as well.
There are many cultural hubs within SF so identify what you’re most interested in and perhaps choose to visit that area for the later half of the day.
For a Latin flair, visit the Mission District. For the LGBTQ community, visit the Castro. For a big city vibe, visit Union Square.
If you’re a nature person, hike the Twin Peaks and get a beautiful view of the city from the top. Going there for sunset is one of the best times of the day to visit as long as it’s not foggy.
Perhaps instead of going to Chinatown you spend more time by the water. Hit the Ferry Building which is the beginning of the Embarcadero.
The Ferry Building is a beautiful building filled with a bunch of vendors. You can shop, grab dinner, have a cocktail, have a dessert and more all in this building.
It’s a famous San Franciscan landmark that opened in 1898 and was primarily a transportation hub. In modern day San Francisco, the Ferry Building has maintained its historic charm with enhancements.
From the Ferry Building you can see the Oakland Bay Bridge which connects San Francisco to Oakland. It’s lit up at night so you can get a nice view of the bridge from the Ferry Building.
After the Ferry Building you can head over to the Exploratorium at Pier 15 if you’re there on a Thursday. The After Dark Thursday Nights in only open to 18 years and older so this might not be an option, but if it is, it’s a great place to explore science, art and perception until 10pm. It’s a unique and fun adult experience.
One Day in San Francisco Itinerary is Not Enough
There are many things to see in San Francisco in one day but it’s not really enough in my opinion.
Check out some of my other upcoming itineraries for up to 10 days which include exploring Golden Gate Park, North Beach, Union Square, Haight Street, the San Francisco Botanical Garden, the Ferry Building, the Mission District and more!
There’s so much to do in SF, so spending more than 1 day in this bustling city is recommended.
For your first day in San Francisco, you should see the attractions in this itinerary. But for your 2nd and beyond, check out these itineraries to get a fully encompassing experience. You could spend days in San Francisco and still have plenty more to do.
San Francisco Itinerary 1 Day FAQ
Can you do San Francisco in 1 day?
While it’s better if you have more than a day in San Francisco, this San Francisco 1 day itinerary can be quite a lot if you maximize your time and have a plan. You can always cut out some of the stops if you feel it’s too much.
What to do in San Francisco for 2 hours?
If you only have 2 hours in San Francisco, you really can’t do much. Assuming you have a full 2 hours (not including transportation time), I would spend it visiting the Golden Gate Bridge and the surrounding area of the Presidio.
There’s so much to do in this one area and you will easily use up 2 hours here. Take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge at one of the lookout points. If you want to walk the bridge it will take about 30-45 minutes each way.
How do you spend an afternoon in SF?
Assuming an afternoon is about 3 hours, this could be spent seeing the Golden Gate Bridge and the Fisherman’s Wharf area. Spend about 30 minutes around the bridge and then take an Uber to the Fisherman’s Wharf.
Here you can explore Pier 39, the Embarcadero, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience, have a clam chowder in a bread bowl and shop.
What to do with a 3 hour layover in San Francisco?
See previous questions for what you can do in San Francisco for an afternoon.
How to spend 4 hours in San Francisco?
4 hours is basically half day in San Francisco. In 4 hours you could do what was mentioned about for how you can spend an afternoon in SF. You could easily spend 4 hours in these same places. You’ll just have more time to enjoy it.
Is San Francisco a walkable city?
Yes and no. Walking the whole city is not ideal, but walking in certain areas like the Fisherman’s Wharf or the Presidio or Chinatown is totally walkable.
Each area of San Francisco has walkable areas, but it doesn’t make sense to walk from place to place. Stay out of the Tenderloin area completely and avoid walking around at night if possible. It can start to get sketchy at night.
What you can’t miss in San Francisco?
You can’t miss the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s the most iconic point of interest in San Francisco. For one day in San Francisco Reddit, TripAdvisor and other online forum users will probaby agree! It’s a must by most people.
How much money do I need per day in San Francisco?
This really depends on what you want to do. You can easily do free things all day and find cheap eats. You could also easily spend a lot of money food, admission to museums or tours and experiences.
What can I do with a 6 hour layover in San Francisco?
With a layover, you will have to leave the airport. It will take about 30 minutes to drive (without traffic) to the city. This also means another 30 minutes back.
Assuming you will need to be back at the airport at least 1 hour before your next flight, this leaves about 4 hours of free time to explore the city.
See the question above about how to spend an afternoon in San Francisco which should accommodate 4 hours of time.
Can you walk the Golden Gate Bridge?
Yes you can. It will take about 30-45 min each way.
Final Thoughts on What to do in San Francisco in One Day
When one thinks of visiting California, San Francisco is most definitely near the top. While New York City is the most visited city in the United States, San Francisco sits at #5. There are many reasons why SF is so popular.
San Francisco has a lot to offer visitors which is best known for the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and the famous Fisherman’s wharf. This 1 day itinerary gets you to the most important and most famous attractions in SF.
Make the most of your day and just take Uber or Lyft. You will waste time driving and parking if you rent a car and you will waste time waiting for public transportation.
Looking to stay longer than 1 day? Check out my upcoming itineraries…
San Francisco Itinerary 2 Days
San Francisco Itinerary 3 Days
San Francisco Itinerary 5 Days
San Francisco Itinerary 7 Days
