One Weekend In San Francisco: A 3-day San Francisco Itinerary for First-Timers
There’s so much to see and do in San Francisco and its surrounding areas that planning a weekend can feel overwhelming. This guide is meant to give you a slice of what a 3-day visit could look like, hitting many of the main sites while still leaving room to explore at your own pace. Whether it’s your first trip or a return visit, these tips will help you make the most of your short stay. Here’s exactly how to spend one weekend in San Francisco!
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Side Note: This post was written by Anne-Marie, a Bay Area native. This way, you can ensure you are reading the most accurate 3-day San Francisco itinerary. Locals know best! Read more about Anne-Marie in the author’s bio at the end of this post.
Table of Contents
3-day San Francisco Itinerary (Quick Overview)
If you’re short on time and just want the highlights, here’s a quick rundown of how to spend three unforgettable days in San Francisco. This TLDR version gives you the perfect intro, then if it looks like your kind of weekend you can keep scorlling for all the deets.
- Day 1: Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, Breakfast at Round House, The Palace of Fine Arts, Sightseeing or Dinner Cruise
- Day 2: Haight Ashbury District, Amoeba Music, Picnic at Golden Gate Park, Nopalito for dinner, Rooftop drink at Charmaine’s.
- Day 3: Alcatraz Island Tour, Union Square, SF MOMA, Dinner at Wayfare Tavern
Getting to (and around) San Francisco
The closest airport to San Francisco is SFO, though it isn’t actually in San Francisco. The city and county of San Francisco bought the land and gave it a San Francisco address, but the airport is actually in an unincorporated part of San Mateo County because there wasn’t enough land to actually build it in the city.
You can get to San Francisco easily by BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). There is a BART station right at the airport, which will take you to San Francisco and many other cities across the Bay Area. It is usually around $6 for a one-way trip or $12 round-trip.
I don’t recommend renting a car if you are just going to San Francisco, as there is public transportation that can take you all around the city (Caltrain, BART, Muni). But, you may want to rent a car if you are planning on exploring more of the Bay Area or going to Muir Woods.
Public Transportation in the Bay Area includes BART, Caltrain, and Muni. BART goes to many cities throughout the Bay Area, Caltrain runs from Gilroy to San Francisco, and Muni is specifically in San Francisco. There is also AC Transit, which serves Alameda and the surrounding areas, and Amtrak, which you can use to explore California as a whole.
Best Time to Visit San Francisco
San Francisco’s (and the Bay Area in general) weather is mostly always cold, but with sunshine. If you are solely going to San Francisco, I would always carry a jacket with you because it can be windy and the weather can change quickly. There is pretty much always a breeze, especially if you are closer to the water.
I would say that summer is the best time to be in the city- it’s not too hot or cold. You can go to the beach to have celebrations or bonfires and the weather is just perfect in my opinion. It’s the perfect time to spend a day or night exploring.
While you can always find a concert or event happening in San Francisco, here are the major ones:
- Outside Lands Music Festival- This is our biggest music festival, and it takes place during the first and second weeks of August.
- Portola Music Festival– This festival focuses on electronic dance music and takes place during the middle to end of September.
- Fleet Week– San Francisco Fleet Week is an annual public event that honors the contributions of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces while advancing cooperation and knowledge among civilian- and military-based Humanitarian Assistance personnel. It takes place in October every year.
- Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival- Hardly Strictly Bluegrass is an annual free and non-commercial music festival held the first weekend of October in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California.
- Stern Grove Festival– We are the oldest non-profit music festival in the country, bringing FREE live music to San Francisco for 88 years. Every summer, from June to August, Stern Grove brings incredible artists to San Francisco for free.
Where should I stay in San Francisco?
There are so many areas of San Francisco, and deciding where to stay really depends on what you are doing. While you can take public transportation around the city, it can take a long time to get from one area to another, so it’s best to stay closest to where you will be spending the most time.
San Fransico Neighborhoods
- Union Square: The city’s commercial and cultural heart, offering easy access to shopping, theaters, and public transit. It’s central to everything, but can be very crowded and noisy.
- Fisherman’s Wharf: Ideal for first-time visitors, with attractions like Pier 39 and Ghirardelli Square. There’s so much to see here, and it’s extremely family-friendly; however, it’s also very touristy, which leads to expensive prices.
- Marina District: Trendy area near the waterfront, perfect for boutique shopping and dining.
- SoMa (South of Market): Tech hub with modern amenities and proximity to museums and nightlife. It’s also near the Giants’ stadium where the Warriors play (and many concerts), but it can feel a bit industrial.
- Haight-Ashbury: Historic district with a bohemian vibe, offering vintage shops and eclectic eateries.
- Castro District: Known for its LGBTQ+ history, vibrant nightlife, and colorful streets. However, it’s a bit farther from some of the main attractions of San Fran.
My Hotel Recommendations:
- Budget-friendly Option: Holiday Inn San Francisco-Golden Gateway (close to Union Square and BART, comfortable and affordable)
- Mid-range Option: Hotel Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf (right next to Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 30, and Alcatraz. Not that far from BART either so it’s great if you want to explore the city.)
- Luxury Option: The Fairmont San Francisco (iconic luxury hotel where nearly every U.S. President has stayed when they came to San Francisco)
- Dog-friendly Stay: Hotel Nikko San Francisco (also close to Union Square, BART, and a few museums)
- Unique Option: White Swan Inn (boutique hotel with quirky wallpaper and a fun atmosphere)
3-Day San Francisco Weekend Itinerary
If you’ve made it this far, you are ready to get into the nitty-gritty of planning your weekend in San Fran. Here are all the details to make the most out of your 3 days!
Day 1: The Golden Gate Bridge and Marina District
Morning:
Ride and shine bright and early for your first day in San Fran! It begins with a morning stroll across the famous Golden Gate Bridge. I like doing this early in order to avoid the crowds and snap some great photos. It’s about 1.7 miles (one-way), so if you are walking there and back, plan on it taking around 2ish hours.
Then, head to Round House for a coffee and a bagel.
Alternate! If you aren’t up for the trek across the bridge, you could always rent bikes and bike across instead. There are several bike rental shops right by the bridge.
Afternoon:
The Palace of Fine Arts is nearby and is gorgeous! Snap some photos and take a walk around. Then head to the Marina and shop in the cute boutiques and grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants.
Evening:
Whenever I visit a new city, I always like to explore first on foot and then via boat (when possible). There are several options in San Franciso to see the city from the water! You can choose from a hour-long sightseeing tour, a luxury catamaran, or (my favorite) a fancy dinner cruise!
If your cruise didn’t include dinner, you could end your night with dinner at Little Original Joe’s and a nice evening walk. It’s the perfect relaxing day to kick off your weekend in San Francisco!
Day 2: Haight Ashbury and Golden Gate Park
Morning:
Day two starts with some laid-back time to explore the historic Haight Ashbury district. Grab some breakfast at HAIGHT Patio Cafe & Crepery, then explore the rest of the stores on the street. Then, head to my favorite place- Amoeba Music and take some time exploring. When you’re done exploring, go to Ben & Jerry’s to get some ice cream- located at the iconic Haight and Ashbury intersection. It’s never too early for ice cream!
Afternoon:
Head to Whole Foods on Haight Street to grab some groceries or food from their hot bar and have a picnic in Golden Gate Park. There is so much to do in Golden Gate Park! You can check out the California Academy of Sciences, Japanese Tea Garden, Peony Garden (best in September), Stow Lake, and more! Take a few hours to take it all in!
Evening:
Head to Nopalito or Outerlands for dinner. If you still have some energy, you could check to see if the California Academy of Sciences is having its special Nightlife events or grab a drink on the rooftop of Charmaine’s.
Day 3: Union Square/Downtown and a Show
Morning:
No weekend trip to San Francisco is complete without a visit to Alcatraz Island, one of the city’s most fascinating and eerie landmarks. Just a short ferry ride from Pier 33, the trip offers sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city skyline before you step onto the island that once held some of America’s most notorious criminals, including Al Capone.
The audio tour of the prison is incredibly well done, blending first-hand accounts from guards and inmates Be sure to book tickets in advance and expect to spend around 3-4 hours on the tour.
Afternoon:
After your morning tour, spend your afternoon walking around Union Square and do some shopping! Head to Boudin or Caffe Central for a light lunch or maybe an afternoon coffee pick-me-up.
If you like art, head to the SF MOMA which is nearby. There are so many floors to explore and they have rotating exhibits. Head to The Metreon or Westfield for some more shopping or a snack. There are so many options to choose from!
Evening:
For your last night in San Francisco, try to catch a concert or musical at The Orpheum or The Warfield. There are a few other major concert venues and places to see plays. A great place for dinner is Wayfare Tavern by Chef Tyler Florence- try their famous fried chicken, it’s so good!
Other things to do in San Francisco
There are SO many things to do in San Francisco, that you could easily spend more than 3 days. If you want to DIY your weekend, feel free to swap out some of the ideas from the itienrary with the ones below!
- Baker Beach- views of the Golden Gate Bridge
- Twin Peaks- panoramic city views, free parking, but you will have to walk up the hills
- Pier 39: Free to visit, many stores and paid attractions
- Musee Mechanique: Old School arcade and interactive museum. You will have to pay to play the arcade games.
- The Exploratorium: Interactive Science museum, $40 for adults, $30 for ages 4-17
- De Young Museum: Art museum in Golden Gate Park. $20 for adults, Free for ages 6-17, $17 for ages 65+
- Ghiradelli Square: touristy but iconic chocolate and a nice area to chill.
- Concert venues: The Independent, The Warfield, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Chase Center, The Fillmore
- The San Francisco Ballet
- The San Francisco Symphony
- Baseball: The San Francisco Giants
- Basketball: The Golden State Warriors (men), The Golden State Valkyries (women)
- Football: The San Francisco 49ers (outside of San Francisco but you can take the train to Mountain View and the light rail from there to the stadium)
Tip! Before visiting, be sure to check out the GoCity Pass for dicounted prices at over 30+ attractions!
Where (else) to Eat in San Fran
& I did list some of my favorite restaurants in the itinerary, but here are some other good ones if you need more ideas!
- Fiorella- wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta, and seasonal dishes, many locations
- Boudin Bakery- sourdough bread aka the best bread ever. The main bakery is in Fisherman’s Wharf but there are smaller locations around the city as well.
- Plow– farm to table breakfast
- La Taqueria– classic burritos in the Mission District
- El Farolito- another iconic burrito place in the Mission District
- The Ferry Building– A marketplace with several different restaurants to choose from
Other Tips to know before visiting San Francisco
Here are a few quick tips to make your weekend in San Francisco seamless!
- Transport: BART and Muni are convenient; cable cars are touristy but fun. Ride-share or bikes work for some attractions.
- Weather: Always bring layers- fog and wind can appear unexpectedly.
- Hills: Be prepared for lots of walking up and down steep streets.
- Tours / Insider Access: Consider guided tours for Alcatraz, Chinatown, or local food tours- they often provide local insights.
About the Author!
I’m Anne-Marie, a Bay Area native and blogger who loves exploring cities near and far. While I don’t live in San Francisco, I’ve been there more than enough times to help create a guide for visitors. There is so much to do in the city itself and the surrounding areas! I hope this guide has helped you plan your next trip! See more of my adventures on the blog or Instagram!
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