If you’re trying to plan a weekend in San Francisco, you’re in the right place! The city has so much to offer, from museums and galleries to great food (and of course the iconic cable cars!) Here’s what’s in this post: 5 essential tips + ready-to-go itineraries = the easiest trip ever…
Is A Weekend Enough Time?
Weekend getaways are the best! You get a break from the routine of daily life and get to explore somewhere new. And let’s be honest, sometimes the thought of planning a big, long trip can seem daunting/time-consuming/expensive.
And that’s the beauty of a weekend excursion – it typically costs less and is easier to plan.
My husband and I recently took a weekend trip to San Francisco, and we had a blast. The city is really vibrant and full of personality, and there’s so much variety in what you can do.
The downside to that – if you only have a few days to explore, you really have to pick and choose what you want to do. You can’t see it all… but you CAN have a fantastic weekend trip that rocks.
But First…
Before we get into the itineraries, I’m sharing some important tips for your trip. Here are a few things to consider:
San Francisco Tip #1: Drive As Little As Possible
Did you know San Francisco is the second most densely-populated city in the U.S.? Yep, it’s true. There are a lot of people, buildings, and cars crammed into a small area.
Parking is very limited (and very pricey). For many places in the city, parking your car can cost up to $40/day. So save yourself the headache and plan to drive as little as possible.
Luckily, San Francisco has a great public transportation system called Muni that consists of buses, trains, cable cars, and more. It’s relatively easy and affordable too. For our trip, we purchased a Muni “passport”, which gives you unlimited rides around the city. I highly recommend it! Read more about it here (scroll down until you see “passport”).
You’ll also want to download the “Muni Mobile” app for your phone – it helps you navigate the city and will even plot out a route for you. I found it super helpful.
San Francisco also has “go cars” that are super cute! You rent them for a period of time and do a self-guided driving tour of the city. On my next trip to SF, this is at the top of my list!
San Francisco Tip #2: Bring Layers of Clothing
Some people assume that because San Francisco is in California, and near the coastline that the city has warm and sunny weather. So not true! Even in the summer months, the average high is only in the high 60 degrees.
So plan ahead, my friend, and make sure you dress comfortably and bring layers! Once you’re packed, and you’ve got some jackets and maybe a scarf or hat, throw in a few more. Seriously. And while you’re at it, check out my Genius Packing technique and be sure to grab a copy of my free travel essentials packing list! It’s so helpful:
On our trip in July, we did an Alcatraz tour (which was so cool), and I wore a t-shirt, fleece jacket, and another jacket on top of that. And a scarf. And a hat. And I would’ve been more comfortable with more layers!
Of course everyone is different, but I would highly suggest bringing along at least one layer more than you think you’ll need. Especially if you plan on spending any time on the bay, near the Golden Gate Bridge, or Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s significantly colder and windier near the water.
San Francisco Tip #3: Book in Advance
Luckily, most of the things to do in San Francisco don’t necessarily require buying tickets well in advance. But – this tip is an important one if your weekend trip to San Francisco involves touring Alcatraz…
Getting tickets for Alcatraz is a different story. It’s not uncommon for tickets to sell out weeks in advance, so plan ahead on this one so you don’t miss out.
On our weekend trip, we did the “behind the scenes” night tour and I highly recommend it! They take you to underground chambers and places you can’t see on other tours. There’s so much more I could share (like what it’s like to spend time in solitary confinement – eek) but you should see it for yourself. Just remember to plan ahead on this one.
San Francisco Tip #4: Go Early In The Day
San Francisco is probably best known for the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s an iconic landmark (and a popular one!) that gets busier and more crowded as the day goes on. So for you early birds out there – you’re gonna love this one. Everyone else, I’m sorry! (haha)
This advice is true for most major cities and tourist attractions: if you can go first thing in the morning, you’re better off.
Why fight the crowds if you don’t have to? So for your weekend in San Francisco, choose the 1-2 most important things you want to see and do those things early in the day.
San Francisco Tip #5: Location, Location, Location
Because San Francisco is a bustling and busy city (and you only have a few days to work with), be mindful of where you stay. You’ll find nicer and cheaper hotels farther out from the city center, but unless you plan on driving it’s not worth it to stay that far out.
Instead, take a look on the map and find the location of the places you want to go. Then choose a place that’s in that vicinity. I promise you, it pays off and you’ll be glad that you’re centrally located and can walk to things.
One word of caution – some areas are nicer than others and there are some dangerous neighborhoods you might want to avoid. Just do a little research on the area before you book anything. Speaking from a past experience staying in a not-so-great part of the city, I’ve seen it firsthand. In some areas of San Francisco, drugs and crime are unfortunately widespread.
But don’t let that scare you away from visiting San Francisco, there are plenty of nice areas to stay in! This is just one time when paying attention to the location is key.
Your Weekend In San Francisco
Let’s get to the itineraries! If trip planning isn’t your thing, I’ve got you covered. These are designed around a certain area of the city, and each itinerary takes approximately a half to full day if you do each activity.
It’s possible to walk for most of these, but remember that San Francisco has lots of hills! So consider riding a cable car, trolley, or using a ride service like Uber or Lyft.
Itinerary #1: Bayside Fun
Start your day at the San Francisco Ferry Building. Built in the late 1800s, it’s architecture is stunningly beautiful! They have an amazing marketplace with all types of vendors, and it’s a great place to explore, shop, and grab breakfast (or a snack).
Next head north about 2 miles north to Fisherman’ Wharf. You could spend a lot of time here because there’s tons to see and do! Here are just a few:
- Tons of great restaurant and cafe options
- Aquarium of the Bay
- San Francisco Maritime Museum
- Pier 39 and the Sea Lion Center
- Mini golf, laser tag and more
Save room for dessert, because now you’re on your way to Ghiradelli Square for some ice cream! See the original place chocolate was made, and even a small glimpse of the machinery used. Very cool!
Lastly, book a tour to see Alcatraz, the infamous prison on an island in the San Francisco Bay. It’s a fascinating place to visit (just be sure to book tickets well in advance!)
Itinerary #2: Iconic San Francisco
Get your day started off right by visiting the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s an epic landmark that identifies San Francisco, and a gorgeous site to see. Go early to avoid the crowds! Check out this post for more info about all the different vantage points.
Now head to the Presidio, a large urban park that is a gem of San Francisco. Nature, picnics, museums, hiking… and so much more. You’ll be glad you went here no doubt.
For an absolutely stunning backdrop (and the most photographed place in San Francisco), check out the Palace of Fine Arts. It’s located within the Presidio, so you can’t miss it. It’s free and there are a variety of tours available as well.
Itinerary #3: City Must-Haves
Start at Union Square, a major hub of the city and great jumping off point for the rest of your day. Grab food, do some shopping, and just enjoy the city.
Next head to Chinatown. Fun shops, authentic cuisine, and so much more, it’s the oldest Chinatown in North America! You can even tour a super cute (and tiny) fortune cookie factory and get a custom one made.
One of my favorite places to visit in San Franciso is Coit Tower, and this is your last stop for the day. You truly get beautiful 360 degree city views and can reflect back on your amazing weekend in San Francisco! There’s no better way to wrap up your trip.
Ready To Explore?
So there you have it, my 5 essential tips for a weekend in San Francisco and some easy itineraries so you can spend less time planning (and more time exploring!)
What are you waiting for? Get to packing! I hope you’re excited to visit San Francisco and now feel a bit more prepared to tackle the city.
I’d love to hear back from you after your trip – did you try the go cars? Use the muni mobile app? Comment below and let me know how your trip went.
1 Comment
We aren’t going to CA until late July. I want to plan it now and have been overwhelmed. We want to see SFO (Fisherman’s Wharf, Tour Alcatraz, Ride a troly car and the Golden Gate Bridge. Also want to go south and see Carmel and the Hwy 1 drive and then north a bit to see some redwoods. Your tips have been great!