San Francisco 7 Day Itinerary

San Francisco 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Explore Downtown

  • Stay at Union Square (Hotel Zeppelin or Hotel Nikko) for easy access to attractions.
  • Lunch at The Grubstake (classic diner).
  • Visit the Ferry Building Marketplace for local food and artisanal goods.
  • Explore downtown, including Union Square, Westfield Shopping Centre, and Powell Street Cable Car Turnaround.
  • Dinner at Tadich Grill (San Francisco’s oldest restaurant) or Farallon.
  • Tips: Download Citymapper for efficient transportation within San Francisco.

Day 2: Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39

  • Breakfast at Boudin Bakery (for its famous sourdough bread bowls).
  • Visit the Aquarium of the Bay, sea lions at Pier 39, and Maritime National Historical Park.
  • Lunch at Alioto’s or Scoma’s for fresh seafood.
  • Afternoon at Ghirardelli Square for chocolate and shopping.
  • Evening stroll along Fisherman’s Wharf and visit Fort Mason.
  • Dinner at Anchor Oyster Bar or Boulevard.

Day 3: Golden Gate Park & Haight-Ashbury

  • Morning: De Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences, and Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park.
  • Lunch at Gracias Madre (vegan Mexican).
  • Afternoon: Explore Haight-Ashbury (original home of the “Summer of Love”). Visit the Painted Ladies and Amoeba Music.
  • Dinner at Magnolia Pub & Brewery or Wildseed (farm-to-table).

Day 4: Alcatraz Island & North Beach

  • Morning ferry to Alcatraz Island. Book tickets in advance.
  • Lunch at Tony’s Seafood, a North Beach institution.
  • Afternoon stroll through North Beach neighborhood (Little Italy), visit Coit Tower, and Washington Square Park.
  • Dinner at Tosca Cafe or Vesuvio Café (beatnik hangout).

Day 5: Mission District & Castro

  • Breakfast at The Mission (breakfast burritos).
  • Morning: Visit the Mission Murals, Clarion Alley Mural Project, and Dolores Park.
  • Lunch at La Taqueria or Mi Lindo Peru for delicious tacos and Peruvian food, respectively.
  • Afternoon: Explore the LGBTQ+ district of Castro, Pixar Animation Studios, and California Culinary Academy.
  • Dinner at Rich Table or Flour + Water (Italian).

Day 6: Chinatown & Embarcadero

  • Breakfast at Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.
  • Morning: Visit Chinatown and its historic sites like Portsmouth Square and the Chinese Cultural Center.
  • Lunch at Great Eastern Restaurant (dim sum) or Yank Sing.
  • Afternoon: Explore South of Market District, visit AT&T Park (home of Giants), and enjoy views from The Embarcadero.
  • Dinner at Hakkasan San Francisco or Slanted Door (modern Vietnamese).

Day 7: Departure

  • Breakfast at Café du Soleil or Foreign Cinema.
  • Spend the morning shopping and relaxing in your neighborhood before departure.