San Francisco California 5 Day Itinerary

San Francisco, California: 5-Day Itinerary (Markdown Format)

Day 1: Explore Downtown & Iconic Landmarks

  • Morning:
    • Breakfast at Cafe du Soleil (French cuisine)
    • Visit Union Square: Shopping, dining, and the famous Powell’s Cable Car Turnaround
    • Ride a historic San Francisco Cable Car to Fisherman’s Wharf (optional: purchase a Muni passport for unlimited rides on multiple modes of public transportation)
  • Afternoon:
    • Lunch at Sourdough Cafe (try the famous clam chowder in a sourdough bowl)
    • Visit Ghirardelli Square and enjoy a chocolate treat
    • Explore Fisherman’s Wharf: Pier 39, Sea Lion Center, Aquarium of the Bay, and Maritime National Historical Park
  • Evening:
    • Dinner at House of Nanking (Chinese cuisine)
    • Stroll around North Beach neighborhood (Little Italy)

Day 2: Golden Gate Bridge & Parks

  • Morning:
    • Breakfast at Mama’s on Washington Square
    • Visit Golden Gate Park: Conservatory of Flowers, de Young Museum, and Japanese Tea Garden
  • Afternoon:
    • Lunch at The Grinder’s Spot (gourmet sandwiches)
    • Drive/bike to Golden Gate Bridge: Walk or bike across the bridge for stunning views (rentals available nearby)
  • Evening:
    • Dinner at Slow Club (Californian cuisine)
    • Explore Cole Valley and grab a drink at The Alembic

Day 3: Mission District & Street Art

  • Morning:
    • Breakfast at Tartine Manufactory
    • Visit the Painted Ladies (victorian houses)
    • Explore Mission Dolores Park and Mission San Francisco de Asís
  • Afternoon:
    • Lunch at Mission Chinese Food or El Farolito (Mexican cuisine)
    • Street art tour in the Mission District, including Balmy Alley, Clarion Alley, and the Women’s Building murals
  • Evening:
    • Dinner at Flour + Water (Italian cuisine)
    • Enjoy live music at The Chapel or comedy at Cobb’s Comedy Club

Day 4: Alcatraz Island & Ferry Building Marketplace

  • Morning:
    • Breakfast at Tartine Manufactory (again, if you haven’t tried it yet!)
    • Take a ferry to Alcatraz Island: Book tickets in advance for the daytime or nighttime tours
  • Afternoon:
    • Lunch at the Ferry Building Marketplace (variety of food vendors and farmers’ market)
    • Explore nearby AT&T Park (Giants baseball stadium) and the Embarcadero waterfront
  • Evening:
    • Dinner at Hakkasan or Foreign Cinema (Asian fusion and farm-to-table cuisine, respectively)
    • Nightcap at Peggy’s on Division or The Rickshaw Stop (live music venues)

Day 5: Explore Haight-Ashbury & Fillmore District

  • Morning:
    • Breakfast at Magnolia Pub & Brewery (try the famous Mum’s the Word breakfast sandwich)
    • Visit Golden Gate Park’s Hippie Hill and the California Palace of the Legion of Honor
  • Afternoon:
    • Lunch at Zuni Cafe (New American cuisine)
    • Stroll through the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood: The Grateful Dead House, Amoeba Music, and more
  • Evening:
    • Dinner at Burma Superstar or Nopalito (Burmese and Mexican cuisines)
    • Catch a show at The Fillmore (historic music venue)

Things to Know:

  • San Francisco is known for its foggy weather, so pack layers and bring an umbrella.
  • Use Lyft or Uber rideshares, Muni buses, or BART trains for transportation.
  • Be prepared for steep hills in many neighborhoods.
  • Take advantage of the numerous free attractions such as the Presidio’s various parks and beaches.
  • Enjoy the city’s vibrant arts scene: museums, galleries, street art, live music venues, and theater performances.

Tips:

  • Avoid rush hour (7-9 AM and 4-7 PM) for smoother travel during the day.
  • Check event schedules before your visit to ensure access to attractions like Alcatraz or museums.
  • Don’t forget to try clam chowder, sourdough bread, and Ghirardelli chocolate during your stay!

San Francisco 5-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Downtown & Fisherman’s Wharf

  • Morning: Start your day with breakfast at Cafe Reveille, known for its delicious avocado toast and coffee.
  • Afternoon: Visit the iconic Fisherman’s Wharf. Don’t miss the sea lions at Pier 39, Aquarium of the Bay, and Musee Mecanique.
  • Evening: Take a sunset cruise with Blue & Gold Fleet or enjoy dinner at Alioto’s, an authentic San Francisco Italian restaurant.
  • Tips: Fisherman’s Wharf can be crowded, so consider visiting early in the morning or late afternoon.
  • Transportation: Muni buses (30, 45) and historic streetcars (F Line) serve Fisherman’s Wharf.

Day 2: Golden Gate Park & Haight-Ashbury

  • Morning: Grab breakfast at Mama’s on Washington Square.
  • Afternoon: Explore Golden Gate Park, visiting the California Academy of Sciences, De Young Museum, and Japanese Tea Garden.
  • Evening: Head to the hippie-chic district of Haight-Ashbury for dinner. Try out Magnolia Pub & Brewery.
  • Tips: Bring a jacket as the park can be windy and cool.
  • Transportation: Muni buses (5, 23, 28, 31) serve Golden Gate Park, while the N Judah train takes you to Haight-Ashbury.

Day 3: Alcatraz Island & North Beach

  • Morning: Take a ferry to Alcatraz Island. Book tickets in advance for the prison tour.
  • Afternoon: Return to the mainland and explore the bohemian neighborhood of North Beach. Visit City Lights Bookstore, one of America’s most famous independent bookstores.
  • Evening: Dine at Original Joe’s, a historic Italian restaurant in North Beach.
  • Tips: Alcatraz tickets sell out fast, so book in advance.
  • Transportation: Take the ferry from Pier 33. The historic streetcar (30) can take you to North Beach.

Day 4: Mission District & Castro

  • Morning: Breakfast at Tartine Manufactory.
  • Afternoon: Explore the vibrant Mission District, visiting the colorful murals on Clarita Alleyway, Dolores Park, and Mission Dolores.
  • Evening: Head to the Castro District for dinner and a night out. Dish NYC or Harrington’s Pub are great choices.
  • Tips: The Mission District is famous for its street art and taquerias.
  • Transportation: Muni buses (14, 22, 33) serve the Mission District, while the J Church light rail takes you to Castro.

Day 5: Cable Cars & Chinatown

  • Morning: Start with brunch at Brenda’s French Soul Food.
  • Afternoon: Ride a historic cable car (Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason lines) and visit Chinatown. Don’t miss the Gateway Arch, Grant Avenue, and Fortune Cookie Factory.
  • Evening: Enjoy your final dinner at HRD Coffee Shop, known for its unique burger combinations.
  • Tips: Purchase cable car tickets before boarding to save time.
  • Transportation: The cable cars depart from Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf. Buses (2, 30, 45) serve Chinatown.