San Francisco United States 7 Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Exploring Fisherman’s Wharf
- Morning: Arrive in San Francisco and check-in at your hotel. We recommend staying at the Hotel Zeppelin (https://www.hotelzeppelin.com/) or The Fairmont San Francisco (https://www.sfgoldenpikehotel.com/).
- 10:00 AM: Head to Fisherman’s Wharf, one of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods. Take a stroll along the pier and grab some fresh seafood at Alioto’s (http://aliotos.net/) or The Crab Shack (https://www.thecrabshacksf.com/).
- 12:00 PM: Visit the sea lions at Pier 39, a popular spot for photos. Don’t miss the Magowan Museum of Sea Monsters and Curious Quirks (http://www.seamonsters.org/) next door.
- Evening: Enjoy dinner at Boudin Bakery Cafe & Restaurant (https://www.boudinbakery.com/), famous for its sourdough bread.
Day 2: Exploring Golden Gate Park and the Haight
- 9:00 AM: Start your day with breakfast at The Pork Store Cafe (https://www.porkstorecafe.com/) in Cole Valley.
- 10:00 AM: Explore Golden Gate Park, one of the city’s largest parks. Visit the de Young Museum (http://deyoung.famsf.org/), which features art and cultural exhibitions from around the world.
- 1:00 PM: Grab lunch at The Good Karma Cafe (https://www.thegoodkarmacafe.com/) in Haight-Ashbury, a historic neighborhood with a hippie vibe. Don’t miss the iconic Amoeba Music record store.
- Evening: Enjoy dinner and drinks at El Farolito (http://elfarolitorestaurants.com/), a San Francisco institution for Mexican food.
Day 3: Exploring Chinatown, North Beach, and Lombard Street
- 9:00 AM: Start your day with breakfast at Cafe du Soleil (https://www.cafedusoleil.com/) in the Mission District.
- 10:00 AM: Explore San Francisco’s vibrant Chinatown, one of the largest in the United States. Visit the Chinese Culture Center (http://www.culturalcenter.org/), which features cultural exhibitions and performances.
- 12:00 PM: Grab lunch at Tang’s Kitchen (https://www.tangskitchen.com/) or Z & Y Restaurant (https://www.zandyrestaurant.com/).
- 1:00 PM: Visit the famous Lombard Street, known as the “crookedest street in the world.” Take a stroll through the charming neighborhood of North Beach, home to the city’s largest Italian-American community.
- Evening: Enjoy dinner at Gary Danko (https://www.garydanko.com/), one of San Francisco’s top-rated restaurants.
Day 4: Exploring the Mission District and the Castro
- 9:00 AM: Start your day with breakfast at La Taqueria (https://www.lataqueriasf.com/) in the Mission District.
- 10:00 AM: Explore the vibrant street art scene in the Mission District. Visit the Mission Murals (http://www.missionmural.org/), a public art project that features works by local artists.
- 12:00 PM: Grab lunch at La Loma Taqueria (https://www.lalomatqueria.com/) or El Farolito (http://elfarolitorestaurants.com/).
- 1:00 PM: Visit the famous Castro District, a historic neighborhood with a vibrant LGBTQ+ community. Take a stroll down Castro Street and visit the Castro Camera Store (https://www.castrocamerastore.com/).
Day 5: Exploring Pier 39, the Aquarium of the Bay, and the Sea Lions
- 9:00 AM: Start your day with breakfast at The Buena Vista Cafe (https://www.buenavistacafe.com/) in Fisherman’s Wharf.
- 10:00 AM: Visit the famous Pier 39, a popular spot for shopping and dining. Don’t miss the Aquarium of the Bay (http://www.aquariumofthebay.org/), which features marine life from around the world, including sharks, sea turtles, and colorful fish.
- 12:00 PM: Grab lunch at The Crab Shack (https://www.thecrabshacksf.com/) or Alioto’s (http://aliotos.net/).
- 1:00 PM: Visit the sea lions at Pier 39, a popular spot for photos.
Day 6: Exploring the Presidio and the Walt Disney Family Museum
- 9:00 AM: Start your day with breakfast at The Presidio Cafe (https://www.presidiocafe.com/) in the Presidio.
- 10:00 AM: Explore the historic Presidio, a former US Army base turned national park. Visit the Walt Disney Family Museum (http://www.waltdisney.org/), which features exhibits on the life and career of Walt Disney.
- 12:00 PM: Grab lunch at The Presidio Cafe or El Farolito (http://elfarolitorestaurants.com/).
- 1:00 PM: Take a stroll through the beautiful gardens and hiking trails in the Presidio.
Day 7: Exploring the Haight, Cole Valley, and the Mission District
- 9:00 AM: Start your day with breakfast at The Pork Store Cafe (https://www.porkstorecafe.com/) in Cole Valley.
- 10:00 AM: Explore the historic neighborhood of the Haight, home to a vibrant community of artists and musicians. Visit the Amoeba Music record store and take a stroll down Haight Street.
- 12:00 PM: Grab lunch at La Taqueria (https://www.lataqueriasf.com/) or El Farolito (http://elfarolitorestaurants.com/).
- 1:00 PM: Visit the Mission District, a vibrant neighborhood with a thriving arts and culture scene. Take a stroll through the streets and visit the Mission Murals (http://www.missionmural.org/).
Things to Know
- Weather: San Francisco has a mild climate year-round, but be prepared for fog and wind in the summer months.
- Traffic: Be aware of traffic congestion on busy streets like Lombard Street and the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Public Transportation: Use public transportation or ride-sharing services to get around the city.
- Safety: Take precautions to stay safe while exploring the city, especially at night.
Tips
- Book restaurants in advance: San Francisco is a popular destination for foodies, so book restaurants and cafes ahead of time to ensure availability.
- Explore neighborhoods on foot: Get to know the city by walking through its vibrant neighborhoods.
- Visit attractions during off-peak hours: Avoid crowds and long wait times by visiting attractions during off-peak hours.
Other Things to Do
- Visit the Exploratorium (https://www.exploratorium.edu/), a museum of science, art, and human perception.
- Take a ferry to Sausalito (http://sausalitovacation.com/), a charming town across the bay from San Francisco.
- Explore the vibrant arts scene in the Mission District, including galleries and street art.
I hope you have a great time exploring San Francisco!