San Francisco is always a good idea and a perfect little getaway! There is so much to do and lots to explore, but with so many options it can get tricky to try and cram everything into just 3 days.
But don’t worry, I’ve created the perfect 3-day San Francisco itinerary. Ready to explore SF? Let’s get started, here is
The Perfect 3-Day San Francisco Itinerary
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit San Francisco is from mid September to November. Believe it or not, fall season offers the warmest and clearest days in the city. There are also fewer crowds than in summer, which means flight and hotels prices drop a bit.
Day 1: Golden Gate Bridge | Pier 39 | Palace of Fine Arts
Buena Vista: start your day at Buena Vista, a cafe that opened in 1916 and serves delicious Irish coffee and American breakfast.
Bike The Golden Gate Bridge: after breakfast, head over to Blazing Saddles to rent bike or book a tour to cross the Golden Gate Bridge.
Take A Break At Crissy Field: as you bike towards the bridge, make sure to make a quick stop at Crissy Field. It is a beautiful grass field along the shore with beautiful views of the bridge.
Cross the Bridge & Head Down To Sausalito: make sure you take your time crossing the bridge so you can really admire and appreciate the view and the experience. Take plenty of photos! Then, head down to Sausalito and catch a ferry ride back to Pier 41 (Blazing Saddles will provide you with ferry tickets).
Pier 39: once you make it back, walk over to Pier 39 because you can’t come to San Francisco and not go to Pier 39! Haha! It’s pretty touristy but always fun; just walk around and explore and grab a little snack at Trish’s Mini Donuts or have some lunch at Boudin Bakery and Cafe.
Palace of Fine Arts: after all that walking and biking, head over to Palace of Fine Arts and end your day relaxing in their garden and watching the sun go down!
For more on California Travel, check out Best Stops to Make Along the California Coast & 16 Places You Have to Visit in California
Day 2: Baker Beach | Stowe Lake | Lands Ends
Eats: start your day with breakfast at Eats, it’s a cozy American cafe with hearty classics for breakfast and lunch, and mimosas on weekends.
Baker Beach: head over to Baker Beach for a fun little morning walk along the shore with coffee in hand and views of the Golden Gate Bridge. You can also set up a nice little picnic here. *please be aware that this is somewhat of a nude beach.
Stowe Lake: after your little morning beach adventure, head over to Stowe Lake at Golden Gate Park and rent a rowboat for the dreamiest “Notebook” experience. This is definitely one of my favorites and I highly suggest you don’t miss out!
Lokma: for lunch or dinner you can head over to Lokma, a Turkish restaurant serving fresh Mediterranean fare.
Lands End: end your day with beautiful sunset views at Lands End. Here you’ll find a waterfront lookout as long with 1896 ruins of a public bathhouse called Sutro Baths.
Day 3: Mission District | Painted Ladies | Twin Peaks
Gracias Madre: if you know me, then you know that I am obsessed with Gracias Madre. They serve the most delicious vegan Mexican food and coffee. Head over there for their weekend brunch and enjoy an horchata latte paired with some quesadillas de calabaza. Yum!
Explore Mission District: Mission District is an exuberant neighborhood with Latino roots and a hipster vibe. Here you can find art murals at every corner. Walk around, get lost, and see what amazing masterpiece you find.
El Techo / Media Noche: this is by far the coolest little lunch spot (but can also be a cocktail hour spot)! Head over to El Techo for a rooftop lunch experience with beautiful views of the city! Another great option is Media Noche, a stylish counter-serve spot for Cuban sandwiches rice bowls, and snacks.
Painted Ladies: up next is the Painted Ladies! These are colorful victorian homes that were featured in the popular 1987 Sitcom, Full House. There is a park right across the street called Alamo Square Park; you can hang out there while you admire the city views and the painted ladies. You can also pack your lunch and have a little picnic.
Twin Peaks: end your night with the most magical views of the city at Twin Peaks! You can watch the sun go down as the city lights begin to beam; it is completely mesmerizing!
Overall
Overall, San Francisco is a small, compact city, compared to other California cities, but densely populated and with TONS to do! You could spend a whole week here and still not see everything, so make sure you come prepared to do a lot of walking and a lot of exploring!
Check out The Most Instagram Worthy Spots in SF for more inspo on what to do!
Shop My Favorite SF Styles
Thank you so much for reading! Comment below if you would change or add anything to this 3-Day San Francisco Itinerary!
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