If you only have one day to spend in San Francisco, here’s the perfect way to see all the highlights & iconic attractions + eat great food.
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Morning: Irish Coffee, Golden Gate Bridge & Scenic Views
Start with breakfast and Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista café.
Tip: if you’re staying in Union Square, take the Hype-Powel cable car line to get here!
Walk to Umbrella Alley and spend 20 minutes taking fun selfies with murals, including the ‘Welcome to San Francisco’ mural. ($4 entry).
Rent bicycles (I recommend e-bikes) – there are lots of shops to rent from anywhere along Beach Street.
We used Blazing Saddles – they had great prices and really friendly service.
Cruise along Crissy Fields, checking out viewpoints of the Golden Gate Bridge along the way.
Bike down to the Fort Point National Historic Site for an incredible photo spot of the GGB.
Bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, then take the underpass to the other side to the Battery Spencer Viewpoint – it’s incredible!
Bike back across the bridge and cruise along the pathways through the Presidio.
Make a stop at the Palace of Fine Arts – admire the ancient Roman architecture.
Afternoon: Seafood, Sourdough & Sea Lions
Drop your bikes off and head to Ghiradelli Square. Stay as little or as long as you want!
Here are some options:
- Get ice cream
- Stop at a wine bar
- Have a flight at San Francisco Brewing (love their outdoor patio)
- Shop for chocolate
- Have coffee
If you’re hungry at this point, I recommend having an appetizer or snack at SF Brewing Company, Barrio for Mexican or have oysters at Broad Street Oyster Company.
Have Lunch at Boudin Bakery
Make your way east through Fisherman’s Wharf and stop at Boudin Bakery for lunch (the one on Jefferson Street).
Get clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl!
If that’s not your style, order any sandwich on sourdough bread – it’s a must!
Go across the street and play at Musée Mécanique – an arcade full of vintage games from the 20th century.
If you need a “pick-me-up”, head back to Buena Vista Cafe for another Irish Coffee (trust me)!
Explore the bustling waterfront and stroll through Pier 39 (don’t miss the sea lions).
Take a Waymo (driverless taxis) to Coit Tower for amazing views of the city.
Stroll around and look for all the fun steps and stairways and scenic spots. Here are my favorites:
- Filbert Street steps
- Greenwich steps
- Transamerica viewpoint
Evening: Alcatraz Night Tour
Take the night tour to Alcatraz Island.
Explore the former prison with an audio tour that offers fascinating stories of infamous inmates.
Once you’re done with the tour, you can explore around the prison and the island at your leisure.
I loved the cell door slammer demonstration!
It’s $56 per person and will be about a 3 hour experience.
Dinner
Since you’re doing the night tour, it will be quite late by the time you get back to the city.
I recommend Golden Boy Pizza or In-N-Out Burger for late night dinner!
Alternative 1-Day San Francisco Itineraries
Tours are a great way to see as much of the city as possible in a short amount of time.
If you would prefer a mix of a tour and your own schedule, here’s what I recommend.
Option 1: VW Bus City Tour & Leisure Time
Spend 3 hours in the morning with a local guide who will pick you up in a vintage Volkswagen bus!
You’ll tour all the main neighborhoods of the city with stops at incredible viewpoints like:
- the Golden Gate Bridge
- Painted Ladies
- Coit Tower
- Haight-Ashbury
- Chinatown
- and a few hidden gems.
Get dropped off at Fisherman’s Wharf and have lunch at Scoma’s for seafood or Cioppino’s for Italian and seafood.
Walk around Fisherman’s Wharf, or take the Cable Car to Union Square.
Check out the VW Bus City Tour that we took here
Option 2: Hop-on Hop-Off Bus
Ride the double decker sightseeing tour bus all through the city. This is a perfect way to spend a day in San Francisco.
You can ride the entire route to get a lay of the land. And then get off wherever you want and spend as long as you want in each spot. Choose your own pace!
This is the most efficient way to see the sights because you won’t have to worry about driving or finding parking.
Get your tickets to the Hop on Hop Off bus here
Check out my full list of the best 33 things to do in San Francisco if you want more ideas about what to do in the city!