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One Day in San Francisco: 10 Fun Things to Do on a Short 24-Hour Visit
by Jill Loeffler •
Updated: August 24, 2024
Do you only have one day in San Francisco? With just a day—or even a half day—in San Francisco, you can still squeeze in quite a bit of what the City by the Bay has to offer.
If you're wondering how to spend a day in San Francisco, my list below includes 10 of the best things to do while you are here.
You can visit some must-see SF attractions by strolling across the Golden Gate Bridge, touring Alcatraz, or cruising around the bay. Foodies will love our tasting tours, and art lovers will enjoy our top-rated museums.
Read on for tips on what to do in San Francisco for a day.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
1. Visit the Golden Gate Bridge
If you only have one day in San Francisco, you'll want to visit the city's best-known landmark: the big, beautiful Golden Gate Bridge.
This bright orange architectural masterpiece made history in 1937 as the longest suspension bridge ever built, crossing a straight once believed impossible to cross.
Now, it connects SF to the quaint waterfront towns, Muir Woods, and wine country to the north and is a very popular tourist attraction, whether you visit on foot, by car, by bike, or on a boat passing underneath it.
>> Read more about the Golden Gate Bridge's history and tips to visit
>> Get great tips for walking the bridge
2. Explore Alcatraz Island
For many visitors, a trip to Alcatraz is the obvious choice for their one day in San Francisco because it's so famous.
This ex-federal prison has been featured in many movies and TV shows for its unique setup and is often referred to as "The Rock," since it's basically a large rock in the middle of the bay from which any prisoner would have to swim 1.5 miles in frigid waters to escape to shore.
When you ferry over and take a tour of the grounds, you'll learn about its history, notorious prisoners, and escape attempts.
>> How to book your tour to Alcatraz
>> Tips on how far in advance to book Alcatraz and other top SF attractions
3. Wander Through the California Academy of Sciences
With just a day in San Francisco, you won't have time to check out all of our incredible museums, but one that's definitely worth making time for is the California Academy of Sciences.
Because it houses a four-story living rainforest, an aquarium, a planetarium, and a natural history museum all under one signature eco-roof, it's like visiting four museums in one, each with unique exhibits for adults and children alike.
Fun and interactive, visiting this museum in Golden Gate Park is a truly memorable experience.
>> Buy skip-the-line tickets in advance to save time at the door
>> See photos and learn more details about the museum
Are you spending the day in San Francisco TODAY? If you are coming on a whim for a day trip to San Francisco, chances are you don’t have tickets for the most popular attractions, including the Cal Academy of Sciences. Make sure to check out my page on what needs to be booked in advance and tips on what to do if tickets are sold out.
4. Enjoy the SF Museum of Modern Art
If you love admiring paintings and sculptures by renowned artists like Henri Matisse and Diego Rivera, you're in luck because San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art offers 10 floors and over 30,000 pieces for you to enjoy.
Some ongoing exhibits include "Freeform: Experiencing Abstraction" and "German Art After 1960."
The sleek new design of the building is in itself a work of art, and a cool feature is the free art-filled public spaces on Floors 1 and 2. You don't need tickets to visit these.
Plus, its central location across from the Yerba Buena Gardens in the SOMA neighborhood makes it a convenient stop on your day trip in San Francisco.
>> Find out more about what you can see at the SF MOMA
5. Sample Some of Our Amazing Cuisines
Another must-do with just 1 day in San Francisco is to try the food the locals love.
Thanks to the great ethnic diversity in this city, you'll find excellent options in every cuisine, including Chinese, French, Mediterranean, Mexican, Thai, and Italian, as well as good quality, fresh American cuisine.
If you're wondering where to eat on your one day in San Francisco, you can choose from our fine dining, international, vegetarian, and seafood restaurants, or head to one of our gourmet food trucks.
The links below will give you the best recommendations for where to eat, depending on what you're in the mood for or what neighborhood you're in.
>> My guide to finding the best food in San Francisco
>> Check out top food walking tours for a sampling of cuisines all around town
6. Ride the Cable Cars
A trip to San Francisco is only complete with a fun ride on one of our historic cable cars. These iconic vehicles climb the steep city streets and take you around the eastern side of SF.
Two take you on an exciting trip between Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf. Each one offers a unique route through SF.
The third takes you up the steep California Street hill and to the Nob Hill district.
>> Find out more about what to expect when riding our cable cars
Fun Fact: Besides the cable cars, another way locals managed to navigate the steep streets in San Francisco was by creating curves in the road, like the eight brick-lined switchbacks found on our famously crooked Lombard Street.
7. Cruise the SF Bay
When looking for what to do in San Francisco for a day, many folks will naturally gravitate toward the water.
Enjoy beautiful views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the SF skyline from one of our bay cruises. There are many tours offered daily, and you can choose by duration, price, and other special amenities.
Some take you sailing, others offer brunch or a sunset toast, and others will take you under both SF bridges (the Golden Gate and the Bay Bridge). Read about the different tour packages in the link below, and get ready to enjoy SF's lovely sea breeze!
This is one of my favorite ways to see San Francisco in a day.
>> Learn about the five best cruises on the bay
Top Cruises You Might Enjoy
Are you looking for ways to spend one day in San Francisco with kids? Check out my list of top 25+ family-friendly activities.
8. Take a City Tour
If you only have one day in San Francisco and want to see all the top sights, taking a half-day city tour is a great way to pack it all in and still have time to explore a bit on your own.
This option is thorough and convenient, as your driver-guide will take you from Golden Gate Park to our famous Victorian homes, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Palace of Fine Arts, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, North Beach (SF's Little Italy), and Twin Peaks for a panoramic view.
Each tour lasts 3.5 hours and starts in the morning at 8:30 am. You will cover a lot of ground in a short time. This is perfect for visitors looking for quick things to do with only a few hours in San Francisco.
If you are able to spend the whole day in the city, this tour will give you plenty of time to enjoy other activities on your one afternoon in San Francisco.
>> Find details about this half-day San Francisco tour for groups of 3 or more
More Great City Tours
9. Discover Our Hidden Gems
Maybe you've already seen most of the major tourist attractions in San Francisco and want to spend your day off the beaten path.
This city is full of hidden treasures like mosaic staircases, vintage arcade games, quirky museums, wine tasting rooms and breweries, the oldest camera obscura in the US, and so much more.
If you know where to look, you'll have a blast exploring these unique and lesser-known attractions while delving a little deeper into the history of San Francisco.
Follow the link below to check out my full list.
>> Discover 25 hidden gems in San Francisco
10. See a Show
Nearly every day of the year, you will find some show to attend in San Francisco. If you are a fan of the fine arts, check out the SF Ballet, Opera, and Symphony calendars.
You can also catch a stage play or Broadway musical at one of SF's many theaters. There is live music almost every night of the week in concert halls, cafes, or parks. You can even choose from comedy and circus shows.
In addition to live entertainment, San Francisco hosts many large trade shows and craft fairs, so you'll always have the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and souvenirs.
>> Find out what shows will be offered during your visit
Ideas to Make Your SF Vacation Unforgettable
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
The best way to get around San Francisco is on the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. It runs from 10 am to 6 pm and takes you directly from one attraction to another.
You can select from their 1-day or 2-day tour. They also have a fantastic night tour.
The Big Bus Tour Company is the most popular and highly rated option.
Visit this site to learn more.
One-Hour Bay Cruise
Head out on the San Francisco Bay on this 60-minute Bay Cruise. See the Golden Gate Bridge from below, circle Alcatraz Island, and learn all about other local waterfront attractions.
Find more information and ticketing details.
Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour
The Coastal Redwoods near San Francisco are a must-see, and this half-day tour is the perfect way to explore them!
On this tour, you will head north to Muir Woods, where you will have time to check out this gorgeous national monument. On your way back, you will spend a little time in Sausalito.
Sample One-Day Itinerary
To make it easy for you to decide what to do in San Francisco in one day, I created this "Perfect Day" itinerary just for you.
This self-guided 1-day walking tour of San Francisco lets you be in charge as you hit the most popular attractions and grab delicious bites.
I'll show you how to take a trail with beautiful views from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Palace of Fine Arts, bus to Fisherman's Wharf for seafood and other attractions, cruise to Alcatraz, and end the day with a fabulous dinner and drinks in North Beach.
>> Get the details about how to spend the perfect day in SF
Just in case... If, by the end of your perfect day in San Francisco, you're so enamored that you want a San Francisco itinerary for 2 days, I've got you covered!
Best Places to Stay for One Night in San Francisco
If you plan to spend the night, make sure to check out these great deals.
Booking: Find great deals all around San Francisco for your upcoming stay!
TripAdvisor: What's the #1 hotel in San Francisco? Read reviews & find hotel deals on TripAdvisor!
VRBO: Besides hotels, you'll also find some great places to stay locally through VRBO. Book an apartment or a room and feel more like a local. Find some great places to stay on VRBO here.
Not sure which part of town to stay in? Check out my tips for selecting the best district for your stay.
Other One-Day Sample Itineraries
San Francisco is such a diverse city with so many distinct little pockets that, to get to know it well, you could spend a whole day in each one of its districts.
All of the one-day itineraries I've put together for each neighborhood include a detailed walking route with a few alternative options so you can explore the best of each area without backtracking or having to take taxis to see what most interests you.
These include the obvious attractions, lesser-known gems, best museums, bars and restaurants, and more.
>> Check out these one-day self-guided tours of Chinatown, Pac Heights, the Mission, and more
Tourist for the Day in San Francisco: FAQ
Is San Francisco safe? As with any big city, you should always be aware of your surroundings. San Francisco crime consists mainly of car break-ins and pickpocketing, so always keep an eye on your belongings.
For more tips on how to visit and enjoy neighborhoods with a rougher reputation, read my page on SF safety.
What is the San Francisco weather like? While people often like to quote Mark Twain for having said, "The coldest winter I've ever spent was a summer in San Francisco," we are fortunate to have mild temperatures year-round.
Depending on the season, you'll want to be prepared for fog and/or wind by wearing a layer or two, as the weather can vary throughout the day and from one district to another. Read more details here.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!