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The Perfect Day in San Francisco: Tips to Explore SF in Just One Day
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: March 31, 2025 • Published: March 15, 2015
Just one day in our magnificent city? No problem! Here’s how to spend the perfect day in San Francisco.
I created this one-day itinerary for first-time San Francisco visitors to experience multiple top attractions and make the most of just one day in the City by the Bay.
Highlights include Lombard Street, Alcatraz Prison, the Golden Gate Bridge, and a cable car ride (or two!).
Read on for details about what to do at each famous spot, how to get from one SF landmark to another, and my recommendations for meals along the way.
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1. Visit Lombard Street
This is the most famous view of Lombard Street. I took it in May, when the flowers are just starting to bloom for the season.What makes this a must-see? Only in San Francisco will you find a beautiful brick-lined road with gardens so steep that cars have to traverse left and right eight times to go down one block.
Why start your perfect day in San Francisco here? SF’s famously crooked street is the most photogenic in the mornings due to the angle of the sun. Plus, it’s usually a bit less crowded earlier in the day.
How to get here? If you’re coming from Fisherman's Wharf or Union Square, the Powell/Hyde cable car is the easiest way to get to this part of Russian Hill. Taking in the views and the morning air is also an exhilarating way to begin your day!
Transit Tip: I recommend buying a Muni passport for the day. It includes unlimited rides on SF’s cable cars, buses, and street cars for one full day. It’s only $14. It will save you money, and you won’t have to hassle with paying for your rides along the way. Find out more.
>> Discover Tips to Ride the Cable Cars
What to do here? If you take the cable car, you’ll find yourself at the top of this crooked street at Hyde and Lombard Streets. From there, walk down along the side to the bottom at Leavenworth for the best view. Then snap your postcard-perfect picture.
Estimated Time: 8 to 9 am
If you have extra time: If you get here bright and early and are in the mood for a bit of breakfast, you’ll find great cafes two blocks down the hill on and near Columbus Avenue (the border between the Russian Hill and North Beach districts). These include Fiddle Fig and Pat’s Cafe.
>> Read More About Visiting Lombard Street
2. Take the Ferry to Alcatraz Island
The self-guided audio tour on Alcatraz is fascinating. These are guards that worked on the island and they offer their insights throughout the audio tour.What makes this a must-see? Numerous films and books have been inspired by Alcatraz’s history as a former maximum-security prison for the country’s most notorious criminals.
Why come here next? Since this part of your sightseeing journey in San Francisco depends on getting tickets for a set time, I recommend heading over here early in the day so that you can relax in the afternoon and not have to worry about missing your tour.
NOTE: Alcatraz is so popular that tickets often sell out. Make sure to book early for the day and time that you want. You can do this five to six months in advance. If the day you want is sold out, read my tips for scoring tickets anyway.
Popular Alcatraz Tours
How to get here? From the bottom of our crooked street, it’s only a mile walk to Pier 33. Make your way to Bay Street (parallel to Lombard, three blocks north) and take that all the way to the Embarcadero.
I recommend this route because if you were to walk straight down Lombard Street to the waterfront, you would run into steep Telegraph Hill, upon which Coit Tower sits.
Alternatively, you could hail an Uber or Lyft to get to Alcatraz Landing, which will take less than 10 minutes and cost about $10.
What to do here? From the ferry, make sure to enjoy the fantastic views of the city, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco Bay waters.
On the island, walking the eerie halls of the abandoned cell blocks and hearing the stories of former inmates is an experience unlike any other. You’ll do this with the 45-minute self-guided audio tour that’s included in your ticket.
You can spend the rest of your time exploring on your own until you’re ready to head back. Check out any special programs offered that day.
Estimated time: This will depend on your pre-purchased ticket reservation, but you can expect to spend about 2.5 to 3 hours on the tour.
3. Grab Lunch in Fisherman’s Wharf
What makes this a must-see? Fisherman’s Wharf is the classic tourist area of San Francisco, full of attractions like our local aquarium, the Pier 39 sea lions, and fresh seafood joints. This is also the launching-off point for various cruises and tours.
Why come here next? At this point in the day, you will be hungry for some local San Francisco favorites, and Fisherman’s Wharf is at the heart of our famous seafood industry. Since the Alcatraz ferry drops you off on the eastern end of this vibrant district, you might as well explore on foot and follow your nose to your next stop.
How to get here? When you step off the Alcatraz Island ferry at Pier 33, you’ll be on the eastern end of the Fisherman’s Wharf district. To get to the heart of this vibrant neighborhood, simply walk northwest along the water. In three blocks, you’ll run into our famous Pier 39.
What to do here? When you arrive in this exciting waterfront district, you’ll be surrounded by street performers, souvenir shops, and attractions. Don’t be overwhelmed—use my map below to help you navigate!
You can step into the Buena Vista Cafe (#3 on the map), where they serve breakfast all day and offer fresh local Dungeness crab. While you’re there, try the drink they are most known for, Irish Coffee.
Another great option is to grab lunch at one of the street vendors on Taylor Street. Here you will find a number of grab-and-go crab, lobster, and clam dishes, including salads, sandwiches, and soup (#4 on the map).
One of my favorite places to eat is Boudin Bakery (#5 on the map). I LOVE their clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl—a San Francisco classic. It’s also a fun stop just to watch the art of breadmaking.
The Irish Coffee at Buena Vista is famous. It's also a great way to warm up on those cool San Francisco days!Estimated time: 12 pm to 3 pm or later
If you’re visiting during the summer when the days are longer, then you can spend more time exploring Fisherman’s Wharf. However, during the winter, when the sun sets around 4:30 pm, you’ll want to save enough daylight for your next stop, a visit to the Golden Gate Bridge.
If you have extra time: Consider indulging in some dessert at the Ghirardelli Square chocolate shops (#6 on the map). You could also play vintage arcade games at the Musee Mecanique (#7 on the map) or do some shopping at Pier 39.
One attraction that families with kids love here is the 7D Ride Experience at the Flyer Thrill Zone, which also offers a laser maze and virtual reality games.
>> Additional Tips to Visit Fisherman's Wharf
4. Pop Over to the Golden Gate Bridge
The top floor of the Fort Point National Historic Site is one of my favorite places to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge.What makes this a must-see? This International Orange architectural feat towers over the choppy waters where the Pacific Ocean meets the bay. It is the landmark that most defines the City by the Bay.
Why come here next? You’ll want to visit this beauty before the sun goes down (in fact, it closes to pedestrians after dark, meaning at 6:30 pm during the winter and at 9 pm during the spring/summer/fall).
The advantage to going in the afternoon is that usually the fog has long burned off by now and peeled away to the Pacific Ocean, allowing you to admire our city’s incredible geography.
How to get here? From Fisherman’s Wharf, you can catch the 28 Muni bus along North Point Street and take it to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center.
What to do here? Walk to the first tower along the eastern sidewalk to gaze down at the bay and back at the city. Grab a bite to eat at the Round House Cafe. Learn more about the icon from the outdoor museum on the southern end of the bridge.
Tip: Even if it’s sunny in the city, bring warm layers for this portion of your perfect day in San Francisco! It can get quite chilly on the bridge between the wind, fog, and being so high up above the water.
Estimated time: 3 to 5 pm
If you have extra time: Go ahead and stroll the 1.5 miles down through the northern end of Presidio Park to enjoy more waterfront views and even dip your toes in the bay at the Crissy Field beach.
Just beyond that is the magnificent Palace of Fine Arts. If you reach this free attraction, you’ll find yourself in the hip Marina District. All of these spots would be excellent places to watch the sun set behind the Golden Gate Bridge.
>> Read More About What It's Like to Visit the Golden Gate Bridge
5. Enjoy Dinner in Union Square
John's Grill is one of my favorite places to grab dinner in Union Square. They are a San Francisco institution and I've never had a bad meal here.What makes this district a must-see? Union Square has long been considered the heart of the city—emphasized by the giant colorful heart sculptures you see scattered about it—due to its central location and high concentration of flagship stores, entertainment venues, and top-notch hotels and restaurants.
Why end your perfect day here? Your perfect day in San Francisco wouldn’t be complete without spending a little time amidst the commotion of the city center. Immerse yourself in the brightly lit streets of downtown SF before and after having dinner. You can also enjoy the area’s bars and nightlife before heading back to your hotel, which is likely to be around here.
How to get here? You can top your day off the way it began, with a cable car ride. You’ll have to take a bus to get there, though.
When you leave the Golden Gate Bridge, make sure you get on the 28 bus headed to Fisherman’s Wharf. There is another 28 bus route that picks up in the same place but will instead take you to the Richmond District.
Get off the 28 bus at North Point and Hyde Street, then walk one block north to the Powell-Hyde cable car turnaround at Hyde and Beach Streets.
Enjoy your hilly cable car ride through Russian Hill and Nob Hill until you get to Union Square. You can get off right at the plaza, or ride it two more blocks to the end of the line at Powell and Market Streets.
What to do here? Choose from a plethora of delicious options for dinner.
Among the most affordable options are the Pinecrest Diner for classic American dishes, Bartlett Hall for pub fare, and Sakana for sushi.
If you want something a little classier, try the French restaurant Bouche, Cesario’s for Italian, or the historic seafood and steakhouse John’s Grill.
For those who really want to splurge and go out with a bang on their perfect day in San Francisco, there are fine dining restaurants to match the area’s upscale boutique shops. These include Sons & Daughters, O’, the Cavalier, and more.
>> Discover my top 20 Union Square restaurant picks, from burgers to steak to sushi
If you have more time: If you visit SF around the holidays, you’ll find a huge Christmas tree and outdoor ice rink in the middle of the plaza. In the spring and summer months, you’ll often find free family-friendly performances, events, and art installments.
At night, this area is great for catching a show at one of the many theater venues near Union Square, such as the iconic Curran or the Toni Rembe Theater. San Francisco is also renowned for the award-winning Broadway shows that come through here year-round.
Other Options for Dinner
If you’d rather visit a “local” neighborhood with more personality than SF’s central commercial district, here are a few great areas to check out instead of Union Square:
- North Beach: authentic Italian food and old-school charm
- Hayes Valley: trendy cafes and eateries in a central residential area
- Castro: fantastic eats in the city’s famed queer-friendly district
- Mission: traditionally SF’s Latino district, full of interesting bars and restaurants of all ethnic cuisines
Getting Around SF for One Day
If you plan to use public transit throughout your perfect day in San Francisco, I recommend you purchase the Muni 1-Day Visitor Passport for unlimited rides on buses, light rail, streetcars, and cable cars.
The 1-day passport costs $14 per person. It expires at 11:59 pm and is only valid for public transportation within San Francisco (not on BART or other transit systems, including those to and from the airport).
You can purchase the passport on the MuniMobile app and use your phone to pay for all your rides. If you extend your visit, there are also passport options for three or seven days.
In addition to Muni, there are many ways to get around the city, including Lyft/Uber, the driverless Waymo cars, and bike rentals.
>> Read all you need to know about getting around SF
Discover the Best Places to Stay
If you plan to stay only one day in San Francisco, then I recommend booking a hotel in Fisherman's Wharf or Union Square.
Both of these popular districts offer a range of lodging options, from budget two-stars to luxury four-stars.
You can choose from hotels with pools and hotels that are family-friendly.
>> Read this page to compare your best options in these two districts
Savings Tip: You can also save on your visit by checking out the great deals here. They offer the best prices all year long on hotels in SF. Click here to check out a list of deals available during your stay.
Uncover Additional Itineraries
Do you plan to stay in San Francisco for a few additional days? If so, then check out my itineraries for some additional days below.
Additional Ideas for Your One-Day Stay
If you’ve already seen some of the top San Francisco attractions outlined in my perfect day itinerary above, or you simply would rather do something different from the typical stops, then check out my list of 10 fun things to do during your one-day visit.
The list includes our most popular museums, hidden gems, and unique city tours.
>> 10 of the best things to do in just one day
Hi, I'm Jill!
Dreaming of a San Francisco vacation? As a proud local, I'm here to share my insider tips and personal experiences to help you make the most of this iconic city!
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