48 hours in San Francisco: The perfect two-day itinerary

1. Day 1

   
   1. Morning

      Start your day in Union Square (1 hour)

      

      As San Francisco’s physical and cultural heart, Union Square is the perfect place to experience the Golden City of today. First, sip artisan coffee from one of the countless cool cafes or go for breakfast at Sears Fine Foods — a local institution. Next, drop a few dollars in the square’s famous boutiques, park up on a palm-shaded bench, or walk down to the fascinating cable car turnaround at Market and Powell. From here, the rest of the city is at your fingertips with tickets for the hop-on hop-off bus tour. While this may sound like a tourist trap, it’s worth knowing that San Francisco is a first-rate city with a second-rate public transportation system. So this is one of the best ways to seamlessly get to the big sights. And when you book the premium tickets, you’ll be treated to a beautiful night tour of the city.
      

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   2. Get lost in Golden Gate Park (2-3 hours)

      

      Escape into the other-worldly oasis of Golden Gate Park. Traverse the Japanese Tea Garden trails to the de Young Museum, passing windmills, tulips, and buffalo along the way. Be sure to get an entry ticket for the California Academy of Sciences where you'll meet the resident albino alligator Claude and his 38,000 friends, including Pierre and Howard, the South African penguins. Just 10 minutes by foot from the park, you'll come to two hidden gems: The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps and the Hidden Garden Steps. Just a short walk from each other, at the top of these beautifully mosaiced stairs (which are best during the day) the best panoramic views of the city await.
      

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   3. Afternoon

      Cross the Golden Gate Bridge (2.5 hours)

      

      No SF landmark is more recognizable than the Golden Gate Bridge. It's played the protagonist in countless songs, movies, and books, and now's the time for it to star in your life story. Heading to the bridge early to walk the 1.7 miles (about 35 minutes) means fewer crowds, but you might find yourself in a blanket of fog on summer mornings, so afternoon is best. Grab a deli sandwich before making your way to the bridge; you’ll want lunch with a view after the walk, especially if you get back on the bus to the North Point Vista. It has the most impressive views of the bridge and, when the weather is clear, you’ll be able to see Alcatraz and Treasure Island too. Thrill-seeking sightseers will want to go all out and book a helicopter ride to witness the sights from above instead.

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   4. Evening

      Experience the Embarcadero (1 hour)

      

      As the sun dips, join an eclectic mix of locals as they sit, skate, cycle, or stroll down San Francisco’s most vibrant stretch of waterfront. You’ll pass by many big attractions — the Exploratorium, the Bay Bridge, and Coit Tower, to name a few — while making your way to another must-do: the Ferry Building.
      

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   5. Have dinner with a view at the Ferry Building (2 hours)

      

      This bustling gastronomic emporium is the ultimate place to dive into San Francisco’s thriving food culture. With a glass of Californian wine in hand, sample your way through the artisan street food stalls, making friends with local chefs and producers. Or for more upscale surf and turf, check out the nearby Epic Steak or Waterbar. Anytime’s good to eat at the Ferry Building, but you're in for a treat when you visit during the revered farmers market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

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2. Day 2

   
   1. Morning

      Start with breakfast and people watching in “Little Italy” (2 hours)

      

      Nuzzled between Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown, discover the neighborhood vibes of North Beach — or “Little Italy”. Famed for its cute cafes, Old World delicatessens, and family-run restaurants, there’s no better place for a homestyle breakfast. Try popular spots like Mama’s or Original Joe’s, and if the wait is too long, make your own foodie discoveries nearby — you can't go wrong in North Beach. Once caffeinated, don't miss a walk around Washington Square and into the beautiful Saint Peter and Paul’s Church, where Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio married in 1954.

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   2. Cruise by Alcatraz (2 hours)

      

      Alcatraz is one of the most legendary prisons on the planet, and one of the best ways to learn about its notorious past is on a Bay Cruise which you can hop on at Fisherman's Wharf. You (thankfully) won’t witness a prison break, but this hour-long boat ride will take you around the island and under the Golden Gate Bridge, with epic views of the city skyline. If seeing the cells is a must for you, choose a premium hop-on-hop-off ticket that includes the Alcatraz ferry and tour of the prison too.

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   3. Afternoon

      Have fun at Fisherman’s Wharf (2 hours)

      

      Established by immigrant fishermen during the mid-1800s Gold Rush, Fisherman’s Wharf has been a seafood lover’s dream ever since and has evolved into a destination for shopping, art, and entertainment too — a must for all first-time San Francisco goers. If hunger is already striking, satisfy it until your next stop with a snack of clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl (it’s an SF classic) at Bistro Boudin, or one of the budget-friendly food trucks that dot the Wharf. Walk it off along Pier 39, where the local sea lions flop on and off the docks and then head to the Powell/Hyde cable car line for an unforgettable ride through Nob Hill. You’ll pass by Lombard Street, “the most crooked street in the world,” and the fascinating Cable Car Museum, an excellent stop if you have kids in tow.

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   4. See why the foodies flock to Market Street (2 hours)

      

      Market Street is where to find good eats — period. This main thoroughfare, which recently went car-free, stretches from the Ferry Building to the Twin Peaks neighborhood with endless culinary delights to choose from. Don’t miss the locally loved Super Duper Burger: offering juicy hamburgers with super sauce. And order a Super Shake to dip your fries in — you won’t be the only one.

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   5. Get artsy at SFMOMA (2 hours)

      

      Whether you’re a seasoned art lover or a budding enthusiast, the San Francisco Modern Art Museum (SFMOMA) has something for everyone. Housing thousands of works by the likes of Frida Kahlo, Henri Matisse, and Andy Warhol, plus a dedicated section for photography and open-air, art-filled terraces, it’s one of the most diverse contemporary art museums in the US. Some areas are free to view, but buying an advance ticket will get you fast and easy access to all seven floors.

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   6. Evening

      Dance at the Top of the Mark (2 hours)

      

      There’s no better way to end your two-day trip to San Francisco than with panoramic views, great food, and live entertainment. The Top of the Mark, a 19th-floor restaurant at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco Hotel, is the place to do it. Make an advance reservation to this sophisticated spot and take in the sparkling skyline while sipping on a signature martini and dancing the night away.

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