If you could go to San Francisco for only one day, what would you do there? If you’re not sure where to even start, then keep reading our one-day itinerary to San Francisco!
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San Francisco is a beautiful city that offers its visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, culture, history, and modern innovation. There are so many activities to do and places to see that designing an itinerary for only one day is quite challenging. Even deciding where to have lunch can be hard; there are so many options.
If you still don’t know where to stay, you can read our article about the best neighborhoods in San Francisco. But for doing the best with the little time you’ve got, here’s a schedule for a full day of the very best experiences San Francisco has to offer.
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A full day in San Francisco
Morning: Iconic Landmarks and a Scenic Start
Sunrise at Twin Peaks
If you want to start your first day in San Francisco in the best possible way, you might have to wake up before dawn. It’s hard, I know, and you’re on vacation, so you can skip this first part. If you’re stronger than your desire to stay comfy in bed, then head to Twin Peaks as early as you can. Even during the day, it’s a great viewpoint, with panoramic views of the full city and the Golden Bridge, but during sunrise, it’s almost magical.
Under the changing colors of the sky, you’ll see the fog dissipate and the city come to life little by little. Many people are starting their day, heading to work, or having breakfast while you’re sitting up there enjoying the very first rays of sunshine on your skin.
Photo by Cedric Letsch on Unsplash
Breakfast at Mama’s
Speaking of breakfast, maybe you grab a quick coffee before going to see the sunrise, but now that the sun is fully out, it’s time to have a proper breakfast. There are many, many options in San Francisco, but if you want a classic and simple breakfast, Mama’s is the way to go. It’s an iconic, family-run breakfast spot and a local favorite. It’s good that you got a head start because the mornings are busy here. Try their lemon ricotta pancakes or their eggs Benedict if you want a tasty twist on a beloved classic.
Stroll through Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39
Now that you have a full stomach and are more awake and energetic, it’s time to start seeing the city more closely. One of the best places to start the exploration is on Pier 39 in Fisherman’s Wharf. The whole neighborhood is incredibly beautiful, and it’s highly recommended for first-time visitors. You can’t go to San Francisco for a day and not pass by it. On Pier 39, you’ll find an incredible number of stores and restaurants. It’s a pretty popular spot, and you can peruse the souvenir shops, try some seafood, and visit art galleries or places like the Aquarium of the Bay.
Pier 39 is so popular that even sea lions visit it frequently, and you can see them napping and basking in the sun. They arrived after an earthquake in 1989, when the residents moved their boats away, and just stayed there ever since. After 35 years, both visitors and residents love them so much that they’re installed cameras so you can see their lives on the internet.
Photo by David Vives on Unsplash
Go Across the Golden Gate Bridge
You know the Golden Gate; even if you’ve never been to San Francisco in your life, you’ve probably seen it in pictures and postcards. It’s probably the single most iconic landmark in the whole city, so you have to visit it if you’re staying for only one day. And not just visit it, but since it’s a bridge, you can cross it. Now, you can choose if you’re walking across or maybe biking across. Renting a bike to cross the Golden Gate is undoubtedly a unique experience, and you’ll get incredible views of the San Francisco Bay Area, Alcatraz Island, and the Pacific Ocean. It’s also just a nice experience on itself; biking in a windy area close to the sea is really refreshing and freeing.
Photo by Chris Brignola on Unsplash
Afternoon: Culture, Neighborhoods, and Hidden Gems
Explore Alcatraz Island
You’ve already seen it from the Golden Gate Bridge, but you surely want to have a closer look at the world-famous prison, Alcatraz Island. Don’t worry, it’s not a dangerous place, and it has been quite a while since it stopped holding the most infamous federal prisoners. Now it is just an incredible historical place that’s really interesting to visit. It’s also a nice opportunity to take a ferry and enjoy the ride across the Pacific waters.
Once on the island, you can explore freely and take a self-guided audio tour. The narration is one of the best of its kind, and it will take you through the prison cells, the exercise yard, and the cell blocks. It even includes real accounts from former guards and inmates, so it can get a bit eerie and too real.
Photo by Markus Lauff on Unsplash
Have lunch at La Taqueria, in the Mission District
Mission District is one of the most vibrant and culturally rich neighborhoods in San Francisco and is perfect to have some lunch after a long morning. There, you’ll find the oldest building in San Francisco, the Mission Dolores, as well as lots of murals and street art. Just by walking around, you can see the mix of cultures this neighborhood has, especially the Latino culture is strongly present. And the best way to admire it it’s through their food.
And that’s how you’ll find yourself in La Taqueria, looking at their menu and wondering what to order. This restaurant is highly regarded as having the best Mexican food in the city, and truly, everything is delicious. To start, you have to try the chips and salsa, an incredibly flavorful entrée that will keep you entertained while your main is prepared. If you want to go for a classic, try the Tacos, with carnitas or al pastor. For something extra and filling, there’s the super burrito with guacamole and sour cream.
Photo by Jarett Lopez on Unsplash
Evening: Unforgettable Sights & Delicious Eats
Ride a Cable Car for a Classic San Francisco Experience
If we’re talking about classic experiences to have in San Francisco, there’s only one we haven’t mentioned yet. The cable cars! What an iconic way to move from one place to another in the city! It’s a fun ride and also a nice opportunity to see more of each neighborhood. The most famous cable car route is the Powell-Hyde Line, which starts at Powell and Market, in Union Square, and goes all the way up to Fisherman’s Wharf. If you do it right at sunset, you’ll get the most magical view of the ocean, Alcatraz Island, and the Golden Gate Bridge under the yellow-orange light.
Photo by Daniel Abadia on Unsplash
Upscale seafood at Waterbar
It’s been quite a long day, hasn’t it? Who would’ve thought that you could do so much in just one day? You must be tired and ready to head back home or at least sleep for a couple of hours. But you should at least grab some dinner first, and you can leave San Francisco without trying some quality seafood. Waterbar is right on the waterfront, so you know you’ll get great views, and it serves exceptional dishes. If you like seafood, try the raw bar, full of the freshest oysters, clams, and caviar.
If you prefer your food cooked, then there are lots of fish, crab, octopus, and many more creative seafood dishes to try. There are also land-based options if you’re allergic or just prefer steak over fish. The important thing is that you enjoy the end of your day in San Francisco the most!
Wrapping Up Your One-Day Adventure
And like that, your day in San Francisco has come to an end. It’s a bit sad, and you probably wanted to spend more time there. If that’s the case, why don’t you do it? San Francisco is not a city that you can visit fully in only one day, as you just realized. If you can’t stay right now, you could still plan another trip for a future date. If you decide to stay or come back again, you can visit the Golden Gate Park, hike to Lands End, take photos in Baker Beach, visit museums like the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and so much more.