3 Days in San Francisco: The Perfect First Time Itinerary

Last updated on May 7th, 2026 at 07:35 pm

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San Francisco is a city where you can cross continents within blocks, from Chinatown and Little Italy to the Latino-influenced Mission District. This is a city that has something for everyone, whether you are interested in food, history, or nature. This itinerary is the perfect way to spend three days in San Francisco, spanning all the must-see neighborhoods and sites, plus some off-the-beaten-track recommendations!

I have been to San Francisco many times, and expect to visit many more. It has left a different impression on me each time, as I uncover new things with every visit. This particular itinerary came from a trip I took with my friend, Josh, and has since been updated from my more recent trips! Three days in San Francisco is a good amount of time for a first visit to this city, making it a great option for a quick weekend escape, but you could easily spend more time here.

Day One in San Francisco

The Ferry Building MarketPlace

On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 AM to 2 PM and Saturdays from 8 AM to 2 PM, there is a farmers’ market at the Ferry Building Marketplace. We headed here first to check it out and find an easy breakfast. We sampled many yummy things and made two loops around before we decided on a pastry booth. Everything looked so good! If the farmers’ market isn’t happening, you can check out the inside of the Ferry Building Marketplace, which contains restaurants and shops.

Coit Tower

Next stop, Coit Tower. It is a 20-minute walk to Coit Tower, and it is not easy, as the tower sits at the very top of what felt like a million stairs. There are two sets of stairs to the top, the Filbert and the Greenwich. We took the Filbert.

The stairs take you through beautiful gardens, wind past houses that make you question the owner’s sanity, and give amazing views of the Bay Bridge. I highly recommend doing the climb if you can!

Make sure you keep your eyes open for the wild parrots that live around Telegraph Hill (unfortunately, we didn’t see any).

Once you get to Coit Tower, it is $11 for a non-resident adult to go up to the top, where you can see 360-degree views of the city.

The Original Irish Coffee

From there, we headed to Fisherman’s Wharf to taste the original Irish Coffee from the Buena Vista, which came highly recommended from Josh’s family. It’s another 20-minute walk, or you can take public transportation, but it doesn’t save you that much time.

The Irish Coffees were tasty, but watching the bartender who has worked there for 40 years pour the drinks was the best part. This place was packed on a Saturday morning, however, so don’t plan on getting a seat right away.

Scoma’s Restaurant

For lunch, we headed to Scoma’s Restaurant, a classic seafood joint that is hidden on the backside of Fisherman’s Wharf near Pier 45. Usually, I would not recommend eating on Fisherman’s Wharf as it is generally overpriced and touristy. Josh’s family friends, who have resided in the San Francisco area for several years, claim that Scoma’s is classic San Francisco and the best place to eat on the Wharf.

The prices are still steep, but the food was fresh and the atmosphere was simple yet refined. We ordered bowls of Clam Chowder, which were amazing, and the Lazy Man’s Cioppino. I had never had Cioppino before and was not prepared for the simplicity of the dish, so I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had hoped.

Ghirardelli Square

If you’ve done your research about San Francisco, I’m sure you’ve heard of the famous Ghirardelli Sundaes that you can get in Ghirardelli Square. When we got there, there was a huge line outside, even though there was another place inside where you could order these famous sundaes. Honestly, it looked like a tourist trap to me, so we skipped the ice cream and the long line.

Lombard Street

From Ghirardelli Square, it was a 14-minute walk to Lombard Street, our next destination. This attraction was packed in the late afternoon. It is really difficult to get a decent picture, with all the people and cars driving down the street. If you are looking for the photo op, I think your best bet is from the bottom of the hill so you can actually see the turns.

Alamo Square

We took a Lyft from there to Alamo Square, although public transportation was available, too. Here we sat for a while and gazed at the Painted Ladies (seen on the TV show Full House). Again, there were a ton of people here. I even watched a couple spend several minutes posing on the front steps of these houses for pictures. Please be respectful, remember people live in these houses. 

Top of the Mark

After a day of sightseeing, it was time to relax with some drinks and a good view. We went to Top of the Mark, which is on an upper floor of the Mark Hopkins Hotel and offers views of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridge. They have a fairly diverse menu featuring classic cocktails, spin-offs, beer, wine, small bites, and tapas. My only complaint is that I didn’t get a seat by the window, so I would suggest getting there right when they open if that’s important to you.

Huntington Park

Located right next to Top of the Mark, Huntington Park is a nice place to sit and people-watch. After sitting on a bench for a couple of minutes, Josh and I were suddenly surrounded by people and dogs who all seemed to know each other from bringing their dogs to this park. It was a strange, but sweet thing to witness, like we were outsiders crashing a party.

Next to Huntington Park is Grace Cathedral, a big, beautiful church. Unfortunately, there was an event going on while we were there, so we couldn’t go inside. The church is open from 8 AM to 6 PM most days and offers guided tours that include visiting the South Tower for great views of the San Francisco skyline.

Mensho Tokyo Ramen

We were excited to try Asian food in San Francisco, so for dinner we went to Mensho Tokyo, which turned out to be a Michelin guide restaurant, so there was a line of people outside when we got there. It took 45 minutes to get through the line, at which point we sat at a community table and ordered the Tori Paitan. Our initial impressions of the dish were negative because it had an unusual, earthy taste that was coming from either the burdock or the menma. It started to taste better once it was all mixed, but be wary if you aren’t used to this flavor.

Boba Guys

One of my favorite foodie stops of this trip was Boba Guys. My worst boba experience to date was taking a sip of my drink and getting a small ball of chalky powder – it almost ruined boba for me. Luckily, Boba Guys doesn’t use any artificial ingredients or powders, but instead uses real tea, organic milks, and housemade syrups and jellies. You can taste the difference. There will likely be a line when you get here, but it’s worth it. The Strawberry Matcha Latte was amazing, and I’m not a huge fan of Matcha. I would order it with 50-75% sweetness next time (their default is 100%).

Read More: Three Days in LA: A Weekend Itinerary.

Day Two in San Francisco

Marshall’s Beach

We started our day off with a small hike and a visit to Marshall’s Beach, which gives a nice perspective of the Golden Gate Bridge. While we were looking at the water, we saw water spewing from a whale’s blowhole, so keep your eyes open! This beach is also good for bird watching.

This was one of my favorite parts of visiting San Francisco, definitely a must-do!

Note that there are many steep and narrow stairs to reach this beach. It is not accessible to people in wheelchairs or with limited mobility.

Tartine Bakery

We took a Lyft from Marshall’s Beach to Tartine Bakery, another San Francisco staple. There was a pretty large line, but it went fast. I tried the savory scone and the orange sesame bread. Both were very good! Just make sure that you know what you want when you get up there, because we felt a little rushed to order.

Faye’s Coffee

If you need a coffee fix, Faye’s is just across the street from Tartine Bakery.

Admire Murals in the Mission District

Coffee in hand, we headed to Clarion Alley to check out the murals. The art was incredible and moving, with a focus on issues of social,  environmental, and racial justice. It reminded me of the RiNo Art District in Denver.

For more murals in the Mission District, you can also check out Balmy Street.

Want a deeper dive into the culture of the Mission? Check out my review of this food tour I took on my last visit to San Francisco! It includes five delicious bites, the history and evolution of the Mission, and information about many of the murals in the area, led by a local guide.

Dolores park

Spend some time exploring and lounging in Dolores Park. There are some pretty good views of downtown San Francisco from here.

Bi-Rite Creamery

Right off of Dolores Park is Bi-Rite Creamery, a yummy ice cream parlor with unique flavors, ice cream sandwiches, and sundaes. I recommend the Black Sesame if you’re looking for something a little different. It was delicious!

Misión San Francisco de Asís

One of the 21 Spanish Missions located in California, Misión San Francisco de Asís was founded in 1776, making it the oldest building in San Francisco that remains intact. The 21 Missions were created by the Spanish Empire in an attempt to convert the Native Americans to Catholicism and create New Spain. It’s an interesting piece of Californian history, and Luke actually worked at one of them while we were living in San Luis Obispo.

The church looked pretty impressive from the outside, but we decided not to go in. There is a $7 admission fee for an adult, and they are open from 9 AM to 4 PM most days.

Catch the Muni Train at Church and 16th Street for the next destination: Chinatown!

Chinatown

Chinatown is a must while you are visiting San Francisco. Although it is pretty touristy, it feels like you stepped onto a different continent. I recommend grabbing a sesame ball at Eastern Bakery. It is cash only and window service, but I come every time I’m in San Francisco for one of their huge, fried sesame balls filled with sweet red bean paste.

Next, head to the Fortune Cookie Factory, which is one of the more popular things to do in Chinatown. The line forms in a small alleyway down a side street, but it moves quickly. Honestly, I wasn’t really sure what to expect here. They had some samples, and you can take pictures of the people hand-making the fortune cookies. There are also a variety of fortune cookie boxes to buy, featuring different flavors or chocolate drizzles. I wasn’t overly impressed, but this is a quick stop, so it is worth doing if you are in the area.

For lunch or early dinner, head to Begoni Bistro for Dim Sum and other Chinese fare. The Szechuan chicken was delicious and crispy, with a little of that nice numbing spice. We also enjoyed the xiao long bao, or soup dumplings, and the pea shoots with garlic. 

Sea Lions at Pier 39

Since we had more time than expected, we walked to Pier 39 to check out one of the few things worth seeing there: Sea Lions! Weirdly enough, droves of Sea Lions decided to call Pier 39 home for most of the year (and some even stay all year!). They are entertaining to watch and add some unique charm to this tourist destination.

Read More: Three Days in New York City

Explore North Beach

North Beach is known as the Little Italy of San Francisco. There are lots of restaurants and shops to check out in this area so it is worth spending some time wandering around.

Check out Vesuvio Cafe for Bohemian vibes and cocktails, draft beer, and wine. Sit upstairs if you want to do some people watching. Then, head next door to City Lights Booksellers, a 3-story indie bookstore that is open late.

You can also walk over to Washington Square, a lovely park where citygoers frequently stretch out on the lawn and admire Saints Peter and Paul Church.

Bourbon & Branch

A speakeasy located behind a grand, unmarked door in a dicey area of the Tenderloin, Bourbon & Branch was classic in the best ways. It was lit only by candles, with house rules that must be obeyed (such as no cell phones or pictures, sorry guys), cozy booths, and a huge drink menu featuring all types of craft and classic cocktails.

Day Three in San Francisco

16th Avenue Tiled steps

On our drive to these steps, our Lyft driver said, “Wow, I’ve lived here for 45 years and I’ve never been way up here. What is it that’s up here?” I didn’t really know how to tell her we came all this way to see some tiled steps. Also called the Moraga Steps, the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps are located near the top of a very hilly neighborhood. For once, all the hype was worth it, though. There were not a million other tourists here, just us and another couple, which allowed us time to explore and take pictures.

We also got a little lost before finding the steps, and ended up in Grandview Park, which involved even more stairs. I have a theory, though, that if it’s hard to get to, the views at the top are just that much better.

Japanese Tea Garden

Golden Gate Park has many things to do, including a Botanic Garden, a Conservatory of Flowers, several lakes, a boathouse, a bison paddock and a dutch windmill. So you have a lot of options if you aren’t interested in the Japanese Tea Garden.

It was very beautiful and after visiting the Japanese Garden in Seattle, I was curious. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, admission is free before 10 am, but it will likely be crowded.

In-N-Out

A classic California treat, Josh wouldn’t let us skip In-N-Out Burger. We finally tried Animal Style, and it was pretty good.

Alcatraz

Next stop: Alcatraz! Book your tickets in advance. Make sure you also pick up the audio guide; you might walk all the way up to the top and realize you are the only tourist that doesn’t have an audio guide (definitely didn’t happen to us).

The Italian Homemade Company

For your last meal in San Francisco, I recommend The Italian Homemade Company, a low-key but tasty counterservice spot where the pasta is made in-house. I tried the pesto gnocchi, which was rich but good, and the garden salad, which was surprisingly good. I washed it down with a glass of Sangiovese for that classic Italian experience.

Stella Pastry

If you want a sweet treat before you depart, head to Stella Pastry for their popular sacripantina cake, tiramisu, or other assorted Italian pastries. The sacripantina cake is light and flavorful, with layers of rum-soaked sponge cake interspersed with cream.

Where to Stay in San Francisco

Luke goes to San Francisco regularly for work, and when I joined him the last time, we stayed at the Hilton San Francisco Financial District. We both enjoyed staying here because it is right on the edge of Chinatown, the neighborhood with our favorite cuisine. It is also within walking distance of North Beach, known for its Italian legacy and vibrant nightlife. It is within driving distance, but not right next to, the main touristy areas like Fisherman’s Wharf, which makes it a quieter and more comfortable stay.

The rooms are simple, clean, and comfortable. There is a fitness center and an on-site restaurant.

On my previous trips to San Francisco, I stayed near Union Square. While it is fairly central, I have recently found that I don’t feel as safe staying in there. It is near the Tenderloin, which is a generally unsafe neighborhood, so I feel somewhat uncomfortable walking around at night.

Other Things to Do in San Francisco

One more stroll through Chinatown, and it was time to head to the airport. I had so much fun exploring this city and can’t wait to come back. Here are some things we weren’t able to get to:

• Visit Muir Woods
• Explore Haight Street
• Li Po Cocktail Lounge in Chinatown
• Walk the Golden Gate Bridge
• Explore Castro District
• Watch the sunrise at Twin Peaks
• Visit Sausalito
• Eat at b. patisserie
• See the “I Got Baked in San Francisco” sign at Mr. Holme’s Bakehouse
• Walk Lovers’ Lane
• Hike to the Land’s End Labyrinth
• Eat breakfast at Mama’s On Washington Square
• Visit The Barrel Room

Have you been to San Francisco? Have you done any of these things?

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