The Perfect 4 Days in San Francisco Itinerary

This blog post is all about how to spend the perfect 4 days in San Francisco, California.

If you’re planning a trip to California, spending 4 days in San Francisco is the perfect amount of time to explore this iconic city.

Between the Golden Gate Bridge, the clanging cable cars, colourful Victorian houses, and world-class food scene, San Francisco is packed with unforgettable experiences.

During our West Coast of America road trip, we spent several days exploring the city walking the hilly streets, eating our way through local neighbourhoods, and visiting famous landmarks that live up to the hype.

Whether it’s your first visit or you’re returning to see more, this detailed 4 days in San Francisco itinerary will help you make the most of your trip.

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Reasons to Visit San Francisco, California

San Francisco is one of those rare cities that feels small yet full of surprises.

Each neighbourhood has its own character, from the European-style charm of North Beach to the colourful murals of the Mission District.

It’s a city where art, culture, and nature blend together seamlessly, with ocean views never far away.

It’s also the perfect stop on a California coastal road trip, conveniently located between Los Angeles and wine country.

Top Reasons to Visit San Francisco:

• To walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge
• To explore Alcatraz Island and its fascinating history
• Eat incredible food from around the world
• To ride a historic cable car through the city’s famous hills
• To visit beautiful parks like Golden Gate Park and Presidio
• Experience diverse neighbourhoods and local life

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4 Days in San Francisco: The Ultimate Itinerary

You’re about to have a pretty packed 4 days in San Francisco, but there’s a lot to see and do here, so make sure to have your walking shoes on each day!

1. Day 1: Explore Downtown, Union Square & Chinatown

The first day of your 4 days in San Francisco is all about soaking in the city’s downtown energy.

Morning:

Start your day near Union Square, the heart of San Francisco. This area is known for its shops, art galleries, and bustling streets.

Grab breakfast or a coffee at Blue Bottle Coffee or The Grove before taking a short walk to the Powell Street Cable Car Turnaround.

Hop aboard the city’s iconic cable car, a must-do experience on your first day! Ride it up the steep hills toward Nob Hill for classic views of the city.

Afternoon:

Walk through Chinatown, one of the largest and oldest in America. The lantern-lined streets and hidden temples make it a photographer’s dream.

Stop for lunch at Good Mong Kok Bakery (for dim sum to-go) or House of Nanking, a local favourite.

After lunch, visit North Beach, also known as “Little Italy.” Have a coffee at Caffe Trieste, a historic café that once welcomed Jack Kerouac and other Beat poets.

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Evening:

Head down toward the Embarcadero and the Ferry Building Marketplace. This waterfront area comes alive at sunset, with stunning views of the Bay Bridge.

Enjoy dinner at Cholita Linda or Hog Island Oyster Co., both known for their bay-front views and both local and international cuisine.

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2. Day 2: Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf & Lombard Street

We’re hitting some very iconic sights on the 2nd of your 4 days in San Francisco, so have your camera ready.

Morning:

Book an early ferry to Alcatraz Island (tickets sell out fast, so make sure to pre-book like we did here with GetYourGuide!).

The tour is fascinating and eerie, walking through the cells that once held Al Capone and other infamous inmates.

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Afternoon:

When you return, explore Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s also fun.

Watch the sea lions lounging on the docks and grab lunch at Boudin Bakery for their famous clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.

After lunch, walk up to Ghirardelli Square for a chocolate treat, then head to Lombard Street, “the most crooked street in the world.”

The views from the top are worth the climb.

Evening:

Make your way to Russian Hill or Nob Hill for dinner. Both areas have great local restaurants and sunset viewpoints.

Try Seven Hills for upscale Italian or Swan Oyster Depot for local seafood.

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3. Day 3: Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito & the Presidio

Day 3 of your 4 days in San Francisco consists of more iconic sights and also more hidden gems and places tourists tend to miss.

Morning:

No trip to San Francisco is complete without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge.

Rent a bike from Blazing Saddles or Sports Basement and cycle across the bridge into Sausalito.

The ride offers spectacular views of the bay and the skyline.

Afternoon:

Spend a few hours exploring Sausalito, a charming seaside town with boutique shops and waterfront restaurants.

Enjoy lunch at The Trident or Barrel House Tavern, then take the ferry back to the city.

My cousin actually lives in Sausalito, so we drove over the Golden Gate Bridge to visit him and also added in a trip to Muir Woods while we were on that side of the bridge.

Once back, explore The Presidio, a massive park filled with scenic trails, art installations, and viewpoints like Crissy Field.

Evening:

Watch the sunset from Baker Beach or Marshall’s Beach, both offering jaw-dropping views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Afterwards, head to the Marina District where you’ll find the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts. Take some time to walk around the grounds here.

For dinner, A16 serves fantastic Italian food, or Tacolicious for something more casual.

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4. Day 4: The Mission District, Castro & Twin Peaks

The last day of your 4 days in San Francisco! Prepare to have the best burrito of your life and see a few more iconic sights of the city.

Morning:

Start your final day in the Mission District, one of the most vibrant and artistic parts of San Francisco.

Grab brunch at Foreign Cinema or a burrito at La Taqueria, then wander along Clarion Alley to see its famous street art murals.

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Afternoon:

Head over to The Castro, known for its lively LGBTQ+ history and colourful storefronts. Pop into Castro Theatre for a nostalgic look at the city’s cinema culture.

Then, make your way up to Twin Peaks, one of the best panoramic viewpoints in San Francisco. On a clear day, you can see from the Bay Bridge to the Pacific Ocean.

You could make your way to the neighbouring Haight-Ashbury District known for its hippie scene, vintage stores and Jimi Hendrix’s house.

Evening:

Spend your last evening back downtown or in Hayes Valley, a trendy area full of wine bars, independent shops, and chic restaurants.

For a memorable final meal, try Zuni Café, famous for its roast chicken and relaxed California vibe.

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Best Things to Do in San Francisco

Summarising our 4 days in San Francisco itinerary above, below are the main attractions in San Francisco and what you’re going to want to tick off from your list.

During our trip to San Francisco we did just about everything on this list and it was quite the jam-packed itinerary, but we treated it just like the city break that it was.

There were many steps, many steep hills, but lots of great food, great sights and I can see why it’s one of the most popular cities in America.

• Alcatraz Island Tour: This took us around 2 hours and was incredible. Highly recommend to learn the history here and famous criminals that it housed.
• Golden Gate Bridge (obviously): We went to this exact location for photos (by bus) and it was perfect. You can see how they turned out in the Golden Gate pictures in this blog.
• Ride the Cable Car: We actually didn’t do this but preferred to take photos of the cable cars instead. It was around $9 each to get on and we were on a pretty tight budget, so didn’t feel it was worth it.
• Lombard Street: The world’s most crooked street, very cool to see the cars driving down here, but be warned it’s a very popular photo spot for tourists.
• Clam Chowder at Boudin Bakery: It comes in a sourdough bread bowl, so thank me later.
• Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39: Have you really been to San Francisco if you haven’t seen the seals here?
• Mexican Food in the Mission District: Another rite of passage, I have a recommendation for you in the next section below.
• Haigh Street Hippie District: You can see Jimi Hendrix’s house here, vintage shop ’til you drop and visit Amoeba Music Store.
• Palace of Fine Arts: Some incredible architecture here, really peaceful gardens, and also makes for some cool photos (like below).
• Mrs Doubtfire’s House: If you’re a fan of the movie, you can’t come to San Francisco and not get a photo outside.
• The Painted Ladies: This was a bit of a let down for me, but there’s a really nice park opposite with a lot of people relaxing.
• The School from The Princess Diaries: If you’re a fan of this movie (like me), there are actually quite a few photo spots around the city, but I had to get a picture here. It’s at 2601 Lyon Street, also known as Billionaire’s Row. As you can imagine, this was someone’s house that was used as a ‘school’ in the movie.
• Ride in a Waymo: if you must.

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Best Restaurants in San Francisco

Again, summarising from the 4 days in San Francisco itinerary, I’m making a compact list for you of everywhere I’d recommend for you to eat during your time here.

This is the exact list I send to my friends (or anyone that asks for it really) of where we really recommend for food in San Francisco.

We’re quite well-known as foodies in our friend circles (not sure if that’s good or bad?) but we do really like to research this part of any trip the most, so you can be sure these are good recommendations:

• La Taqueria: The best burrito you may ever have. It’s in the Mission District and expect a line down the street, but it’s worth the wait!
• Boudin Bakery: It’s a rite of passage to have their clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, and it’s delicious.
• Tony’s Pizza: There will probably be a two hour wait for a table here but the pizza is so good.
• Golden Boy Pizza: If you’re craving a slice to go, this is the spot.
• Molinari Delicatessen: A local institution, amazing deli sandwiches.
• Freddie’s Sandwiches: Another local institution since 1926, amazing deli sandwiches from a bodega.
• Mama’s on Washington Square: Wholesome little brunch cafe in a lovely area. The eggs benny was chef’s kiss (as seen below).
• Z&Y Restaurant in Chinatown: San Francisco has one of the biggest Chinatowns in the world (outside of China), so we had to come her for dumplings.
• Not food, but have a drink in Shanghai Kelly’s dive bar.
• Caffe Trieste: Lovely local coffee spot that we had been recommended.
• The Stinking Rose: We didn’t dine here unfortunately but it’s a garlic restaurant. Yes, you read that right. Everything is drowning in garlic, which sounds like a dream come true for me.

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What San Francisco is Famous For

If you only take one thing away from your 4 days in San Francisco, let it be this: the city takes its coffee culture seriously.

You’ll find locally roasted, third-wave coffee shops on every corner. Don’t miss Blue Bottle Coffee, Ritual Coffee Roasters, or Sightglass Coffee.

San Francisco is also known for its diversity. You’ll find world-class Chinese, Mexican, Italian, and Japanese restaurants all within a few blocks of each other.

And of course, it’s famous for its iconic landmarks, historic Victorian homes, and the rolling fog that gives it that mysterious charm.

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Where to Stay in San Francisco

There’s no shortage of great places to stay in San Francisco, but your neighbourhood choice will make a big difference.

If you want to be central, Union Square is perfect for first-time visitors. And if you don’t know already, avoid the Tenderloin area at all costs.

We stayed at The Grant Hotel San Francisco in Union Square, a budget-friendly and comfortable base close to public transport and major attractions.

Other great areas include:

• Fisherman’s Wharf: great for families and views
• North Beach: perfect for food lovers (my personal choice after visiting)
• The Mission District: artistic and trendy
• Nob Hill: peaceful and upscale

RELATED blog post to read: The Grant Hotel San Francisco Review: Best Boutique Hotel

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How to Get Around in San Francisco

San Francisco is compact, so it’s easy to get around by public transport or on foot.

The Muni system includes buses, trams, and the famous cable cars. You can buy a Clipper Card for easy tap-on travel across all transport types.

For longer trips, Uber and Lyft are reliable, and parking in the city can be tricky, so having a car isn’t essential unless you’re road-tripping further afield.

Or if you’re really brave, San Francisco is the home of Waymo, the driverless cars.

We actually did take one Waymo during our 4 days in San Francisco and I won’t lie, it was mind-blowing and felt quite scary.

We did make it to our destination in one piece, but I felt like I was putting my life in the hands of a giant robot and I didn’t love that for me.

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Best Time of Year to Visit San Francisco

San Francisco’s weather is famously unpredictable. You can experience all four seasons in a single day!

• Spring (March–May): Mild temperatures and fewer crowds.
• Summer (June–August): Cooler than you’d expect, often foggy, especially near the coast. Not a great time to visit for photos of the Golden Gate Bridge.
• Autumn (September–November): Warm and sunny, arguably the best time to visit.
• Winter (December–February): Cooler with occasional rain, but still a great time for sightseeing.

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Our 4 Days in San Francisco Itinerary

Four days is the perfect amount of time to truly experience what makes San Francisco so special.

You’ll explore iconic landmarks, sample some of the best food in California, and wander through neighbourhoods bursting with history and charm.

Whether you’re visiting as part of a West Coast road trip or flying in just for the weekend, San Francisco offers something for every traveller.

RELATED 4 Days in San Francisco Itinerary blog post to read:

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