So you are planning a day trip to San Francisco and you aren’t sure what to do. Well look no further. We lived 2 hours outside of San Fransisco in Sacramento for about 10 months. During that time we got the chance to explore San Fransisco through day trips multiple times. So whatever you’re doing in the area I am sure you will find this one day itinerary for San Francisco super helpful.
Sooo, if you have only one day in San Fran then this is what I recommend, out of all possible activities, that you fit into your day! Though there are certainly many fun things that aren’t included because one day just simply isn’t enough time to see EVERYTHING that San Francisco has to offer.
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Driving & Parking vs. BART
Parking in downtown San Francisco is the WORST and very expensive. Not to mention the toll station you have to go through in order to enter the city will cost you an additional $10 per car! That is such a big toll and it can add up quickly if you visit often or are driving multiple cars.
If I have the time to spare I prefer to use the BART when I am trying to save money. BART is San Francisco’s public transportation system. While you are downtown it is always fun to snag a ride on a street car too.
Weather in San Francisco
San Francisco is SO WINDY! I cannot stress that enough. Even in the middle of summer it will be chillier than you expect down by the bay. I suggest always bringing a warm jacket to throw on when the wind really picks up. My family came to visit us in the middle of summer and none of us thought to bring jackets because it was a balmy 90 F in Sacramento. Once we got into the city though we had to stop in at a souvenir shop and buy overpriced jackets because we were all so cold.
It won’t always be that extreme but it is good to be prepared. In the morning and evenings too the fog will roll in, blocking the sun and making it even colder. Dressing in layers will be your best friend.
Boudin Bakery Cafe
I recommend grabbing lunch at Boudin Bakery Cafe. They have delicious food choices that really highlight foods specific to the San Francisco area. Sour dough is an art in the area and is so delicious! And Boudin’s has been around since 1849. They have a couple locations but the one I listed below has areas where you can watch the bread being made in their bakery section in a tour of sorts (for free).
Our favorites: The Clam Chowder in a bread bowl or Broccoli Cheddar Soup in a bread bowl.
Address: 160 Jefferson St. Baker’s Hall, San Francisco, CA 94133
Ghirardelli’s Square
No trip to San Francisco is complete without stopping in at Ghirardelli’s. Their chocolate is amazing! So next, make sure to take a quick walk over to the Ghirardelli’s store. When you are walking through the shop they hand out a free sample of chocolate to everyone so be sure to grab yours. If you’re wanting an extra special dessert they do have a cafe next door where you can have sundaes, shakes and so much more!
My Favorite: The Treasure Island, a delicious brownie sundae!
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The Golden Gate Bridge
Now that you’ve gotten your fill of great food and you’re stuffed, a must see sight in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge of course! My favorite way to see the bridge is to bike it. There are several shops near the city center that offer affordable bike rentals for a few hours. Grab a bike and a map then bike along the coastline to reach the bridge. Then you can bike all the way across or turn around halfway.
Make sure you stop at different viewpoints along the way to take fun pictures with the bridge. If it isn’t too foggy you can get a great view of the city from the bridge too.
Time: Our bike rental was about two hours, we only biked halfway across the bridge and we squeaked back just in time to turn in our bikes!
Pier 39
Pier 39 is a very touristy area in San Francisco but it is still a fun place to walk around and explore. It is filled with restaurants (Boudin has a location here too), and fun shops. If you are a souvenir collector then this is the perfect place to pick one up.
From the pier you will also have a great view of the Bay and if there isn’t too much fog then you’ll even be able to see Alcatraz in the distance. You’ll also be able to see, hear and smell the sea lions lounging down below.
Grab Dinner
After biking and walking around you have probably worked up an appetite again. There are two options that will both give you a feel for different parts of San Francisco.
China Town
There is a whole section of San Francisco called China Town that is super fun to walk around and explore. Enter through the Dragon Gate and you’ll be surrounded by the locals cooking, playing games, shopping and more. There are so many choices for places to stop in and eat. Most will be very affordable to fit any budget.
Seafood Restaurant
Or go big, and a little more pricey, and get some delicious fresh seafood. We tried Scoma’s Restaurant and everything tasted absolutely great! They are a high end seafood restaurant that has been around since 1965. It is located right on the water and has a wide variety of options to choose from.
Big bonus is that they offer complimentary valet parking!
More Things to Do in San Fransisco
There is so much to do in San Francisco that there is no way you could see it all in a day. Here are several other options to explore if you are spending a weekend in San Fransisco and have more time to spend exploring the area.
- Lombard Street
- Go on a Bay Cruise
- Alcatraz Island
- The Painted Ladies
Practical Information for Visiting San Francisco, CA
Find accommodation, sign up for a local tour, or buy your California Travel Guide.
One Day Itinerary for San Francisco
I hope you had a blast visiting San Francisco for the day. There are so many fun things to do in San Francisco that this is definitely just the tip of the iceberg. Although your time in the city is short this one day itinerary for San Francisco will allow you to hit the best, classic things to do in one fun packed day.
