2 Days in San Francisco: Detailed Itinerary with Top Sights & Map

Have two days in San Francisco and wondering what to see and do, or how to plan your time? This first-timer’s itinerary will help you make the most of 48 hours in the Fog City, combining must-see sights with insider tips and local favorites.

You’ll visit iconic landmarks like Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, Chinatown, and the Golden Gate Bridge. In addition, we recommend exploring the city’s unique neighborhoods on this amazing hidden gems e-bike tour – our favorite way to see a lot in a short time.

We spent two days in San Francisco on our recent Northern California road trip, so this itinerary is based on our first-hand experience. To help you plan your visit, we’ve also included a handy map, hotel and restaurant recommendations, as well as practical tips. You’ll also find the day trip recommendations if you have more time and want to explore beyond the city.

TIP: Want to make the most of your visit? Stay close to Fisherman’s Wharf. We stayed at Holiday Inn, and the location couldn’t have been better. Plus, this hotel includes breakfast and has parking (not cheap, but very convenient). The Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf and Hotel Zephyr are also very popular choices in the same area.

Map

To help you plan your visit, here’s a map indicating the main points of interest as well as restaurant recommendations.

 

Day 1: See the City by Bike & Explore the Waterfront

Your first day in San Francisco combines iconic sights with lesser-known treasures. Start at Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, then join an e-bike tour that lets you cover a huge part of the city in just a few hours. You’ll see famous landmarks, colorful neighborhoods, and local favorites most visitors miss. In the afternoon, choose between cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge or relaxing by the waterfront.

Good to know: San Francisco may not be huge, but it’s hilly, and there’s a lot more to see than you can cover comfortably on foot. Driving around isn’t practical, parking costs a fortune, and if you visit multiple areas, taxis/ Waymo rides take way too much time. That’s why, after some research, we booked an e-bike tour – and it turned out to be the perfect choice for covering a lot of ground at a relaxed pace.

Many first-time visitors rent bikes/take tours to the Golden Gate Bridge, but we wanted to focus on the city itself. Having been to San Francisco before, we knew the bridge is often hidden in summer fog. The tour we chose gave us a much better sense of the city’s unique neighborhoods. Plus, if the weather clears, you can still ride to the bridge later the same day (more info below).

Here is how we recommend spending your first day:

Hidden Gems E-Bike Tour

MORNING – EARLY AFTERNOON

From Fisherman’s Wharf, we joined a guided e-bike tour that takes you beyond the usual tourist stops. We stayed at Holiday Inn @ Fisherman’s Wharf, and the bike shop was literally around the corner.

We loved this tour. In just four hours, we saw more of San Francisco than we could have in two full days on our own, and without breaking a sweat. The route was surprisingly easy; we hardly ever needed more than the lowest e-bike power setting. If you just rent a bike, you’d risk hitting steep roads, missing quieter backstreets, and skipping half the highlights.

With a local guide, we cruised effortlessly from Fisherman’s Wharf to North Beach, Chinatown, The Embarcadero, Oracle Park, Mission District, the Castro, Painted Ladies, and more.

Our guide was excellent – knowledgeable, funny, and happy to make little detours. We stopped for Chinese fortune cookies (the original ones, according to our guide), and there was even time for a bathroom break and drinks if needed.

Good to know: Group tours usually start at 11 AM. We opted for a private tour, where you can choose your start time. We went at 9 AM, giving us the rest of the day for more exploring.

Alternative: If biking isn’t your thing, consider a walking food tour instead – either in Chinatown (Chinese specialities) or the Mission District (Latino-inspired dishes + street art). Afterward, you can visit the Painted Ladies by taxi (or book a Waymo, San Francisco’s self-driving ride service).

Golden Gate Bridge (Optional)

AFTERNOON

If you do this e-bike tour, you can usually keep the e-bike for the rest of the day at no extra cost. That means you can ride to the Golden Gate Bridge afterward for iconic views and photos.

It’s at least a 2–3 hour round trip, depending on stops. Even if you don’t cross the bridge, it’s a nice ride along the waterfront. You can enjoy the views along the way or visit the Palace of Fine Arts.

Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39

AFTERNOON – EVENING

After returning the bike, spend a relaxed afternoon exploring Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. Watch the sea lions, try fresh seafood, or enjoy views of the bay. There are plenty of restaurants here, open all day.

Recommended restaurants:

• Casual: Wipeout Bar & Grill, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., or Boudin Bakery Restaurant (great for pizza and sourdough bread bowl with clam chowder, but also seafood).
• More upscale: Fog Harbor Fish House.

Sunset Cruise (Optional)

EVENING

For a memorable end to your first day, take a sunset cruise on the bay. Several companies operate from the Fisherman’s Wharf area, so it’s easy to fit in. Departure times vary by season, and it’s a relaxing way to see the city skyline, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge from the water.

We recommend this highly-rated 2-hour sunset tour. Check availability and reserve ahead.

Day 2: Alcatraz, City Highlights & Cable Cars

Today you’ll explore one of San Francisco’s most famous attractions, Alcatraz Island, as well as some of the city’s best-known neighborhoods and landmarks. From panoramic viewpoints and lively streets to a classic cable car ride and chocolate at Ghirardelli Square, this day covers the must-sees at a relaxed pace.

Here is what your second day could look like:

Alcatraz

MORNING

Start your day with one of San Francisco’s most popular attractions – Alcatraz Island. Once home to some of America’s most notorious criminals, the prison is now a fascinating historic site and national park.

The ferry ride is just 15 minutes and offers great views of the city skyline. Once on the island, you can visit the prison and its surroundings. Don’t miss the audio tour – it brings the stories of Alcatraz to life and makes the visit so much more interesting. The audio tour is free of charge and available in multiple languages.

Good to know: You’ll need about 2.5-3 hours for the full experience, including ferry time. Ferry departures from the city are fixed, but you can return on any boat you like – they run frequently.

Tickets: City Cruises is the official site for Alcatraz tickets. You can also find combined tour options on GetYourGuide and Viator. Book well in advance, as tickets sell out fast.

Coit Tower & North Beach

NOON

From the Alcatraz ferry terminal, walk to Coit Tower for panoramic views of the city and bay. The uphill route is steep, but the tower itself has an elevator (small fee). Built in the 1930s, it’s one of San Francisco’s most recognizable landmarks from TV and movies. The tower has colorful murals and offers 360-degree views of the city and the bay.

Afterward, head downhill into North Beach, San Francisco’s Italian neighborhood, for lunch. We recommend either Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, North Beach Gyros, or Golden Boy Pizza (a local favorite with no seating).

Good to know: If you take our recommended e-bike tour, you’ll pass through North Beach & Chinatown on day one of this itinerary, but this time you get to slow down and explore these areas deeper.

Chinatown

AFTERNOON

From North Beach, it’s just a short walk into Chinatown. This is one of the largest and oldest Chinatowns in the U.S., so it’s worth taking your time to wander.

For the most iconic atmosphere and colorful buildings, check out Grant Avenue. Browse souvenir shops, watch locals play chess or cards in Portsmouth Square, and try some dim sum along the way.

Good to know: Grant Avenue is great for photos, but for a more local vibe, you may also want to explore Stockton Street, where many residents shop for produce, herbs, and fresh seafood.

Union Square and/or San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

LATE AFTERNOON

From Chinatown, continue toward Union Square, the city’s main shopping district filled with department stores, boutiques, and cafés. This is where you’ll find flagship stores like Nintendo, Nike, luxury jewelers, and high-end fashion brands.

If shopping isn’t your thing, you can visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). It houses one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the country.

Good to know: SFMOMA is huge, so plan at least 1.5–2 hours to see the highlights. It’s normally open until 5 pm, so be sure to arrive by 3 pm. If needed, adjust your itinerary to make sure the visit fits your day. See here for tickets and more info.

Powell-Hyde Cable Car, Lombard Street & Ghirardelli Square

EVENING

From Union Square, hop on one of San Francisco’s iconic cable cars. The Powell-Hyde line is the most scenic, taking you over the city’s famous hills. I recommend hopping off near Lombard Street. This crooked street is lined with colorful flowers and is one of the most photographed spots in the city.

From here, it’s a short downhill walk to Ghirardelli Square. Once the site of the original Ghirardelli chocolate factory, it’s now home to shops, restaurants, and the Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop – a perfect place for a sweet break.

Good to know: Cable car tickets can be purchased at the turnarounds or via the MuniMobile app. Expect lines at popular times, especially in summer.

For dinner, you can find several nice restaurants at Ghiradelli Square (Square Pie Guys make excellent pizza), walk toward Fisherman’s Wharf for Cioppino’s, known for its namesake seafood stew, or even head back to North Beach Gyros for the best Greek meal we’ve had outside Greece.

If You Have More Time

If you have more than two days in San Francisco, consider a day trip outside the city. San Francisco is a great base for exploring the surrounding Bay Area.

Here are some of the best (half)day trips:

• Muir Woods National Monument + Sausalito. See the towering coastal redwoods just a short drive from the city. Afterward, visit the charming waterfront town of Sausalito. Perfect for lunch, galleries, and souvenir shopping. Check out this highly-rated tour that includes both of these.

• Napa Valley and/or Sonoma. Visit the world-famous wine regions, enjoy stunning scenery, and taste some local wines. Going with a guided tour, you don’t have to worry about driving and can enjoy the full experience! Good to know: Not all tours actually include wine tasting in the price, so be sure to read the description so that you know what to expect. TIP: This full-day tour visits multiple wineries in both regions and includes multiple tastings.

• Monterey & Carmel-by-the-Sea. Visit the stunning Pacific Coast, with highlights like Monterey, Carmel, and the 17-Mile Drive. Check out this popular day tour that can bring you there from San Francisco.

• Yosemite National Park is a must for anyone visiting Northern California. It’s a long drive from San Francisco, but totally worth it for its iconic granite cliffs, waterfalls, and giant sequoias. There are lots of excellent day tours from the city, and it’s also possible to book an overnight trip.

READ ALSO: Yosemite Travel Tips (you won’t need these if you go with a tour ;))

So, this is our San Francisco itinerary for two days. It will give you a good taste of the city’s most famous sights and neighborhoods – from the historic Alcatraz to the charming Chinatown, the buzz of Fisherman’s Wharf, and the sweeping views from its hills.

You’ll cover a lot of ground, but the compact size of the city makes it all doable. If you have more time, you can slow down the pace, explore more local neighborhoods, or add a day trip to nearby destinations like Muir Woods or even Yosemite National Park.

Have a great trip!

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