2 Days in San Francisco Itinerary
San Francisco has charm, ocean views, and good food! Yes, your 2 days in San Francisco itinerary will be packed, but also fun and totally doable! Of course, when you are short on time, it’s always good to have a plan!
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DAY ONE | 2 Days in San Francisco Itinerary
Golden Gate Bridge and Presidio
During my California road trip, my friend and I drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and I had booked an affordable hotel with free parking about a thirty minute walk to the closest point of the Presidio. Since we had arrived in the late afternoon, we checked in and made our way to the Golden Gate Beach to watch the sunset.
If you are more of a morning person and it works better with your schedule, you could certainly come here in the morning! For those iconic Golden Gate Bridge photos and just to enjoy the beauty of the bay, this area is a must.
We had driven across the bridge, but you can walk or bike if you’d like! This would give you a chance to really savor the views! Of course, the Presidio grounds are expansive, so you might elect to bike or electric scooter around there as well!
Five popular ideas for Presidio:
- Golden Gate Bridge Photo Spots – Golden Gate Bridge Overlook, Baker Beach, Marshall’s Beach and more!
- Walt Disney Family Museum – Disney Fans will NOT want to miss this!
- Presidio Officers’ Club – Free Museum of Presidio History and often hosts cultural events.
- Andy Goldsworthy’s Art Installations – Experience all four of his installations by hiking on a three-mile loop.
- Crissy Field – Excellent Views of Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz and features a long beach, walking trails, and picnic areas.
Lombard Street
If you are okay with a slight detour, stop at Lombard Street on the way to Fisherman’s Wharf! The famous winding street is beautiful and the hill offers great views! Just be warned, I did say hill!
Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39
If you spent the morning admiring the Golden Gate Bridge and exploring Presidio, you would have worked up quite the appetite. So make your way over to Fisherman’s Wharf for some lunch! Head to Boudin Bakery for the famous sourdough. Of course, if that doesn’t sound good, there are no shortage of options in this area including the famous West Coast burger chain, In-N-Out Burger!
After lunch, be sure to visit the sea lions at Pier 39. By visit, I mean view from a safe distance! My friend LOVED watching them, so animal lovers will want to plan for some extra time here. Grab dessert at Ghirardelli Square or The Baked Bear or there’s also ice cream and cookie options on Pier 39 also!
Alcatraz Island
Visiting Alcatraz Island will most likely require some planning ahead if you want it in your 2 days in San Francisco itinerary. I know in the times I’ve in been in San Francisco my friend was either not interested or we failed to plan ahead. Alcatraz Tours depart from Pier 33, so you can book it for the afternoon and walk about 12 minutes to the departure after viewing the sea lions.
The official site for the Alcatraz Tour charges about $45 and that includes the ferry and self guided audio tour. If you wanted to book Alcatraz with other tours, there are a ton of options to choose from! I curated some options below that include Alcatraz Island. However, I left off the tours that are Alcatraz and Bay Cruise, because it’s cheaper to book those through the official site.
Little Italy | North Beach
For dinner, make your way to Little Italy! After a full day, you’ll want some carbs to replenish your energy. A few top rated restaurants to consider are Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, Sotto Mare Oysteria & Seafood, The Italian Homemade Company or Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe. Of course, there are plenty more options!
If you have a sweet tooth like me, you’ll want some dessert stops in your 2 days in San Francisco itinerary. So while in Little Italy, head to the iconic Caffe Trieste, known first for espresso, they have desserts as well and stay open until 10PM (according to google). Other dessert options in the area include Stella Pastry & Cafe, Caffe Greco, The Baked Bear or Lush Gelato!
DAY TWO | 2 Days in San Francisco Itinerary
Golden Gate Park
The next morning, make your way to Golden Gate Park. Visit California Academy of Sciences or de Young Museum and/or stroll through Japanese Tea Garden. You can also try to spot some Bison in the Bison Paddock.
If you want to explore more of the park, rent a bike or book a Golden Gate Park Bike Tour!
Haight-Ashbury
After you’ve explored Golden Gate Park, head to Haight-Ashbury for lunch. Some top rated options include Sandy’s (sandwich shop), Cha Cha Cha (Caribbean), Parada 22 (Puerto Rican), DragonEats (Vietnamese), Street Taco (Mexican) or Slice House by Tony Gemignani (Pizza).
So just pick your lunch mood and you’re bound to find a spot that satisfies! If you’re into vintage shops, this is a great area for you!
Painted Ladies
Head to Painted Ladies to view the iconic homes! If you were a fan of Full House, it’s a good place to hum the theme song and maybe even explore the Alamo Square. This area should not be confused with the “Full House” house located in another part of San Francisco. This scene, of course, is in the opening of the show.
If you decide to walk from Haight-Ashbury to the Painted Ladies, it’s about 22 minutes or more, depending on your exact location and your walking pace.
My friend and I rented some electric scooters to head to this area and then onto Mission District. It’s a fun way to get around! The day we were exploring was a weekend day, so there was less traffic around. I recommend assessing the situation first, but if you’re up for it, your legs might enjoy the break from the hills of San Francisco.
Castro and Mission Districts
Very different from the iconic San Francisco, yet I enjoyed Mission District as well! It’s definitely dirtier and grittier. It had strong hipster vibes with plenty of thrift stores around.
When I was last in the Mission District, it had the most people and the most life! This may be different now, but overall I enjoyed exploring this area at that time.
Chinatown and Financial District
Rounding out your 2 days in San Francisco itinerary, make your way to Chinatown or the Financial District for dinner! If you don’t want dinner in Chinatown, but still want to make a stop in this area, visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Right next to Chinatown is Little Italy, so you could opt for dinner there!
The Financial District can also be part of day one if you don’t do Alcatraz. Just keep walking along the Embarcadero until you get to the Ferry Building. There you will find some restaurants and shops, including Humphry Slocombe ice cream shop!
For sunset dinner views or drinks and nighttime views, you can go to Cityscape! Coming from Mission District area, you will pass Cityscape before Chinatown or Financial District, so just keep that in mind in your planning! Or you can enjoy the Bay with a sunset cruise!
Tour Ideas for 2 Days in San Francisco Itinerary
With only two days in San Francisco, a tour can really help you maximize your trip! It’s not necessary as you can do a lot on your own in this 2 days in San Francisco itinerary. However, something like a hop-on hop-off bus tour can help you hit all the major sights without worrying about transportation.
What to See Around San Francisco
San Francisco is also an easy launching pad to other places like Napa Valley or Muir Woods! With only two days, you can easily fill your time with only San Francisco, but if any of these destinations are important to you, there are tour options from the city! Yosemite is even an option and while I think Yosemite is worth more than a day trip, it’s a great option if that works best for you!
Weather in San Francisco
The weather in San Francisco is mild but also very surprising and confusing. When I went in July, it was cold and when I went in October it was warmer than July! Coming from Florida this really surprised me!
San Francisco is known for its microclimates, meaning weather can vary significantly between neighborhoods due to topography and proximity to the ocean. Generally speaking, the weather is mild and won’t get super hot or cold, staying between 50s and 70s year round.
The city is famous for its fog, particularly during summer months. It often rolls in from the Pacific Ocean, cooling temperatures and creating a unique atmosphere. Most rain falls between November and April, with the Summer being typically dry.
How to Get Around
There are plenty of options for getting around during your 2 days in San Francisco. The city’s public transit system, Muni, includes buses, light rail (Muni Metro), cable cars, and historic streetcars.
I did a lot of walking and it’s a great option to really allow you to soak in the local atmosphere. When needed or was just too tired to continue walking, I used Uber or Lyft which are widely available. I also had fun with the electric scooters around San Francisco! Of course, bikes are also an option and there are bike shops that offer rentals.
Be prepared for San Francisco’s famous hills
However, be prepared for San Francisco’s famous hills. Coming from flat Florida, it’s noticeable. Parking can be challenging and expensive in popular areas, so I don’t recommend driving. I stayed somewhere offering free parking and never drove again until it was time to leave.
Where to Stay
With only 2 days in San Francisco, you will probably want to stay in the city! Of course, if you are on a tight budget, head out of the city for better prices. Just make sure they are significantly less and worth the commute.
With a View
Budget Friendly
Solo Budget Options
I hope this guide was helpful in planning your 48 hours in San Francisco! Whether you plan to hit a popular tourist attraction, take a serene walk in a park, or explore the neighborhoods, San Francisco has something for everyone!
