Day 1: Downtown & the Piers
🚶 Walking Tour
Total distance: ~6 miles. To reduce walking, use the San Francisco trolley from Clay Street to Lombard Street (saves 1.5 miles).
🐉 Chinatown
Start: Dragon's Gate
Explore the largest Chinatown outside of Asia. Walk up Grant Avenue and peek into shops. Look right at intersections for bay views.
🥟 Good Mong Kok Bakery
Must-try: Egg yolk bun, Pineapple bun (no actual pineapple!), Sesame bun, Steamed pork bun
🍝 Little Italy & North Beach
Walk along Columbus Avenue. Look back to see the Transamerica Building. Notice the red-white-green lamp posts marking Little Italy.
🌺 Lombard Street
San Francisco's most famous street! Walk up three blocks from Columbus Avenue to reach the winding section. Climb the steps for amazing city views.
🍫 Ghirardelli Square
Historic chocolate factory turned shopping center. Get free chocolate samples or indulge in their famous sundae. Clean restrooms and water refill station available.
🦭 Fisherman's Wharf
Tourist central! Try clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. Visit Boudin Bakery for animal-shaped breads. Check out Musée Mécanique (free entry) for vintage arcade games.
🎡 Pier 39
Entertainment pier with shops, restaurants, and street performers. Don't miss the sea lions at the west side of the pier - you'll hear them before you see them!
🏢 Ferry Building & Embarcadero
Walk along the palm-tree lined Embarcadero. Stop at Pier 7 for photos. The Ferry Building houses San Francisco's best food vendors. Clean restrooms available.
🛍️ Union Square
Main shopping district. Look for painted heart statues at each corner. End at Cheesecake Factory's rooftop for dinner with views!
💡 Pro Tips
- Start early (8-9am) to beat crowds
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
- Bring layers - SF weather changes quickly
- Consider Alcatraz night tour if only here for one day
📋 Day 1 Checklist
Day 2: The Mission & Haight Ashbury
🚌 Muni Pass Required
Get an unlimited day pass for $5.50 via MuniMobile App. This day involves more transit than walking.
☮️ Haight Ashbury
How to get there: Take Muni line N from Market St to Carl & Cole, walk 2 blocks north
The birthplace of San Francisco's hippie culture. Explore vintage shops, record stores, and counterculture history.
🏠 Painted Ladies (Full House Houses)
The famous Victorian houses from Full House! From Lower Haight, walk to Alamo Square Park. Best photo spot is from the center of the park.
🌮 The Mission District
Start at: Mission Dolores Park for amazing city views
SF's foodie paradise and street art capital. Expect crowds on sunny weekends at the park.
🍞 Tartine Bakery
Famous for: Morning buns, Bread pudding with seasonal fruit. Always a line but moves quickly!
🍫 Dandelion Chocolate
Free samples of chocolates from around the world!
🌯 La Taqueria
The Mission's most famous burrito spot
💡 Street Art Locations
- Women's Center (near Tartine)
- Balmy Alley (near La Taqueria)
- Clarion Alley
- Just walk around - murals are everywhere!
📋 Day 2 Checklist
Day 3: Choose Your Adventure
🥾 Nature Option: Lands End Trail
A scenic coastal trail with Golden Gate views. 3 miles from Lands End to Baker Beach via China Beach.
How to get there: Take bus 38 or 38R from downtown ($5.50 day pass)
🚴 Active Option: Bike the Golden Gate Bridge
Rent bikes near Fisherman's Wharf and cycle across the iconic bridge. Continue to Sausalito for lunch and ferry back.
🏝️ History Option: Alcatraz Island
Tour the famous island prison that housed Al Capone. Book tickets in advance online - they sell out!
Departure: Pier 33 on The Embarcadero
🎨 Culture Option: Museum Day
Golden Gate Park Museums:
- De Young Museum - Art museum with 360° viewing tower
- Botanical Garden - Plants from around the world (free 2nd Tuesday)
- California Academy of Sciences - Natural history, aquarium, planetarium
Downtown Museums:
- SFMOMA - Contemporary art
- Cable Car Museum - Free entry
- Exploratorium - Interactive science
🍷 Day Trip Option: Napa Valley
Wine country adventure! Either rent a car or book a tour (recommended so everyone can enjoy the wine).
Note: If driving, there's a toll returning via Golden Gate Bridge. Consider returning via Oakland/Bay Bridge instead.
💡 Day 3 Planning Tips
- Book Alcatraz tickets well in advance
- Check weather for outdoor activities
- Museums are great for foggy days
- Bike rentals include helmets and locks
- Napa tours usually include pickup/dropoff
📋 Day 3 Options
📍 Interactive Map
Map functionality would go here - showing all locations for selected day