San Francisco itinerary
7 days, hour by hour · USAOctober–May
- Days
- 7
- Stops
- 34
- Per day
- ≈ $139
- First stop
- 08:30
Short answer
The TripWalkers San Francisco itinerary runs 7 days and lays out 34 stops, hour by hour, for October–May. The first three days:
- Day 1 Union Square, Chinatown and cable cars
- Day 2 Golden Gate by bike and Sausalito
- Day 3 Alcatraz and North Beach
Staying less? Start with the first days — TripWalkers uses the opening days of this plan for shorter trips too. Day 5 is a day trip out of the city. Food, entry fees and local transport come to about $139 a day (excluding accommodation and flights).
Day 1 · 08:30–14:00
Union Square, Chinatown and cable cars
Landmark
Powell Street Cable Car
The Powell-Hyde line, a cable car running since 1873. At 08:30 there is no queue: hang off the outside and get off at Lombard.
≈ $9 per personLandmark
Lombard Street
The "crookedest street in the world" has 8 bends. Look down from Hyde.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Chinatown Dragon Gate & Grant Avenue
The oldest Chinatown in North America. Visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory (Ross Alley).
FreeFood
Good Mong Kok Bakery
Cash only, dim sum in a box to go. The queue moves fast.
≈ $8 per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Ferry Building Marketplace
A market in the 1898 ferry building: oysters (Hog Island), Blue Bottle, Acme sourdough. Farmers' market on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
≈ $20 per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Boudin Bakery Fisherman's WharfSourdough since 1849. Clam chowder is served in a bread bowl.
- ExploratoriumScience museum at Pier 15. An alternative to the Embarcadero.
Day 2 · 09:30–15:30
Golden Gate by bike and Sausalito
Nature
Crissy Field & Fort Point
Rent a bike at Fisherman's Wharf (40 USD/day). Ride the Presidio shoreline to the foot of the bridge, passing the Palace of Fine Arts on the way.
FreeLandmark
Golden Gate Bridge
The bridge is 2.7 km long. Cross by bike (east sidewalk on weekdays). In summer the fog lasts until noon and it is windy.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Sausalito
A Mediterranean feel beyond the bridge, with houseboats (Waldo Point).
FreeFood
Fish Sausalito
Sustainable seafood by the harbour. Cash only.
≈ $30 per person- 45 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Sausalito Ferry
Take the Golden Gate Ferry back to the city (with your bike), with views of Alcatraz and the skyline.
≈ $14 per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Golden Gate Welcome Center Vista PointWithout a bike: take the 28 bus to the bridge and walk.
- Scoma's SausalitoA classic over the water.
Day 3 · 09:00–16:30
Alcatraz and North Beach
Culture
Alcatraz Island
Ferry from Pier 33 (Alcatraz City Cruises, 45 USD). The cell house audio tour is narrated by former inmates. Book tickets online weeks ahead; the first ferry leaves at 08:45.
≈ $45 per personNature
Pier 39 Sea Lions
Hundreds of sea lions on K-Dock. Touristy but fun.
FreeFood
Tony's Pizza Napoletana
North Beach's world-champion pizza, near Washington Square.
≈ $25 per personCulture
City Lights Bookstore
The Beat Generation bookshop (1953), next to Vesuvio bar.
FreeLandmark
Coit Tower
A 1933 tower on Telegraph Hill. See frescoes by Diego Rivera's students, take the lift for the views, and look for parrots on the Filbert Steps.
≈ $10 per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Mama's on Washington SquareNorth Beach brunch. Expect a queue.
- Musée MécaniqueAntique arcade machines at Pier 45. Free entry, an alternative to the sea lions.
Day 4 · 09:30–17:30
Golden Gate Park and Haight
Culture
California Academy of Sciences
Living roof, rainforest dome, aquarium and planetarium, all in Golden Gate Park.
≈ $45 per personNature
Japanese Tea Garden
A tea garden from 1894 with a pagoda and bridge. Free early in the morning.
≈ $15 per person- 45 min · travel, break, free time
Food
Nopalito Haight
Sustainable Mexican food: carnitas, next to the park.
≈ $22 per personShopping
Haight-Ashbury
The hippie corner of 1967. Visit Amoeba Music and vintage shops; the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square are 20 minutes away.
FreeLandmark
Alamo Square Painted Ladies
Victorian houses against the skyline: the Full House shot.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Zazie Cole ValleyFrench brunch with a garden.
- Conservatory of FlowersA Victorian greenhouse. An alternative to the tea garden.
Day 5 · 09:00–16:30Day trip
Muir Woods and Marin
Nature
Muir Woods National Monument
Coast redwoods up to 80 m tall. A parking or shuttle reservation is REQUIRED (gomuirwoods.com). Allow 45 minutes by tour or car; the main loop takes 1 hour.
≈ $15 per personNature
Muir Beach Overlook
Pacific cliff views and a World War II lookout.
FreeFood
Pelican Inn Muir Beach
An English pub with fish and chips and a fireplace.
≈ $25 per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Mill Valley
A redwood town. Visit the Depot bookstore on the square.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Nature
Marin Headlands Battery Spencer
The best postcard view of the Golden Gate. Hawk Hill, and the dance of the fog.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Stinson BeachA long Pacific beach. In summer, a alternative to Mill Valley and the Headlands.
- Equator Coffees Mill ValleyTown coffee and sandwiches.
Day 6 · 08:30–16:30
Mission and Castro
Food
Tartine Bakery
Legendary sourdough and morning bun. Queue at 08:00 on Guerrero; across the street is Mission Dolores, a church from 1776.
≈ $12 per person- 1 h 15 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Clarion Alley & Balmy Alley Murals
Latin street art. See the Women's Building mural; a Precita Eyes tour is optional.
FreeFood
La Taqueria Mission
Award-winning Mission burrito (no rice). Cash only, with a queue.
≈ $14 per personNature
Dolores Park
A hilltop park with city views. Get Bi-Rite ice cream (queue) in the sunny neighbourhood.
Free- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
Castro Street & Castro Theatre
The LGBT neighbourhood: rainbow crosswalk, Harvey Milk, and a cinema from 1922.
Free
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Bi-Rite CreamerySalted caramel ice cream, next to the park.
- Twin PeaksA 280 m city panorama. Take the 37 bus from Castro; it is windy.
Day 7 · 09:00–13:30
Presidio: a gentle farewell
Landmark
Palace of Fine Arts
A 1915 imitation Roman ruin with a pond and swans.
FreeNature
Presidio Tunnel Tops
A new park with Golden Gate views and a playground, next to the Walt Disney Family Museum.
FreeFood
Presidio Social Club
A restaurant in a former barracks. Brunch and a farewell.
≈ $25 per person- 30 min · travel, break, free time
Landmark
BART SFO
The airport is 30 minutes by BART (from Embarcadero). Goodbye.
≈ $10 per person
Plan B — if it's crowded or closed (2)
- Walt Disney Family MuseumThe Disney museum in the Presidio. An alternative to Tunnel Tops.
- Marina Green Breakfast Blue BarnMarina salads and sandwiches.
Getting around: get a Clipper Card
Valid on Muni, cable cars, BART and ferries; can be loaded onto your phone
Good to know: 6 things that make a San Francisco trip easier
- With Clipper (on your phone): Muni 2.75, cable car 9, BART to SFO 10. The hills are steep, so Muni Metro plus buses works well. Uber, Lyft and Waymo (driverless) are also available.
- September to October is best (sunny, 22°C). Winter is 10-14°C with rain from December to February. The redwoods are good in every season; Chinatown's New Year celebrations are in February.
- Book Alcatraz and Muir Woods weeks ahead. The Academy costs 45 USD and Alcatraz 45 USD. The 8.6% tax and 18-20% tip are not included in prices.
- Try sourdough (Tartine, Boudin), the Mission burrito, cioppino, dim sum and Ferry Building oysters. For coffee, go to Blue Bottle or Ritual.
- At night, avoid the Tenderloin (west of Union Square) and 6th Street in SoMa. Do not leave belongings in the car (window smashing). Homelessness is visible but the danger is low.
- Follow Karl the Fog on Instagram. Go to Twin Peaks or Battery Spencer at sunset to see the fog dance.
Spending: ≈ $970 per person for 7 days
- Food$520
- Entry and tours$230
- Local transport$120
- Other$100
Excludes accommodation and flights. 2026 price estimate, per person.
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Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in San Francisco?
This itinerary is built for 7 days. With 3 days, do the first 3 — TripWalkers uses the opening days of the plan for shorter trips too. The day trip is on day 5; skip it on a short stay.
How much does a day in San Francisco cost?
In this plan, food, entry fees and local transport come to about $139 per person per day. Accommodation and flights are not included. Figures are 2026 estimates.
What time should you start the day in San Francisco?
The first stop is at 08:30. Most days start early so you arrive before the crowds, and evenings end with dinner.
Which season is this itinerary for?
This page covers October–May. There is a separate plan for June–September: opening hours, the sea and the weather change the route.