What to do in San Francisco - Family travel Itinerary for 3, 4, or 5 days.

Hey, fam, we're taking you to our hometown and show how to take this City by the Bay by storm. We will show you how it's done in the city to tech, tacos, and trolleys. Expect to explore from the majestic Golden Gate Bridge to the historic cable cars, dive into the quirky charm of neighborhoods like Haight, Chinatown, and North Beach, and maybe even catch a ride in a self-driving car. Join us, as we play tourist on our own turf and navigate through this city of steep hills, foggy mornings, and endless discoveries, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Day 1: Iconic San Francisco

• Morning: Start your morning at the Dragon Gate and wander through Chinatown, the oldest in North America. Have dim sum for breakfast and visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Check out Union Square known for shopping or ice skating and some fancy Westin hotel. Climb up a hill or two to see the Notre Dame-inspired Grace Cathedral at the top of Nob Hill. Ride the Powell-Hyde line for the ultimate cable car experience which takes you from the heart of the city towards Fisherman's Wharf, passing through neighborhoods with historical and architectural significance while enjoying the epic views from the hills.

  
  

  

  Pier 39

• Afternoon: Check out Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. Enjoy some clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl from Boudin and watch the sea lions at Pier 39. After, stop by Ghirardelli Square to enjoy some tasty treats. Take a RocketBoat at Fisherman's Wharf or a Bay Cruise to see landmarks like Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge.

  

  Golden Gate Bridge View from the Bay

• Evening: Explore the lively neighborhood of North Beach aka "Little Italy" a cultural hub known for its Italian heritage, literary history with City Lights Bookstore, and vibrant nightlife. Taste the delicious Italian food with a Californian twist perhaps checking out Tony's Pizza Napoletana ranked among the world's best.

  
  

  Day 2: Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach

• Morning: Head to Golden Gate Park the beloved green space that blends natural landscapes, and cultural institutions. Visit the Conservatory of Flowers, the Japanese Tea Garden, or the Botanical Gardens Golden Gate Park. Enjoy the California Academy of Sciences for an encounter with the albino alligator and the amazing aquarium and planetarium. Alternatively, visit the copper-clad de Young Museum and its amazing American Art collection.

  

  Japanese Tea Garden

• Afternoon: Try some Russian food in Little Russia. Check out Ocean Beach and the scenic coastal Land's End hike 3.4 mi loop from Ocean Beach. Stop by Legion of Honors for beautiful views and pictures. Consider visiting it if time permits.

  

  Ocean Beach

• Evening: Catch a show at the San Francisco Opera or Symphony if there's a performance. Both buildings and the near City Hall look beautiful when lit up at night. For sports fans, see the Giants game at the Oracle Park or the Warriors at the  Chase Center.

  
  

  Day 3: Cultural Immersion

• Morning: Head over to the Alamo Square to see the Painted Ladies.

  

  The Painted Ladies

  Check out the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, the birthplace of 60s counterculture history. There's great food in this neighborhood.

  

  Haight

• Afternoon: Head to The Mission District for murals, tacos, or burritos at La Taqueria, a  James Beard-recognized institution, and visit Dolores Park for people-watching.

• Evening: Head to Hayes Valley neighborhood, the best-hidden secret in the city also check out Japantown and Japan Center Mall for a tasty Japanese meal.

  
  

  Day 4: Sausalito and Marina

  
  

• Morning: Visit the Presidio for some breakfast and light hiking. Learn about this former military base or just enjoy the historic area and its beautiful views.

  

  The Presidio

• Afternoon: Rent a car and drive to Sausalito or take a ferry either way you will have an encounter with the stunning Golden Gate Bridge. If driving, perhaps stop at one of the viewpoints like Vista Point. Have delicious seafood for lunch and explore the town's shops and galleries. Ferry: Golden Gate Ferry from the Ferry Building or Blue & Gold Fleet ferries leave from Pier 41.

  

  View from Sausalito

• Evening: Check out Lombard Street, the world's most crooked street. See the Palace of Fine Arts was originally a temporary structure for the 1915 World's Fair but became so beloved that it was reconstructed with concrete in the 1960s. Head to the Marina and Pac Heights for a glimpse of some luxurious mansions especially on Marina Blvd. Enjoy the lively atmosphere of Chestnut and Union streets and delicious Californian fare.

  

  Lombard Street

  Day 5: More SF Fun

• Morning: Take an early Alcatraz City Cruises ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island (book tix in advance). It's a former prison on an island known for housing some of America's most notorious criminals, including Al Capone.

  

  Alcatraz

• Afternoon: Head to Exploratorium for interactive science exhibits. It's engaging for kids, teens, and adults, with lots to explore.

  

  Exploratorium

  
  

• Evening: Dinner at The Ferry Building Marketplace, an iconic landmark located on the Embarcadero and home to many delightful culinary delights that celebrate the diversity of the region. Enjoy a stroll nearby with views of the Bay Bridge and its light installation at night.

  

  The Ferry Building

  Info:

  
  

• History: San Francisco, located at the tip of a peninsula in Northern California, was originally home to the Ohlone people before being colonized by the Spanish in 1776 with the establishment of the Presidio and Mission Dolores. It transformed from the small settlement of Yerba Buena into a bustling city during the California Gold Rush of 1849, rapidly growing from a few hundred to tens of thousands. The city faced a devastating earthquake and fire in 1906 but rebuilt itself into the modern metropolis known today for landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, its role in the Summer of Love, and as a global tech hub. San Francisco's history is a tapestry of cultural, economic, and social evolution, marked by resilience and innovation.

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  California Street, Financial District

  Transportation: Use Muni or consider a hop-on hop-off bus tour for city sightseeing. For outside SF, consider car rental or guided tours.

• Weather: Be ready for microclimates; big drops in temps overnight so bring layers, summers are typically cold, and early fall is warm.

• Budget: Consider San Francisco CityPASS and a 7-day Visitor Pass for Muni. Check for free entrance day at the Young Museum or the Legion of Honor. Enjoy ethnic cuisine or food trucks.

• Safety: San Francisco by staying alert, avoiding poorly lit or known high-crime areas like the Tenderloin, especially at night, and securing your valuables.

  
  

More Options:

• Visit Twin Peaks for amazing views.

• Explore Coit Tower for panoramic city views.

• Visit the Legion of Honors for ancient art, Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and Rodin sculptures and European art.

• Check out the Asian Art Museum or SFMOMA for some modern art exposure

• Wander through the Zoo.

• Off the Grid at Fort Mason for a food truck experience.

• Day trip to Muir Woods National Monument - walk among some of the oldest and tallest trees on Earth, the coastal redwoods. There are several trails, ranging from easy to moderate.

• Visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, surf or watch surfers, explore the redwoods in nearby parks, or visit the Mystery Spot.

• Take a trip to Berkeley - one of the coolest campuses in the US.

• Head to The Computer History Museum in Mountain View or take a tour of Googleplex if you can snag a spot.

• On a warm day swim in the Bay at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and visit the Maritime Museum.

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