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48 Hours in San Francisco: A Friendly, No-Stress Itinerary

Golden Gate Bridge spanning San Francisco Bay under clear blue skies

Two days, big views, and great food. This plan keeps transit simple, walking scenic, and your schedule realistic so you leave happy, not exhausted.

Trip Snapshot

Day 1 highlights

  • Golden Gate Bridge sunrise views and Presidio art walk
  • Chinatown snacks and shops near the Dragon Gate
  • Ferry Building waterfront stroll and oysters with a Bay Bridge view

Day 2 highlights

  • North Beach coffee and classic facades
  • Fisherman’s Wharf and the Alcatraz cellhouse audio tour
  • Historic F-Line streetcar to downtown and SFMOMA

Good to know

  • BART gets you from SFO to downtown in about 30 minutes
  • Get a Muni Day Pass or 1-, 3-, or 7-day Visitor Passport for buses, Metro, and historic streetcars
  • Pack layers; wind can make evenings chilly even in summer

Getting Around Without a Car

Airport to city From SFO, ride BART to downtown. It’s simple, frequent, and avoids traffic.

Unlimited rides Buy a Day Pass in the MuniMobile app, or a Visitor Passport on Clipper for 1, 3, or 7 days. These cover Muni buses, Muni Metro, and historic streetcars. Cable cars are included with the Visitor Passport but not the Day Pass labeled no cable car.

Streetcars The F-Market & Wharves historic line connects Fisherman’s Wharf, the Ferry Building, and Market Street. It’s a scenic, useful ride during your 48 hours.

Quick note As of late 2025, BART also accepts contactless credit/debit and mobile wallets at the gates. Clipper is still best for multi-agency transfers and discounts.

Day 1: Icons, Art, and the Waterfront

Morning at the Golden Gate Bridge

Start at the Welcome Center on the San Francisco side. The span is 1.7 miles end-to-end, so a full crossing out and back is about 3.4 miles. If you’d rather keep it short, walk partway for photos, then explore nearby overlooks like Battery East.

  • Photo tip: early light or light fog makes dramatic images.
  • Sidewalk access is generally daytime only; check posted hours on site.

Late morning in the Presidio

Wander forested paths and coastal overlooks, then seek out Andy Goldsworthy’s site-specific works inside the park. Wood Line curves through a eucalyptus grove; Tree Fall lives inside a historic powder magazine and reveals itself as your eyes adjust to the dim light.

  • Grab coffee or a snack at the Presidio’s cafes, then continue toward Crissy Field for beach views back to the bridge.

The Dragon Gate entrance to San Francisco’s Chinatown on Grant Avenue with red lanterns hanging overhead and bustling storefronts.

Afternoon in Chinatown

Enter through the Dragon Gate and follow Grant Avenue to side streets lined with markets and bakeries. For a quick, affordable bite, join the line at Good Mong Kok Bakery on Stockton Street. If you want a sit-down option, China Live offers a polished marketplace restaurant; its upstairs Cold Drinks Bar opens in the evening for cocktails.

Evening on the Embarcadero

Head for the Ferry Building Marketplace to browse local merchants and, on Saturdays, the big farmers’ market. For dinner with a view, Hog Island Oyster Co. shucks local favorites and looks out at the Bay Bridge. Prefer steak night by the water? EPIC Steak sits just down the Embarcadero with panoramic bridge views.

Most Ferry Building shops close earlier than the restaurants. Check hours if you’re planning to shop late.

Day 2: North Beach, Alcatraz, SFMOMA

Morning coffee in North Beach

Ease into the day at a historic café and stroll past landmark facades around Washington Square. Book lovers can pop into local shops before heading to the waterfront.

The Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco sign with an orange crab logo and vintage streetcar passing by Pier 39 on a sunny day.

Fisherman’s Wharf and Alcatraz

Walk Pier 39 to see the sea lions, then make your way to Pier 33 for the Alcatraz ferry. The self-guided cellhouse audio tour is a standout. Tickets can sell out weeks ahead, so secure your spot as soon as you know your dates.

Ride the F-Line to downtown

From the Wharf, hop the historic F-Market & Wharves streetcar toward Market Street. Grab a window seat for views of the piers and the Ferry Building.

Afternoon at The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

Spend a couple of hours exploring the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, one of the largest modern and contemporary art museums in the United States. Its seven floors showcase everything from Warhol and Matisse to cutting-edge local artists. The building itself is an architectural landmark, complete with open terraces and a massive living wall that give you space to pause between galleries. Rotating exhibitions keep each visit fresh, making it a highlight even if you’ve been before.

Dinner with a view

End strong at a rooftop. Kaiyō Rooftop near Oracle Park serves Peruvian-Japanese plates and city-wide views. Dress for wind after sunset and book ahead if you’re visiting on a game night.

Have More Energy? Easy Add-Ons

  • Sausalito by ferry for harbor views and galleries
  • Muir Woods National Monument to walk among coastal redwoods; parking or shuttle reservations are required
  • Union Square galleries and Belden Place for a Euro-style alley of cafes

Practical Tips

Tickets and passes

  • Buy Alcatraz tickets early; the official provider is Alcatraz City Cruises
  • Use MuniMobile or Clipper for day passes and Visitor Passports
  • BART from SFO is fast and easy for airport transfers

Weather and packing

  • Layers beat the microclimates; windbreaker and comfy walking shoes
  • Fog can roll in any month; sunsets get chilly on rooftops and piers

Timing

  • Start bridges and viewpoints early for fewer crowds
  • Plan 3–4 hours door-to-door for Alcatraz including ferry

Links and Maps

FAQ

Is San Francisco walkable for a short trip?

Yes. Focus on connected areas like the Embarcadero, North Beach, Chinatown, SoMa, and the Presidio. Use Muni and the F-Line to bridge longer gaps.

Do I need Alcatraz tickets in advance?

If it’s a weekend or peak season, yes. The official concessioner often sells out weeks ahead.

What’s the best time to walk the Golden Gate Bridge?

Morning for calmer wind and softer light. Expect about 30–45 minutes each way if you walk the full span.