What to do, where to go, and what we’d change next time.
Before our trip to San Francisco, we planned everything down to the hour. We’re talking a colour-coded, time-stamped PDF. So we feel pretty confident saying this – we squeezed as much as we possibly could out of three days in The City by the Bay.
San Francisco is one of those places that feels like a movie set; cable cars clattering up steep streets, fog rolling over the bridge, and sea lions sunbathing like they own the place. But it’s also a city where planning helps. So here’s our real, honest 3-day itinerary – the best bits, what worked, and what we’d do differently next time.
✨ San Francisco Highlights
- Favourite Spot: Fisherman’s Wharf – such a fun place. to visit and incredible views
- Must-Do: Catch a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge
- Unexpected Surprise: How bad it smells outside Alcatraz (watch out for the bird poo!)
Where We Stayed: Union Square
We based ourselves in Union Square, which turned out to be a great central location. It’s walkable to loads of key spots, close to transport links (like the cable cars), and full of shops, restaurants, and coffee spots to start your mornings right.
Day 1 – Alcatraz & Chinatown
We kicked off our first full day with one of San Francisco’s most famous attractions – Alcatraz Island. It’s an absolute must for first-timers. You’ll want to pre-book the ferry in advance and we went for the morning ferry, which meant we had the rest of the day free. The audio tour is brilliant, though fair warning, the smell outside is not.
Once we were back on the mainland, we headed back to the hotel to freshen up before wandering into Chinatown, which is the oldest and one of the largest in North America. The Dragon Gate is worth a look, and if you’ve got time, stop for dim sum or bubble tea before exploring the nearby streets.
That night, we headed over to Oakland to catch an A’s game. The train ride was easy and the atmosphere was brilliant. Even if you’re not big into sports, it’s a fun local experience that gives you a feel for a different side of the Bay Area.
Day 2 – Baker Beach, Lombard Street & The Painted Ladies
We started the morning with coffee and breakfast at Scullery (10/10 recommend), then made our way to Baker Beach, but that’s not what you’re going to do! Learn from our mistake and don’t go too early – the fog tends to hang around in the morning, and you’ll want clear skies for that postcard-perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
So, you should start with Alamo Square Park to see The Painted Ladies, the pastel Victorian houses with the modern city skyline behind them. It’s a bit of a time warp moment and definitely worth a visit. After that, make your way to Lombard Street, the famously crooked street that winds dramatically downhill. We walked down via the steps, which gave great views (and saved our legs).
Once you’ve had a lovely morning of sightseeing and the morning haze has lifted, then head to Baker Beach for an afternoon stroll and amazing views of the Bridge. It’s also a really lovely beach with local sea lions playing close to the shore!
If you prefer a more active afternoon, you could also hire bikes and cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge. We didn’t fit it in on this trip, but it’s on the list for next time!
Day 3 – Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square & the Cable Cars
We took it easy on our final day, with a lazy morning and lunch down at Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s one of those areas that feels different each time you visit, and the views never get old.
We headed over to the nearby Pier 39 to see the resident sea lions. You can’t miss them! They’re loud, lazy, and completely hilarious to watch. Grab a clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl while you’re there. It’s iconic San Francisco.
In the afternoon, we explored more of Union Square, which is great for shopping, restaurants, and people-watching.
We ended our trip with something truly fab – a ride on the San Francisco cable cars. We went in the evening, which was perfect. There’s something special about seeing the city lights as you rattle up and down those hills. A fun, nostalgic end to a busy few days!
Final Thoughts
Three days in San Francisco flew by, and honestly, we could’ve stayed a week. The city has a way of surprising you – it’s bigger, hillier, and friendlier than we expected.
If we did it again, we’d plan a bit more time for cycling and exploring some lesser-known spots, but as far as first visits go, this one was pretty close to perfect.
Until next time, San Fran, thanks for the sea lions, the sunsets, and the sore legs!
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