San Francisco Itineraries

San Francisco Tours, Sightseeing, Things to Do

Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do | Viator.com

San Francisco Itineraries

Suggested Itineraries in San Francisco

Trip planning

San Francisco Itineraries

Anything goes in San Francisco, where hippies (yes, they’re still around), urban hipsters and various ethnicities make it a vibrant place to explore. There’s so much to do and see in this gorgeous city – lorded over by the Golden Gate Bridge – that it may be a bit overwhelming to know where to begin. That’s where we come in: Read on for suggestions on how to best take in the sometimes wacky, always hilly, culturally rich and gastronomically delightful City by the Bay.

Day 1: Downtown San Francisco

Most likely you will be doing a bit of walking on your first day of exploration so best to fuel up with a hearty breakfast. Head to the recently refurbished landmark Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street and the Embarcadero. It's a veritable foodie heaven, stuffed with cafes and shops, featuring everything from artisanal cheeses, specialty foods and baked goods to organic produce and offshoots of some of the city's top restaurants. It's also home to one of the biggest and best organic farmer's markets in the country.

Depending on the weather, now is probably a good time to get the lay of the land - either by land via a fun Duck Tour or by sea with the popular Golden Gate Bay Cruise. Or, rent a bike for the day and get some exercise as you get to know the many city neighborhoods. One of the best spots for walking and biking and taking in spectacular views is local favorite Crissy Field park, located beneath Golden Gate Bridge and not far from the Marina Green.

If you still have a little time before dinner (and you're not totally wiped out), you may want to do some serious shopping. Union Square is filled with hundreds of department stores and boutiques, and the Westfield San Francisco Centre is home to Bloomingdale's, a ginormous Nordstrom and hundreds of top stores, restaurants and movie theaters.

Day 2: Wine Country

Many visitors to San Francisco can't wait to get to Wine Country. And who can blame them? Less than an hour from town awaits many a gorgeous vineyard, wine-tasting galore, culinary delights and fresh country air. One of the best ways to enjoy this bucolic setting and indulge in the "fruits" of the wineries' labor is to take the comprehensive California Wine Country Tour. This full-day tour, includes stops in Sonoma and Napa (Best part? Not worrying about who's going to be Designated Driver.)

Another way to enjoy California's famous grape-growing region is via the Napa and Sonoma Small Group Tour. You will enjoy world-class wines from four to six wineries, traveling by minivan. You can return to San Francisco or end the tour in Sausalito to explore the village and make your own way back across the bay on the ferry.

For those who prefer to amble around Napa on their own, the Wine Country Explorer Pass is an ideal option. The two-day pass offers daily admission and tastings at many top venues in Sonoma and Napa, as well as FREE admission to The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts (COPIA), Napa Valley Museum and Sonoma Valley museum. And Peanuts lovers will dig this - it also includes FREE admission to the Charles M. Schulz Museum.

Day 3: Uniquely San Francisco

Sometimes when vacationing, it's fun to skip all the must-do's and gotta-sees and just have some fun. Hence, a few offbeat ideas for adventurous souls. First up: The Vampire Tour of San Francisco. This two-hour nighttime walking tour will take you past many landmarks, including Grace Cathedral, The Fairmont Hotel and Nob Hill Cafe, among others. The guide will regale you with scary stories and fascinating history (all with a vampire bent, of course) about each of the seven attractions you visit.

In keeping with the spooky nighttime theme, the Chinatown Ghost Walking Tour is also worth a whirl. San Francisco's Chinatown, the oldest one in the country, comes to life at night. The guide will lead you through mysterious streets and alleyways and share the mystical folklore and chilling experiences of those who came before. If you're not freaked out by the tour, grab a delicious meal at one of Chinatown's restaurants. (Try Jai Yun. It may look like a hole-in-the-wall joint, but the food is top rate.)

If you're looking for things to do before taking one of the aforementioned night tours, we suggest sauntering through San Francisco's less touristy but just as colorful hoods. Prepare for fabulous people watching and interesting finds, from one-of-a-kind shops to unexpected hidden treasures (like a gorgeous mural or hidden staircase). A few neighborhoods to put at the top of the list include: The Mission (including Valencia Street), The Castro, Potrero Hill and Western Addition.

Day 4: Alcatraz

No visit to San Francisco is complete without a trip to "The Rock", Alcatraz Island. Just hearing "'Alcatraz," conjures up so many images, from movies to infamous prison escapes (attempts) to triathlons. One of San Francisco's most popular tourist attractions, Alcatraz Island, plopped smack-dab in the middle of San Francisco Bay, was built in 1850 as a military installation and has had many lives since then.

Most visitors are drawn to its shores to peek into its storied past as a federal prison (1934-1963). Along with exploring the remnants of The Rock, its history is told via photos, multimedia and an unforgettable museum. We love the audio tour, narrated by former Alcatraz inmates.

Everyone has a visit to Alcatraz on their list, and the limited cruises out to the island fill up fast, so try to pick the sunniest, nicest day on the weather report and book ahead.

Day 5: Try Some Alternative Transportation

You might have tested out some of San Francisco's public transit with a ride on a BART or MUNI train, but there are some fun ways to get around San Francisco that on a sunny day can't be beat. You've walked up enough hills!

Everyone seems to love the Segway tours -- try one out along San Francisco's famous waterfront or hop across the bay to spend the day rolling through the pretty city of Sausalito.

While it can be convenient to drive around San Francisco to see the sights, if you want to get out of the car, parking is not always plentiful. And there's the infamous no left turns, tiny alleyways, one way streets and other navigational nightmares of San Francisco. Forget consulting maps and stressing out about finding your way around and book a GPS car. They're small enough to park on the sidewalk while you run into a cafe or snap the perfect photo. They tell you exactly where to turn and what you're seeing along the way. With no roof, you get a 360-degree view of the sights and sounds of San Francisco.

We Heart San Francisco

The above suggestions are just a small slice of the things to do in San Francisco. If you need more inspiration browse our complete list of San Francisco tours and activities.

Or why not extend your stay in California: hit the Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, check out the zoo in San Diego, or hang with Mother Nature in Yosemite National Park.