Want to spend 2 days in San Francisco? No worries. We got you. For first-time and repeat visitors, we’ve put together a San Francisco itinerary that’s packed with a fine medley of outdoor activities, cultural pursuits, and most importantly good food and drink.
Of course, you may wonder if you’ll really be able to get a good feel for San Francisco in 2 days. Rest assured that if you follow our itinerary, it’s not only doable, but a whole lot of fun!
Here are our recommendations for a fun-filled 2 days in San Francisco.
Day 1 in San Francisco
Breakfast at the Ferry Building Marketplace
Kickstart your 48 hours in San Francisco with breakfast at the Ferry Building Marketplace, which is home to a number of regional artisan food, beverage, and retail vendors.
Head to Blue Bottle Coffee for a beautifully made caffé latte. With your fancy cup of joe in hand, meander over to Acme Bread to pick up a flaky, buttery pastry, or try a boiled-then-wood-fired bagel with cream cheese at Daily Driver. Then walk to the back of the Ferry Building, where you can sit along the water and enjoy views of the SF Bay while you eat.
Visit the Golden Gate Bridge
Now that you’re all fueled up, you can walk—or ride a bike—along the Embarcadero through Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Mason, and the Marina Green, all the while taking in gorgeous views of Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll know you’re close when you hit Crissy Field, a waterfront park on the east side of the bridge.
Called one of the “Wonders of the Modern World,” the Golden Gate Bridge draws more than 10 million visitors a year with its Art Deco walkways and tower decorations. Enjoy stunning scenery in every direction as you make your way across the bridge and back.
Lunch at La Mediteranee
With several miles of walking or cycling under your belt, you’ll no doubt build up quite an appetite. La Mediteranee in the Upper Fillmore will fill your belly with some really satisfying eats. Go for the grilled salmon kebab served on a bed of fluffy rice pilaf. Or the grilled chicken shawarma sandwich dressed with a tangy tzatziki (cucumber yogurt) sauce.
When you’re finished, you can stroll along Fillmore Street and pop in and out of the upscale shops in the neighborhood. If you have room for dessert, get a seasonal ice cream scoop at Salt & Straw.
Art Appreciation at SFMOMA
Time for a bit (OK, a lot) of culture. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is the first West Coast museum dedicated to 20th century art with upwards of 33,000 pieces housed in 170,000 square feet of renovated galleries.
To be honest, you’ll probably only have time and energy to take in a few of the exhibits in this enormous space. After two or three hours, walk across the street and take a breather at Yerba Buena Gardens. Or take a quick afternoon siesta wherever you’re calling home during your 2 days in San Francisco.
Local’s Tip: Make the most of your visit to the unique city of San Francisco when you stay at a boutique hotel.
Dinner at Burma Love
After you’ve recovered from the day’s activities, you can head out to dinner at Burma Love in downtown SF. A spinoff of perennial favorite Burma Superstar, this sleek and modern restaurant is all about the bright, bold flavors of—you guessed it—Burma (Myanmar).
Start with the platha and dip—buttery, fried flatbread that you tear into pieces and dip into a rich and savory coconut chicken sauce. Then tuck into the tasty tea leaf salad, Burmese lamb curry, eggplant basted in garlic sauce, and garlicky noodles with shrimp.
See a Live Show in the Theater District
End day one of your San Francisco itinerary with a live performance in SF’s downtown theater district. Plays and musicals often make their way from Broadway to the city by the Bay, running at venues like the Orpheum Theatre (1192 Market Street), Curran, Golden Gate Theatre, and American Conservatory Theater.
It’s just a few minutes on foot from Burma Love to the theater district, but be sure to give yourself enough time to get there, find your seats, and settle in for a great show.
Day 2 in San Francisco
Brunch at Zazie
Rise and shine! Start your second day in San Francisco with a lovely brunch at Zazie in Cole Valley. This cute eatery boasts a mean eggs Benedict, made eight different ways. We’re partial to the “Monaco”, which comes with prosciutto and tomatoes provençales.
If you’re craving a sweet breakfast, go for the French toast Tahiti (pain de mie French toast stuffed with caramelized bananas and walnuts), or the gingerbread pancakes with meyer lemon curd and bosc pears. But pass on the mimosas—you’ll need caffeine to help you power through this fun-filled day.
Tour Golden Gate Park
Next up is a trip to Golden Gate Park, which is only a six-minute walk from Zazie. Ten lakes, multiple gardens and groves, two windmills, a conservatory of flowers, and a bison paddock are just a few of the attractions scattered throughout the park’s 1,000+ acres. Take advantage of the city’s bikeshare program so that you can cover as much ground as possible.
Golden Gate Park is also home to the distinctive de Young Museum, which hosts temporary exhibits along with permanent fine arts collections. Across from the de Young sits the Cal Academy of Sciences, whose aquarium, planetarium, and rainforest—along with its living green roof—thrill kids of all ages.
Lunch at Dumpling Home
All that touring in Golden Gate Park will burn off the big breakfast you had at Zazie. Get ready for a late lunch at Dumpling Home in Hayes Valley.
Everything on the menu is good at this casual restaurant with plenty of outdoor seating. Dishes we recommend are the juicy xiao long bao (Chinese soup dumplings), pork and chive dumplings, pork dumplings in sesame sauce and chili oil, and the spicy dan dan noodles.
Retail Therapy in Hayes Valley and the Mission
Stay awhile in Hayes Valley to get in some retail therapy. A handful of hip boutiques line Hayes Street between Franklin and Laguna, covering home décor, jewelry, shoes, athleisure, high-end fashion, and more.
When you’ve had your fill of Hayes Valley, then head over to the gritty Mission District. Cruise up and down the Valencia corridor, which is chock full of an eclectic mix of shops, including everything from clothing and skincare to pirate supplies and taxidermy.
Dinner and Drinks at Lolo
Finish up with a meal at lively Lolo in the Mission, where fresh, local California ingredients take the dynamite flavors of Jalisco, Mexico, to the next level. Lolo fills up fast, so arrive on the earlier side to snag a table, either indoors or outside.
Order a margarita or other tequila-spiked drink, and get ready to inhale a parade of flavorful tapas. Our favorites are fresh fish and shrimp ceviche in a piquant citrus-roasted pepper sauce, and free-range chicken tinga with bacon and black beans on blue corn tostadas.
Want to end your 2 days in San Francisco with a nightcap? Check out our short list of SF’s best cocktail bars.
FAQs: San Francisco Trip Itinerary
Where are the best places to eat and drink in San Francisco?
As a food tour company, we’ve got you covered! Our local experts have put together a list of the top eight best San Francisco restaurants.
What are some unusual activities for a quick trip to San Fran?
There are tons of cool things to do in this city! A few of our favs include taking a cooking class (homemade ramen, anyone?) and hopping on one of these San Francisco boat tours to visit Alcatraz or see whales in the wild. Bookmark our article on San Francisco off the beaten path for even more cool ideas!
What are your recs for seeing San Fran with kids?
San Francisco has a wealth of amazing activities for tiny travelers, too! We have a complete list of fun things to do in San Francisco with kids.
Do you have any budget-friendly suggestions for San Francisco?
Yes, we do. Check out our guide to the best places to visit in San Francisco for free!
What is the best way to get around San Francisco?
We are huge fans of public transportation, and this city’s options are incredible. From buseses to iconic cable cars, we highly recommend using San Francisco’s public transportation system.
