10 Excellent Itineraries For Spending 24 Hours In San Francisco, According To Locals

10 Excellent Itineraries For Spending 24 Hours In San Francisco, According To Locals
Photo by Eirik Uhlen on Unsplash

24 perfect hours can take many forms!

Looking for some new weekend plans? Got a friend in town and not sure where to take them? Just driving up for the day? When you’re on a time crunch, there’s no reason you can’t still enjoy what San Francisco’s got to offer.

We asked our Instagram and Facebook followers the following question: What’s the best way to spend 24 hours in San Francisco? They didn’t disappoint, and these 10 fun itineraries should get the ball rolling if you don’t know where to start. Some are more detailed than others, so you can add on and personalize them how you see fit. Make sure you check out the original Facebook and Instagram posts for even more ideas!

Itinerary 1

  • Enjoy the waterfront from AT&T Park to the Golden Gate Bridge
  • Make a stop at the Ferry Building. You can visit the farmers’ market on Saturdays, or the flea market on Sundays.
  • Check out Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39
  • Grab a bite along the way from a waterfront restaurant
  • Take a tour of Alcatraz
  • Walk down Marina Green
  • See the underside of the Golden Gate Bridge from Fort Point National Historic Site
Photo by Jared Erondu on Unsplash

Itinerary 2

  • Dance in the street with the Backyard Party Kings
  • Visit the Musée Mecanique at Fisherman’s Wharf
  • Grab a slice at Golden Boy Pizza in North Beach
  • Walk down Lombard Street
  • Take the trolley up Powell and catch the F Train to the Castro
  • Eat a chocolate chip cookie from Hot Cookie
  • Check out the Mission murals

Itinerary 3

  • Stroll through Golden Gate Park
  • Visit the SF Zoo or the Planetarium at the Academy of Sciences
  • Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and catch some ocean air
  • Enjoy fresh seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf

Itinerary 4

  • Have a steak breakfast at Mel’s or Bobo’s
  • Stroll down Market and do some shopping at the Embarcadero
  • Smoke some weed from a legendary SF dispensary
  • Chill at Yerba Buena Gardens
  • Have a martini and enjoy the view at a rooftop bar
Photo by Eirik Uhlen on Unsplash

Itinerary 5

  • Visit Battery Spencer and snap a perfect shot from the other end of the Golden Gate Bridge
  • Eat a bomb burrito in the Mission
  • Spend the afternoon/evening doing karaoke in Japantown

Itinerary 6

  • Go for a city hike
  • Check out the sights and stores in Haight-Ashbury
  • Grab food at Nopa
  • Walk to Lower Pac Heights and detour to Fillmore Street
  • Visit Alta Plaza, the Lyon Street Steps, and the Presidio
  • Cross to Chestnut Street for a drink or more food and shopping
  • Go to Cow Hollow for even MORE food and shopping
  • Hike or Uber to Grant Ave in Chinatown
  • Spend the rest of your evening in North Beach
Photo by Lisa Herrick on Unsplash

Itinerary 7

  • Check out the Ferry Building and SF waterfront
  • Ride bikes on the Golden Gate Promenade
  • See the sunset at Baker Beach or Lands End

Itinerary 8

  • See the world-famous Japanese Tea Garden
  • Visit the de Young Museum
  • Have a delicious sandwich at Molinari’s
  • Enjoy fresh seafood from Scoma’s
  • See the views and hidden tombstones at Buena Vista Park
  • End the day at an arcade bar
Photo by Aaron Weiss on Unsplash

Itinerary 9

  • Walk across Golden Gate Bridge
  • Enjoy the views at Crissy Field
  • Take a bike ride through Golden Gate Park
  • Take a picnic or eat and drink along the way!

Itinerary 10

A vegan tour courtesy of @deliciouslyvegansf, a vegan home baker delivering around the Bay!

  • Start with coffee at Ritual CoffeeHome, or The Mill
  • Visit Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach
  • Make your way to Baker Beach and the Presidio
  • Have lunch at VeganBurg on Haight Street
  • Check out the murals and thrift shops
  • Walk around the Mission and grab a t-shirt at Made in the City
  • Check out Ghirardelli Square
  • See the sea lions at the Wharf
  • Visit Pier 39, the Ferry Building, and Oracle Park
  • See the beautiful City Hall
  • Walk by the Symphony Hall & Opera House
  • Get signature cocktails and delicious food at Om Sabor, where you can enjoy groovy beats for the rest of the night!