So you’re headed to San Francisco for a long weekend. First of all, great choice. Second of all, please don’t spend your precious time and money on soggy bread bowls and waiting in line for a cable car. There’s a better way. I grew up half in San Francisco (divorced parents life), and I’m here to share my favorite spots in one of my favorite cities.
This is a low-effort, high-reward 3-day itinerary for people who want to actually enjoy SF without falling for every tourist trap in the book. Let’s go.
DAY 1: San Francisco Coast Vibes, Amazing Coffee, and a Tiny Bit of Cardio
Start in the Outer Sunset
Take the N-Judah Muni out to the Outer Sunset. You’ll find fog, surfers, and no-nonsense breakfast sandwiches. Pack a jacket. Go to Andytown Coffee Roasters, order the Snowy Plover (trust me, it’s a fizzy espresso drink). Then stop by Devil’s Teeth Baking Company for the aforementioned breakfast sandwich.
Wander down to Ocean Beach and explore whatever’s happening down there. I’ve been surprised by a corgi convention, a lot of kites, and bonfires as far as the eye can see. There’s really no knowing what you’ll get.
Clement Street Lunch + Secret Stairs
When you’re beached out, or just too cold to carry on, head north to the Inner Richmond. If you plan ahead, you can take the N Judah to 9th and then walk through Golden Gate Park. If you’re immediately cold and hungry, grab an Uber. Hit up Good Luck Dim Sum (cash only!), or Burma Superstar. then walk off your feast by finding the colorful Lincoln Park Steps nearby. They’re pretty and quiet, so you can enjoy a perfect photo op without the crowds.
Lands End Trail + Sutro Baths
Are you up for more walking? It’s easier than the downtown hills. Do the Lands End Trail. It’s an easy hike with some perfect Golden Gate views. At the end, you’ll hit the spooky/cool ruins of the Sutro Baths, which look like something out of an old video game.
Dinner at Outerlands + Drinks If You’re Not in a Food Coma
If you’re still hanging around the Outer Sunset for dinner time, wrap up your day at Outerlands, a cozy little wood-paneled place that serves absurdly good bread and feels like the set of a Wes Anderson movie. If you’ve got room, grab a drink at White Cap or Lost and Found nearby. Then take advantage of that convenient Muni to get home safely.
DAY 2: Murals, Markets, and San Francisco Classics
Wake Up in the Mission
Get breakfast at Tartine Bakery, which is absolutely worth the line. They have a few locations throughout the city, but for the sake of this itinerary, I’d recommend The Mission one. Their croissants might ruin all other croissants for you. While you’re in The Mission, take a walk through Clarion Alley and check out some of the best street art in the city.
Detour: Bernal Heights Park
If you’re up for a trek, hike up to Bernal Heights. The view from the top is one of San Francisco’s best, and there’s a rope swing, if you want to feel like the main character in a coming-of-age movie.
Ferry Building Picnic
This is the closest this itinerary will bring you to tourist central. Head down to the Ferry Building and stock up on snacks. Pro tip: there are a ton of stalls and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Take your time and do a pass of the whole building before you decide. My favorite Ferry Building meals grab a treat from one place and a snack from another. And a coffee from Blue Bottle. Take your spoils to Levi’s Plaza Park a few blocks away to enjoy in peace.
North Beach, a San Francisco Classic
Head over to City Lights Bookstore, get lost in the stacks, and channel your inner Beat poet. Then go next door to Vesuvio Café for an eclectic drink. If you’re hungry, grab a greasy-perfect square slice at Golden Boy Pizza. It’s open late and a worthwhile stop.
DAY 3: Parks, Pastels, and Pretending You’re a San Francisco Local
Alamo Square + Painted Ladies
This is your tourist photo op! The Painted Ladies are the colorful houses from Full House. You don’t need to spend more than 10 minutes here, but the park is lovely in the morning and full of great dog watching.
Golden Gate Park Picnic
Skip the museums unless you’re very into that thing, and just do a full-on lazy day in Golden Gate Park. Stop at Arizmendi Bakery on your way for snacks (get the pizza, even at 10am), or enter the great Bay Area best burrito debate and try my personal favorite: Gordo’s. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent a paddle boat at Stow Lake.
Haight-Ashbury Thrifting Break
Walk inland to Haight Street and poke around vintage shops like Held Over or Wasteland. You might leave with a pair of jeans that have been to Burning Man. You’ve been warned.
Sunset with Wine and a San Francisco View
End your trip the way any respectable San Francisco local would: with a bottle of wine and a view. Try Ina Coolbrith Park or Corona Heights for sunset. They’re small, quiet, and give you a real sense of the city’s feel. For dinner, brave your way up Nob Hill and hit up Nob Hill Cafe for some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had. Go a little early, since tables are first-come, first-served and the wait can get long.
San Francisco Sights You Can Skip
- Pier 39: If you do brave the crowds, do it for the sea lions.
- Lombard Street: You can see it well from Lombard and Columbus. There’s no need to get much closer.
- Cable Car from Union Square: They’re fun, but the line is longer than your trip.
- Ghirardelli Square: It’s the same chocolate you can buy at the airport.
- Alcatraz: The tour takes your entire day, and for being a big, scary prison, it’s shockingly not cool.
Quick Tips
- Pack layers: The weather changes like five times a day.
- Don’t rent a car: Parking is a nightmare. Thieves break car windows constantly. Muni, Uber, and a Waymo if you’re fancy will work just fine.
- Talk to strangers: People here are weird in the best way.
- Go to a Giants game: I’ve been to a lot of ballparks around the country, and the Giants do it right. If baseball’s in season, it’s worth a trip, even if baseball isn’t your thing.
Bookmark this, send it to your travel buddy, and get ready for a weekend that feels like a local let you in on all their favorite spots (because… I did!)
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