San Francisco and Seattle grew from frontier outposts into innovation hubs that shape how the world eats, works, and codes. Gold Rush fortunes funded San Francisco’s grand boulevards and cable cars; Seattle rode timber, shipping, aviation, and software into the modern age. Today they’re a perfect pairing for a week devoted to ideas, flavor, and fresh air.

Expect iconic sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz-etched bay views, and Seattle’s Space Needle skyline. Dip into Silicon Valley’s Computer History Museum and Apple Park Visitor Center, then wander Pike Place Market, the Amazon Spheres, and Chihuly’s glass gardens. You’ll fuel up at third-wave coffee roasters, slurp oysters with a view, and watch sunset from windswept beaches and ferry decks.

Pack layers—both cities mix sun, fog, and mist in a single day. In San Francisco, load a Clipper card for Muni and cable cars; in Seattle, grab an ORCA card for light rail and buses. Book popular restaurants and attractions in advance, especially weekend dinners, the Spheres, and marquee museums.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a compact city of hills, Victorian facades, and salt-tinged air, where the past meets the prototype. Neighborhoods feel like distinct villages: Italian-inflected North Beach, mural-splashed Mission, sleek SoMa, and the eucalyptus-scented Presidio.

• Top sights: Golden Gate Bridge, Presidio, Palace of Fine Arts, Ferry Building Marketplace, SFMOMA, de Young, Exploratorium, Cable Car Museum.
• Silicon Valley day trip: Computer History Museum (Mountain View), Apple Park Visitor Center (Cupertino), Stanford campus architecture and Rodin bronzes.
• Eat & drink: Ferry Building icons like Hog Island Oyster Co. and Gott’s Roadside; Mission tacos at La Taqueria; classic Zuni Café’s roast chicken; State Bird Provisions’ inventive, dim-sum-style service.
• Coffee worth a detour: Blue Bottle (Ferry Building), Sightglass (7th St roastery), Ritual (Valencia), Andytown (Outer Sunset).

Where to stay: Search stays near the Embarcadero or Union Square for easy transit and dining. Browse options on VRBO San Francisco or compare hotels on Hotels.com San Francisco.

How to arrive: Fly into SFO or OAK. Typical nonstop from major US hubs is 2–6 hours, often $120–$350 round-trip depending on season. Check fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival, Embarcadero stroll, and North Beach flavors

Morning: Fly in and transfer to your hotel. If you arrive early, drop bags and grab a quick espresso at Blue Bottle in the Ferry Building—airy space, almond-macadamia latte, and Bay Bridge views.

Afternoon: Walk the Embarcadero from the Ferry Building stalls (try Acme Bread and Cowgirl Creamery) toward Pier 7’s wooden promenade for skyline photos. If you like hands-on science, the Exploratorium (Pier 15) is a delight for adults too (allow 2 hours).

Evening: Head to North Beach for dinner. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana serves multiple regional styles—Margherita Napoletana is wood-fired perfection; expect waits or join the list early. Prefer seafood? Sotto Mare’s cioppino is a soulful local classic. Nightcap at Tosca Cafe for vintage vibes and a spiked “House Cappuccino.”

Day 2: Golden Gate, Presidio trails, and SoMa art

Morning: Coffee and a biscuit at Andytown (Inner Sunset), then ride to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center. Walk partway onto the span for that wind-in-your-hair moment; the bridge’s “International Orange” paint was chosen to pop against fog.

Afternoon: Explore the Presidio’s bluff-top paths—Battery East Vista and the Bay Area Discovery Museum overlook are superb for photos. Continue to the Palace of Fine Arts for reflected domes in the lagoon. Late lunch at Roam Artisan Burgers (Marina) or A16 for wood-fired Neapolitan pies and southern Italian wines.

Evening: See SFMOMA’s contemporary collection (open late some evenings). Dinner in Hayes Valley or NoPa: Nopa’s wood-grilled pork chop and seasonal vegetables are a reliable hit; reservations recommended. For cocktails, try Trick Dog’s creative, rotating “menu-zine.”

Day 3: Silicon Valley inspirations (Mountain View, Cupertino, Stanford)

Morning: Take Caltrain from San Francisco (1–1.5 hours; ~$7–$9) to Mountain View. Visit the Computer History Museum—ENIAC-era hardware, early Apple artifacts, and an absorbing AI exhibit. Coffee nearby at Red Rock Coffee for a community feel.

Afternoon: Ride-share to Apple Park Visitor Center (Cupertino) to peek at the ring-shaped campus from the rooftop terrace and test AR models of the HQ. Swing by Stanford University (Palo Alto) to see Main Quad arcades and the Rodin Sculpture Garden; grab a late lunch at Oren’s Hummus for pillowy pita and creamy hummus bowls.

Evening: Return to the city. Dinner at State Bird Provisions (book early; the fried “state bird” quail is legendary) or Zuni Café for that slow-roasted chicken for two with warm bread salad. If you’re still up, Smuggler’s Cove pours a deep list of rum-based tiki classics.

Seattle

Seattle is a city of water, forested parks, and neighborhoods stitched together by bridges and art. Cargo cranes and ferries share the horizon with the Space Needle, while the aroma of freshly roasted coffee drifts down steep streets.

• Top sights: Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, MoPOP, Seattle Art Museum, Ballard Locks, Discovery Park trails.
• Tech stops: The Amazon Spheres (advance reservations required), Microsoft Visitor Center (Redmond) on weekdays, startup-rich South Lake Union.
• Coffee & food: Elm Coffee Roasters, Victrola, and La Marzocco Cafe; seafood at The Walrus and the Carpenter; market-view dining at Matt’s in the Market; classic pasta at Spinasse.

Where to stay: Base in Downtown or Belltown for easy walks to the waterfront and light rail, or in Capitol Hill for lively dining. Compare options on VRBO Seattle or Hotels.com Seattle.

Getting here from SF: Fly SFO/OAK to SEA—nonstop ~2 hours, often $60–$150 one-way if booked ahead. Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Light Rail from SEA to downtown takes ~35 minutes.

Day 4: Fly to Seattle, waterfront wander, and market views

Morning: Morning flight to Seattle. Drop bags and refuel at Anchorhead Coffee (Downtown) with a nitro cold brew and maple bacon doughnut.

Afternoon: Stroll the renovated waterfront: the Seattle Great Wheel, Olympic Sculpture Park’s outdoor art, and Elliott Bay views. Pop into the Seattle Art Museum if rain moves in—strong Northwest Coast and contemporary collections.

Evening: Dinner at The Pink Door (Pike Place alley; Italian-American, live music on select nights) with a table facing the bay. For dessert, head to Hot Cakes in Ballard for molten chocolate cakes and smoky caramel shakes.

Day 5: Pike Place Market, ferry to Bainbridge, and sunset

Morning: Coffee at Storyville (top-floor Pike Place location with market panoramas). Explore stalls for seasonal berries, chanterelles, salmon jerky, and flowers; try Piroshky Piroshky’s potato-cheese piroshki or Beecher’s “World’s Best” mac.

Afternoon: Walk to the ferry terminal and sail to Bainbridge Island (~35 minutes). In Winslow, browse indie shops, sip at Pegasus Coffee, and if time allows, visit Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (free). Return on a golden-hour ferry—outdoor decks are prime for photos.

Evening: Reserve seats at Shiro’s (Belltown) for elegant nigiri or go to Matt’s in the Market for Dungeness crab, seasonal salads, and a view of the neon market sign. Nightcap at Zig Zag Cafe, a bartender’s bar tucked down the Harbor Steps.

Day 6: Spheres, MoPOP, and neighborhood hopping (Fremont & Ballard)

Morning: Coffee at Elm Coffee Roasters (Pioneer Square) for a bright, fruit-forward pour-over. Tour the Amazon Spheres (book ahead; living-wall biospheres showcasing rare plants) and continue to MoPOP for music, sci-fi, and gaming exhibits.

Afternoon: Head to Fremont to meet the Troll under the Aurora Bridge and browse indie boutiques. Walk the Ship Canal to the Ballard Locks to watch salmon and boats pass through, then detour to nearby breweries—Cloudburst’s Ballard taproom often features hop-forward, hazy IPAs.

Evening: Dine at The Walrus and the Carpenter (Ballard) for oysters on ice, tart mignonette, and small plates; expect a wait or arrive early. For something cozy and refined, Spinasse on Capitol Hill serves hand-cut tajarin with butter and sage—simple and unforgettable.

Day 7: Morning gardens, a final view, and departure

Morning: Visit Chihuly Garden and Glass beside the Space Needle for radiant color and sculptural forms—go right at opening for quieter galleries. Alternatively, walk the 2.8-mile Discovery Park Loop for lighthouse views and driftwood beaches.

Afternoon: Last-minute bites near the light rail: Victrola Coffee (Capitol Hill) and a savory Dutch baby at Tilikum Place Cafe if timing allows. Ride light rail to SEA for your flight home.

Practical Notes and Local Tips

• Transit: San Francisco’s Clipper card works on Muni and cable cars (cable car ~$8/ride). Seattle’s ORCA covers light rail and buses (typical fares $2.25–$3.50).
• Weather: Bring a packable jacket; fog and drizzle are common. Shoes with grip help on hills and wet sidewalks.
• Silicon Valley logistics: Caltrain is the easiest car-free option from SF to Palo Alto/Mountain View. Ride-share fills gaps to Cupertino.
• Reservations: Book popular restaurants (State Bird Provisions, Spinasse), the Amazon Spheres, and museum time slots on weekends.

Getting Between Cities and Booking Transport

Flights: SF–Seattle nonstop ~2 hours; competitive fares start around $60–$150 one-way. Compare carriers and times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Alternative Dining and Coffee Shortlist

• San Francisco: Liholiho Yacht Club (Hawaiian-inspired, vivid flavors), House of Prime Rib (old-school roast beef), Nari (Thai with depth), La Taqueria (mission-style tacos), Tartine Manufactory (morning buns and hearty sandwiches), Sightglass Coffee (aromatic roastery).
• Seattle: Canlis (special-occasion tasting menu), Tilikum Place Cafe (savory Dutch babies), Taylor Shellfish (oysters), Bakery Nouveau (kouign-amann), La Marzocco Cafe (global roaster residency), Milstead & Co. (Fremont espresso haven).

Summary: In one focused week, you’ll collect Golden Gate breezes, market flavors, a dash of code history, and ferry-deck sunsets. San Francisco’s neighborhoods and Silicon Valley’s museums set the stage; Seattle’s coffee, glass art, and water views close the show. You’ll go home energized—with a notebook full of ideas for your next project.