San Francisco is a city of bold ideas and sea-bright light, famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, Victorian Painted Ladies, and a fog so beloved locals call it “Karl.” Indigenous Ohlone lands long before the 1849 Gold Rush transformed it into a boomtown, San Francisco has reinvented itself many times—rail hub, arts haven, tech capital—without losing its soul.

Expect microclimates: sun by the Ferry Building, wind at Ocean Beach, mist on the Presidio—all in one day. Pack layers. Between cable cars (running since 1873), steep stairways, and ferry rides, getting around can be part of the fun.

Food-wise, the city is a treasure map: dim sum in Chinatown, cioppino at Fisherman’s Wharf, mission-style burritos, and farmers-market bounty. Be street-smart about car break-ins (leave nothing visible) and enjoy walkable neighborhoods, excellent transit, and glorious parks.

San Francisco

Welcome to a compact, culture-dense city where a morning can start with oysters at the Ferry Building, detour through a museum in Golden Gate Park, and end with a sunset cruise beneath the Golden Gate. The skyline is best admired from Telegraph Hill or a bay boat; the city’s stories are best tasted on your plate.

• Top sights: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, Palace of Fine Arts, Ferry Building Marketplace, Lombard Street, Mission murals, Presidio Tunnel Tops.
• Neighborhoods to wander: North Beach (Italian cafes), Chinatown (oldest in North America), the Mission (murals and mezcal), Hayes Valley (design boutiques), the Richmond & Sunset (casual eats near the park).
• Fun facts: The cable car system is the world’s last manually operated; Levi Strauss debuted blue jeans here; and the modern fortune cookie was popularized in the city’s Japanese Tea Garden.

Getting here: Fly into SFO (most convenient), OAK (often cheaper), or SJC (about 60–90 minutes south). Search fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: LA ~1.5 hours ($60–$200), NYC ~6 hours ($150–$450). From SFO to downtown: ~35 minutes by BART (~$10) or 30–50 minutes by rideshare ($35–$75+ depending on traffic).

Where to stay: Browse vacation homes on VRBO San Francisco or compare hotels on Hotels.com San Francisco. Tried-and-true picks include The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco (classic Nob Hill elegance), Hotel Zephyr (playful waterfront property near Pier 39), Hotel Nikko San Francisco (sleek rooms and pool near Union Square), and HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel (budget-friendly, social vibe).

Day 1: Arrival, Union Square to the Bay, and a Night on the Water

Afternoon: Land, drop bags, and stretch your legs around Union Square. If caffeine calls, try Sightglass Coffee (SoMa roastery) or Blue Bottle at Mint Plaza. Hop a Powell–Hyde cable car up to Nob Hill, then down to Fisherman’s Wharf; the hills introduce you to SF’s dramatic topography.

Evening: Grab a pier-side seafood dinner: Scoma’s (old-school Dungeness crab), Fog Harbor Fish House (views and clam chowder), or the casual Codmother Fish & Chips. Cap your first night with a 2-hour bay cruise under a glowing skyline:

San Francisco City Lights Cruise (2-hours) — gliding past Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate at dusk feels cinematic.

Not ready for a boat? Sip an Irish coffee at the Buena Vista or share a sundae at Ghirardelli Square.

Day 2: Golden Gate Park, Ocean Cliffs, and Richmond Eats

Morning: Breakfast near the park: b. Patisserie (kouign-amann) or Arsicault Bakery (legendary croissants). In Golden Gate Park, pair the California Academy of Sciences’ rainforest dome and aquarium with the de Young’s Hamon Tower for a free panoramic view. Stroll the Japanese Tea Garden’s arched drum bridge.

Afternoon: Head to Lands End for a cliffside trail to the Sutro Baths ruins and sweeping views of the Pacific and the Golden Gate—bring a windbreaker. If time allows, visit the Legion of Honor’s European art and Rodin’s Thinker.

Evening: Dinner in the Richmond: Burma Superstar (tea leaf salad and garlic noodles), Fiorella (thin-crust pies and cacio e pepe), or Lokma (modern Turkish). Nightcap at the Tonga Room (tiki theatrics in a pool with “rainstorms”) or a quiet pint at the Plough and Stars.

Day 3: Ferry Building Flavors, Alcatraz, and North Beach Nights

Morning: Start at the Ferry Building Marketplace: Blue Bottle for coffee, Acme Bread for pain au levain, and Hog Island (if you fancy oysters with a bay view). Walk the Embarcadero north, passing Pier 7’s photogenic wooden pier toward Pier 33.

Afternoon: Tour “The Rock.” Reserve in advance via this official admission package:

Alcatraz Inside Access Ferry and Audio Tour with Night Option — explore cellblocks with the excellent audio guide and hear escape lore; the night option adds eerie ambience and ranger talks.

Evening: Climb to Coit Tower for WPA murals (1930s social realism), then descend into North Beach. Eat at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana (award-winning Margherita), Original Joe’s (red-leather booths), or Sotto Mare (cioppino). After, pop into Vesuvio Cafe (Beat Generation haunt) or Tosca Cafe for an amaro nightcap.

Day 4: Redwoods and Bayside Sausalito

Half-day out of the city to breathe among giants, with time for a waterfront lunch.

Muir Woods and Sausalito Small-Group Tour — wander boardwalks beneath 1,000-year-old coast redwoods, then cross the Golden Gate for free time in artsy Sausalito. Typical duration ~4–5 hours; wear layers and comfy shoes.

Lunch: In Sausalito, try Bar Bocce (pizza by the water), Fish. (sustainable seafood), or Scoma’s Sausalito (classic bay-view dining). Ferry back to SF if you’d like another angle on the bridge.

Evening (back in SF): Golden hour at the Palace of Fine Arts. Dine along Chestnut Street: A16 (Neapolitan pies and Southern Italian), The Tipsy Pig (gastropub), or Roam (great burgers). For a brainy cocktail, The Interval at Long Now in Fort Mason has a gorgeous, gear-and-glass interior.

Day 5: Mission Murals, Castro History, Haight Vibes

Morning: Breakfast at Tartine Bakery (morning buns, croque monsieur) and coffee at Ritual or Four Barrel. Walk Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley to see political and poetic murals that chronicle community stories.

Afternoon: Head to the Castro for LGBTQ+ history, rainbow crosswalks, and the iconic Castro Theatre marquee. If skies are clear, ride up to Twin Peaks for a 360° panorama. Wander Haight-Ashbury’s vintage shops and record stacks at Amoeba Music.

Evening: Dinner options: Nopa (wood-fired Californian and a stellar pork chop), Liholiho Yacht Club (Hawai‘i–California flavors; try the tuna poke and poppyseed steam buns), or Flour + Water (handmade pasta). For drinks, Trick Dog (creative cocktail menus) or Magnolia Brewing on Haight (house beers) keep the evening lively.

Day 6: Full-Day Napa & Sonoma Wine Country

Napa and Sonoma Small Group Max 12 Wine Tour from San Francisco — trade fog for vineyards on a small-group day trip featuring scenic drives, 2–3 tastings (often waivable with purchases), and time in a historic square. Expect photo stops among vines and a relaxed, educational approach; designated pickup points in the city keep logistics easy for a ~9–10 hour day.

Notes: Bring an ID and a light jacket—wine caves can be cool. Non-drinkers still enjoy vineyard scenery, gardens, and cheese shops around Sonoma Plaza.

Day 7: Presidio & Golden Gate Farewell (Departure Day)

Morning: Coffee at Saint Frank (Russian Hill) or along Polk Street, then head to the Presidio Tunnel Tops—play lawns, bay overlooks, and bridge views all in one stop. If time allows, pop into the Walt Disney Family Museum or walk a segment of the Golden Gate Bridge from the south vista. Brunch nearby at Sessions at the Presidio (craft beers, modern pub fare) or The Commissary (Californian plates).

Afternoon: Depart for the airport. If you’re flying from SFO, plan 1–1.5 hours for transit + security; rideshares can fluctuate with traffic, so buffer generously.

Where to Sleep (at a glance)

• Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco — marble lobby, serene club lounge, steps from Chinatown’s gate.
• Waterfront fun: Hotel Zephyr — outdoor fire pits and lawn games by Fisherman’s Wharf.
• Stylish central: Hotel Nikko San Francisco — polished rooms, indoor pool, easy BART access.
• Budget/social: HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel — private rooms and dorms near Union Square.
• Browse more: Hotels.com San Francisco or VRBO San Francisco.

Transit Tips & Practicalities

• Transit: Muni buses/Metro and cable cars cover most sights; a day pass often pays off if you ride 3+ times. Cable cars are ~$8 per ride; lines are shorter early morning or after 7 pm.
• Rideshare/parking: Street parking is tight and garages add up; consider hotels with parking only if you truly need a car. Never leave items in cars.
• Weather: Layers year-round; summer can be foggy and cool near the ocean even when downtown is warm.

Optional Add-Ons if You Extend

• Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 minutes): Quick, photogenic loop under the bridge and around Alcatraz: book here.
• Official Inside Alcatraz Cruise (Night Option): Another way to secure coveted Alcatraz access, especially if you love evening ambience: details.

Daily food cheat sheet: Breakfast/coffee ideas include Tartine Bakery, b. Patisserie, Jane the Bakery, Saint Frank Coffee, Sightglass, and Philz. Great lunches: Yank Sing (dim sum), Swan Oyster Depot (counter-service seafood), Saigon Sandwich (banh mi), La Taqueria (Mission-style burritos), and Souvla (Greek wraps). Dinner favorites: Zuni Café (brick-oven chicken), State Bird Provisions (inventive small plates), Kokkari Estiatorio (wood-fired Greek), Flour + Water (pasta), and Scoma’s (seafood classic). For sweets: Bi-Rite Creamery or Mitchell’s Ice Cream.

Departure flights: Compare prices and times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com from SFO/OAK/SJC.

Final flourish: If you have a spare hour, ride the Hyde Street cable car downhill at sunset—the bay view between Lombard and North Point is the postcard shot most people miss.

In seven days, you’ll have traced San Francisco’s coastline, ferried to “The Rock,” stood beneath redwoods, and tasted wine country’s best. The city rewards curiosity—follow the hills, the fog, and your appetite, and you’ll find new favorites every day.