The San Francisco Bay Area marries Gold Rush lore and counterculture creativity with coastal trails, cable cars, and one of America’s most influential food scenes. From Berkeley’s campus-town soul and Gourmet Ghetto legends to San Francisco’s waterfront icons, this itinerary balances big sights with mellow moments and memorable bites.

You’ll glide past the Golden Gate on a night cruise, wander cathedral-still redwoods in Muir Woods, and—if you choose—sip your way through Napa and Sonoma. In between, savor markets, bakeries, and neighborhood spots beloved by locals, with time built in to simply sit with a view and breathe the ocean air.

Practical notes: Weather here is all about microclimates—layer up, even in summer. Public transit (BART, Muni, ferries) is convenient; rideshares fill the gaps. Fly into SFO or OAK and consider arriving with daylight to enjoy your first sunset over the Bay.

Berkeley

Berkeley’s identity is equal parts scholarly and spirited. Home to UC Berkeley since 1868 and the Free Speech Movement of the 1960s, it also incubated California cuisine—Chez Panisse helped launch the farm-to-table revolution just up the street from legendary Cheese Board.

Stroll leafy streets to indie bookstores, beer gardens, and a rose garden with a postcard view of the Bay. Hike Tilden Park in the morning fog, then wind down with a jazz set or a small-venue show on Shattuck Avenue.

• Top sights: UC Berkeley campus and Sather Tower (Campanile), Berkeley Rose Garden & Codornices Park, Tilden Regional Park & Lake Anza, Lawrence Hall of Science views.
• Food & drink: Cheese Board Pizza (co-op pies), Chez Panisse (book well ahead), Great China (Peking duck), Ippuku (yakitori), Comal (Oaxacan plates), Fieldwork Brewing (IPAs), Broc Cellars (urban winery tastings).
• Fun fact: The Campanile’s daily carillon concerts drift across campus—time your visit on the hour for bell music with Bay views.

Where to stay (Berkeley): For flexible options across budgets, browse VRBO in Berkeley or check hotels on Hotels.com in Berkeley. Neighborhoods near Downtown/UC (walkable to BART) or West Berkeley (4th Street shops) are ideal.

San Francisco

San Francisco is compact but kaleidoscopic: cable cars crest Victorian-lined hills, while the Presidio and Lands End deliver cliffside trails minutes from Michelin dining. Fisherman’s Wharf and the Ferry Building still serve the waterfront—now with cult bakeries, oyster bars, and craft roasters.

Each neighborhood brings a different mood: murals and sunny lawns in the Mission; tea and dim sum in historic Chinatown; espresso and cannoli in North Beach; sunset fog and Pacific surf in the Outer Richmond and Sunset.

• Top sights: Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Ferry Building Marketplace, Golden Gate Park (Japanese Tea Garden, de Young), Chinatown & North Beach, Palace of Fine Arts, Lands End & Sutro Baths.
• Food & drink: Tartine Manufactory (country bread), b. Patisserie (kouign-amann), Zuni Café (brick-oven roast chicken), House of Prime Rib (classic), Liholiho Yacht Club (Hawaiian-influenced), Swan Oyster Depot (crab & oysters), Good Good Culture Club (vibrant SE Asian).
• Nightlife: Speakeasy cocktails at Bourbon & Branch, tiki at Tonga Room, craft pints at Standard Deviant Brewing, historic drinks at Comstock Saloon.

Where to stay (San Francisco): For midrange-to-upscale near Union Square and central transit, consider Hotel Nikko San Francisco, the fun waterfront Hotel Zephyr (great for Fisherman’s Wharf access), budget-friendly HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel, or a splurge at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. You can also browse VRBO in San Francisco or the Hotels.com SF search page.

Getting there & around: Fly into SFO or OAK via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. From airports, BART and rideshares are straightforward. Between Berkeley and SF, take BART (~30–40 minutes, ~$5–6 one-way) or drive (~35–60 minutes plus bridge tolls).

Day 1: Arrive OAK/SFO → Berkeley, Golden Hour on Campus

Afternoon: Land at SFO or OAK and head to Berkeley (BART or rideshare). Check in, then stretch your legs on UC Berkeley’s eucalyptus-lined paths. Ride the Sather Tower (Campanile) elevator for sweeping Bay views—Alcatraz and the Golden Gate glow at sunset on clear days.

Evening: Dinner at Comal (Oaxacan moles, Yucatán cochinita, back patio) or Great China (celebrated Peking duck and walnut prawns). Nightcap at Tupper & Reed (classic cocktails in a 1920s bank) or Fieldwork Brewing (rotating IPAs, mellow patio).

Day 2: Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto, Gardens, and Live Music

Morning: Brunch at La Note (Provençal pancakes, lavender latte) or The Cheese Board Collective (morning scones and espresso). Browse Moe’s or Pegasus Books. Pop into Berkeley Bowl later for a produce lover’s dream.

Afternoon: Walk the Berkeley Rose Garden terraces and the creek tunnel at Codornices Park (there’s a concrete slide—bring cardboard). Taste local natural wines at Broc Cellars (industrial-chic tasting room) or sip small-batch coffee at Artis Coffee on 4th Street.

Evening: Casual pizza-and-salad feast at Cheese Board Pizza (one perfect pie per day, live jazz some nights) or yakitori at Ippuku (cozy izakaya). Catch a show at Freight & Salvage (folk/roots) or The UC Theatre (indie acts).

Day 3: Tilden Trails and East Bay Vibes

Morning: Hike Tilden Regional Park—start at Inspiration Point for an easy ridge stroll or loop Lake Anza. If you prefer hands-on science (and a jaw-drop balcony view), the Lawrence Hall of Science is great for all ages.

Afternoon: 4th Street’s boutiques and cafés make for a relaxed amble. Grab a late lunch at Vik’s Chaat (Indian street food canteen) or Sliver Pizzeria (seasonal veg pies). Sports fans: check the Cal schedule at Memorial Stadium or Haas Pavilion; off-season, post up at Cornerstone Craft Beer for games on screens and a spacious beer hall.

Evening: Dine at Chez Panisse (upstairs café is easier to book) for California cuisine where it all began. Prefer low-key? Bowl of ramen at Ramen Shop (wood-fired broth, seasonal produce) then a quiet drink at The Albatross Pub (darts, board games, neighborhood feel).

Day 4: Transfer to San Francisco, Ferry Building & Alcatraz by Night

Morning: BART to San Francisco (aim for Embarcadero). Drop bags at your hotel. Coffee at Blue Bottle in the Ferry Building and a snack from Acme Bread or Humphry Slocombe (if you believe in ice cream before noon).

Afternoon: Stroll the Embarcadero Promenade to Pier 39—sea lions nap below, the Bay Bridge shimmers east. Lunch options: Hog Island Oyster Co. (raw bar, clam chowder), Gott’s Roadside (ahi burger), or Coqueta (Spanish tapas) along the waterfront.

Evening: Explore Alcatraz with an evocative after-dark visit—the audio tour and night vistas are unforgettable.

Official Inside Alcatraz Cruise With Night Cruise Option (book early)

Day 5: Redwoods at Muir Woods and Sausalito Stroll

Morning: Head across the Golden Gate for a guided small-group tour of Muir Woods. Boardwalk paths wind beneath 1,000-year-old coastal redwoods—quiet, cool, and restorative.

Muir Woods and Sausalito Small-Group Tour (typically 4–5 hours; includes Sausalito time)

Afternoon: Linger in Sausalito’s harbor cafés (Lap pert’s ice cream is a classic) or ferry back to SF for a laid-back walk through the Presidio’s Tunnel Tops parkland with bridge views.

Evening: Dinner near Nob Hill at House of Prime Rib (old-school and beloved; book ahead) or in the Richmond at Kokkari Estiatorio (warm Greek hearth cooking). Nightcap at Bourbon & Branch (reservations recommended) or a mellow pint at the snug Hemlock Tavern successor spots—if you prefer quieter, try a tea at Samovar Yerba Buena earlier in the evening.

Day 6: Optional Wine Country Day Trip (Napa & Sonoma)

Set out on a relaxing, small-group day to Napa and Sonoma—rolling vineyards, welcoming tasting rooms, and scenic plazas. This is a great way to see wine country without driving, with plenty of time to savor lunch and countryside views.

Napa and Sonoma Small Group Max 12 Wine Tour from San Francisco

Return to SF in the early evening; keep dinner light—perhaps Souvla (Greek salads and rotisserie) or RT Rotisserie (lemon-pepper chicken, cauliflower sides).

Day 7: Mission Murals, Castro History, Chinatown & North Beach Eats

Morning: Breakfast at Tartine Manufactory (flaky morning buns, seasonal toasts). Wander Clarion Alley and Balmy Alley mural corridors in the Mission, then relax on the grass at Dolores Park with skyline views. Coffee at Ritual or Sightglass nearby.

Afternoon: Ride a Powell Street cable car toward Nob Hill for that classic bell-and-brake-handle charm. Duck into the Grace Cathedral labyrinth or the Top of the Mark lounge for a panoramic peek (plan for a short, scenic stop).

Evening: Join a guided tasting walk that threads Chinatown and North Beach—dim sum, roast meats, tea, then espresso and cannoli across Columbus Avenue. Wrap with a drink at literary haunt Vesuvio or North Beach’s Tony Nik’s (martinis and neon).

Chinatown & North Beach/Little Italy: 7 Tastings & History

Sports option: If in season (Apr–Sept/Oct), catch a San Francisco Giants game at Oracle Park; pregame at Public House next door. Basketball fans can look for Golden State Warriors home dates at Chase Center; otherwise, watch at Kezar Pub (classic sports bar) or Golden Gate Tap Room (tons of screens).

Day 8: Parks, Pacific Views & City Lights on the Bay

Morning: Golden Gate Park without rushing: Japanese Tea Garden (arrive early for a tranquil stroll), then the de Young Museum’s free observation tower for a 360° city panorama.

Afternoon: Head to Lands End—walk the coastal trail to the Sutro Baths ruins and lookouts to the Golden Gate. Warm up with Irish coffee at the historic Buena Vista Café back near the Wharf, or sip a Fort Point Kölsch at their Ferry Building kiosk.

Evening: Cap the day on a gentle 2-hour evening cruise—watch the skyline twinkle, pass beneath the Golden Gate, and glide by Alcatraz.

San Francisco City Lights Cruise (2-hours)

After docking, keep it easy: late-night bowls at Sam Wo (historic Chinatown spot) or a warm cookie at Hot Cookie by the Castro if you’re nearby.

Day 9: Easy Brunch & Departure

Morning: Leisurely breakfast at b. Patisserie (legendary kouign-amann) or Devil’s Teeth Baking Company if you’re near the Ocean Beach side (breakfast sandwiches worth the detour). Prefer a splurge? Consider a champagne brunch cruise to toast your trip before you head out.

City Cruises San Francisco: Premier Brunch Cruise

Afternoon: Airport transfer (BART or rideshare). If you have a spare hour, browse the Ferry Building for edible souvenirs: Rancho Gordo beans, Cowgirl Creamery cheeses, or recchiuti chocolates—packable flavors of the Bay.

Where to Book & Budget Tips

• Flights: Compare prices into SFO and OAK on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical domestic roundtrips often range ~$120–$400 depending on season.
• Local transit: BART (airport ↔ city, Berkeley ↔ SF), Muni passes (bus, metro, cable car), and ferries keep costs moderate. Rideshares fill late-night or hill-heavy gaps.
• Activities: Mix free parks and viewpoints with a few paid headliners (Alcatraz, a redwoods tour, one cruise). Reserve Alcatraz weeks ahead for best times.
• Dining: Your budget (50/100) fits a blend: bakery breakfasts, market lunches, and 2–3 special dinners. Many neighborhood gems take walk-ins early.

Alternate/Bonus Ideas (Swap As You Like)

• Sports: Oracle Park tour by day; Warriors game at Chase Center in season.
• Angel Island: A quieter ferry day with gentle hiking and historic sites.
• Japanese-style soaking: Unwind at Kabuki Springs & Spa (coed and women/men days rotate; check hours).
• Urban stairs: Climb the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps and nearby Hidden Garden Steps for mosaic art and ocean views.

Accommodations quick links: VRBO Berkeley | Hotels.com Berkeley | VRBO San Francisco | Hotels.com San Francisco | SF hotel picks: Hotel Zephyr, Hotel Nikko, HI SF Downtown Hostel, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco.

Over nine days, you’ll taste, stroll, sail, and breathe in the Bay. Berkeley offers campus-town warmth and culinary roots; San Francisco adds icons, neighborhoods, and horizon-wide views. Take your time—this relaxing itinerary is built to linger where it’s lovely.