2-Day San Francisco Itinerary: How to Spend 48 Hours in the City by the Bay

Today I want to share my 2-day San Francisco itinerary with you. The City by the Bay is one of the most exciting places to travel in California, and you can do and see a lot if you have 48 hours here. From the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz and the famous cable cars, San Francisco has no shortage of entertainment to offer visitors. Read on for my itinerary. I’ve included a map with all the places I recommend, too.

2-Day San Francisco Itinerary

When people ask me how to spend 2 days in San Francisco, I have plenty to tell them. I’ve been coming to San Francisco my whole life, and I know the city well. Having grown up just south of SF, I visited for day trips when I was a child and I lived in the city for three years after college. These days I spend a lot of my time here, and I love exploring new and familiar places.

The nice thing about a 2-day San Francisco itinerary is that it gives you enough time to see the highlights. The city is compact and walkable (if you’re up for hitting the hills), so you can cover a lot of ground in a short time.

Whether you want to get out on the bay, see the sights, shop, eat, drink, or discover the city’s past, you’ll find a lot to get excited about while you’re visiting SF.

My 48-hour itinerary includes a range of things to do and see. It’s ideal for first-time visitors and those who haven’t been to San Francisco in a while. It will give you a solid introduction to the highlights of the city and tempt you to come back and explore more of SF on a future trip.

Where to Stay

When it comes to places to stay in San Francisco, there’s no shortage of good accommodation for a variety of tastes and budgets. If you need ideas, you can take a look at my guide to the best area to stay in San Francisco for your style. It will help you understand which part of the city could be best for you.

If you’d rather take my word for it, my favorite place to stay in SF is Hotel Triton. It’s in an ideal location downtown and it has great decor and atmosphere. I’ve stayed here before and I can personally vouch for it. You can book a room here.

If you want more options, you can take a look at some of the most popular hotels in the city here. There are plenty of good ones to choose from.

Day 1 in San Francisco: Morning

The first morning of my 2-day San Francisco itinerary begins at my favorite place in the city: the Ferry Building. If it’s a Saturday, you’re in luck. You’ll be here for the famous Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market (there’s also a smaller version on Tuesdays and Thursdays).

This is one of the most delicious markets in California, and you can find all kinds of food and drinks in the shops and stalls. The chilaquiles from the Primavera stand are my go-to every time I’m here.

Even if it’s not a Saturday you can still go to the Ferry Building in the morning. You’ll be able to get your caffeine fix at places like Red Bay Coffee and Blue Bottle Coffee. You can find something for breakfast at one of the many shops, restaurants, or cafes as well.

After visiting the Ferry Building, head outside and hop on the F train. This streetcar will take you north along the Embarcadero waterfront. You’ll get to enjoy views of the piers, Coit Tower, and places like the Exploratorium science museum along the way.

If you’re lucky, you’ll get to ride in a historic carriage from somewhere around the world. The F line is known for having them, and they come in bright colors.

Soon you’ll arrive at Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can either explore the area or walk over to the Aquatic Park and Ghirardelli Square.

This part of the city is home to everything from souvenir shops on Pier 39 to restaurants offering Dungeness crab and classic clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls. You can find museums like Madame Tussauds here, too.

Locals tend not to spend time the Wharf since it’s perceived as touristy, but it’s popular with visitors (especially children), so I can’t help including it in my 2-day San Francisco itinerary. If nothing else, it’s a treat to see the famous resident sea lions at Pier 39.

Fisherman’s Wharf is also the location of the only outlet of California’s iconic In-N-Out Burger in the city center, so it’s an ideal place to stop if you want to try the famous fast food (don’t forget to look up the secret menu before you go).

I’m also including the Wharf because while you’re in the area you can take a ferry to Alcatraz or do a bay cruise. You’ll need to book in advance (especially for Alcatraz), as tickets sell out. You can book Alcatraz here and a bay cruise here.

Whatever way you choose to spend your time, walk over to Aquatic Park and Ghirardelli Square at the end. There are great waterfront views and a small beach along the park where you can take in the pier and the historic ships moored in the bay. You might even spot some brave souls swimming in the perennially cold water.

Ghirardelli Square is famous for its historic ice cream factory, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants here as well. If you’re hungry, it’s a good place to stop for lunch (and an obligatory sundae!).

Day 1 in San Francisco: Afternoon

After leaving Ghirardelli Square, start the first afternoon of your 2-day San Francisco itinerary by walking over to the Powell / Hyde cable car stop on the corner of Hyde Street and Beach Street.

While you wait to board the famous trolley, you can pop into The Buena Vista to try one of the cafe’s famous Irish coffees. It’s an SF institution, and locals and visitors alike love coming here.

Once on the cable car, you can ride it all the way to Union Square in downtown San Francisco. If you want to, you can get off at the iconic stretch of Lombard Street and walk down the stairs past its eight winding curves.

This block of Lombard claims to be the “crookedest street in the world”, and it has stunning views of Coit Tower, Telegraph Hill, North Beach, and the Bay Bridge in the distance. The houses on this part of the street are a treat to take in as well.

Back on the cable car, you can soak up the scenery as you ride through Russian Hill and Nob Hill to get to Union Square. When you arrive, stroll around the square to see what’s on. There are lots of seasonal events and installations, including festive holiday decorations in San Francisco in December.

This part of downtown is a fun place to shop, eat, and drink, too. Whether you want to explore some of SF’s department stores, eat lunch, or take a coffee break, you can spend your time however you feel like.

When you’re ready to move on, head up to Grant Avenue and pass through the Dragon Gate to take a walk through Chinatown. This area is rich in history, and it has more shops, restaurants, and cafes to discover. There are colorful street art murals and lots of architectural details here, too, so it’s worth looking out for them as you go.

Walk through Chinatown on Grant Avenue until you reach the intersection with Broadway and Columbus. Now you’ll be in North Beach, one of San Francisco’s most exciting areas. This part of the City by the Bay is known for both its Italian roots and its Beat Generation connections.

You can walk down Columbus to get a feel for the atmosphere and check out famous places like City Lights Bookstore, the eye-catching flatiron Columbus Tower (aka The Sentinel Building), and Saints Peter and Paul Church.

It’s worth exploring the stretch of Grant Avenue in this area, too. It has some of my favorite shops, restaurants, and bars in North Beach. They tend to be better than the ones on Columbus, some of which can be more touristy than not.

If you have time, Washington Square is worth a wander as well. This green space is a fun place to take in the local scene and rest your legs if you need a break.

Day 1 in San Francisco: Evening

When the sun starts to go down, continue the first of your 2 days in San Francisco by having an early dinner in North Beach. My favorite places to eat here are Da Flora and Trattoria Contadina. The former is all romance and the food is excellent. The latter is a lively Italian place that’s popular with locals.

After dinner, head over to Green Street to see Dear San Francisco at Club Fugazi. This show is not only a love letter to the City by the Bay, but also an entertaining performance featuring exciting acrobatics and daring feats of courage. I’ve seen it multiple times, and I keep going back. You can book tickets here.

If you have energy after the show, there are lots of great places to get a drink in North Beach and Chinatown. My favorites include Cold Drinks Bar, which has great cocktails, and The Saloon, one of the oldest bars in the city. The latter has live music, too.

If you want something truly local, head to Northstar. This no-frills dive bar is right across the street from Club Fugazi. It’s a favorite with locals (some of my friends practically live here).

And if you’re after something with a bit of history, Vesuvio is just the ticket. It was popular with Beat Generation legends like Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Neal Cassady. The atmosphere and decor reflect its roots.

Day 2 in San Francisco: Morning

The next morning, continue your 2-day San Francisco itinerary by going to the Golden Gate Bridge or taking a hop-on hop-off bus tour (it will also take you to the bridge).

If you choose to go independently, you can drive, take a taxi, or hop on a bus to get to the bridge. It’s worth a special trip to see it up close. Some of my favorite views of it are from Battery Cranston and Battery Marcus Miller on the west side, but it’s hard to go wrong.

While you’re here, you can walk along the trails in the Presidio for great views of the bay. Whether you go southwest on the Batteries to Bluffs Trail or southeast toward Crissy Field, you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramas.

If you choose to take a tour, you can book a ticket for the hop-on hop-off bus here. You can ride it though San Francisco to see sightseeing highlights like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Transamerica Pyramid, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Haight-Ashbury.

Day 2 in San Francisco: Afternoon

Whichever option you choose, head to Alamo Square when you’re done. This place is famous for its Victorian houses, which are commonly referred to as the Painted Ladies. If you walk up the hill in the park, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the city skyline behind them.

Don’t miss the rest of the square, either. There are amazing Victorian houses all around it, and beautiful views of Sutro Tower from the park’s southwest corner. If you need a caffeine hit, the Lady Falcon Coffee Club truck sits in the middle of the square from Thursday to Sunday. It serves excellent drinks from its stylish vintage windows.

From Alamo Square you have two choices: you can either walk to Hayes Valley or to Haight-Ashbury (The Haight if you’re a local). The former is great if you want to browse some of the city’s coolest independent shops and enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants on and around Hayes Street.

The latter is a good choice if you want to delve into San Francisco’s hippie past and see the famous intersection of Haight and Ashbury. There are lots of shops to pop into here, and plenty of restaurants and cafes where you can have lunch. If you have time afterwards, you can pop into the Panhandle or Golden Gate Park for a walk.

Day 2 in San Francisco: Evening

Whatever you choose to do, make your way to The Mission afterwards. You can walk from Hayes Valley or drive, take a taxi, or hop on a bus from the Haight. This part of San Francisco is known for its hipster scene, delicious Mexican food, and trendy bars. It’s a great place to spend an evening in the city.

Valencia Street is one of the best places to start a visit to the Mission. It’s where a lot of the area’s hip shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes are. From clothing stores to chocolate cafes and cool places to eat, there’s a lot to love about this road.

Depending how early you arrive, you can also pop over to see Mission Dolores and Dolores Park. The former dates back to the 18th century, and it’s the oldest intact building in San Francisco. The latter is a popular local green space with great views.

When it’s time for dinner, you have a lot options. If you want a burrito, La Taqueria on Mission Street is hard to beat. If you’re after something unique, Good Good Culture Club serves inventive dishes and creative cocktails, and Foreign Cinema screens independent movies on a big wall in its trendy outdoor space.

If you want a hip Michelin-starred experience, Lazy Bear is a top choice. And if you’re after a local staple, Delfina is one of the most popular restaurants in the neighborhood.

Before and after dinner, there are lots of bars to choose from. Whether you’re looking for something trendy or a classic dive, the Mission has the perfect place for you.

From tried-and-true favorites like Lone Palm to craft beer spots like Southern Pacific Brewing and cocktail havens like True Laurel and Trick Dog, you’re spoiled for choice. They’re great places to end your evening, and your trip to San Francisco.

San Francisco Map

2 Days in San Francisco

I hope my 2-day San Francisco itinerary has helped you decide how to spend your time in this part of the Golden State. This is one of my favorite places in California, and it’s worth spending 48 hours here to see the highlights. There’s plenty more to do and see, too, so if you have time, it’s worth staying a bit longer. Happy travels!

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