2 Days in San Francisco Itinerary for First Timers (+ Sonoma!)

Looking for a 2 days in San Francisco itinerary? Well, I’ve got you covered – and I’m even throwing in a bonus Sonoma itinerary if you’ve got time for a side trip! Read on.

San Francisco has always been on my USA bucket list. As soon as I saw that big red bridge and those colourful houses on the opening credits to Full House when I was a young girl, I knew I’d visit one day.

But, dig a little deeper than the many television cameos, and you’ll find a liberal city that’s filled with art, friendly communities, and great (and diverse) food. Despite the city’s small size (it’s only 7 miles wide and 7 miles long!), there’s plenty to pack in to a San Francisco itinerary.

Here, I’m sharing my guide to two days in San Francisco, aimed at first-time visitors. It covers what we did and recommend from our first visit – saving you time and energy from planning your own itinerary.

BONUS: I’ve included a side trip for 2 days in Sonoma, if you’ve got some extra time up your sleeve!

Let’s get into it!

A woman - the author of this article - with sunglasses and a camera stands on a sidewalk with a scenic view of San Francisco's waterfront and hills in the distance. San Francisco's famous hills are killers on the thighs!

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2 days in San Francisco map

Everything I’ve included in this San Francisco 2-day itinerary can be seen on the map below, colour-coded by day.

Day 1: Walking tour, Chinatown and Alcatraz

Morning

Start your 2 days in San Francisco itinerary with breakfast at Mymy (1500 California St). Grab a seat in the sun outside and squeeze in as many delicious pancakes as your belly will fit. The zucchini pancakes are a great balance of sweet and savoury.

Our first day in San Francisco was a Friday, so we planned to do more of the touristy stuff to avoid the weekend crowds. I recommend a walking tour to start your trip and get your heads around the key sites in San Francisco.

You’ve got two options: if you’d prefer to have someone guide you around, there are plenty of tours to suit all interests. Viator and Get Your Guide are where I always start when researching city tours.

But you can so easily explore the city without a guide, which is what we did.

Start at the Ferry Building (1 The Embarcadero), which dates back to the late 1800s. This ferry terminal has recently been revived and is now full of restaurants, food markets and cute shops. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, stalls snake their way around the building for the farmers market. Vendors sell fruit and veggies, homemade condiments, cheeses and snacks, and it’s a great place to spend an hour or two.

Indoor view of a bustling market hall with high arched ceilings and natural light streaming through. Various stalls display fresh produce and baked goods, with people browsing the offerings. The Ferry Building in San Francisco is a great place to start your itinerary.

If you don’t make it for the market, you’ll still find something to eat inside the Ferry Building, including delicious empanadas from El Porteño and cakes from Recchiuti Confections.

After you’ve had your fill, continue south along The Embarcadero. You can pop in to some of the piers along the way. Some have great views of the city, others have restaurants, and others are home to famous San Francisco attractions like the Exploratorium (Pier 15 The Embarcadero), which is a science and art museum.

A white, multi-decked riverboat named 'San Francisco Belle' docked on calm waters, with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background partially obscured by mist and the setting sun. Every San Francisco itinerary should include a wander along the Embarcadero.

You’ll reach Pier 39 which is a super touristy spot, but still worth checking out as part of your 2 days in San Francisco itinerary.

Continue around to see the seals basking in the sun on the wooden docks. These guys are noisy!

Several sea lions lounging and barking on floating wooden platforms in a marina, with a city pier and clear blue sky in the background. Pier 39 in San Francisco is home to several entertaining but noisy seals.

Pier 39 is also home to the aquarium and well-known restaurants like Bubba Gump and the Hard Rock Café. I recommend having a quick look and then moving on – these places were a bit too touristy for my liking, but still a fun atmosphere.

At Fisherman’s Wharf you can visit the Musée Mécanique (Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf), a museum filled with more than 300 old penny arcade games, some of which still work. Some are modern games, some are just downright creepy!

Keep going to Ghirardelli Square where all your chocolate-y dreams will come true. Wander through the shops – not all are filled with chocolate, there are also some cute stores selling clothes and trinkets, as well as a brewery.

One thing you have to make sure you do is eat a decadent ice cream sundae from Ghirardelli. After all the walking, I think I deserved it!

Close-up of a sundae glass filled with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, a cherry on top, and a large brownie piece. The glass sits on a marble table with a person partially visible in the background. One of the best things to eat in San Francisco is a delectable ice cream sundae from Ghirardelli.

San Francisco’s hills are famous for being steep. You can either do the calf-burning hike up to the Russian Hill neighbourhood, or catch the cable car along Hyde Street.

It’s on to Lombard Street to walk down the “most crooked street” in San Francisco. Fun fact: it’s actually not the most crooked street in San Francisco, but it is pretty with its pastel-coloured houses and flower beds and it’s fun to watch cars slowly navigating their way down.

A view from the top of Lombard Street looking down a steep, winding road bordered by lush greenery and colorful flowers, with a clear blue sky above and a view of the city and bay in the distance. Head to Lombard Street, San Francisco's so-called "crooked street" on your visit to San Francisco.

Lombard Street on a sunny day with a blue sky. A house with a striking glass façade stands out amidst other homes adorned with vibrant bougainvillea and well-maintained gardens. Head to Lombard Street, San Francisco's so-called "crooked street" on your visit to San Francisco.

You’re not far from Chinatown, so head there and wander beneath the lantern-bedecked streets and past the fruit and veggie vendors selling all sorts of exotic and strange produce.

Afternoon

Grab some lunch from one of the many dim sum places. Our favourite was Delicious Dim Sum (752 Jackson St). Here, there are no carts wheeled about – there’s only one table squeezed into the back of the shop. But the food is delicious (as its name suggests) so if you can nab that table, do it. Otherwise, grab some dumplings to go.

A busy street in Chinatown with red lanterns strung across the road, colorful storefront banners, and a mix of traditional and modern buildings under a clear sky. You must include a visit to Chinatown on your 2 days in San Francisco itinerary.

Consider doing a food tour through Chinatown. I had planned to do this but we just didn’t have enough time on our San Francisco itinerary.

While in Chinatown, stop in at one of the many massage places for a quick foot rub – you’ll need it after all this walking.

In the evening, head back over to Pier 33 to take the boat to Alcatraz. You can do tours during the day, but the Alcatraz night tour is different – it’s definitely a little spookier wandering through the cells in the dark! Book your Alcatraz tour tickets well in advance as they sell out sometimes months ahead.

View from a boat of Alcatraz Island at sunset, with a figure in a patterned jacket observing the island. The prison complex is illuminated by the warm light of the setting sun. Only got 2 days in San Francisco? Then make sure a visit to Alcatraz is included.

Long, eerie corridor inside Alcatraz prison showing two levels of cells with barred doors, dimly lit by overhead lights and natural light filtering through the skylights. Only got 2 days in San Francisco? Then make sure a visit to Alcatraz is included. An Alcatraz night tour is the best option!

You’ll be hungry when you return from the Alcatraz night tour, so make a beeline to Coqueta (Pier 5 The Embarcadero) for delectable Spanish tapas and cocktails.

Top tip: Want to save money when you visit? Pick up a San Francisco CityPASS for huge discounts on attractions such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA).

Day 2: Painted Ladies, Haight-Ashbury and Mission District

Morning

On day two, start with brunch at Lapisara Eatery (698 Post St) or Zazie (941 Cole St).

There’s plenty more walking today, so make sure you eat plenty to sustain you.

Today we’re off exploring some of San Francisco’s colourful and culture-filled neighbourhoods. Start in the Alamo Square neighbourhood to snap a picture in front of the Painted Ladies, famed for their starring role in the opening credits of 90s sitcom Full House.

From Alamo Square Park there’s also a lovely view into the city.

A row of iconic Victorian houses in San Francisco, known as the Painted Ladies, with the city skyline in the background under a clear blue sky. No visit to San Francisco is complete without stopping by the famous Painted Ladies — The famous Painted Ladies

From the Painted Ladies, it’s not too far to walk to Haight-Ashbury (about 30 minutes), so head to Haight St to explore this quirky neighbourhood. The streets are lined with vintage shops with racks and racks of amazing second-hand clothing in great condition (think brands like Burberry and Chanel as well as more affordable labels). My husband picked up some boots in great condition that he still wears.

There’s also Amoeba Music (1855 Haight St), by far the biggest record store I’ve ever been in to.

It’s a long walk over to the next neighbourhood, Mission District, so take a bus or an Uber. Named for Mission Dolores, which was built in the late 1700s, this lively neighbourhood has deep Latino roots. Here you’ll find performers on the street surrounded by crowds dancing in the middle of the day and shop signs largely written in Spanish.

Afternoon

Grab lunch at one of the many popular burrito joints – they’ll all have long lines, especially on a weekend. Try the “best burrito in the world” at La Taqueria (2889 Mission St), or head to El Faro (2399 Folsom St) or Taqueria El Buen Sabor (699 Valencia St).

A street corner in San Francisco's Mission District, featuring "Taqueria El Buen Sabor." People are walking by and a street sign for 18th Street is visible. One of the best things to eat in San Francisco is a burrito from the Mission District.

Wander the streets and check out the beautiful murals that adorn many of the walls. Clarion Alley is famous, and the Santana mural at 19^th and Mission Streets is so lifelike.

A detailed black and white mural of a person's face with expressive eyes and a hand to the lips, set against an intricate Aztec-inspired pattern. The Santana mural in the Mission District in San Francisco is so lifelike.

But the one that absolutely blew me away was the mural splashed across the Women’s Building on 18^th Street. This colourful artwork depicts the power of women throughout history.

A vibrant street mural depicting a large, colourful female figure with extended hands and a background filled with faces and cultural symbols. One of the most beautiful murals in San Francisco is this one on the side of the Women's Building in the Mission District.

You’re not far from Mission Dolores Park. On a weekend this park is jam-packed and great for people watching. Don’t be surprised to smell the tell-tale whiff of Mary Jane here or for people to wander by selling edibles!

A lively park scene with numerous people lounging on the grass amongst tall palm trees, with the cityscape and blue sky in the background. Spend a sunny afternoon at Mission Dolores Park.

After basking in the sun for a little while, head back to your hotel for a rest and to freshen up.

For dinner, stick around the Mission District neighbourhood and try Foreign Cinema (2534 Mission St), Lolinda (2518 Mission St) or Loló (974 Valencia St).

If your trip is only focused on San Francisco, I’ll leave you here – I hope you’ve enjoyed your time in the city!

Sticking around to head out to Sonoma’s wine country? Then read on.

2 Days in Sonoma itinerary

Day 1: Wineries, Sonoma Plaza, French food

While San Francisco is one of the coolest cities to visit in the USA, it’s time to leave to enjoy a different part of California.

In San Francisco, pick up a rental car in the morning. Discover Cars is my preferred site to compare car rentals.

Head across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito for brunch. Don’t forget to stop at some of the viewpoints so you can see the vermillion bridge in all her glory. Hopefully Karl isn’t out to block your view!

Driving perspective on the Golden Gate Bridge with traffic and the distinctive red railing, heading towards the Marin Headlands under a bright blue sky. Heading to Sonoma from San Francisco includes a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Sausalito is a small town known for its houseboats. Brunch at Le Garage (85 Liberty Ship Way) will see you munching on French-inspired food while looking out across the docked boats.

Sonoma is only a 50-minute drive further along a peaceful country road. We tossed up Sonoma vs Napa before we arrived, and I’m so glad I took the advice of my friend Nichola and headed to Sonoma. We found Sonoma is definitely quieter, just as beautiful and wine tastings are more affordable (although I still found wine tastings to be quite expensive here!).

Before you arrive in Sonoma town, make sure to stop in at some of the wineries before town for some wine tastings. However, check online first to see if you need to make a reservation for any of the wineries in Sonoma – it’s worth doing so during high season.

Viansa is a good option, with wine tastings from $32 and up, depending on the experience you choose. The property has a generous deck with beautiful views over the vineyard.

A hand holding a glass of red wine with a blurred vineyard background, showcasing the rolling hills of a wine region near San Francisco. There are plenty of wineries along the road to Sonoma, including Viansa.

A woman - the author of this article - in sunglasses and a denim jacket holding a glass of wine, standing in a vineyard with expansive views of the countryside behind her. There are plenty of wineries along the road to Sonoma, including Viansa.

Head into Sonoma town and spend some time wandering around the pretty plaza. There are more than 30 wineries located around Sonoma Square and you can pop in for a tasting at a few. Good choices are Three Sticks Wines, Roche Winery and Vineyards, and Pangloss Cellars.

One of our favourites was Sigh (120 W Napa St), a champagne bar where you can taste sparkling wine or champagnes. The walls are covered in some fun champagne-related quotes.

Bottles of champagne chilling in an ice bucket, focused on the gold foil and labels. Sigh is a wonderful champagne bar in Sonoma.

Book a table for dinner at the girl & the fig (110 W Spain St), a French-inspired farm-to-table restaurant. If it’s on the menu, a good choice for dessert is the still-warm cookies and milkshake (although I recommend subbing the milkshake for a scoop of ice cream instead).

I highly recommend staying at The Lodge at Sonoma Resort, which spoilt us rotten for our wedding anniversary. The rooms are huge and the staff were very friendly and helpful in directing us to the best wineries in Sonoma to visit.

A wine tasting set up on a white table with two wine glasses, a bottle labeled 'Mountain Cuvee,' and a tasting plate with cheese, crackers, macarons and nuts. I highly recommend staying at The Lodge at Sonoma Resort - we were completely spoiled on our wedding anniversary!

Day 2: Vintage VW wine tour

With a second day in Sonoma, fuel up for a fun day with breakfast at Carneros, the restaurant located at The Lodge at Sonoma Resort. The Croque Madame is decadent, as are their delicious pancakes.

The only responsible way to get around the wineries in Sonoma is with someone else driving – and what’s more Instagrammable than a wine tour in a vintage VW?

Operated by West Wine Tours, this fun and relaxed tour drives to three different wineries, all local. The tour is from 10.30am to 4pm. Note that wine tastings aren’t included in the fee, so you’ll need to factor those costs on top.

Two people - the author of this article and her husband - stand smiling beside a classic red and white Volkswagen bus parked in a vineyard, with rows of grapevines extending into the distance under a clear blue sky. One of the best things to do in Sonoma is take a wine tour in a vintage VW.

Inside a winery's barrel room, a woman - the author of this article - in a red dress and denim jacket is seen from behind, walking between towering stacks of wooden wine barrels arranged in parallel lines. Winery tours in Sonoma allow a behind the scenes look at some of the best wineries in Sonoma.

If driving around in a cool van isn’t your scene, there are plenty of other companies offering private tours to the best Sonoma wineries.

Soak up all the wine you’ve drunk with bites from the California-Mediterranean menu at El Dorado Kitchen (405 1st St).

Close-up of a vineyard sign reading "SANGIOVESE," with lush green grapevine leaves and a clear blue sky in the background. Sonoma is one of the best places to visit in California for wine tasting.

And that’s how to spend a long weekend in San Francisco and Sonoma!

San Francisco trip logistics

Here are some travel tips so that you can plan the perfect visit to San Francisco (and Sonoma, if that’s also on your itinerary).

When to visit San Francisco and Sonoma

The best time to visit San Francisco is in autumn, between September and November. The chance of rain is low, the temperatures are mild (but sometimes the warmest of the year) and there are fewer crowds.

But be warned of San Francisco’s unpredictable weather – you can be in a t-shirt in one neighbourhood and then need to get rugged up by the time you cross into another neighbourhood. Pack accordingly! We visited in October and it was just perfect. We couldn’t have asked for better weather.

The best time to visit Sonoma is June to October. But, of course, that means crowds. During our visit in mid-October we found it to be fairly crowd free which meant we headed straight to the counter for our wine tastings.

How to get around San Francisco

San Francisco has a good public transport system. The Muni is the public transportation system and it’s worth downloading the app when you visit. We purchased daily passes ($13 each) which meant unlimited rides on buses, trains and the iconic cable cars.

A traditional San Francisco cable car marked "Van Ness Ave. California St. & Market St." on a city street with buildings and trees in the background, and a cable car operator standing on the running board. San Francisco's cable cars are a fun and easy way to get up and down the city's steep hills.

The city has cable cars – some historic – that are lifesavers when faced with San Francisco’s hills. If you’re planning to take more than one cable car trip (and you will – those hills are killer!) then buy the Muni daily pass because it will save you a lot of money.

The city buses go everywhere you’ll need to go on your visit to San Francisco.

San Francisco is the birthplace of ride sharing, so Ubers and Lyfts are of course everywhere.

How to get to Sonoma

We rented a car for our trip from San Francisco to Sonoma. As far as I can tell, there aren’t many buses (if any at all?) from San Francisco to Sonoma. Renting a car was the easiest way for us to get to Sonoma and then make our way around the region.

Once in Sonoma, there’s a wine trolley that runs through town, and many hotels provide courtesy shuttles to and from Sonoma Square.

Be safe and have a driver take you around if you’re planning a full day of wine tasting!

Where to stay in San Francisco

I knew San Francisco would be expensive, but still I was shocked when I saw hotel prices. Basic chain hotels sell rooms for $200+ per night, so be prepared.

Luxury hotels in San Francisco

Omni San Francisco. Located in a former bank, this hotel offers the quality and service that the Omni brand prides itself on. Close to Union Square. Check rates with Booking.com or Expedia | Read reviews online on TripAdvisor
The Fairmont. Got some cash to burn? Here’s the place to spend the night. The rooms are classy – and so is the tiki bar located in the basement. Compare prices on Booking.com or Expedia | Read reviews online on TripAdvisor

Mid-range hotels in San Francisco

The Golden Gate Hotel. Pet lovers will rejoice at this pet-friendly hotel – it even has a resident cat! Check prices on Booking.com or Expedia | Read reviews online on TripAdvisor
Hotel Bohème. The cozy, eclectic rooms will transport you back to the Beatnik era. Located in North Beach, it’s a short walk to cafés and restaurants. Find the best rates at Booking.com | Read reviews online on TripAdvisor

Budget hotels in San Francisco

San Remo Hotel. What this hotel lacks (televisions, private bathrooms: all are shared) it makes up for with a fantastic location. Book the Penthouse for fabulous views – and the only room with a private bathroom. Check prices at Booking.com | Read reviews online on TripAdvisor

Where to stay in Sonoma

We were thrilled with our accommodation in Sonoma. The Lodge at Sonoma Resort is centrally located, comfortable and has a spa and all the amenities one needs.

The service is amazing: when I told the staff we were visiting Sonoma for our wedding anniversary, we were upgraded and received a bottle of wine, snacks and a complimentary breakfast. Even if they hadn’t spoiled us so much, I’d still recommend staying there. Check rates online here with Booking.com or Expedia | Read reviews on TripAdvisor

A tranquil hotel pool area at dusk with loungers and potted plants, and a three-story hotel building with balconies in the background under a fading sky. The Lodge at Sonoma Resort is one of the best hotels in Sonoma. — The pool area at The Lodge at Sonoma Resort

Enjoy your visit to San Francisco and Sonoma!

Did you find this article helpful? Consider buying me a coffee as a way to say thanks!

What did we miss on our 2 days in San Francisco itinerary? Leave your tips in the comments below!

Before you go… Looking for more USA city break ideas? You might like these articles!

USA TRIP ESSENTIALS

Book flights to and around the USA online with Skyscanner. I like this site because it shows me which dates are cheaper.
Find a great hotel in the USA. Check prices on Booking.com and Expedia online.
Check out the huge range of day tours throughout the USA on GetYourGuide or Viator. There’s something for everyone.
A copy of the Lonely Planet guide to the USA will be handy.
One thing I always purchase is travel insurance! Travel Insurance Master allows you to compare across multiple policy providers, while SafetyWing is great for long-term travellers and digital nomads.

PIN IT FOR LATER: SAN FRANCISCO 2 DAY ITINERARY

Save this 2 days in San Francisco itinerary to Pinterest so you can plan your trip to this awesome city!

Planning a visit to San Francisco? This San Francisco itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors who want to see the highlights of the city. If you've got more than 2 days in San Francisco, it also includes a side trip to Sonoma wine country. | #sanfrancisco #sonoma #califonia #nocal #thingstodosanfrancisco #sonomawinecountry #usatravel #californiatravel

11 thoughts on “A 2-Day San Francisco Itinerary for First-Time Visitors (+ A Side Trip to Sonoma)”

Alexandra

November 17, 2018 at 10:19 am

I enjoyed San Francisco so much! To be perfectly honest, I didn’t like Sonoma that much, not because I am some French snob who thinks French wine is better anyway ;-), but I guess I didn’t do the right activities. Will keep your post in mind for the next time!
- Rebecca
  
  November 17, 2018 at 2:43 pm
  
  Haha, well I would understand if you were a French wine snob – you guys do have some great wine so you deserve to be! I hope you get back there and have a chance to enjoy Sonoma.
Alissa

November 17, 2018 at 1:12 am

Thank you for sharing this very thorough guide! I love San Francisco, though amazingly I feel like for all the time I’ve spent there, I haven’t done half the things in your guide… All the more reason to go back, I guess 😉 Also, I strangely have a craving for an ice cream sundae now, hmm… Really nice post, hope to put it to good use soon.
- Rebecca
  
  November 17, 2018 at 8:19 am
  
  Haha, right? That sundae was so good (although I hate how in the US every place puts the calorie content on the menu, kind of ruins the fun!!). I hope you get back there to explore more. Thanks for stopping by Alissa!
Dina

November 17, 2018 at 5:08 pm

Aww, I’m so happy to read about your dreamy anniversary – sounds like it was the perfect getaway! And you guys were lucky to go before the fires and smog. SF is indeed a lot of fun to explore, even if a lot of it is touristy – there is still a local charm that is unique. I’ve never been to Sonoma, but it’s on my list! Lots of great suggestions here to make it a worthwhile weekend there 😀
Nicky

November 16, 2018 at 8:00 pm

I think you did the perfect trip! We were in San Francisco earlier this year, but didn’t get to Sonoma or the wine tasting unfortunately. Looks like we now have an excuse to return!
- Rebecca
  
  November 16, 2018 at 8:08 pm
  
  Definitely a great excuse to go back! We just loved how peaceful it was in Sonoma.
Erin

November 16, 2018 at 7:42 pm

What a great anniversary trip!! I want to go wine tasting in California so bad, Napa and Sonoma obviously and I hear Mendocino is fantastic and a bit more chill…so much wine, so little time.
- Rebecca
  
  November 16, 2018 at 8:08 pm
  
  I would highly recommend Sonoma. I haven’t been to Napa, but by all accounts Sonoma is smaller, quieter and cheaper – but still with the same quality wines. I’d love to get to Mendocino as well.
Sally

November 17, 2018 at 4:52 am

San Francisco was first stop for us last year on our 7 weeks trip to the USA for a white christmas. It was the perfect spot to start our trip and acclimatise. We also flew out from San Fran. I’ll never forget picking up our hire car and driving through the centre of San Fran on the opposite side of the road for the first time. What an experience that was! Whilst we had 4 days in San Fran I’m certain I could have spent a month there.
- Rebecca
  
  November 17, 2018 at 8:20 am
  
  What a great place to start a trip. And I think San Francisco would be so much fun for kids. Driving on the other side of the road takes a bit of getting used to – the challenge for me now is when we go home to Australia and I forget which side to drive on!