The Best Way to Spend One Day in San Francisco
San Francisco will always have a special place in my heart. Not for any other reason than that, I love it. It is such a fun, quirky, lively, and artsy city that brings you good vibes and good times. I am overdue for a San Francisco trip and this blog post is a reminder to add and/or keep SF on your bucket list. Plus, it’ll give you the best way to spend one day in San Francisco.
The first time I went to San Francisco, I was with my mom and we were just making a stop before our journey to a yoga retreat up in Sonoma. So, we had a short amount of time and a lot of exploring to do. That is how I came up with this itinerary.
The weather in San Francisco is quite an interesting one. It usually stays around 50 degrees Fahrenheit and can range from being super hazy and foggy to a beautiful sunny day. You never know what you are going to get. Plus, the summers in SF aren’t the best, usually, their warm weather is more in September/October time. Bring layers and comfortable shoes, it’s going to be a long fun day!
One Day Itinerary
Getting Around
Hop on Hop off Bus
What to See
Golden Gate Bridge
The bus takes you all the way across the Golden Gate bridge so I would suggest sitting on the top of it so you can see everything. once on the other side of the bridge, farthest to the city, you can get off and enjoy some of the most incredible views. Of course, when we went it was super foggy but it still makes for an epic picture!
China Town
China town is the perfect place to really immerse yourself in the Chinese culture. You will find some of the best dumplings here! I would suggest getting off at this location also because not only is it full of fun culture, it also has some picture worth architecture and designs. If you decide to have a bite to eat here China Live, Dim Sum Bistro, and Z & Y Restaurant are all local’s favorite places to eat.
Union Square
Union Square wasn’t on the stop of the Hop on Hop off the bus but it is just around the corner from Chinatown. If you have extra time or want to a walk a little bit, I would suggest heading to Union Square after you eat Dim Sum. The square is a sight to see and if you go during the holidays, it’ll be dressed up with holiday decor!
Painted Ladies and Alamo Square
Have you ever seen Full House? Well right near the Painted Ladies is the house Full House was based in. I really like the Painted Ladies area because it has such amazing views of the city. It also has a park right next to the houses so definitely hop off the bus here and enjoy a picnic in the park. Better yet, take the Dim Sum from the restaurant above and bring it with you to the park. Honestly, sounds very intriguing now that I am thinking of it.
Lombard Street
Now, this is the epic street that is so curved and so steep, I get sketched out just looking at it. I would get off the bus here just so your can experience it in person and take some really awesome pictures!
Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39
This part of town will definitely keep you busy for a while. There is shopping, dining, and a whole lot of crab to be eaten here. Some of the restaurants have the best waterfront views. You can also enjoy souvenir shopping and desserts here as well. Some of the best nontouristy restaurants here include Scoma’s Restaurant and The Codmother.
North Beach and Little Italy
Last but not least, Little Italy. We actually didn’t take the Bus here but when out here for dinner. Incredible vibes and incredible food. If you are a pasta lover like myself, you must visit here.
Other Stops
Believe it or not, there are actually a bunch of other stops on the bus tour that I didn’t even mention. I would suggest hoping off the bus as you see fit. You can definitely enjoy a lot of places from the top of the bus as well.
Things to Do if you Have longer in SF
If you are spending more time in San Francisco here are some things I definitely reccomend. Head to Sonoma for incredible wine, do a boat tour out on the bay, go to Alcatraz Island, or head to the botanical gardens in the Golden Gate Park.
Alcatraz
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