San Francisco Itinerary – 3 Days in San Francisco for First Timers

By Katie Sagal

Traveling to San Francisco for a long weekend? If you’ve got 3 days in San Francisco to plan, check out this suggested list of things to do for ideas. This popular San Francisco itinerary is designed to showcase a wide variety of attractions and activities, and to appeal to visitors really looking for that authentic “San Francisco experience.” This 3 day itinerary includes:

  • Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Sightseeing Tour
  • California Academy of Sciences
  • de Young Museum
  • Legion of Honor
  • SFMOMA
  • Aquarium of the Bay
  • Exploratorium
  • Escape From the Rock
  • Madame Tussauds San Francisco
  • Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise
  • Ripley's Believe it or Not!

Only have a few days in San Francisco? We’ve also put together a 1 day and 2 day itinerary.

Save on Attraction Admission

Pick up a 3-Day Go San Francisco® Card and save off combined admission vs paying at the gate. Remember, this 3 days in San Francisco itinerary is just one of many ways to experience San Francisco. The Go San Francisco® Card gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so you can choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests. Looking for more things to do? - we've got a list of how to spend 5-7 days in San Francisco. Or, try our popular California road trip itinerary, which covers top San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco attractions.

DAY 1 Stop #1: Big Bus San Francisco Sightseeing Tour

This Hop-on Hop-off San Francisco Bus Tour is the perfect addition to your itinerary, and an easy way to get around the city while sightseeing. Tour guides are entertaining and knowledgeable, and you’ll see some of the best sights of the city, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf, and more Your ticket is good for a full 48 hours, so you can use it to hop on and off at your leisure. As a bonus, your ticket also includes a selection of free walking tours. Join up with one of these three tours at designated stops to see more of each neighborhood: Chinatown Walking Tour, North Beach Walking Tour, or Barbary Coast Walking Tour. Getting In: Hop On Hop Off Big Bus San Francisco Bus Tour tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card.

Stop #2: California Academy of Sciences

No San Francisco visitor should miss the chance to explore the dazzling and delightful California Academy of Sciences. Comprised of four distinct areas – a natural history museum, an aquarium, an all-digital planetarium, and a four-story rainforest – there’s no end to the things to do at this attraction. This attraction is not just entertaining or informative, it’s also on the cutting edge of research and conservation. Scientists based here are making discoveries and developments that have the potential to improve the environment and change the world! They’ve even got a beautiful, 2 1⁄2 acre “living roof,” just one of their many eco-friendly innovations. There are a number of special programs and events that frequently run at the California Academy of Sciences, too, so be sure to check their calendar before you visit to see what's on. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. Getting In: California Academy of Sciences tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card.

Stop #3: de Young Museum

Head back to Golden Gate Park to visit one of the other finest museums in the city -- the de Young Museum. This gorgeous facility works to integrate art and nature and architecture all into one cohesive aesthetic experience, making it one of the most unique institutions on the west coast. Their collections span millennia, featuring everything from ancient African art to contemporary painting. They also have a strong body of American painting from the seventeenth to twenty-first centuries. Insider Tip: Be sure to head up the observation tower for an expansive aerial view of Golden Gate Park. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this museum -- perhaps more if you have an art lover in your party. They also have a lovely cafe for a nice coffee break! Getting In: de Young Museum tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card.

Stop #4: Legion of Honor

Located just north of Golden Gate Park, the beautiful Legion of Honor museum is another great artistic attraction. Designed to look like an eighteenth-century French palace, this institution is beautiful inside and out. Exhibits span a wide variety of artistic genres and nearly 4,000 years of history, so there's no telling what you mind find inside! Highlights include Ancient Art and European painting, featuring works by El Greco, Rembrandt, Monet, and more. A favorite is Rodin's iconic sculpture "The Thinker," which is located outdoors in the Court of Honor. We recommend reserving about 1-2 to explore the Legion of Honor. Getting In: Legion of Honor tickets are included with the Go San Francisco Card.

DAY 2 Stop #1: SFMOMA

This must-see San Francisco attraction is an excellent way to start off another day of your vacation. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) has recently undergone a multi-year renovation project that has totally transformed this amazing space. It's one of the best museums on the west coast dedicated to contemporary and modern art. They also have a unique focus on living artists from the Bay Area. You'll find all your favorite artists represented in their vast collections, from Klee to Calder to Stieglitz. We recommend arriving when the museum first opens to avoid the bulk of the crowds. Set aside at a few hours for this engaging museum -- more if you've got real art lovers in your group. Getting In: SFMOMA tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card.

Stop #2: Aquarium of the Bay

Now it's time to head up to the Fisherman's Wharf waterfront neighborhood for some prime explorations of the most popular locales in the city. Pop into the fascinating Aquarium of the Bay, which is consistently a family-favorite attraction. It exclusively features specimens from the San Francisco Bay, from jellyfish to giant octopi! You won’t want to miss their clear crystal tunnel system, with more than 300 feet of amazing views of over 20,000 marine creatures and plants. It’s a surreal experience to feel like you’re walking underwater! Another popular exhibit with kids is "Touch the Bay," where you can actually reach into water and feel sharks, rays, and sea stars. We recommend reserving at least an hour for this attraction. Getting In: Aquarium of the Bay tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card.

Stop # 3: Exploratorium

Also located near the waterfront is the kid-centric Exploratorium. It's a highly interactive museum, with tons of opportunities for your kids to touch and play with hundreds of different exhibits. You'll find everything from fun, climbable outdoors exhibits to science-focused exhibits like viewing sea creatures through a microscope. Adults can have fun, too! Just check out the more inventive exhibits and learn about San Francisco's truly creative culture. It's also really worth your time to consult their website before you visit. They have activities organized by theme online, and it's a good way to plan out what you want to tackle first. Getting In: Exploratorium tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card.

Stop #4: Escape From the Rock Cruise

End the day with a truly enjoyable cruise that heads out towards the infamous Alcatraz Island. Sail under the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge, out to the Bay, and past this sinister prison while listening to informative narration from your crew. And it's not just about what you see in front of you, either -- you'll also be regaled with stories about famous crooks and criminals who served some time in Alcatraz, including tales about famous escape efforts that have inspired so many films. The cruise itself last for one and a half hours; please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your desired departure time. No reservations required. Please not that this cruise does not include a landing at Alcatraz Island itself; if you're interested in visiting the prison, purchase your Go San Francisco Card directly from Alcatraz Cruises. Getting In: Escape From The Rock Cruise tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card.

DAY 3 Stop #1: Madame Tussauds San Francisco

Begin your last day with a return to the popular Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood. Stop by Madame Tussauds San Francisco for a truly special experience that only Madame Ts can produce. Meet celebrities from music to Hollywood to politics and snap your photo with your favorite. It's a fun way to keep the kids entertained, and it's also an informative romp through pop culture's most important figures and moments in time, from Elton John to Rosa Parks. We recommend reserving about an hour to explore this attraction. You may experience lines, but probably not first thing in the morning. Getting In: Madame Tussauds San Francisco tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card.

Stop #2: Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise

Next on your itinerary, you’ll want to continue to explore San Francisco by water! The Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise is actually the only cruise in the area that sails under both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge (hence its name), and is a totally relaxing activity. You’ll also see a number of iconic sights from San Francisco’s shoreline and maritime history, including the infamous Alcatraz and Treasure Island. So there's an educational component, too, for those of you traveling with curious explorers of all ages. If you're wondering, the big difference between this cruise and the Escape from the Rock cruise is that this option features a more wide-ranging survey of San Francisco maritime culture and history, and less information about Alcatraz itself. Pick one, or enjoy them both! Remember to pick up your ticket in advance at the booth prior to boarding the vessel. We recommend arriving at least 15 in advance of your desired sail time. Reservations are required for this cruise. Getting In: Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card.

Stop #3: Ripley's Believe it or Not!

This is another destination the kids will love. The endlessly fascinating Ripley's Believe it or Not! makes for an astonishing and fully entertaining last stop of the trip. Filled with the bizarre, the strange, and the wonderful, Ripley's has been delighting and puzzling visitors for generations. With hundreds of crazy exhibits -- many of them new each year -- there's something for adults to like, too. An area that absolutely everyone loves is the Toy / Candy Factory, which offers hundreds of different classic and contemporary sweet treats. Be prepared for the nostalgia when you see your favorite childhood candy for sale! A visit here typically takes about two hours, so plan accordingly based on your dinner ideas. Getting In: Ripley's Believe it or Not! San Francisco tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card.

Let’s Recap

This 3 days in San Francisco itinerary really shows you the best and the brightest of the City by the Bay. The wide variety of things to do and places to go on your three days in San Francisco will leave you feeling like you’ve gotten a true feel for the city. Save on combined admission costs vs paying at the gate when you visit all of these attractions with a 3-Day Go San Francisco® Card. You can also save even more with included extra discounts on dining, shopping, and additional attractions!

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Lanterns over the street in Chinatown, San Francisco
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Things to do in Chinatown San Francisco

San Francisco’s sprawling Chinatown covers no less than 24 square blocks, measuring around a half mile north to south and a quarter mile east to west and forming part of the busy Downtown neighborhood. It’s also the oldest Chinatown in North America, established here way back in 1848 when it blew Western minds with that first life-changing taste of aromatic Chinese dumplings. There’s more than enough to see and do within this historic enclave’s storied streets and alleyways to fill an entire day, allowing you time to soak up the unique atmosphere and experience a slice of San Francisco as it used to be. So what are you waiting for? Pass through the Dragon Gate and join us on our stroll through the best things to do in Chinatown San Francisco. Enter the Dragon There are two distinct sides to Chinatown: the touristy and the non-touristy. You’re a tourist though, right? So that seems like the logical place to start. Of the two major thoroughfares running north to south through Chinatown, Grant Street is the one you’re looking for – specifically the much-photographed Dragon Gate – the imposing southern entrance with its three gates in traditional pailou style and its duo of fearsome Chinese lions. Wait your turn for the essential Chinatown selfie before stepping through to begin your Chinese adventure proper. Immediately you'll find yourself transported to a different world, a world where red and gold paper lanterns sway overhead, ornate street lamps line the sidewalks, and the intoxicating scents of sizzling Szechuan shrimp and hoisin roast duck (more about the food later, snack fans!) fill the air. Soak it up as you wander along Grant Avenue, camera in hand, to the intersection of Grant and California. Here, to the clang and clatter of San Francisco’s iconic cable cars, is where you’ll find Chinatown’s other most-photographed structures: Sing Chong and Sing Fat, a pair of towering pagoda-style buildings facing off across the street, and Old St Mary’s Church which bears an ominous ALL CAPS warning beneath its grand clock: "SON, OBSERVE THE TIME AND FLY FROM EVIL" Avenues and Alleyways But the real magic happens when you get off the main drag and begin to explore the other side of Chinatown. Even the second major thoroughfare, Stockton Street, has a more authentic feel. So once you’ve bagged your souvenirs – waving lucky cat, paper lantern, bamboo backscratcher – from the gift shops on Grant, head over to the colorful markets on Stockton for a real taste of China. And we mean that literally: the produce markets here hawk everything edible, from dried fruit to live crabs and great bundles of bok choy. Wander into the side streets and back alleys and you’ll discover a whole world of Chinese culture. Think tiny mah jong parlors, laundry strewn window to window on makeshift washing lines above the street, bakeries crammed with egg custard tarts and Chinese donuts, and cute old-fashioned shops selling all manner of snacks, trinkets and esoteric Chinoiserie. Me Want Cooooookies! Discover what your future holds at the tiny Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory on Ross Alley. Here, you can watch the crack cookie team in action as they assemble thousands of the crunchy fortune-telling treats by hand every single day. Photos are permitted for a small fee, and you can buy bags of cookies in a variety of flavors to take away. Go green tea for maximum authenticity, or chocolate-coated for the ultimate cookie indulgence. But be warned: there may well be an expanding waistline in your future. Nearby Waverly Place was once home to two notorious brothels. Now the most colorful thing here is the buildings, rows of Insta-perfect shops and dwellings painted in a rainbow of garish greens, baby pinks and turmeric yellows, complete with elaborate balconies. It’s also where you’ll find the Tin How Temple. Founded way back in 1852, it’s the oldest Taoist temple in the United States. Intrepid explorers can visit by locating number 125 Waverly Place and climbing the steps to the third floor. Inside, incense burns, candles flicker in the gloom, paper lanterns hover overhead and dozens of small statues of Chinese deities crowd the space. Worshippers pray silently and leave offerings of fruit and bread at Tin How’s shrine. Next, head round the corner for a snap in front of the Old Chinese Telephone Exchange, a beautifully overstated red, green and gold pagoda-style building on Washington Street, now staffed by bank employees who gaze on with bemusement at the constant flow of selfie-takers on their doorstep. Then onwards to Portsmouth Square: this rather nondescript place is nevertheless the heart of Chinatown, and it’s here you can pause to watch the world go by and see elderly locals indulge in good old-fashioned pursuits like t’ai chi and Chinese chess. Food, glorious food! Confucius say: he who comes to Chinatown and does not eat the food did not really come to Chinatown. Ok ok, so we made that quote up, but it’s a truth universally acknowledged that the best dim sum in the States is to be found in the narrow lanes of this thriving San Francisco neighborhood. Our advice? Dive in! There are a number of hole-in-the-wall takeaway joints as well as (usually) tiny, cramped premises for those who want the full authentic Chinatown experience. These are the places for life-altering culinary experiences, where you can gorge on delicate shrimp and chive gyoza, fluffy BBQ pork dumplings and crispy sesame balls to your heart’s content. The food is so good and the prices so cheap that there’s every chance you’ll stick around for seconds. And probably thirds. Just don’t expect the ‘have a nice day’ level of attention you'll be used to from elsewhere in San Francisco. Service here often feels brusque and impatient, but lean into it at eateries like the City View Restaurant and Chinatown stalwart the Hang Ah Tea Room and you’ll soon discover it's all part of the charm, and easily one of the most fun things to do in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Save on things to do in Chinatown San Francisco Save on admission to San Francisco attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
A San Francisco cable car overlooking Alcatraz Island
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Things to do in Downtown San Francisco

Set in the northeast corner of San Francisco overlooking the bay, Downtown takes in the Financial District as well as parts of Chinatown, North Beach and the Tenderloin. Its top-notch central location makes it a fine base for sightseeing, with world-class museums, a grand opera house and some of the city’s best shopping and dining, as well as easy transport links to other neighborhoods. Join us as we explore all the best things to do in Downtown San Francisco. Sightseeing in Style The rattle of the wheels, the distinctive clang of the bell, the squeal of the cables... if you can steel yourselves for long queues of increasingly tetchy tourists, the city’s iconic cable cars provide a great introduction to the city. Hop aboard these colorful wooden carriages at Powell and Market and enjoy the rollercoaster ride through this famously hilly city just as San Franciscans did way back when the cars first appeared in the 1870s. Brave souls can even ride the narrow platforms on the exterior of these rolling historic landmarks. Just remember to keep your phone in your pocket no matter how tempting that snap of Chinatown might be, and don’t lean outwards if you value your head! There are two lines running out of Downtown, with both terminating near Fisherman’s Wharf for fine views (and boats) out to Alcatraz Island. Of these, the Powell-Hyde line is the most popular because it passes crooked Lombard Street and affords spectacular views of Alcatraz as it crests the hills. This, naturally, makes it the most popular line for tourists, so plan accordingly if this is the route of your dreams, and travel at less busy times if you can. Embarcadero Highlights In a city with many instantly recognizable landmarks, the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero holds its own. Its soaring clock tower has been keeping time at the San Francisco Waterfront for over a century and its vast, arched interior is now home to a bustling marketplace full of artisan foodie stores, cute boutiques and tempting cafés and restaurants. Pair a classic SF sourdough with local cheeses and a classic California Cab Sauv, or grab unique souvenirs like honey and handcrafts from local producers. From here, it’s just a short harborside walk to the astonishing Exploratorium science museum, an interactive feast for kids young and old, and surely one of the most fun things to do in Downtown San Francisco. Ever fancied dancing with your own shadow or stepping inside a tornado? Then this is most definitely the place for you. Chinatown Downtown San Francisco is also where you’ll find the oldest Chinatown in North America. It’s where 19th-century San Franciscans had their Western minds blown by their first taste of shrimp dumplings and fluffy pork buns, so be sure to pay homage by doing the same – there are, of course, dozens of excellent dim sum restaurants to choose from. Jazz up your Insta feed with a selfie or six beneath the Dragon Gate and find further photo opportunities by the ornate red-and-green streetlights on Grant Avenue, as Chinese lanterns sway overhead in the breeze. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of a traditional temple, sample China’s national beverage in a traditional tearoom, unleash your inner Mariah in a karaoke bar, and discover your future at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. At the very least, you’ll find out how thousands of these tiny treats are made by hand every day and get a chance to taste different flavors and toppings. We see a green tea fortune cookie in your future, for sure. Get Your Culture Fix Make time to hang out in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). One of the largest modern and contemporary art museums on the planet, its collection of over 30,000 masterpieces includes paintings, sculptures, photography and more. View works by some of the greats, including Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol, Edward Hopper, Gerhard Richter and Frida Kahlo and head to the glass pavilion in the rooftop garden for ace views of SFMOMA’s sculpture collection and the San Francisco skyline. Expect grandiose performances in sumptuous surroundings behind the stately colonnaded facade of the War Memorial Opera House. This is the place to get your glad rags on, raise a monocle to your eye and see the world-class SF Ballet, Opera and Symphony in action. Or, for something with a few more chuckles than Madame Butterfly or La bohème, try the Punch Line comedy club over on Battery Street. Shopping and Nightlife Downtown San Francisco is a shoppers’ paradise, with Union Square at the heart of the action. Get your bearings on the plaza where a statue of – we kid you not – the Greek goddess Nike – is by far the most interesting feature, before foraying into the many streets that branch from it. It’s here that you’ll find a consumer cornucopia of upscale boutiques, souvenir shops and department stores galore running for several blocks in every direction. Give your bank manager a heart attack as you flit merrily from Saks Fifth Avenue to Apple and Louis Vuitton to, yup you guessed it, the flagship Nike store. As well as having a massive Target store, Metreon is a great place for family evenings out with entire floors dedicated to dining and movies. Grab your popcorn and brace yourself to experience the latest blockbuster on a towering IMAX screen – at 75 feet it’s one of the tallest in North America. As you’d expect from one of America’s most popular cities, San Francisco's nightlife scene is a joy, with much of it centered in and around Union Square. Craft beer fans can bar hop between perennial faves including the Golden Gate Tap Room and Bartlett Hall’s in-house brewery, while down on 11th Street at the edge of SoMa is where you’ll find some of the best clubs in town – from the bass-thudding fun of Audio SF to risqué drag performances at LGBTQ+ favorite Oasis. Save on things to do in Downtown San Francisco Save on admission to San Francisco attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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