2 Days in San Francisco - A Weekend in San Francisco Itinerary

By Casey Makovich
Published: July 18, 2024

Planning a weekend in San Francisco, but unsure what to do to maximize your time? We’ve put together a fun itinerary for 2 days in San Francisco that will show you the best of this beautiful area in just one weekend! From sightseeing tours and museums to historical buildings and beyond, the City by the Bay has so much to offer that we know you’ll love your trip. This weekend itinerary includes:

  • Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus Sightseeing Tour
  • SFMOMA
  • Chinatown (free!)
  • California Academy of Sciences
  • Golden Gate Park (free!)
  • San Francisco Zoo & Gardens
  • GoCar Tour

We’ve also put together a 1 day and 3 day itinerary, and 5 days in San Francisco - for an amazing and relaxing vacation.

Save on Attraction Admission

Pick up a 2-Day Go San Francisco Card and save off combined admission vs paying at the gate. Remember, this 2 days in San Francisco itinerary is just one of many ways to experience The City by the Bay. 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.

DAY 1 Stop #1: Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Sightseeing Tour

A ride aboard a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is the perfect way to start off your weekend in San Francisco. With 20+ different stops to choose from and tons of sightseeing options along the way, this is an ideal way to see all the major sights. Some tour highlights include Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Union Square, the Financial District, and many more. It might also be tempting to use this bus to navigate the city -- which can work -- but keep in mind that the traffic might be bad and could hold you up more than using public transit, for example. Getting In: Hop On Hop Off Big Bus San Francisco Bus Tour tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card.

Stop #2: SFMOMA

The renovated San Francisco Museum of Art (or 'SFMOMA') is a must-see attraction in the Bay Area. It's undergone a multi-year expansion project recently and has been hailed as one of the premier art museums on the west coast. Dedicated to showcasing modern and contemporary art - with a special focus on living Bay Area artists - SFMOMA is a wonderful destination for art lovers from around the globe. They have pieces from all the greats, and unique favorites from artists like Klee, Calder, and Stieglitz. You'll also want to check out their stellar rotating exhibitions, which feature a wide variety of topics from big-name artists to local up-and-comers. Getting In: SFMOMA tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card.

Stop #3: Chinatown

The Chinatown in San Francisco is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia! Modern San Francisco has been particularly influenced by their Asian heritage and a visit to this area will really shed some light on their cultural history. Head to the intersection of Bush Street and Grant Avenue to get a photo under the Chinatown Gate. Explore the streets, sights, and shops, and be sure to venture off Grant Avenue (the main street) a bit to discover some hidden gems. There's also some really beautiful authentic Chinese architecture in the neighborhood, so be sure to have your camera ready. Leave yourself about 30 minutes to an hour to explore this neighborhood. Getting In: As a neighborhood, Chinatown is totally free to explore, but you'll probably find yourself picking up a souvenir or two.

DAY 2 Stop #1: California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is one of San Francisco’s premier attractions and is well worth a few hours of your time. It’s the only museum that’s actually comprised of four different areas: a natural history museum, the world’s largest all-digital planetarium, an aquarium, and a four-story rainforest! The possibilities for learning are endless at this popular institution, and it’s a must-see for any San Francisco visitor. You’ll have many chances to interact with some of the animal inhabitants, engage with fascinating, state-of-the-art exhibits, and even to see their famous green roof! Since there is so much to see and do at this attraction, we recommend reserving at least 2 hours for this attraction, perhaps more if you have scientifically-inclined members in your party. Getting In: California Academy of Sciences tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card.

Stop #2: Golden Gate Park

Because you’ll already be in the park visiting the California Academy of Sciences, why not take some more time to explore its beautiful expanses? There are tons of other attractions to see and do there, a few of which are also free to explore. Be sure to bring your camera! Getting In: There’s no fee to enter the park itself, although any additional attractions you want to visit may incur admission costs. We recommend leaving at least an hour to explore this beautiful urban park.

Stop #3: San Francisco Zoo & Gardens

Since you're already in Golden Gate Park, why not take an hour or so to explore the charming San Francisco Zoo? With a wide variety of exhibits that showcase animals from all across the globe, this zoo is the perfect place to meet your favorite critters and learn all about their history, habits, and more. Featured exhibits include "African Savanna," "Australian WalkAbout," "Bear Country," and others. Kids and adults alike will get a lot out of a visit here. Be sure to save some time and funds for the gift shop! Getting In: San Francisco Zoo and Gardens tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card.

Stop #4 - GoCar Tour

This half-hour self-guided tour aboard a super smart GoCar is a fun alternative to trekking up and down the San Francisco hills on foot. The vehicle is GPS-directed, making it incredibly easy to navigate your way around an otherwise complex city. As you drive along, you'll be treated to fascinating storytelling narration by the GoCar, making for a truly fun experience. Your GoCar rental is good for 1 hour, so feel free to pause and explore a neighborhood as you go along with the tour - the narration will resume where it left off when you get back in. Getting In: San Francisco GoCar 30-Minute Tour tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card.

Let’s Recap

So there’s your perfect weekend in San Francisco – tours, museums, and much more. This itinerary for 2 days in San Francisco will introduce you to the best of city and give you a taste of what it’s like to experience the City by the Bay as a local. Purchase a 2-Day Go San Francisco Card and save on combined admission prices when you hop aboard an interactive GoCar Tour, use the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, explore the California Academy of Sciences, pal around with the animals at the San Diego Zoo, and visit the amazing SFMOMA.

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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Woman reading a map at the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
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Is San Francisco Safe?

For such a compact city – just seven miles long by seven miles wide – San Francisco packs a heck of a punch when it comes to attractions, shopping and nightlife. Think world-famous icons like the Golden Gate Bridge, the historic wooden cable cars and Alcatraz Island. The parks, museums and expansive Bay views from the city’s 50+ hills ain't too shabby either. But is San Francisco safe for tourists? Read on for our guide... How Safe is San Francisco? In spite of its relatively small size, San Francisco is one of the most densely populated cities in the United States, with knocking on for a million inhabitants. Add to this somewhere in the region of 25 million tourists passing through annually and there is, inevitably, some scope for petty crime. But, in truth, it’s probably no worse than any other city of this kind. As with most major cities there will always be an element of low-level, non-violent crime such as bag-snatching and pickpocketing, with tourists inevitably providing the easiest pickings. Car break-ins are a bit of an issue here but hey, you don’t really need a car to get around and, frankly, parking fees in San Francisco are a form of daylight robbery in their own right anyway. The city has a large homeless population, mainly centered around the Tenderloin district, which can be intimidating for newcomers. Even family friendly North Beach has a slightly seedier side after nightfall, while the crowded piers of Fisherman’s Wharf are where you’re most likely to be relieved of your wallet by an opportunistic pickpocket. But think of these areas as places to be more on your guard than somewhere to avoid entirely. San Francisco is generally safe for tourists and you’re highly unlikely to run into any trouble at all. That said, there’s no harm in taking a few common-sense precautions to avoid appearing vulnerable to would-be thieves. Though rare, natural disasters are not unknown in San Francisco so it’s also worth boning up on what to do in the event of e.g. an earthquake or wildfire, even if the chances of you encountering either on a visit to the Golden City are close to zero. Tips for Staying Safe in San Francisco Opportunists looking to relieve you of your hard-earned vacation cash can mostly be found haunting the busiest attractions, where it’s much easier to melt away into a crowd with their ill-gotten gains. Keep your wits about you in the likes of Fisherman’s Wharf, and especially the ever-popular Pier 39, where tourists gather in their thousands to say hi to the resident sea lion colony and visit the Aquarium of the Bay and other San Francisco big-hitters. The same goes for parts of Downtown and Chinatown, where pickpockets ply their trade and seasoned scammers will try all manner of sob stories to get you to hand over a few dollars. Similarly, the thriving nightlife scene and major yearly festivals that draw revelers from across the globe are great fun, but mean more crowds and easier pickings for... well, you get the general idea. So: stay alert in sketchy areas and be aware of your surroundings wherever you are. Keep valuables out of view and be skeptical of anyone who approaches you asking for money, especially those ‘friendly helpers’ who hang around ATMs, anyone offering to take a nice souvenir photo of you with your very expensive smartphone or anyone with a sob story. Trust your instincts on these – if it doesn’t feel right, walk away. While these may sound obvious, thieves rely on the element of surprise and it’s easy to become flustered when suddenly confronted. Yes, even to the extent of willingly handing over your phone only to watch helplessly as it, and its new owner, melt away into the crowd. In the unlikely event you do lose your valuables to a bag snatcher, scammer or pickpocket, by all means raise the alarm, but it’s really not worth giving chase. Instead, report the incident to police as quickly as possible (your insurers will require a police report) and, above all, try not to let one unpleasant experience spoil the rest of your trip. San Francisco Beach Safety You’ll want to spend plenty of time outdoors on your San Francisco vacation. And who can blame you? There’s that mild climate, perfect for picnics in sprawling Golden Gate Park, boat trips around the Bay, epic climbs up Nob Hill and the quad-crunching Filbert Street Steps (all 500 of ‘em). Not to forget ticking off that most essential of San Francisco activities: a stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge to the charming seaside town of Sausalito. And then there are the beaches, from the wild, rugged expanse of Ocean Beach on the west coast, to the sheltered cove at the Aquatic Park. Now, San Francisco isn’t exactly known for reliably sunny weather, what with the ubiquitous summer fogs that roll through the Bay, and surprisingly stiff sea breezes even during peak season. Indeed, the best beach weather is generally to be had in September into early October, when the fogs have abated and you can expect clear skies and temperatures in the high 60s much of the time. First things first: even though it might not feel that warm out, don’t end up looking like a boiled lobster because you didn’t think it was hot enough to burn: the San Francisco sun can be tricky that way, so slap on the sunscreen when you’re going outdoors. Better safe than sorry, and all that. The beaches here are great for lounging and catching some rays, but not for swimming. There is little or no lifeguard presence in the Bay area, and the rough Pacific waters are not safe for swimming due to bone-chilling temperatures and dangerous riptides. Don’t be tempted to go in even if the water looks calm – tourists wading in just three feet of water at Ocean Beach have been swept away suddenly. If you do fancy dipping your toes, the sheltered cove at the Aquatic Park in the National Maritime Historical Park along the north coast is your best bet. Or head over the bridge to Stinson Beach in Marin County, where white sands, relatively calm waters and a lifeguard presence in summer makes for a fun (and safe!) day out. It’s around 45 minutes’ drive from downtown San Francisco. Save on attractions in 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
Romantic things to do in San Francisco
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Romantic Things to Do in San Francisco

Here's how to spend Valentine's Day or a special romantic day in the Bay Area. From vineyard tours to museum dates, here's how to fall in love with San Francisco.
Katie Sagal
The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
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Where To Stay in San Francisco

Trying to decide where to stay in San Francisco? Will it be the bustling tourist hotspots of Fisherman’s Wharf and the Marina? Busy downtown or sleepy ‘burbs? The hip and happening Mission and Castro districts or the colorful old-school Victoriana of NoPa and the Hayes Valley? Bay or city views? Top or bottom of the hill? Check out our guide to some of the most desirable addresses in town, with ideas for solo travelers, couples and those with a large family in tow. Downtown Easily one of the best places to stay in San Francisco, the Downtown area has countless benefits. Firstly, it puts you within strolling distance of stacks of the city’s bucket-list attractions. It’s where you’ll find, for example, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and the landmark Ferry Building on the Embarcadero, with its soaring clock tower and cavernous interior that houses a bustling marketplace full of cafes, restaurants, cute boutiques and artisan foodie stores. The Embarcadero is also home to some of the neighborhood’s best luxury hotels and rooms with Bay views. The shopping mecca that is Union Square sits at the heart of Downtown, promising high-end boutiques and big brands that are primed to give your credit card a workout. Think Saks, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Chanel, Apple and the Disney Store.There’s also a huge range of dining and drinking options here, satisfying all appetites from steak to sushi, cakes to cocktails. And if it’s great Asian food you crave, look no further than nearby Chinatown, where authentic prawn gyoza and fluffy BBQ pork dumplings may just change your life. Excellent transport connections to the rest of the city also make Downtown a good choice, especially for first timers looking to tick off as many bucket-list San Francisco experiences as possible. Two of the city’s three remaining cable car lines originate here, meaning you can hop on these historic painted carriages for a rollicking, bell-clanging ride across the city’s hills, taking in views of Lombard Street, Alcatraz Island and the Bay as you weave your way up to Fisherman’s Wharf. Fisherman’s Wharf and North Beach Fisherman’s Wharf is – to be blunt about it – a tourist hotspot. But not without good reason: here’s where you’ll find good old-fashioned seaside entertainments by the bucketload. We’re talking everything from arcade games and boat rides in the Bay to Madame Tussauds waxworks, an aquarium and a quite dizzying array of family-friendly dining options. Then, of course, there’s the famous sea lion colony at Pier 39. For those reasons, you’ll find Fisherman’s Wharf to be well-served by the big beasts of the hotel world – Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hyatt, Fairmont – something to suit most budgets, in other words. If you prefer something a little less hectic, neighboring North Beach is a good choice, providing easy access to the thrills and spills of Fisherman’s Wharf as well as having its own not inconsiderable charm. This buzzing district is full of Italian flavor, with some of the city’s best gelato shops, and bakeries selling sweet and crunchy cannoli on nearly every street corner. Its sloping streets are also great for casual exploring: brave souls with calves of steel can take the (approximately 500) Filbert Street Steps up to the iconic Coit Tower. Trust us: it’s worth it for the awe-inspiring views of the glittering Bay far below. The Mission and The Castro A little way south of Downtown, the Castro and Mission districts are hands-down the hippest ‘hoods in town. The Castro is the heart of the city’s (maybe even the planet’s) LGBTQ+ community and you’ll see beautiful rainbows everywhere here: flags, crosswalks, you name it. The nightlife is unsurprisingly ace and the historic Castro Theatre hosts drag nights as well as regular screenings of classic movies and Disney sing-alongs. Between the Castro and the Mission sits Dolores Park, named for the nearby church which – having stood here for more than 200 years – is San Francisco’s oldest building. The park is a lush verdant space, great for people-watching and taking in views of Downtown and the Bay. The Mission’s Latino roots are reflected in many of the amazing, colorful murals that adorn the streets here, as well as in the cuisine. Don’t miss the famous ‘Mission Burrito’: its soft, stretchy tortilla bursting at the seams with farm-fresh ingredients is in a class all of its own. There’s also some fantastic shopping on Valencia Street, with an eclectic mix of thrift stores, fashion boutiques, book and record shops and even a store hawking supplies for would-be pirates. Yes, really. A fine selection of late-night dive bars and upscale cocktail joints also makes for some great nights out here, with a smattering of decent hotels and B&Bs available to rest your head late into the next morning. Top tip: the microclimate in this part of town means the Mission and Castro neighborhoods largely avoid the fogs that regularly roll in across the Bay, especially in summer. What’s not to like? Nob Hill Strictly for those on an A-list budget, Nob Hill is one of the swankiest districts in San Francisco, wth price tags to match. This historic, hilltop ‘hood is blessed with some of the finest architecture in town, including the grand Gothic confection that is Grace Cathedral, some beautiful old mansions and two of the city’s landmark luxury hotels: the Fairmont and the Mark Hopkins. The views of the San Francisco skyline from the Top of the Mark restaurant on the hotel’s 19th floor will truly set your heart aflutter though, alas, the bill may also trigger a coronary in your astonished bank manager. Huntington Park, by the cathedral, is a pleasant green space for people-watching the neighborhood’s wealthy residents, and Nob Hill’s central location means it’s very well placed for accessing attractions all around the city. Bonus: the California cable car line runs from close to the Embarcadero all the way up Nob Hill (and back down the other side), meaning that steep ascent to one of the city’s best vantage points need not be quite so daunting. Save on attractions in 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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