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

UPDATED DECEMBER 2024
By Casey Makovich

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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Fun Things to Do in San Francisco - The Ultimate Tourist Guide for Your Trip

It’s hard to argue San Francisco’s reputation as one of the happiest city in America. The City by the Bay has lots of fun outdoor activities, unique landscape, iconic architecture, a world-class museum culture, and more. Whether you’re traveling with kids, planning a romantic getaway, meeting up with friends, or going solo, our travel guides have all the information you need, right here in one place. Things to do in San Francisco when you’re not taking pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge: What are some popular attractions to visit? Hop On Hop Off Big Bus San Francisco Tour - A must for first time visitors, this sightseeing tour is one of the best ways to get to know the city and see all the top sights. California Academy of Sciences - a renowed San Francisco science museum, it's the only place in the world to house an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum all under one living roof. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) - With more than three times its previous gallery size, the new SFMOMA is full of iconic and inspiring works of art from Paul Klee to Alexander Calder and beyond. Madame Tussauds San Francisco - Get up close and personal with your favorite celebrity, sporting and historical wax figures. Escape from the Rock Cruise - a 90-minute cruise that sails under the Golden Gate Bridge and circles Alcatraz Island. These are just a few. Want more fun ideas for things to do in San Francisco? Head over here for more San Francisco attractions to see during your trip. How long are you visiting? Whether you're visiting San Francisco for 24-hours or an entire week, we've put together sample itineraries with some of the most popular things to do in the city. From an all-around-town-tour and top attractions, to iconic landmarks in the city, these itineraries give you the best San Francisco experience based on the time you have. One Day in San Francisco - sample itinerary 2 Days in San Francisco - sample itinerary 3 Days in San Francisco - sample itinerary A Week in San Francisco - sample itinerary San Diego to San Francisco Road Trip - sample itinerary Who are you visiting with? No matter who you're traveling with, there are a ton of fun things to do in San Francisco, particularly for families. We've put together a list of top attractions and activities geared towards young kids and teens to help you plan your trip. Things to Do in San Francisco with Kids Things to Do in San Francisco with Teens more coming soon! What type of activities interest you? Whether you're envisioning yourself checking off all the top museums or sampling some of the state's best wines, our San Francisco insiders have put together a few 'best of' lists to help you streamline your itinerary. Top Museums in San Francisco 5 Reasons to Visit California Wine Country Visiting San Francisco on a budget more coming soon! What parts of San Francisco are you visiting? Explore San Francisco by neighborhood to maximize your time sightseeing. We've highlighted a handful of top attractions and places to see by neighborhood in the city so you can make the most of your time and check off everything on your list. San Francisco Neighborhoods Guide Things to Do in Golden Gate Park Things to Do at Fisherman’s Wharf Things to Do in Union Square & SoMa more coming soon! When are you visiting? San Francisco offers a different experience with each season and type of weather. Check out our lists of things to do in the city throughout the year to make the most of your itinerary and experience unique, calendar-based events. Things to Do in San Francisco in the Spring Things to Do in San Francisco in the Summer Things to Do in San Francisco in the Fall Things to Do in San Francisco in the Winter Things to Do in San Francisco When it Rains What's the best way to get around? San Francisco is large and spread out and has lots of easy options for getting around. Depending on how far out of the city you plan to go, you might want to consider renting a car. Hop-on, hop-off tours: A hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus tour (an included attraction option) is a great way to get acquainted with the city and visit popular attractions. Tours follow a specific route and time schedule, so plan accordingly if you have timed tickets or reservations. Car: if you plan to get around to attractions by car, be sure to leave time to find parking downtown. Public transportation: San Francisco’s Muni Transit consists of Muni buses, historic streetcars, the Muni Metro light rail, and cable cars which are easy to use and service popular destinations throughout the city. Beyond San Francisco, the Amtrak California services points of interest north and south of San Francisco and BART connects the SF Peninsula with Oakland, Berkeley, Fremont, Walnut Creek, Dublin/Pleasanton, and other cities in the East Bay. Tip: download the MuniMobile app to purchase and save and for point-to-point trip planning. Taxis: taxis are typically available at most hotels and shared ride services such as Uber and Lyft are widely available and easy to use. Looking for more info? Check out our post on getting around San Francisco for tourists. Where should you stay? There are plenty of great places to stay in the area. Below are a handful of hotel suggestions located near popular tourist attractions and fun things to do. Pier 2620 Hotel Fisherman's Wharf The Washington Square Inn Hotel Boheme Omni San Francisco Hotel Loews Regency San Francisco Where should you shop? In between sightseeing, try and find time to pick up some souvenirs. Here are a few popular areas to get some shopping in. Gift Center and Jewelry Mart Bloomingdale's Petaluma Village Premium Outlets Napa Premium Outlets Union Square Make sure to check out all of the extra discounts and savings available on the Go San Francisco Card. Where to Eat? Go on a tour of San Francisco’ foodie scene with our top picks for family-friendly places to eat in San Francisco. We’ve included top picks for every appetite and attractions nearby so you can sightsee while you taste your way through San Francisco’s culinary destinations. No judgement. Fun Info from a Local San Francisco was part of Mexico until the end of the Mexican-American war in 1848. The California grizzly on California’s state flag was modeled after Monarch, a former resident of Golden Gate Park. You can’t see the Golden Gate Bridge from Golden Gate Park. For the best views, head to Crissy Field, Battery Spencer, or Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point. San Francisco’s cable cars hold the title of a National Historical Monument – and they’re the only one that can move. The official name of the paint used on the Golden Gate Bridge is “International Orange.” Share your adventure with us! Tag us when you upload photos from your trip to Instagram: @GoCity or #GoCityCard.
Casey Makovich
Relaxing Things to do in San Francisco
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Relaxing Things to do in San Francisco

Often, vacations can feel like a sprint to see and do everything in your limited time. In a new city or country, you want to immerse yourself in as much local culture as possible. But with only a handful of days there, fitting it all in can be stressful. But it needn't be. After all, vacations should also be about relaxing. So, if you want to take your foot off the gas, check out our picks of the best relaxing things to do in San Francisco and take it easy! Including: Hop-on, hop-off Bus Tour Aquarium of the Bay San Francisco Bay Cruise Exploratorium San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and more! Hop-on, hop-off Bus Tour If you're only in town for a few days, you may want to see all the sights in one afternoon. If you think that sounds stressful, think again. Because on this hop-on, hop-off bus tour of San Francisco's most recognizable landmarks, the pressure's off. The way these tours work is that a fleet of buses run every day, with each passing the same landmarks. That means that if you want to get out and explore any of them, you can! Just hop off, take a look around, and then hop on the next bus that shows up. Your ticket lasts the whole day, so you can really take your time. So, what landmarks will you be checking out? Well, there's the famous Golden Gate Bridge & Golden Gate Park, Chinatown, North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, and plenty more! If you're looking for relaxing things to do in San Francisco, take your camera and hop on this landmark bonanza bus tour! Aquarium of the Bay What could be more serene and relaxing than wandering beneath the waves, wondering about all the exotic species that call it home? Not much, we thinks. So, if you're looking for chill things to do in San Francisco, why not visit the Aquarium of the Bay? Just go on a weekday, lest the crowds of tourists ruin the vibe. More than 20,000 marine animals live, laugh, and love within the Aquarium of the Bay's many tanks and underwater biomes. From otherworldly stingrays to cute, fuzzy otters, you'll struggle to find a more diverse crowd of water-dwelling wonders anywhere else. But perhaps the jewel in the Aquarium of the Bay's crown is its massive underwater walking tunnels. Take a stroll down them, and you'll be surrounded by wonderful flora and fauna. Each is over 300ft long, and they'll let you get up close and personal with myriad exotic species. San Francisco Bay Cruise If seeing the city by bus or underwater doesn't float your boat, why not see it all from atop the very waves themselves? On this cruise across the San Francisco Bay, you'll see the city's skyline from a different perspective - and a few surprises to boot! Get your snappers at the ready because the sea lions that call Pier 39 home are ripe for photography! Then, witness one of the modern wonders of the world as you sail up and under the Golden Gate Bridge. Next, a trip to Alcatraz Island will set you straight. The prison might be long-shut, but seeing the imposing island by boat is enough to send shivers down your spine. And finally, a jaunt past Angel Island will leave you wondering what life was like for immigrants back in the day. This hour-long cruise is a great way to see it all without having to lift a finger. Exploratorium Inquisitive minds apply within. If you're looking for a relaxing way to expand your mind while getting hands-on with some mind-blowing interactive exhibits, stroll cooly and calmly to the Exploratorium. The Exploratorium brings the weird and wonderful to life. Featuring a metric ton of what can only be described as 'scientific art', it aims to inspire and educate in equal measure. Wander its wonderful halls, and you'll discover parabolic mirrors, see microscopic cells blown up to massive proportions, and even touch a tornado, if you can believe that. Perfect, relaxing fun for kids and big kids alike; if you've got the little ones in tow, just let them loose and take a seat. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Art lovers will get a chill kick out of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Featuring modern masterpieces from modern maestros, it's one of the most lauded modern art museums in the country. And, after a recent expansion, it's also the biggest. So, set a few hours aside to see it all! Mainstay exhibits are now joined by the Doris and Donald Fisher Collection, as well as a fresh variety of special exhibitions featuring topics like graphic art, contemporary sculpture, modern film, and more. Fans of Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and other contemporaries will love it. But, like most museums, you're best bet is to head there on a weekday morning to beat the crowds. That way, you'll ensure your visit is one of the best relaxing things to do in San Francisco! Mission District Food and Culture Tour And finally, after a relaxing journey through things to do in San Francisco, you may have built up a bit of an appetite. Thankfully, this Mission District food and culture tour will hit the spot. If you've never been to San Francisco's Mission District before, you're in for a treat. It's the city's Latin Quarter, featuring walls bedazzled with beautiful murals, plenty of laid-back bars, and a ton of Mexican restaurants and street food vendors selling all manner of delicious treats. So, why not take a tour, learn about the area's culture and history from a knowledgeable guide, and go try some of it for yourself? With four food stops on the tour, you'll have plenty of time to tuck into tacos, flatbreads, guac, salsa, and fajitas. And those were our picks of the best relaxing things to do in San Francisco. Of course, you may want to up the ante at some point during your visit. Thankfully, Go City gives you access to some of the most exhilarating experiences in San Fran! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see the city's best bits for one low price.
Dom Bewley
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Best Places for School Trips in San Francisco

For San Francisco or Bay Area natives planning a school field trip, you'll find yourself faced with an abundance of attraction options. Whether you're completing a unit on sea creatures or encouraging their scientific explorations or even developing their artistic skills, San Francisco has a perfect school trip option for you. Looking for a place to take your kids that's both educational and enjoyable? Check out our list of top school-trip ideas in San Francisco, including: California Academy of Sciences Aquarium of the Bay Exploratorium San Francisco Zoo & Gardens San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) Save on San Francisco Field Trips If you're looking to take your kids (or class!) on an awesome field trip in San Francisco, then you're probably also looking for a way to save on those often-pricey admission tickets. Pick up an all-inclusive Go San Francisco Card and save up to 60% on combined admission prices vs, paying at the gate See all included attractions, passes, and prices -- learn more. California Academy of Sciences Aquarium of the Bay Exploratorium San Francisco Zoo & Gardens San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) Don't Forget to Save on Admission to Top San Francisco Field Trip Attractions There you have it -- a list of our favorite field trip attractions in San Francisco. Remember the Go San Francisco Card when you're budgeting for this trip, too! We even offer discounts for large group purchases.
Katie Sagal

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