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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The Coit Tower in North Beach, San Francisco
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San Francisco in June

June marks the beginning of San Francisco’s busy summer season, with fine weather, feel-good vibes and festivals galore. Read on for our guide to visiting the Golden City in June... Visiting San Francisco in June Average Temperature: 53–66°F • Average Rainfall: 1 day/mth • Average Sunshine: 10 hours/day San Francisco summers are curious beasts. One minute you’re basking in glorious sunshine and considering dipping your toes in the Bay’s cool waters and the next a damp, chilly fog has enveloped you and you're wondering why you even bothered slapping on all that sunscreen. Seriously though, if it’s wall-to-wall sunshine and a California suntan you’re after you might be better off heading a little further south to the golden sands of LA and San Diego. But if a pleasant (and interesting) climate in the high 60s floats your boat, there’s much to recommend San Francisco in June, from street parties to the massive Pride Parade – one of the biggest and best on the planet. And hey, that fog is as much a part of San Francisco’s character as the Golden Gate Bridge, the 49ers and crusty sourdough bread. Lean into it and you might even learn to love it; at the very least your Insta feed will be the envy of all your friends. Top tip: June is San Francisco’s busiest season, so book your vacation as far in advance as possible to get the best rates on your desired accommodation. Things to do in June With such pleasantly mild weather, June is a great time to explore San Francisco on foot without breaking a sweat. Ok, ok, you’re going to sweat a little: have you seen the size of some of those hills? Pro-tip: you can always save your aching legs by ascending the steeper sections on a bus or – better yet – one of the city’s iconic old-fashioned cable cars. If the near-vertical climb to the top of Buena Vista Park doesn’t take your breath away, the views when you get there certainly will. Expect sweeping panoramas that include the Golden Gate Bridge and – on a clear day – the dramatic cliffs of the Marin Headlands. Even in the fog, the view from up here is nothing short of astonishing, as the towers of the famous rust-red bridge rise up out of the rolling pea-souper. Head over to Alamo Park to ogle the Painted Ladies, a picture-postcard row of pastel-colored Victorian houses with the skyscrapers of the downtown financial district gleaming incongruously in the background. There are many more colorful buildings – flamingo pink, oxblood red, mellow yellow – to check out on a walk from here to Golden Gate Park via the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. This lovely part of town wears its strong links to the ‘67 summer of love proudly on its sleeve. Pop some flowers in your hair and get in the groove as you make your way into the park and over to Hippie Hill, now a popular spot for picnicking. And now for something completely different. Over on the Great Highway in view of the crashing surf of the Pacific, you’ll find San Francisco Zoo and Gardens. There are over 100 acres to explore here, containing no fewer than 2,000 critters. Spot giraffes, zebras and Marabou storks in the African Savanna exhibit, catch the penguins and grizzly bears at feeding time, meet ferociously cute red pandas and go on an Australian Walkabout with wallaroos and kangaroos. There’s bountiful plantlife here too, with plenty of native Californian and exotic vegetation to discover. Look out for the windswept cypress trees and rare swamp gum eucalyptus. What’s on in June? North Beach Festival Every month is party month in San Francisco, but perhaps none more so than June, when a veritable explosion of street festivals hit town. The area around Grant Avenue and Columbus is the venue for the bustling North Beach Festival, a two-day extravaganza that includes – deep breath – live local bands and tribute acts, poetry jams, comedy stages, artisan art and craft stalls, wine and beer gardens, street performers and, of course, those all-important gourmet food vendors. And with Grant Avenue also happening to be Chinatown’s main thoroughfare, you can be sure the snacks are going to be really, really good. In fact, we defy you not to make straight for those sweet fluffy BBQ pork buns before doing anything else. Street Parties Galore! The Juneteenth event on Fillmore Street ceebrates the abolition of slavery in the States with music, food and much more. Stick around until 4th of July weekend for this historic boulevard’s other great knees-up: the Fillmore Jazz Festival. Meanwhile Haight Street and Union Street both also host their own vibrant street fairs in June, meaning there’s very little chance of boredom setting in. San Francisco Pride Saving the best for last, San Francisco’s Pride parade and festival is one of the biggest and best celebrations of LGBTQ+ people on the planet. Usually taking place on the very last weekend of the month, in commemoration of the Stonewall riots, the festival's focal point is the Civic Center area, where dance stages, fetish booths and drag performers provide the entertainment and the streets are fairly festooned with beautiful rainbow flags. On Sunday morning, a colorful, joyous parade weaves its way west along the huge boulevard that is Market Street, starting in the morning and culminating in much singing, dancing and merrymaking late in the afternoon. If you’re game, you can continue the party into the wee small hours in the lively bars and clubs of the Mission and Castro districts, where even the crosswalks have rainbow stripes. Note that the Castro is the beating heart of San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community, so it’s fair to say that you can expect loooong queues wherever you go on this particular weekend. 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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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
Fireworks over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
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New Year's Eve in San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the USA's finest party towns, with neighborhoods that are characterized by their lively nightlife scenes. We’re talking the Castro’s uber-hip LGBTQ+ clubs, high-end dining in Nob Hill, laidback speakeasies in North Beach and chilled-out arty bars in The Mission. In other words: great for seeing in the New Year with a bang. But it’s not all Cable Car cocktails and morning-after Alka-Seltzers. There are loads of ways to spend New Year’s Eve in San Francisco, and we’ve put together a selection of the best, to be enjoyed with or without a drink in your hand. Read on for art and Alcatraz, ballet and burritos, skating and sightseeing, and much more... In the Daytime... Ride the Cable Car The squeal of the cables, the rattle of the wheels, the great clang of the bell: San Francisco’s colorful MUNI tram cars are a great way to while away a New Year’s Eve hour or two. These painted wooden icons promise a fun-filled rollercoaster ride through the famously hilly city, with photo ops galore along the way. Bag the best snaps by claiming a spot on the narrow external platforms either side of the car – you’ll get the most spectacular views of landmarks like Alcatraz and Lombard Street riding the Powell-Hyde line from Downtown to Fisherman’s Wharf. Spot a San Francisco Icon With so many world-famous landmarks around town, San Francisco souvenir makers must be coining it in. Indeed, you don’t have to look very hard to find a Golden Gate Bridge keychain, MUNI cable car model, Alcatraz ornament, or mug adorned with the colorful Painted Ladies. Heck, you can even get fog globes (like snow globes but with fog, in honor of the city’s famous pea-soupers). Sure, bag the souvenir, but nothing beats the real thing, so make sure to drop by one or two of these veritable SF icons on New year’s Eve. And don’t neglect to say hey to the sea lions at Pier 39 while you’re at it. Bag a Bargain If, once again, Father Christmas failed to find space in your stocking for the designer handbag or brand-new iPhone you so desperately wanted, now’s your chance to take the matter into your own hands. Post-Christmas sales run from 26 December right into the New Year, so this is prime time to pick up a bargain. Hit up the big department stores and malls – Saks, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Nieman’s, Westfield – for some of the best. Take a Hike Sure, it’s a bit hilly, but just think of all the good it will do your calves and glutes! There are loads of great walks in San Francisco, from short sightseeing tours of the Castro’s celebrated LGBTQ+ landmarks, to longer walks that take in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood’s boho vibe and Instagram eye candy of the Painted Ladies. But if you really want to get the blood pumping, try the Filbert Street Steps challenge, a steep climb up 500-or-so steps that takes in sweeping views of Treasure Island and the San Francisco Bay Bridge and promises encounters with talkative Telegraph Hill parrots, quaint cottages and cute formal gardens on the way to Coit Tower at its summit. Get Your Culture Fix San Francisco is home to some of California’s finest museums and galleries so where better to while away a few hours while you wait for the New Year festivities to kick off? Experience one of the planet’s largest collections of modern and contemporary art at SFMOMA, starring Hopper, Kahlo, Klee, Matisse, O’Keeffe, Richter and Warhol, to name but a few, and unleash your inner Einstein at the super-cool Exploratorium on Pier 39, where you can summon up your own sandstorms, get lost in the fog and dance with... yourself. Kids young and old will thrill to the vast range of playable vintage arcades and pinball machines at the Musée Mécanique in Fisherman’s Wharf. Chill Out in The Mission Hands-down one of San Francisco’s hippest ‘hoods, The Mission is a great place to chill and take in the sights on New Year’s Eve. Check out the eye-popping painted murals on Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley, and window-shop the cool indie stores on Valencia Street, where vintage fashions, pre-loved vinyl records and, um, pirate supplies are the order of the day. For lunch, seek out a legendary ‘Mission Burrito’ in one of the district's many authentic taquerias. These edible monsters are famed for their super-soft tortillas, farm-fresh ingredients and medley of Mexican flavors. Heave yours up to Dolores Park and find a spot to tuck in accompanied by panoramic views of the hazy Downtown skyline. In the Evening... Take in a Show Kick off your celebrations in earnest with one of San Francisco’s fab New Year shows. Check out listings for some of the city’s top venues – The Fillmore, The Warfield, The Independent – to find the perfect performance to suit your mood. Or go full glad-rags-and-monocles mode behind the stately colonnaded facade of the War Memorial Opera House, where you can catch world-class performances from the vaunted San Francisco Ballet, Opera and Symphony ensembles. Have a Nice Dinner Book early if you want to secure a New Year’s Eve spot for dinner in any of the city’s top restaurants. We’re talking dinner with a view in upscale Nob Hill – check out the Fairmont’s Laurel Court or Top of the Mark at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins. Or hit up Zingari on Union Square for high-end Italian food and live jazz. Looking for something a little less formal? Chinatown is your friend. Generally considered one of the best enclaves for Chinese food in the US, here’s where you can dine like an emperor on fluffy BBQ pork dumplings, delicate shrimp and chive gyoza, crispy sesame balls and all manner of other umami Chinese treats. Find yourself a tiny, cramped restaurant for a fully authentic experience. Go on a New Year’s Eve Cruise A favorite way to spend New Year’s Eve in San Francisco is aboard a cruise on the Bay. It’s a fine (and unusual) way to ring in the New Year, complete with picture-perfect night-time views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and, of course, the city’s spectacular midnight firework display. Cruise options range from high-end dining experiences to booze-fueled party boats that are strictly for revelers aged 21 and over. Note that at least one of these options has the potential to leave you feeling a little, shall we say, seasick the morning after. Skate into the New Year The Embarcadero Holiday Ice Rink is the city’s largest and offers glittering views of San Francisco Bay, the Ferry Building and the Bay Bridge as you glide and swoop, graceful as a drunk swan, across the ice. The rink stays open until 11.30PM on New Year’s Eve, meaning you can skate until late before huddling with the crowds to enjoy the midnight pyrotechnics. The views of the firework display from here – as with just about anywhere along the eastern waterfront – are among the very best in town. Save on things to do in San Francisco Save on admission to San Francisco attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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