I know I’ve made a crazy itinerary for my first visit to SF. But, is it impossible?
I’m going to be in SF during the 2nd week of May. I have put together a daily itinerary to make sure I get the most out of my visit. I know that I’ve filled it up with too many things to do, but I wanna know if it is just impossible to do. For context, I’ve done similar crazy itineraries in Oahu, LA, NYC, etc. so I’m accustomed to a busy vacation. I’ve added the clipper card to my phone and will use local transportation/ride share/bay wheels to travel (thanks to suggestions from this group).
Secondly, I’d like to know if I’ve missed something important in the plan. (I can fit it in on Friday) For the visit to Carmel, I’m renting a car for that day only. For Muir Woods, I booked the shuttle from Larkspur landing which I’ll reach by ferry from SF Ferry terminal. I booked Alcatraz direct through city cruises.
Day 1 - Saturday
Arrive at SFO – 3 pm > Local Transport to Hotel. Check-in 4 pm.
5 PM - Go to Pier 39 area and explore
Attractions/Activities: (I’ll pick a few)
• Sea lion viewing area
• Musical stairs
• Fisherman’s Wharf sign
• Musee Mecanique
• USS Pampanito Museum
• Umbrella Alley
• Ghirardelli Square/Experience
• San Francisco Maritime National Park
• Stroll on Aquatic Park Cove
Food:
• Kayma Algerian Eatery
• Codmother Fish & Chips
9 PM Return to Hotel
Day 2 – Sunday
8:30 Breakfast at Heist, Honey Honey or Taylor Street Coffee Shop, then Rent a Bay Wheels Bike and explore Nob Hill, Chinatown areas
10:30 Arrive to San Francisco Ferry Terminal – Gate C for Ferry ride to Larkspur Landing
11:30 Shuttle to Muir Woods from Larkspur Landing
03:00 Return Shuttle to Larkspur Landing
04:30 Take Ferry back to SF
5:05 Return to San Francisco Ferry Terminal and Explore Ferry Building
7:00 Dinner, then return to hotel.
Options: Khan Karahi, Kapari, SF Halal Cart
Day 3 – Monday
06:00 Wake up early for Work Meetings
06:30 Get breakfast at Crostini and Java
07:00 Work Meeting Start
09:00 Work Meeting End
10:00 Arrive at Golden Gate Park
Attractions/Activities:
• California Academy of Sciences
• Botanical Garden
• Japanese Tea Garden
• DeYoung Museum
02:00 Lunch at Noori Pak-Indian Cuisine or Hook Fish
03:00 Continue at Golden Gate Park
Activities:
• Huntington Falls
• Queen Wilhelmina Garden
05:00 Arrive at Ocean Beach
Activities:
• Enjoy Ocean Beach
• Lands End
• Sutro Baths
08:00 Get Ice-Cream or Dessert followed by takeout dinner
Options:
• SF hometown creamery
• Holy Crepe
• Marco Polo Italian Ice-cream
Dinner Take Out at Old Mandarin Restaurant
Day 4 – Tuesday
08:00 AM Grab breakfast from Hideaway Café or Fresh Brew Coffee
08:30 AM Reach Pier 33 (Alcatraz City Cruises/Alcatraz Landing) for Alcatraz Tour
11:30 AM Arrive Back to SF at Pier 33
12:00 PM Explore SF
Attractions/Activities:
• Coit Tower
• Exploratorium
• Cable Car Museum
3:00 PM Have Lunch
Options: North Beach Gyros, Tajines, Goodfellas Pizza
4:00 PM Explore SF
• Ride the Cable Car
• Explore Mission District, Twin Peaks, Painted Ladies
6:00 PM Explore Thornton State Beach
8:00 PM Dinner Karahi House, Aicha Moroccan, Red Chilli, Shalimar or Kinara
Day 5 – Wednesday
07:00 Early Breakfast (Nearest Open Early Option) and Car Pickup
10:30 Arrive in Carmel, Explore the area
Attractions/Activities:
• Carmel by the Sea Beach
• 17 Mile Drive
• Hansel and Gretel Cottages
• Carmel Walks
• Monterey Bay Aquarium
04:00 Arrive in Santa Cruz and explore beach-adjacent area.
06:00 Leave for SF with short stops along the way at:
• Davenport (Shark Fin Cove)
• Half Moon Bay (Beach)
• Pedro Point, Pacifica
• Mori Point, Pacifica
10:00 Car Drop Off, back to hotel.
Day 6 – Thursday
09:00 Breakfast at Mymy, Crepe House, or Sweet Maple.
10:00 Check out Palace of Fine Arts and GG Beach
11:00 Rent a bike and ride through Crissy Field > GG bridge > Sausalito and explore the area.
03:00 Take a Ferry back to SF.
04:00 Get food at Sumac, Goodfellas Pizza, or Sofiya
05:00 Arrive at Presidio and explore the park.
06:00 Relax at Baker Beach
08:00 Dinner at Zitouna, Uzbegim, or Lokma. Also visit Cinderella Bakery for dessert.
Day 7 – Friday
Buffer day for:
- Activities missed out on previous days.
- Activities that I want to do again.
- Activities that I found out about during the visit.
- Visit Oakland Zoo if time allows or none of the above conditions apply.
Day 8 – Saturday
05:00 Wake up early and catch sunrise on a beach (GG Bridge Area).
08:00 Get Breakfast at Cracked and Battered -Marina.
09:00 One last peek at GG bridge.
11:00 Checkout at Hotel and leave for airport
Sorry for the long post! Thank you for your suggestions 🫶🏽