Planning your first trip to San Francisco? Then this 5-Day San Francisco Itinerary will be perfect for you.
San Francisco is often at the top of many travellers’ USA bucket list. Known world-wide for the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and as the home of the Summer of Love. San Francisco is ranked amongst one of the most visited cities in the USA, alongside the likes of New York City, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
San Francisco first came onto my radar as a child watching Charmed in the early 2000s. Long before I developed a love of travel, I wanted to visit the home of the Halliwell sisters, see the Golden Gate Bridge featured in the opening credits, and visit Alcatraz, where Prue and Phoebe defeated the evil spirit of a prisoner (without the help of Piper).
I later found out the show was filmed in LA but this didn’t deter me, I simply visited the Charmed house (aka Halliwell Manor) there as well.
All niche references aside, I’d wanted to go to San Francisco for a long time. So, when I turned 30, I decided to go – solo – and it did not disappoint.
About this 5-Day San Francisco Itinerary
This 5-day San Francisco itinerary highlights the best things to do in San Francisco, including the top touristy sights such as Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, and the Painted Ladies.
It is designed without a car, which is perfect for international visitors and solo travellers who don’t feel confident driving in a big US city.
It is written from the perspective of a British female solo traveller for people who want to visit all the iconic sights which the city is famous for.
This 5-Day San Francisco Itinerary is Ideal For:
- Solo Travellers
- First-time visitors to San Francisco
- International travellers without a car
5-Day San Francisco Itinerary Overview:
- Day 1: Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 + Optional Bay Cruise
- Day 2: Sightseeing Bus: Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Painted Ladies & Haight Ashbury
- Day 3: Alcatraz Island
- Day 4: Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Trip
- Day 5: Yosemite Day Trip from San Francisco
Day 1: Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 + Optional Bay Cruise
Fisherman’s Wharf & Pier 39
Fisherman’s Wharf is San Francisco’s iconic and touristy water-front neighbourhood filled with a wide range of amusements, souvenir shops, bars & restaurants.
It is also my recommended area to stay for solo travellers and first-time visitors to San Francisco.
Make sure to visit Pier 39, home to a lively colony of California Sea Lions. They have called this area home since 1990, taking up residence after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Watching the sea lions at Pier 39 was definitely a highlight from my trip to San Francisco.
Visit Musée Mécanique, an old-fashioned arcade filled with antique coin-operated game machines, or the USS Pampanito, a restored WWII Navy submarine. The Aquarium by the Bay focuses on local marine life from the San Francisco Bay.
Continue along Jefferson Street to the Cannery, this historic building which was once a fruit-packing plant, is now a shopping mall with shopping, eating, and entertainment areas.
End at Ghirardelli Square where you can sample some of their famous chocolate at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience. I got a custom chocolate mix where you can get a selection of different chocolates to sample.
You could also visit San Francisco Brewing Co. and have a drink in their open-air beer garden.
Optional: San Francisco Bay Cruise
San Francisco bay cruises leave from Fisherman’s Wharf. Popular tour operators include Blue & Gold Fleet and Red and White Fleet, leaving from Pier 41 and 43 1/2 respectively.
Both companies offer tours ranging from 60 minutes to 2 hours. I did the Bridge to Bridge tour with Red and White Fleet which took you under both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Oakland Bridge.
A San Francisco bay cruise is an enjoyable way to see the city, however the boat to Alcatraz offers similar views, so if you’d rather save money, you can skip this.
Day 2: Sightseeing Bus – Golden Gate Bridge, China Town, Painted Ladies, Haight-Ashbury
Day 2 of this 5-day San Francisco itinerary is dedicated to exploring some of the city’s most iconic neighbourhoods as well as the Golden Gate Bridge.
My recommended way to get about the city is via the San Francisco sightseeing buses. Big Bus Tours San Francisco leaves from their visitors’ centre in Fisherman’s Wharf, whilst City Sightseeing San Francisco buses leave from Union Square.
Both bus companies follow the same route essentially, stopping at the city’s major attractions. Although pricey, the San Francisco sightseeing buses are a great way for solo travellers to see the city easily and safely.
I used Big Bus Tours because I was staying at Fisherman’s Wharf. A Night Tour is also included in the cost of the ticket, which is a great way for solo travellers to see the city after dark without worrying about safety.
You can read my Full Guide to Visiting San Francisco with the Sightseeing Bus here.
Recommended Stops
This is a list of the recommended stops on the Big Bus Tours Red Route. They can also be accessed with the City Sightseeing Bus Tour or simply using public transportation.
Stop 3: North Beach/China Town
- North Beach is San Francisco’s Little Italy, connected to the North America’s oldest Chinatown via Jack Kerouac Alley.
Stop 5: Ferry Building
- Originally a ferry terminal from 1898, it is now a marketplace with shops, restaurants and a farmer’s market (Tue, Thu & Sat). It’s a great place to stop for lunch.
Stop 6: Union Square South
- San Francisco’s downtown shopping area, with hotels, high-end shops, department stores and the theatre district.
Stop 9: Alamo Square – Painted Ladies
- Home to the historic Painted Ladies, an iconic landmark that has featured in numerous TV shows and movies.
Stop 10: Haight Ashbury
- One of the city’s most famous neighbourhoods, known as the birthplace of the Hippie movement and the centre of the Summer of Love.
Stop 11: Golden Gate Park
- Attractions include the California Academy of Sciences, Japanese Tea Garden, Botanical Gardens and De Young Museum.
Stop 12: North Vista Point/Golden Gate Bridge
- Viewpoint for the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge.
Stop 15: Lombard Street
- Visit one of the city’s most famous landmarks, Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world.
Day 3: Alcatraz
Alcatraz, also known as “The Rock” was America’s most notorious prison, operating from 1934 to 1963. It is famous for housing some of the country’s most dangerous criminals as well as its infamous escape attempts.
A visit to Alcatraz Island is a must-do in San Francisco, and often high up on many travellers’ USA bucket list.
How to Visit Alcatraz?
The island is managed by the National Park Service and is only accessible by ferry. Ferries are operated exclusively by Alcatraz City Cruises and can be booked online via the City Experiences website. During high season, tickets can sell out weeks in advance, so make reservations ahead of time.
Ferries depart from Pier 33 near Fisherman’s wharf, and take 15-minutes one-way. The standard Day Tour, which lasts around 2.5 hours, includes round-trip ferry service and a self-guided tour of Alcatraz.
Alternatively, visitors can choose a Night Tour, which offers a more atmospheric experience, or the Behind the Scenes Tour, which provides exclusive access to areas not open to the general public.
What to Expect at Alcatraz?
Once you arrive on the island, its a short but steep uphill walk to the Cellhouse. The award-winning Cellhouse Audio Tour details life in the prison, notorious inmates, and escape attempts, all narrated by former correctional officers and inmates.
During its nearly 30 years as a prison, 39 prisoners attempted to escape the island. 27 were caught, 7 were killed, and 5 were never found, including the Anglin brothers and Frank Morris, who famously escaped on a homemade raft in 1962, never to be seen again – although presumably drowned.
In the Cellhouse you can expect to see Cellblocks A, B and C, where inmates were housed, as well as Cellblock D, known as “The Hole“, which was the prison’s solitary confinement. You will also visit the Dining Hall, the Library and areas where prisoners attempted to escape.
After leaving the Cellhouse, you can explore more of the island including the Recreation Yard, the Warden’s House, the Water Tower, and various exhibits.
A new exhibit detailing the Native American occupations of Alcatraz can also be visited. After the island closed as a prison in 1963, Alcatraz was occupied by Native Americans from 1969 to 1971. A group called Indians of All Tribes took over the island in protest of the US government’s treatment of Native Americans, this ultimately led to changes in US policy.
Day 4: Muir Woods & Sausalito
On day 4 of this 5-day San Francisco itinerary, take a day trip out of the city to Muir Woods and Sausalito.
Although Muir Woods is only a 30-minute drive from San Francisco, it’s difficult to reach without a car, so I’d recommend taking a half-day tour. Most tours include a stop in Sausalito, where you have the option of going back to San Francisco by bus or by ferry.
I booked a half-day tour with Gray Line San Francisco on Viator and was very pleased with the experience.
Muir Woods
Muir Woods National Monument is home to the coastal redwood, the world’s tallest trees. The famous Redwood National Park is too far to visit on a short trip to San Francisco, however, you can experience the beauty of California’s redwoods here instead.
You’ll typically have around 90 minutes to explore, which is enough time to walk the main loop trail from the Visitor’s Centre. The path is paved and easy, making it accessible for most visitors. Photos don’t do it justice, I visited in mid-January, when it was quiet, and absolutely loved it.
Sausalito
After leaving Muir Woods, you’ll be dropped off in Sausalito, where you’ll have around an hour to explore before returning to San Francisco by bus. Alternatively, you can choose to return by ferry with Blue & Gold Fleet, a scenic option that you can normally select when booking your tour. Ferry times can be checked on the Blue & Gold Fleet website.
Spend some time wandering the waterfront, grabbing a bite to eat, and browsing the local boutiques.
I was really glad I managed to visit Sausalito, I’d wanted to see the floating houseboats after reading The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave.
Day 5: Yosemite Day Trip
On the last day of this 5-day San Francisco itinerary, take a full-day trip to Yosemite National Park, one of the most famous national parks in the US.
A Yosemite day trip from San Francisco is a long but rewarding day, and it might not be for everyone. You will spend hours in a small minibus and will only have a few hours to explore the park. In an ideal world, you would have a car and days to explore Yosemite, unfortunately, that’s not possible for a lot of travellers. A Yosemite day trip allows you to explore the highlights of the park in a short amount of time without the added pressure of driving winding roads in an unfamiliar place.
I booked an excursion with Extranomical Tours on Viator. It was a long day around 15 hours, it includes free time in the park and stops at the most famous landmarks such as Tunnel View and Yosemite Falls.
What You Can See on a Yosemite Day Trip from San Francisco
- Tunnel View – most iconic viewpoint in Yosemite showing panoramic views of the valley.
- Half Dome – Yosemite landmark and famously featured in the logo of The North Face.
- El Capitan – iconic vertical granite monolith.
- Yosemite Falls – walk the Lower Yosemite Falls trail to the Yosemite Falls viewpoint.
- Yosemite Visitor’s Centre – learn about the park, purchase food, drinks and souvenirs.
- Giant Sequoias (seasonally)
I really enjoyed my Yosemite day trip from San Francisco and would highly recommend. Even with the long hours of driving, the experience was great, the views out of the window as you get close to the park are stunning. Additionally, as someone who hadn’t spent much time in the US at this point, I really enjoyed getting to see the non-touristy side driving through the small towns along the way.
Where to Stay in San Francisco
Fisherman’s Wharf is the best place to stay for solo travellers and first-time visitors to San Francisco. It’s the most touristy area of the city, with plenty of hotels, shops, and restaurants, and also offers convenient access to the city’s top sightseeing destinations.
Alternatively, Union Square is another popular area of the city, offering a more central location with plenty of hotel chains. I personally had a bad experience as a solo traveller, so it wouldn’t be my first choice.
There are plenty of other areas to stay in San Francisco such as Nob Hill, North Beach, the Marina District, the Financial District, the Castro and Alamo Square.
My recommendation would be to stay in Fisherman’s Wharf, I stayed at the Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf and felt very safe as a solo female traveller.
How to Get Around San Francisco
From SFO Airport to the City
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
BART trains run directly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to downtown San Francisco. Take the Yellow Line (San Francisco/Antioch) or the Red Line (San Francisco/Richmond). One-way fares cost around 11.80 USD. Downtown stations include Civic Center, Powell Street, Montgomery Street and Embarcadero.
Getting to Fisherman’s Wharf
BART does not go directly to Fisherman’s Wharf. From downtown, you can continue your journey by taxi or public transport:
- From Powell Street Station, take the Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason cable car to Fisherman’s Wharf.
- From Embarcadero Station, take the F Market & Wharves historic streetcar line along the waterfront to reach the Wharf.
Taxi
Taxis, Uber and Lyft take roughly 30-40 minutes from SFO, depending on traffic, and usually cost between 40 and 80 USD.
Sightseeing Bus
For solo travellers and first-time visitors, sightseeing buses are an easy way to see the city without worrying about navigation.
- Big Bus Tours San Francisco – departs from the visitor’s centre in Fisherman’s Wharf
- City Sightseeing San Francisco – departs from Union Square.
These buses cover all major attractions and allow you to hop on and off at your own pace.
San Francisco Cable Car
The iconic San Francisco cable car has three lines, and is a sightseeing experience itself.
- Powell-Hyde Line – from Union Square to Fisherman’s Wharf. This is the most scenic line, offering views of Alcatraz and the Bay.
- Powell-Mason Line – also from Union Square to Fisherman’s Wharf.
- California Street Line – runs through the Financial District and Nob Hill.
A single ticket costs 9 USD, 1-day, 3-day and 7-day Visitor Passports are available starting at 15 USD.
San Francisco Historic Streetcars
The F Market & Wharves historic streetcar line runs along the waterfront, stopping at Union Square, Ferry Building and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Muni Public Transport
Muni (short for San Francisco Municipal Railway) is San Francisco’s public transport system. Along with the iconic cable cars and historic street cars, there is a network of buses and light rail which can transport you across the city.
You can pay with a Clipper Card, a reloadable smart card that works on most public transport in the Bay Area, with the MuniMobile App, or directly on board with cash or contactless payment. Day Passes are available for unlimited rides on Muni buses, trains and historic streetcars for 5.70 USD. Note, this does not include cable cars, which require a separate fare or Visitor Passport.
Final Thoughts on 5-Day San Francisco Itinerary
San Francisco is a true USA bucket list destination, and one of the best cities to visit in the country, alongside the likes of New York City, LA, Chicago and Boston.
This 5-day San Francisco itinerary covers all of the top things to do in San Francisco, from seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, to visiting Alcatraz Island, to exploring its most iconic neighbourhoods like Haight Ashbury, North Beach and Chinatown. It also includes the chance to escape the city and experience California’s natural beauty with day trips to Muir Woods and Yosemite National Park.
This itinerary is ideal for solo travellers, first-time visitors, and international tourists who maybe unfamiliar with the US and want to sightsee easily, efficiently and safely.
I really hope you find this 5-Day San Francisco itinerary helpful!