San Francisco in 4 days

Length

4 days

Best time

May to June, September to October

Pace

Moderate

Day trips

None, all in the city

Four days in San Francisco: Alcatraz, Coit Tower and North Beach; The Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio. Each full day is one of our own checked days, planned to be walked in order, with opening hours checked and lunch and dinner suggestions close to the stops.

Day by day

1First Evening in Union SquareArrival

• When you arriveUnion SquareShopping district.Tip: One of San Francisco's main shopping and gathering hubs — a practical, central base rather than a major sightseeing destination itself.

Lunch nearby: Z & Y Restaurant or Tadich Grill

Dinner: Z & Y Restaurant or Tadich Grill

2Alcatraz, Coit Tower and North Beach

• MorningAlcatraz IslandHistoric prison island.Tip: Only Alcatraz City Cruises sells tickets, from Pier 33; they sell out weeks ahead. The cell-house audio tour is excellent.
• AfternoonCoit TowerHilltop tower.Tip: Offers genuinely good panoramic views over San Francisco — the murals inside depict Depression-era California life.
• EveningNorth BeachLittle Italy and the Beat Generation’s quarter, with City Lights Books and old cafés.Tip: City Lights, Ferlinghetti’s bookshop, still publishes poetry upstairs.

Lunch nearby: Tony’s Pizza Napoletana or Caffe Trieste

Dinner: Yank Sing or Z & Y Restaurant

3The Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio

• MorningGolden Gate BridgeIconic red bridge.Tip: Walk out from the Welcome Center on the south side; the fog usually burns off by late morning in summer.
• AfternoonCrissy FieldBeachfront park.Tip: A relaxed waterfront park offering genuinely good views of the Golden Gate Bridge — popular with locals for walking and kite flying.
• If you have timePresidio Tunnel TopsA new park on top of the Presidio highway tunnels, with a view of the bridge and a children’s play area.Tip: The Outpost play area is built of logs and rocks.

Lunch nearby: The Warming Hut

Dinner: The Warming Hut

4A Last Morning at the Ferry BuildingLast morning

• Before you leaveFerry BuildingThe 1898 ferry terminal, now a marketplace of San Francisco food producers.Tip: The farmers’ market outside on Saturday mornings is one of the best in America.

Lunch nearby: Yank Sing or Hog Island Oyster Co.

Dinner: Yank Sing or Hog Island Oyster Co.

Where to stay