Day 1: Walk across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Visit the inspiring art galleries and exhibition centers of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Take some memorable pictures at Lombard Street, the famously curved and picturesque street in the city.
Day 2: Explore the Chinatown, the oldest and most established Chinatown in the USA. Get lost in the exciting alleys of Chinatown, stop by the markets selling Chinese herbs and gold, and have dim sum for lunch. Afterwards, visit the Alcatraz Island and discover its notorious prison history.
Day 3: Visit the Fisherman's Wharf, a lively and bustling waterfront area with lots of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. Have lunch at the famous San Francisco sourdough bread Bakery. In the afternoon, visit the Exploratorium, a museum packed with interactive and exciting exhibits for kids and adults.
Day 4: Stroll around the Golden Gate Park and visit the California Academy of Sciences, a natural history museum, and planetarium. Afterwards, go shopping and sample quick bites at The Ferry Building Marketplace.
Time and Costs Estimates
Golden Gate Bridge (2-3 hours, free)
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (2-3 hours, $25 admission fee)
Lombard Street (1-2 hours, free)
Chinatown (2-3 hours, free)
Alcatraz Island (Half-day, $44.70 per adult)
Fisherman's Wharf (2-3 hours, free)
Exploratorium (2-3 hours, $32 admission fee)
Golden Gate Park (2-3 hours, free)
California Academy of Sciences (2-3 hours, $39.95 admission fee)
The Ferry Building Marketplace (1-2 hours, free)
Total Estimated Costs: $141.65 per person
Transportation
San Francisco's public transportation system is highly convenient and efficient. Visitors can use the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) subway system or take advantage of the extensive bus network. Alternatively, taxis, Uber or Lyft rides, bike rentals offer further transportation choices. A weekly Muni Visitor Passport costs $35 and provides unlimited access to the Muni system buses, cable cars, and streetcars.
Useful Tips
If you have more time, head over to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a 60 miles scenic drive with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay. Don't miss the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, an iconic landmark of the San Francisco skyline. For those who have less time, skip spending half a day at Alcatraz.
Airports
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 13 miles south of downtown San Francisco, and the nearest airport to the city. Other airports include Oakland International Airport (OAK), which serves the East Bay Area and is across the bay from San Francisco, and San Jose International Airport (SJC), which serves Silicon Valley and the South Bay Area.