San Francisco | Best 5 Days Travel Itinerary

From eclectic culture to historic sites and from man-made engineering wonders to world-class gastronomical scenes, the city of San Francisco is sprawled in a forty-seven square mile peninsula & has plenty to offer and explore. Although you could spend years in San Francisco and never see all there is to see in the city. However, I’ve compiled the best 5 days travel itinerary for San Francisco based on my trip. My San Francisco 5 days travel itinerary will give a wonderful introduction to this lovely city and why it entices travelers from across the world!

Day 1

i) Visit Pier 39 & Fisherman’s Wharf

Pier 39 is a popular entertainment destination with restaurants, boutiques, and street performers buzzing with energy. However, it is also famous for California sea lions hauled out on docks of a marina. Fisherman’s Wharf is a waterfront neighborhood and 10-minute walk from Pier 39 famous for the array of restaurants, live entertainment, and delicious seafood served fresh directly from the ocean. It is a delightful place to hang out and enjoy the San Francisco vibes fullest.

ii) Visit Ghirardelli Square

The Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop is located at Ghirardelli Square. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, the shop is a paradise. From creating your own ice creams with dozens of flavors to ice cream sundaes with fudge to custom chocolate assortments, the Original Ghirardelli shop is a perfect place to treat yourself!

iii) Stroll around Embarcadero’s waterfront

Embarcadero is one of the scenic waterfront areas as well as home to the Ferry Building, dozens of gourmet shops, and a popular farmers’ market. It also offers some of the best views of the Bay Bridge. Rent a bike and go for an early morning ride to enjoy the view.

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Day 2

i) Go to Wine County

Napa and Sonoma Valley are among one of the top Wine Country destinations in the world. From splendid vineyards rolling over the hills of California to an upscale farm to table restaurants to incredible wineries, a trip to Napa and Sonoma Valley is among one of the ultimate USA Travel bucket lists.

Napa Valley

From splendid countryside scenery to picture-perfect vineyards to winery tours, Napa Valley is one of the most popular destinations among wine lovers. It is home to over four hundred wineries with tasting rooms. Some of the tops produce red wines of Napa Valley are Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet blends. Merlot is the second most produce followed by Pinot Noir. Napa Valleys’ top white wines produced are Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Sonoma Valley

Sonoma Valley is a mecca for an oenophile, and it is home to over 425 wineries. Thus, it is one of California’s largest producers of wine. Most of the Sonoma Valley wineries are independently run and gives the visitors behind-the-scenes of the wine-making process, meet with wine producers, and tastes some phenomenal local wines. Some of the top produce wines of the area are Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot noir. Though the popular wines of the area are Merlot and Zinfandel.

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Day 3

i) Visit Alcatraz

Alcatraz also famed as “The Rock” is an island in San Francisco Bay and one of the most popular landmarks in the city. The island has the first lighthouse on the Western Pacific Coast and later it was a military and a federal prison from 1934 until 1963, for ill-famed convicts like Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. The tour of Alcatraz Island includes ferry transfers from Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 and a cellular jail audio tour that shows the sad lives of inmates. Apart from the cellular jail tour, the breathtaking views of the San Francisco skyline is an additional perk of visiting Alcatraz Island.

ii) Visit Sausalito

A Sausalito is a quaint town on the bay full of lovely homes, seafood, a lot of sailboats, cute cafes, ice-cream parlors, boutique shops, and much more. There’re some old houses and military forts to explore. Plus, you get some of the splendid views of the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge.

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Day 4

1) Take a hop-on hop-off Big Bus Tour 

I’d highly recommend you to take the hop-on-hop-off Big Bus Tour during your San Francisco first trip. It will not only save your commuting money from one attraction to another but also, you won’t miss any popular landmarks. Plus, you’ll have the flexibility to enjoy the attractions at your own ease.

a) Walk on the Golden Gate Bridge

No trip to the San Francisco would be complete if you don’t walk over the Golden Gate Bridge. Visit either North Vista Point or South Vista Point and walk over the bridge. The walk from one side of the bridge to another usually takes half an hour, but it is totally worth it. You’ll come across many splendid views of the bay area, the city, and Marin County. If you’ve got more time, you can also check out some other points for the best Golden Gate views & photography.

b) Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is one of the architectural landmarks in San Francisco. Nowhere in the United States, you’ll witness such a massive Greek & Roman-inspired architecture. The place is simply perfect for a wedding/family photoshoot or fashion/travel photography.

c) Painted Ladies

Visit Painted Ladies located at historic Alamo Square if you’ve got time left. This is one of the most photographed locations shown in sitcoms, such as ‘Full House‘ and ‘Fuller House‘. However, I felt that it was the most overrated attractions in San Francisco. Plenty of people sitting in the park and staring at some strangers’ houses. Well, I’m not fond of that kind of attraction. I already saw the Fuller House set at Warner Brothers Studio during my Los Angles trip. So, the Painted Ladies underwhelmed me!

d) Lombard Street

Lombard Street is famed as the “Crookedest Street in the World” with its eight hairpin turns in one block section. It is fun to watch vehicles moving less than 5 miles over Lombard Street. Climb on its 250 steps and enjoy the view from the top.

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Day 5

i) Visit Union Square

Located in the heart of San Francisco, Union Square is a world-renowned shopping destination similar to Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles or Mag Mile in Chicago. It is home to all the famous luxury brands, restaurants, upscale dining, theatre districts, hotels, and other attractions buzzing with tourists and locals.

ii) Visit Chinatown 

Strolling around San Francisco’s Chinatown gives you the vibe of being in China. It is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the United States. From its iconic dragon gate to colorful streets with eateries and souvenir shops to ornate temples, Chinatown is a lovely place to see the vibrant Chinese culture.

iii) Ride in a cable car 

San Francisco’s Cable Cars are the world’s last manually operated cable car system. Therefore, a legendary cable car ride is a must for anyone visiting San Francisco for the first time. It is one of the unique experiences that you won’t find anywhere else in the United States or any other part of the world.

iv) Bid adieu to San Francisco

If you’ve got some time left on your last day, take a last glimpse of The Golden Gate bridge that stands as proud testaments to the ingenuity and grace of the structure’s design. There’re plenty of spots from where you can witness the Golden Gate and I bet that no two frames will be similar.

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Where to stay in San Francisco?

If you’re planning to visit San Francisco for the first time, I’d suggest you to book hotels in two neighborhoods. This will give you plenty of time to explore all the famous landmarks of the city at your ease. Some of the popular areas to stay in San Francisco are Union Square, Nob Hill, Fisherman’s Wharf, SOMA (South of Market), The Mission, and The Castro.

During my San Francisco trip, I stayed at Harbor Court located near the Embarcadero area with breathtaking views right alongside the San Francisco Bay for 3 days. Later, moved to Inn at Union Square that was located in downtown and in the vicinity of all the famous attractions.

a) Harbor Court, San Francisco

Harbor Court is a luxe downtown boutique hotel with a breathtaking waterfront view and world-class amenities. It is around 15 miles from San Francisco International Airport as well as in the vicinity of famous attractions like Alcatraz Landing, historic Ferry Building, Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, etc.

b) Inn at Union Square

Located in the heart of San Francisco, Inn at Union Square is a cozy boutique hotel that boasts an incredible location along with plenty of other amenities for its guests. The hotel features thirty well-appointed rooms and suites that exude the style and charm of old San Francisco. The hotel is a walking distance of major destinations including the SFMOMA, Moscone Center, and Chinatown as well as a few steps from the Powell Street cable car stop.

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You can also check my San Francisco bucket list and add some of the must-do things on your San Francisco 5-days travel itinerary for an unforgettable experience.

If you’ve visited San Francisco, do share some memories from your trip in the comments below? If not, tell me about one of the things that you’d like to put at the top of your San Francisco itinerary?

Till then, Happy Wandering!
XOXO, Ana

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