San Francisco, California 3 Day Itinerary

Hotel Recommendations

Stanford Court San Francisco

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A great option in the Nob Hill neighborhood. Lots of great food and parks nearby.

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Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero, San Francisco

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Near the Ferry Building and Chinatown, this is a great budget-friendly option.

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Hotel Kabuki - JDV by Hyatt

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A beautiful hotel in a great location, this one can be a bit pricier but holds its value.

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Food Recommendations

Tartine Bakery

@emilyworden

Some of the best bread in the city. They offer a diverse menu, with both sweet and savory items. A breakfast or lunch option.

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El Farolito

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Mexican Taqueria with mission-style burritos

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Arsicault Bakery

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Classic french pastries, best known for their croissants

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Swan Oyster Depot

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This spot will often have a line out the door, but it's a San Francisco institution. Casual counter seating

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Scoma's of Sausalito

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This absolutely beautiful restaurant is right on the water in Sausalito. Great seafood options.

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Day One

Stop at the Ferry Building for some shopping and lunch. Take a stroll along the shoreline, with a quick stop at Pier 39 to check out the sea lions, ending at Ghirardelli Square for a well deserved ice cream sundae. Top off the day with a night tour of Alcatraz and a late night stop at In and Out.

Ferry Building

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This marketplace is a great first stop for lunch, exploring shops and sampling foods from local artisans.

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Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience

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Ghirardelli originated in San Francisco, with Ghirardelli Square operating since the late 1800s. Stop in for an ice cream sundae or free sample chocolate square.

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Alcatraz Island

@emilyworden

Some of the most notorious criminals were once imprisoned at Alcatraz. It now stands as a museum and a very popular destination when visiting San Francisco. Highly recommend the night tour of Alcatraz. The tour guides do a great job telling stories around the grounds, with the night atmosphere setting the tone. Getting tickets in advance ASAP is a must as they will sell out.

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In-N-Out Burger

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Hard to go to California without stopping at least once at In and Out for a classic burger and fries.

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Day Two

Morning bridge walks are some of my favorite and San Francisco has one of the best. Start your day with a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, ending in the Presidio. From here you can go to either the Walt Disney Family Museum or The Palace of Fine Arts. Alternatively, you can check out one of the great neighborhoods of the city. 

Golden Gate Bridge

@emilyworden

One of the most photographed suspension bridges in the world, this bridge offers a wide sidewalk for pedestrians. It will take about 30 minutes to walk each way. You can always take an Uber or taxi one direction and walk the other.

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The Walt Disney Family Museum

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This museum is really done well and a must do for any Walt Disney fan. It chronicles his journey from Marceline to Anaheim with incredible original drawings and animatronics, creatively displaying the progression of animation.

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Palace of Fine Arts

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A great place for photos and exploring the surrounding park.

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Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

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Located in the heart of Chinatown, the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory has been making these cookies since 1962. Tour the factory and try a free sample.

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Haight-Ashbury

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Known for the counterculture that rose in the 1960s, this neighborhood still holds all the hippie vibes.

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Golden Gate Park

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With over 1,100 acres of trees, lakes and gardens, enjoy an afternoon exploring this beautiful park.

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Day Three

After two days of sightseeing, it's time to venture out the city. Start by visiting Muir Woods and end in the beautiful seaside town of Sausalito, on the way back into San Francisco. 

Muir Woods National Monument

@emilyworden

With towering redwoods close to 1,000 years old, this National Monument is a must do for any trip to San Francisco. You can take the Muir Woods Shuttle from the Sausalito Ferry Terminal. Entry tickets to the park are $15 for adults and free for children.

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Sausalito

@emilyworden

This ranks as the third happiest seaside town in the country. Just across the bridge from San Francisco with cute restaurants and shops, it's a nice little stop outside of the city.

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