A Local's Guide to Spending 3 Days in San Francisco
Best Hotels in San Francisco
First thing's first — let's start with a handful of my absolute favorite hotels in the city. We have so many beautifully modern, design-forward, boutique hotels (my specialty) to choose from. San Francisco is small (literally 7x7 miles total) so you can't go wrong with any of these top picks!
Day 1: Morning in San Francisco
I'd recommend starting your morning at The Ferry Building on the Embarcadero. Not only is it a historic site, but there's a wide selection of bakeries, coffee shops, and gift stores around. My favorite is definitely Grand Creperie and Blue Bottle Coffee ☕️
Day 1: Afternoon in San Francisco
After you're all fueled up, you should make your way to the colorful Mission District. This neighborhood is where history, culture, and the best burrito of your life collide in a glorious, slightly chaotic symphony.
Walk down Valencia Street, and you’ll pass trendy boutiques, indie bookstores, and at least three coffee shops with oat milk as the default.
But just a few blocks over on Mission Street? It’s all about old-school taquerias, vibrant murals that tell the story of the city’s Latinx roots, and the kind of no-frills bakeries where you can (and should) grab a concha the size of your head.
Bonus points if you end your visit lounging in Dolores Park with a coffee, people-watching and pretending you live here. And make sure not to leave without getting a scoop of the famous bi-rite creamery ice cream 🍦
Day 1: Evening in San Francisco
You're going to end your first evening in San Francisco in none other than Japantown!! It's one of the remaining 3 Japantowns left in the United States (and imo it's the best one)
Japantown is one of those places in San Francisco that feels like a little pocket of calm—until you realize you’re three bites deep into a crepe stuffed with matcha ice cream and red bean paste, questioning all your past dessert choices.
It’s compact, just a few blocks, but packed with everything from cozy ramen spots to stores selling the kind of adorable stationery that makes you consider taking up journaling (you won’t, but it’s a nice thought).
Wander through the Japan Center Mall, where you’ll find shelves of imported snacks, anime merch, and skincare products promising eternal youth. And don’t even think about leaving without trying the matcha soft serve from Matcha Cafe Maiko —trust me, your future self will thank you.
Day 2: Morning in San Francisco
Day 2: Afternoon in San Francisco
Day 2: Evening in San Francisco
Day 3: Morning in San Francisco
Day 3: Lunch in San Francisco
Day 3: Evening in San Francisco
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