48 Hours in… San Francisco
If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in San Francisco and unlucky enough to have a mere 48 hours to explore the countless sights, this blog post is for you! The City by the Bay is famous for its fog, its cable cars, steep hills, Ghirardelli chocolate, and of course – the famous Golden Gate Bridge views.
Here’s a blend of touristy must-dos and local gems that will quickly fill your 48 hours in San Francisco and leave you dreaming of your next trip before you’ve even left the city.
Arrival
San Francisco offers the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), connecting the airport to downtown via train. Roughly 30-60 minutes depending on transfers and traffic, the train is the easiest and cheapest option to get yourself into the city. If you have time to spare, it’s a no-brainer.
While 48 hours may not seem like a lot of time, there’s enough time to get a taste of what San Francisco has to offer. Things you’ll need: comfortable shoes and an empty stomach.
Stay
Regardless of how much time you have in San Francisco, central accommodation is a must. Avoid the tourist-heavy hotels lining Fisherman’s Wharf or Union Square, and head to Nob Hill. Accessible on foot from Chinatown, Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Grace Cathedral, Nob Hill offers stunning vistas and quintessential San Francisco architecture. Some of the city’s swankiest hotels are found in this neighborhood, and nothing is as historic as the grand dame herself: the Fairmont San Francisco. Hosting the statesmen whose meeting here led to the inauguration of the United Nations, the Fairmont San Francisco boasts a storied and extensive history. This stunning hotel was home to the first bar in San Francisco post-Prohibition, the first place where Tony Bennet sang his illustrious “I left my heart in San Francisco,” and the place that employed America’s first concierge, Tom Wolfe. If you’re a history buff, lover of luxury, or want a quintessential San Francisco experience, the Fairmont San Francisco is for you.
Chinatown & North Beach
From Fairmont San Francisco, head north to Chinatown. Whether you stop and explore or simply walk through is up to you, but if you’re inclined to make a stop, don’t miss the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. This tiny “factory” draws big crowds, and the best time to go is between 9 am and 2 pm. As you continue north towards Washington Square and the North Beach neighborhood, your next stop should be Molinari Delicatessen. Established in 1896, Molinari’s is one of the oldest delis in the United States and a must for lunch. Grab the grilled focaccia sandwich special, stuffed with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, and sweet peppers, then head to Washington Square for a people-watching picnic. Did we mention that they sell refreshing cold beer?
Fisherman’s Wharf & Marina District
From Washington Square, head northeast to Coit Tower to burn off the cheese and carbs or snap a pic of the famous lookout from a distance. Continuing north, head down to Pier 33 and slowly make your way along the Embarcadero towards Fisherman’s Wharf. If time allows, stop at Pier 41’s Boudin Bakery, famous for its sourdough loaves. Your lunch will be a distant memory once you catch a whiff of the rising bread baking on-site.
A visit to Fisherman’s Wharf will assault your senses, and you may want to make it quick. Fisherman’s Wharf is packed with chain restaurants, crowds of tourists, and endless gift shops. Don’t miss the sunbathing sea lions, a delight to watch and hear as they jostle, spar, and bark for their territory on the docks. Don’t let the tourist-heavy element put you off – the sunset catamaran cruises that depart from Fisherman’s Wharf and provide jaw-dropping views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the San Francisco skyline are well worth it.
Feeling adventurous? Grab an electric scooter parked at Fisherman’s Wharf and scoot to dinner. Heading west from Fisherman’s Wharf along Bay Street, you’ll quickly trade the tourists for locals in the Marina district. Try the patio at the Tipsy Pig, or tuck into the famous burger at Causwell’s. Feel like Italian? A16 has some of the best pizza and small plates in San Francisco. Grab a pie and a bottle of wine to go and head down to Crissy Field’s East Beach for stunning Golden Gate bridge views and lengthy walking trails.
After soaking in some quintessential San Francisco views, grab an Uber back to your hotel and finish off your first day in San Francisco with a nightcap. Or venture back outside to experience a delightful evening in the city! A historic and kitschy watering hole you can’t miss is the Tonga Room, located inside the Fairmont San Francisco. This 76-year-old tiki bar was once the hotel pool and comes complete with rain-showers and piped-in thunder. While the schmaltzy atmosphere is a bit over-the-top and the cocktails on the pricey side, the menu of Polynesian fare is perfect for a happy-hour nibble.
For your second and final day in San Francisco, visit a few more of the neighborhoods that help give San Francisco its charm. Before you do, there’s brunch! Mymy offers everything from challah French toast and crab cake benedict to your basic omelets and toast. Located at the corner of California and Larkin street in Nob Hill, this small family-run restaurant is definitely worth your time and money!
Haight-Ashbury & The Castro
Home to the hippie movement of the 1960s and the original flower children, the Haight is full of vintage shops, bookstores, independent cafes, and more. Retrace the steps of the famous artists who flocked here to get their creative juices flowing, among them John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
Grab some provisions at the Haight Street Market and head north to Alamo Square and the Painted Ladies. These famous and colorful Victorian-style homes are one of the most photographed destinations in San Francisco and are also referred to as Postcard Row.
A quick Uber or scenic 25-minute walk south will bring you to the Castro, synonymous with LGBTQ history and culture. Stroll the Rainbow Walk, inlaid with sidewalk plaques honoring LGBTQ activists. You can’t visit The Castro without acknowledging its most famous and influential resident, Harvey Milk. The first openly gay elected official, Milk was a champion of gay rights until his assassination in 1978. His legacy lives on, and his former business (Castro Camera) at 575 Castro was painstakingly restored for the 2008 Academy-Award-winning movie based on his life.
Take in the history at the GLBT Museum, the first stand-alone museum dedicated to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender history in the United States. Imbibe at Twin Peaks, the first gay bar in the city. Everywhere you look, you’ll find welcoming rainbow flags, quirky shops, and plenty of dining options.
Your final evening in San Francisco will depend on your interests, the season, and the day of the week you happen to be visiting. A tour of Alcatraz at night is sufficiently spooky, fascinating, and without the same number of crowds that daylight brings. A sunset bike ride across the Golden Gate bridge will get your adrenaline pumping amidst stunning views. Want to pair dining, romance, and an outdoor movie? Foreign Cinema in the Mission District offers all three, with a heated and covered outdoor patio, glowing string lights, and old film projected onto a blank brick wall. While the ambience is a 10 out of 10, the food equally delivers, with a California-inspired menu, flights of wine, and inventive cocktails.
Departure
While 48 hours may not be enough time to make a pilgrimage to Napa Valley, don’t fret. The San Francisco International Airport has you covered. Yes, really! The Napa Farms Market offers two outposts and has been named the Best Airport Restaurant by Food & Wine Magazine. It’s genuinely Farm to Flight fare, offering everything from fresh pizza and grilled paninis to pasta and salads. Representing the best of local Napa artisans and suppliers, travelers can grab bottles of local wine, hand-made cheese, small-batch chocolate, bread, preserves, and more. Do not get on your flight without stopping here first – you’ve been warned!
Even a mere 48-hour mini-break deserves meticulous planning and attention to detail. Follow the excellent travel itinerary above for an epic city break that you’ll never forget!
Ready to book your travel to San Francisco?
See the world while taking care of our planet.
