Weekend Trip to San Francisco: Best 3-Night Getaway Guide

People often refer to me as a “unicorn,” meaning I was born, raised and still living in San Francisco. I have found that the longer I live in the Bay Area, the more I learn and discover about this special city in Northern California.

If you're planning a weekend trip to San Francisco, just know that San Francisco is one of the most beautiful, energetic, culturally diverse cities in America. It is a great destination to visit year-round (although fall and spring are my personal favorites), but be sure to pack layers.

San Francisco is packed with colorful neighborhoods, world-class restaurants and museums, historic landmarks, beautiful bridges, picturesque parks, hiking trails, beaches, incredible scenic views, Victorian architecture, steep hills and plenty of fog. It's an ideal location for romantic getaways, family vacations, a long weekend, or a jumping off point to explore more of Northern California.

If you are interested in some of the major attractions, like Aquarium of the Bay, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), or The Walt Disney Family Museum, consider getting a San Francisco CityPass. The pass can save you up to 46% on admission to these and other attractions.

Narrowing down what to do for weekend getaway in San Francisco is a daunting task, because even after all these years I still haven’t done everything that this city has to offer. Nevertheless, here are some of my best tips and some of the city’s best kept secrets in this mini travel guide.

• Best for families with kids - Fisherman’s Wharf and the Embarcadero
• Best for foodies - North Beach and Chinatown
• Best for shoppers - Union Square District

• Best for Mexican food and art lovers - The Mission
• Best for music lovers - Haight-Ashbury District
• Best for nature lovers - The Presidio and Marina District
• Best for LGBT pride - The Castro

• Best for nature lovers and surfers - The Sunset
• Best for sushi and ramen lovers - Japantown (and Fillmore Street)
• For those with extra time - Additional day trips

Each San Francisco neighborhood has its own distinctive character and charm. Have fun finding your favorite! These three areas of the city tend to be full of tourists, especially on weekends and holidays, but that doesn't mean that they don't still have a lot to offer on your San Francisco weekend trip.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Families with kids
• ‌Highlights of Fisherman's Wharf and the Embarcadero:‌
  • 30 minutes from San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • Abundance of seafood restaurants and eateries
  • Farmers markets, sea lions, Ghirardelli Square, and epic views

Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 is one of the most popular tourist attractions in San Francisco. Fisherman’s Wharf is filled with seafood stalls serving clam chowder in bread bowls, Dungeness crab, and cioppino.

Ghirardelli Square offers delicious ice cream and chocolate (including free chocolate samples). Children will fall in love with the souvenir shops, arcade, old-fashioned candy and fudge stores, the carousel, the Aquarium of the Bay, and the playful sea lions.

This area is where you would rent GoCars (which are more fun than you would expect) to explore the city, start a Segway-guided tour, and hop on a sunset cruise (only do this on a sunny day). Pier 33 is where you can catch the ferry to Alcatraz (you must book tickets ahead of time).

Make your way towards the Embarcadero, and you will arrive at the Ferry Building, one of the most iconic San Francisco buildings. Be sure to visit on a Thursday between 10 am to 2 pm or Saturday between 8 am to 2 pm to sample some of Northern California’s best produce, cheese, freshly baked goods, oysters, ice cream, cupcakes, rotisserie chicken, and other delicious treats. Across the street from the Ferry Building is an outdoor crafts market also worth checking out for souvenirs.

Families and science buffs should visit the Exploratorium, located at Pier 15, a science and technology museum with interactive exhibits. For a fun and creative date night, if you are over the age of 18, every Thursday night from 6 to 10 pm you can experience Exploratorium After Dark and participate in over 600 science and art exhibits while drinking cocktails and listening to music.

The Embarcadero is also home to some of the city's best restaurants: eat at Yank Sing for dim sum (try the Xiao Long Bay, aka soup dumplings and pork buns), One Market for American fine-dining and an award-winning wine program, Boulevard for upscale Californian food, EPIC Steak for mouth-watering meat, and Waterbar for seafood with views of the Bay.

The trip to Fisherman’s Wharf and the Embarcadero from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is a 30-minute car ride up the 101. Once you arrive, you are centrally located to explore the rest of San Francisco’s hot spots including nearby access to BART, Muni, and cable cars.

The Argonaut Hotel is a 4-star boutique hotel that offers views of the San Francisco Bay and is a short walking distance to Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, Maritime National Historical Park, Fort Mason, Crissy Field, and North Beach.

Omni San Francisco Hotel is a 4-star hotel offering an urban retreat located on the historic California cable car line and a short walk to Union Square, the Embarcadero, Chinatown, the Ferry Building, and Fisherman's Wharf.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Foodies
• ‌Highlights of Chinatown and North Beach:‌
  • 30 minutes from SFO
  • Moderately priced hotels
  • Extremely walkable

Located next to Fisherman’s Wharf is North Beach and Chinatown. North Beach is filled with cafes, bakeries, gelato shops, and Italian restaurants, while San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest one in North America, covering 24 city blocks.

Unwind and people-watch at Washington Square Park with a sandwich from Molinari Delicatessen and a caffeinated beverage from Cafe Trieste before making your way to the top of Coit Tower for views of the city.

Check out City Lights Bookstore and in the evening attend a comedy show at Cobb’s Comedy Club. Choosing a dinner spot can be tricky since there are so many restaurant options, but Cassava (try the five-course tasting menu), Original Joe's (try the hamburger and eggplant parmesan), Sotto Mare (try the cioppino), and Golden Boy Pizza (try a clam and garlic square slice) are a few favorites. Afterwards, head to some of the neighborhood’s local bars and breweries such as Vesuvio, 15 Romolo, Comstock Saloon, and Devil's Acre.

Then head over to Chinatown and get lost wandering down the narrow streets and alleyways filled with tea shops, dim sum restaurants, souvenir and herbal shops, fish markets, art galleries, temples, and bars.

Go to the tea tasting room at Red Blossom Tea Company; purchase warm, freshly baked fortune cookies at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory (and get free samples); experience dinner at China Live — try the Sheng Jian Bao pork dumplings, Char Siu BBQ Pork “Dutch Crunch” pork buns, Dungeness crab and shrimp spring rolls, and wok-seared filet mignon and snow peas.

The trip to North Beach and Chinatown from SFO is a 25-minute car ride. Once you arrive, you are in a centrally located to explore Union Square, Nob Hill, and the Financial District. The rest of San Francisco’s hot spots include nearby access to BART, Muni, busses, and cable cars.

Hotel Zephyr is a 4-star hotel centrally located next to Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, North Beach, the Financial District, Marina District, Union Square, and SOMA. This hotel offers waterfront views with a sailor-themed vibe.

Hotel Bohème is a 3-star hotel located in North Beach and is surrounded by some of San Francisco’s best Italian restaurants, cafes, and live music venues.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Shoppers
• ‌Highlights of Union Square District:‌
  • Easy access to Muni/BART/cable cars
  • Moderately priced hotels
  • Very walkable

Union Square is usually one of the first places tourists want to visit and stay when they come to San Francisco. This area has always felt like the center of the city, surrounded by boutiques, department stores, skyscrapers, entertainment venues, and a wealth of restaurants.

Easily accessible to public transportation, you can get to and from most places in the city from here.

Union Square used to be a buzzing hot spot pre-pandemic; however, since COVID-19 it feels more deserted and less maintained. Quite a few retail stores have closed and the energy is just different.

This is still the best neighborhood for retail therapy and there is a handful of brag-worthy restaurants such as Sons & Daughters (Michelin-star fine-dining Nordic cuisine), Sears Fine Food (classic diner with tasty Swedish pancakes), Bodega SF (Vietnamese cuisine), and Ippudo (Japanese restaurant specializing in ramen).

The trip to North Beach and Chinatown from SFO is a 25-minute car ride. Once you arrive, you are in a centrally located to explore Chinatown, North Beach, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, and the Financial District on foot. This neighborhood is a public transportation hub close to BART, Muni, and cable cars.

Hotel G is a 4-star boutique hotel near Union Square that's walking distance to a metro station, shopping, and dining.

Hotel Emblem is a 4-star hotel next to Nob Hill, Union Square, and the Theater District with eclectic rooms, literary-themed décor, live jazz music, and poetry readings.

Taj Campton Place is a 4-star historic hotel in Union Square near shopping, dining, and nightlife. The hotel has a rooftop gym and the Michelin star-rated Campton Place Restaurant.

Your plan for what to do in San Francisco for a weekend should definitely include some of the more unique and intriguing areas of the city by the Bay. These areas get less foot traffic than the ones above but still bring a lot to the table in terms of culture, entertainment, cuisine, and sights to see.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Mexican food and art lovers
• ‌Highlights of the Mission District:‌
  • Trendy restaurants
  • Dolores Park
  • Colorful murals

In San Francisco, there is a debate on where to find the best Mission-style burrito in the city. People are usually split between La Taqueria (no website - (415) 285-7117) and El Farolito. I have been team La Taqueria since I was a child, always ordering their rice-less carne asada super burrito and a strawberry aqua fresca.

My husband is team El Farolito, ordering the exact same burrito (except his includes rice), claiming it is better. Whether the answer is La Taqueria, El Farolito, or somewhere else entirely, all I know is that I have traveled all over the world and have not found a better burrito.

Mission Street, Valencia Street, and 24th Street are the main streets in this neighborhood and all three have numerous boutique shops, cafes, and new and exciting restaurants worth checking out.

Some of my favorite restaurants in the Mission are Blue Plate (the best fried chicken in the city), Foreign Cinema (second place in my book for the best fried chicken), Flour + Water, Pizzeria Delfina, and Tartine Bakery (get there early for a freshly baked morning bun).

While in the Mission, take time to admire all the outdoor murals at Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley to see some of the best artwork in the city. If the weather is nice, be sure to grab an ice cream from Bi-Rite Creamery (try the salted caramel) and hang out at Mission Dolores Park, where there is a beautiful playground for children and plenty of open space to lay out a blanket, people-watch, and admire the views of the city.

The trip to the Mission District from SFO is a 20 minutes by car. If you are using public transportation, take BART to the 16th Street or 24th Street Mission stop. The J-Muni train goes to Church and 18th Street. The 12, 14, 22, and 33 buses also make stops throughout the neighborhood.

Noe’s Nest Bed & Breakfast is a 3-star bed-and-breakfast in a Victorian home with a garden and free breakfast.

1906 Mission is a 2-star, eco-friendly hotel close to a BART station.

Inn San Francisco is a 2-star hotel in a Victorian mansion that has free breakfast and a hot tub.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Music lovers
• ‌Highlights of Haight-Ashbury District:‌
  • Thrift stores
  • Unique watering holes
  • Victorian architecture

The Haight-Ashbury district is one of the most historically relevant areas in San Francisco due to the hippie movement and the Summer of Love in the 1960s. The Haight was home to famous musicians like the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin.

Walking along Haight Street is the best way to soak in the colorful architecture and murals and go thrifting at various vintage shops like Piedmont Boutique, Indigo, and Wasteland.

If you are a music lover, go to Amoeba Records. Just don’t be surprised if the pungent smell of marijuana wafts through the air.

If your wallet needs a break from shopping, head to Buena Vista Park for incredible views of the city. The Haight also has a wide range of restaurants and bars: check out The Alembic and Magnolia Brewing for drinks; for a fun date night and excellent sangria eat at Cha Cha Cha; try Parada 22 for authentic Puerto Rican cuisine; get a slice of pizza from Escape From New York Pizza and ice cream from Ben & Jerry's.

The trip to Haight-Ashbury from SFO is a 30-minute car ride. If you do not have a car, the best way to get to the Haight-Ashbury is by taking a local bus. There are several routes that will get you to the Haight (lines 6, 7, 37, and 43).

The Metro Hotel is a 4-star boutique hotel with a shared garden.

Stanyan Park Hotel is a 3-star Victorian hotel offering complimentary breakfast and wine reception.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Nature lovers
• ‌Highlights of the Presidio and Marina District‌
  • Palace of Fine Arts
  • Views of the Golden Gate Bridge
  • Shopping on Union and Chestnut streets

When visiting San Francisco, spend some time in the Presidio and the Marina. You're almost certain to see lots of families, both local and visiting, out enjoying the day with physical activities like biking, skating, and field games as well as more low-key affairs like picnics, family gatherings, and some old-fashioned afternoon lounging on the grass.

Walk along Crissy Field and gaze at the beautiful waterfront homes. Right off of Crissy Field you will arrive at the Palace of Fine Arts, which is worth exploring and offers ample photographic opportunities.

As you continue to walk down Crissy Field, you will find a beach and waterfront trails perfect for families, dogs, and kite-surfers. Continue on to Fort Point, to see some of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Once inside the Presidio, there is plenty to see. Check out the new Presidio Tunnel Tops park, which has an innovative playground and pop-up food trucks, The Walt Disney Family Museum, nature artwork by Andy Goldsworthy, Presidio Bowl, the pet cemetery, and the nearby beaches and hiking trails along the beaches.

Once you have experienced all that the Presidio has to offer, go back to the Marina and shop at the boutique stores on Chestnut or Union Street and dine at one of the many eateries in the neighborhoods such as Lucca Deli owned by three generations, the Greek restaurant Souvla, or the popular gastropub The Tipsy Pig. A16 is a popular Italian eatery known for Neapolitan pizza. Greens Restaurant is a vegetarian restaurant since 1979, while Izzy’s Steakhouse is an old-school joint popular with meat lovers.

The Presidio and Marina is a 30-minute car ride from SFO. Once inside the Presidio, there is the free Presidio GO Shuttle that picks up at the Transbay Terminal or the Embarcadero BART station (but only on the weekdays).

If you have access to a bike, there are numerous trails to get you around as well. The Muni 30 transports people from the Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, and Union Square enters the Presidio on Mason Street and ends at the parking lot across from Crissy Marsh. The main bus lines that serve the Marina are 101, 130, 150, 28, and 43.
‌
Where to Stay in the Presidio and Marina District‌

Lodge at the Presidio is a 4-star historic boutique hotel in the Presidio providing free breakfast, wine and cheese reception, and a shuttle downtown.

Inn at the Presidio is a 3-star boutique inn offering free breakfast, afternoon wine and cheese receptions, an outdoor patio with a gas fire pit, and porches with rocking chairs.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ LGBT pride
• ‌Highlights of the Castro District‌
  • Trendy restaurants and bars
  • Victorian architecture
  • Moderately priced hotels

You know you are in the Castro because of the rainbow flags and the potentially naked men crossing the street. The Castro is home to a large queer community thanks in part to Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician elected to city council.

Some of the neighborhood’s best sites include the Harvey Milk Plaza, The Castro Theatre for sing-along musicals, Pink Triangle Park, the Harvey Milk Photo Center, Twin Peaks Tavern, and the GLBT Historical Society Museum.

Dine at restaurants such as Kitchen Story, a cozy restaurant serving Asian-influenced California cuisine. Beit Rima serves Arabic comfort food. Since 1977, Anchor Oyster Bar has been serving fresh seafood and their signature cioppino. Get a reservation at Frances ahead of time because the restaurant is small and tables are hard to come by, but it's worth it for the fresh and local seafood and produce. The Castro has many other trendy bars, restaurants, dance clubs, and unique shopping.

If you happen to be in San Francisco on June 24-25, 2023, make sure to join in The SF Gay Pride Parade and Celebration. If you are visiting in October, check out the Castro Street Fair.

The Castro is a 30-minute drive from SFO. It is also very accessible via public transportation. Use Muni lines K, L, and M and get off at Castro Station, which is right at Harvey Milk Plaza. Another unique way to get to the Castro from Union Square is to take an old fashioned streetcar using the F Line.

Beck’s Motor Lodge is a 3-star hotel/motel with newly renovated rooms that's close to public transportation, dining, and nightlife.

The Hotel Castro is a boutique, tech-savvy hotel. Each room has its own mural highlighting a historic LGBTQ hero.

Parker Guest House is a 3-star hotel offering free breakfast and a win social. It's easily accessible to public transportation, parks, and restaurants.

3 Nights in San Francisco is just not nearly enough to see it all. While the places mentioned above are the most well-known, these are some places that definitely don't get enough shine but can provide a lot of bang for your buck if you know where to look. These two areas are brimming with lots of cool stuff to check out and will likely be much less packed with tourists.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Nature lovers and surfers
• ‌Highlights of the Sunset District‌
  • Trendy restaurants and bars
  • Golden Gate Park
  • Ocean Beach

The Sunset is the neighborhood I grew up in and is often overlooked as a tourist hot-spot; however, I believe it should not be missed. The Sunset is a little farther from the main attractions and tends to be foggier than other parts of San Francisco, but it is packed with great things to see, do and eat. The sunset is divided into two sections: the Inner and Outer Sunset.

The Inner Sunset is extremely walkable and home to the main sites in Golden Gate Park such as the San Francisco Botanical Garden, the California Academy of Sciences, Stow Lake, Japanese Tea Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers, the de Young Museum, and the SkyStar Ferris wheel.

9th and Irving is the best area for restaurants, shopping, bars, and the Inner Sunset Farmers Market (every Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm). For breakfast dine at Art’s Cafe (order the hash brown sandwich). For Japanese go to Ebisu (order the Family Affair roll). For baked goods visit Arizmendi Bakery (try their freshly baked pizza, corn and cherry scone, or a slice of the salted caramel chocolate cake). For seafood and fancy cocktails dine at Pacific Catch. For pizza eat at Fiorella. For dessert grab some ice cream from Holy Gelato (try the honey lavender).

The Outer Sunset is home to Ocean Beach, the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens, and Stern Grove. When visiting Ocean Beach, be sure to check out the amazing views at Sutro Baths, and then walk along the Lands End trail for stunning views of the San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, and the Pacific Ocean. If you love to surf, try it out at Ocean Beach.

The Sunset is about 25 minutes away from SFO. The easiest way to get around the Sunset is with a car, but if that is not an option take the N Judah, L Taraval, or M Oceanview Muni. From downtown, you can use the Powell or Montgomery Street Station to catch the N Judah.
‌
Where to Stay in the Sunset‌

Seal Rock Inn is a 2-star hotel with ocean views and free parking next to Sutro Heights Park and two blocks away from Sutro Baths.

Stanyan Park Hotel is a 3-star Victorian hotel offering complimentary breakfast and wine reception.

• ‌Perfect for:‌ Sushi and ramen lovers
• ‌Highlights of Japantown‌
  • Kabuki Springs Spa
  • Cherry Blossom Festival
  • Unique shopping

Japantown is another oft-overlooked area of the city but has plenty to offer. It is the largest of the last remaining three Japantowns in the United States. This area is packed with mall complexes with cafes serving matcha and boba teas, bookstores and souvenir shops, Japanese grocery stores, sushi and ramen restaurants (arrive early to try and score a table at the famous Marufuku Ramen), karaoke bars, and the AMC Kabuki movie theater.

Be sure to visit Kabuki Springs & Spa, a Japanese-inspired bathhouse, and indulge in a massage and relax in their hot and cold plunge pools. If you are visiting San Francisco in April, try and catch the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Up the street from Japantown is Fillmore Street. Fillmore Street has a laidback feel filled with a variety of restaurants, bakeries, bars, and great shopping.

Michelin-starred restaurants such as State Bird Provisions and The Progress will make for a memorable night out (make reservations way ahead of time), or walk up and down Fillmore Street and see what strikes your fancy. At Woodhouse Fish Co., try the seafood stuffed grilled artichoke.

Japantown is a 30-minute drive from SFO. If you are driving, park in the Japantown Center lot between Fillmore and Geary Street. Depending on what part of the city you are coming from, there are different busses that take you to Japantown such as the 38 and 49 bus.

Hotel Kabuki is a 4-star boutique hotel near Japantown and Fillmore Street offering private balconies and the well-known Nari Thai restaurant.

Kimpton Hotel Enso is a 4-star boutique hotel walking distance to restaurants and shopping.

If you happen to have longer than three nights in San Francisco, you must go on a day trip from the city! There are many options to choose from, but all make for an exciting and refreshing road trip from the city.

A short drive from San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge is Marin County. Admire the city views from Sausalito and have lunch on the water at Sam’s Anchor Cafe in Tiburon before going to Muir Woods National Monument to hike in the redwood forest (make reservations ahead of time) or Stinson Beach.

Continue on to Tomales Bay and Point Reyes National Seashore for kayaking, hiking, and oyster shucking.

If you love wine, head to Sonoma County. Napa Valley, Sonoma, Healdsburg, and Calistoga are all about an hour drive from San Francisco and offer gorgeous wineries and world-famous wine tasting. The county also offers fresh, farm-to-table food and majestic views.

If you love road trips and being out in nature, head down Highway 1 on the Pacific Coast Highway and be mesmerized with ocean views of the rugged California coast.

Stop off in Half Moon Bay and visit Fitzgerald Marine Reserve or Lemos Farm if you have kids. Have lunch at Sam’s Chowder House (try one of their famous lobster rolls), and then head to Pescadero and grab a loaf of freshly baked artichoke bread from Arcangeli Grocery and goat cheese Harley Farms Goat Dairy.

Continue on to Santa Cruz and stop off at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk before making your way down the 17-mile drive taking you to the small town of Monterey.

Stroll down Cannery Row packed with waterfront hotels, seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, and small boutiques. Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Children also love the Dennis the Menace Playground.

If you are visiting from March through November and July or August, go whale watching to see humpback whales.

Everyone has different opinions on how to have the quintessential San Francisco experience, but no matter where you stay, what you do, or where you eat on your three days (or longer) in San Francisco, you will be sure to have a memorable adventure.