This post was created in partnership with TripAdvisor as a TripAdvisor Ambassador. However, all opinions are sincere and are my own.
There’s so much to do and see in San Francisco, but how do you choose what to focus on if you have limited time? Here are my best tips for making every minute extraordinary on your trip to the City By The Bay!
I love that although San Francisco is a “big” city when it comes to attractions and things to do it’s geographically small and transportation is great so you can really see a lot in only two days. I will spare you from sharing a list of the best things to do in San Francisco, not only because there are so many lists out there already but because San Francisco is such a diverse city and my ten best things will not be your ten best things. However, I can share with you my best tips for getting the most out of a short visit to San Francisco and ensuring that your trip is extraordinary and memorable.
Plan ahead
I always use TripAdvisor when I’m planning a trip. I have the app on my phone and use it throughout all planning stages from choosing the hotel weeks in advance to looking for a restaurant near me while I explore. One of my favorite things about TripAdvisor is being able to book tours, activities, and attractions with more than 56,000 bookable experiences in 2,500 destinations worldwide. TripAdvisor attractions offer something for every kind of traveler; book everything from walking tours, skip-the-line access and theatre tickets to hot air balloon safaris and Everest base camp treks. I usually book right from the app and it’s so useful to be able to see reviews and photos from other travelers which really helps in making and informed decision and choosing the right experience for me with the right company.
I started by creating a list of must-see attractions first and had additional options in case I had time. I wanted to walk along the Golden Gate Bridge and eat authentic Chinese food in Chinatown and as an architect, I also wanted to check out San Francisco’s unique architecture from its beautiful Victorian houses to it’s one of a kind flatiron buildings like the copper covered Sentinel.
Book a tour and get the lay of the land.
There was a time when I thought that tours were only for tourists and thought that independent travel was the only way. I wanted to discover every city on my own, get lost in it’s streets and get a “real” experience. After traveling extensively I have found that if you have a limited amount of time taking a city tour is a great way to get an overall sense of a new city. During my trip to San Francisco I booked a City Tour plus Muir Woods and Sausalito Day Trip through TripAdvisor. This was the best decision I could have taken as I not only got a general overview of the city and got to see areas I would have never had the time to check out if I had been traveling independently but I also got to experience Muir Woods and Sausalito, all in the same day! I was then able to go back to the attractions and places I wanted to explore on my own on the second day.
By booking through TripAdvisor I not only saved time and money I was also able to book the best tours and experiences for me based on real-time reviews. As I was looking for options I noticed that although some tour companies had overall good ratings the reviews in the last couple of days for one of them where far from great, this helped me make the best decision and ensure a memorable time! Our tour guide was amazing, knowledgeable and funny. I learned so much about San Francisco and it’s history and even got to meet new people.
One of my favorite parts of the trip to San Francisco was visiting Muir Woods. I love nature and hiking and I had always wanted to go to Muir Woods and the experience was everything I had hoped for. Muir Woods is a magical place and it’s amazing to find yourself so close to the city yet completely surrounded by the towering coastal Redwoods in every direction. The things you do on your trip like hiking along Cathedral Grove in Muir Woods are the things you remember! It would have been really difficult and expensive for me to get to Muir Woods on my own and being able to book a tour where we had over an hour to explore and hike in the woods after touring around the city gave me the opportunity to check this amazing destination off my bucket list.
Stay in a downtown hotel.
Choosing a hotel in the downtown area will put you steps away from many attractions and save you time and money when it comes to transportation. To find out about the best hotels in the area I used TripAdvisor and looked for San Francisco downtown hotels that were unique and had great reviews.
I ended up choosing the historic Kimpton Sir Francis Drake hotel. Located just steps away from Union Square it was the perfect starting point for exploring the city. It was really special to get to stay at such a San Francisco icon. From the Beefeater who opens the door for you to the elegant lobby and the beautifully lit rooms decorated with a mixture of classic and trendy elements my stay was really amazing.
Hit the biggest tourist attractions at off-peak hours.
There is no way around it: there are some things in San Francisco you cannot miss. Getting a close up look at the Golden Gate Bridge and visiting Pier 39’s sea lions is at the top of everyone’s list but the crowds can get really crazy especially during the weekend. Visiting these attractions at off-peak times will give you the opportunity to have a better experience and enjoy San Francisco’s iconic attractions without having to fight your way through the crowds. Another option is seeing them from a new perspective.
During my visit to San Francisco Karl The San Francisco Fog decided to make an appearance. Yes, the fog in San Francisco has a name and a twitter account! As I headed to visit the Golden Gate bridge not only was it overrun by huge crowds but it was hard to see it at all. Our tour guide changed our itinerary as we were coming back from Muir Woods and made an unscheduled stop at Cavallo Point just so we could see the Golden Gate. We not only got a unique perspective of the bridge but we also where the only people there! To top it off a couple of sea lions were playing in the water with the Golden Gate in the background. It was one of those unforgettable moments, one of those reasons why I love traveling and it was possible thanks to our great guide!
Experience San Francisco’s different neighborhoods.
From the Mission District filled with hip restaurants and street art to the unique cultural experience of visiting the oldest Chinatown in the United States each of San Francisco’s neighborhoods has a distinct personality. It really helped that I was able to get a taste of many of the different San Francisco neighborhoods during the city tour.
I was then able to go back and check out those areas that really spoke to me and that I wanted to explore in depth. I loved walking through the streets of Haight Ashbury’s with its colorful hippie vibe and beautiful Victorian houses and eating at the authentic restaurants in Chinatown was a real treat.
Booking Experiences with TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor is the world’s largest provider of tours, activities, and attractions, with more than 56,000 bookable experiences in 2,500 destinations worldwide, which means you’ll be able to book everything from walking tours, skip-the-line access and theatre tickets to day trips and food tours. And the best thing is that all of your options are consolidated in one place so it’s easy to choose, compare and make the best decisions based on real reviews and photos from people who have experienced these activities and tours before. Booking is so easy too; no need to wait for the concierge at the hotel lobby or for someone to answer an email or phone call: just click and book online.
In the past I’ve tried booking tours and experiences directly once I’m in the destination which in a few occasions has resulted in a bad experience as I was going in blind and was unable to read reviews. I’ve also over spent on tickets, attractions and tours before and that is why I always book directly on TripAdvisor now. Did you know that TripAdvisor has a low price guarantee? If you find a lower price for the same tour or activity within 72 hours of booking, or if you arrive in your destination and find your activity offered at a lower price by their operator you can contact TripAdvisor and get a refund for the difference! You can’t beat that!
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What a great post! Looks like an amazing trip! You really captured San Francisco in these pictures as well. So beautiful.
I have always wanted to go to San Fran. It seems like such a cool city and I hope to get there one day soon.
It really does seem like such a cool place to get to spend some time and like there is so much going on.
I’d love to visit San Francisco (as I hum all the songs I know about San Francisco). I always use TripAdvisor before I plan a trip and especially if I’m visiting a resort or hotel for the first time.
Wow how amazing does San Francisco look, I am loving the idea of taking a tour to start with so you can get the lay of the land and see a bit about what you may want to do.
I’m from the SF Bay Area and this post made me homesick. There really is a lot to see and do in SF and it’s amazing what you can see and do in 48 hours. Looks like you saved a lot of time AND money booking through Trip Advisor.
This is definitely one place that I would like to check out. I have been to California many times but never up to San Francisco. I would love to check out the Golden Gate Bridge and really everything you have mentioned in this post!
I have seen and done everything you mentioned and I know where all your photos were taken. Loved our visit to San Francisco.
Looks like a scene out of Full House! I think San Francisco is a beautiful city!
I live less than 2 hours from SF, and I haven’t had the opportunity to explore the city as much as I would like. These are some great suggestions and will keep them in mind next time I am able to take the family to explore the city!
I’m such a weirdo. I have never enjoyed SF. Sonoma, Napa…I’m in. Maybe I need to give San Francisco another try…your blog makes it sound wonderful.
Love, love, love San Francisco! We spent less than a week there last time and you’re right, there’s so much to do and see. Needless to say, we had very little sleep! Cannot wait to go back.
San Francisco looks absolutely fantastic! Look at these houses! This is defo a place I would want to visit one day!
I have San Francisco on my bucketlist and I agree planning ahead and booking tours is a great way to ensure you enjoy and make the most of your time in the city.
I love your photos. I’ve always wanted to go here. There’s so much to do. Plus I need to try the sourdough bread.
Trip Advisory is a great help for travelers! And hey, I love the photos, would want to visit San Fransisco, hopefully next year.
Love love love! SF it always reminds me of the tv show that’s so raven!
I absolutely agre with you with regards to planning ahead and getting a lay of the land! I think if you’re going to visit anywhere this is a must!
I always find these experiences amazing! I hope to visit sometime in the future to hopefully ride the tram! They always look so cool
I would love to go to San Franciso. So many things to see! It looks like you had an amazing time.
This was a great list, it’s definitely a goal of mine to visit San Fran one day so this will be so helpful! I love your photos, they’re beautiful!
I actually did this with my boss on a business trip. We did Alcatraz, chowder bowls, the trolley, Lombard Street, sushi and a fancy restaurant.
San Francisco has so much to offer, it would be tough to pick and choose! I would like to visit an old-growth forest some day. Looks like you had an amazing time exploring!
What a perfect looking peek at San Fran in such a short amount of time. I love that you were able to get so many different things in.
I am planning a big road trip for my four-week visit to the US next year and this is one great post. I’ve bookmarked it! Do you have any advice on finding restaurants that are vegan in that area? I always struggle with that. Are there any good apps for this in the US.
Amazing that you were able to squeeze all of that in 48 hours. If I were to visit San Francisco, I would like to stay a little longer, like a week. And to cut down on hotel costs, I would just ask my cousin if I can stay in her house for like 2 or 3 days max.
WOW! You squeezed so much into that last 48 hours! I love to take longer vacations because I do not like feeling rushed but it looks like you managed it so well!
I’ve always wanted to visit San Francisco. The hotel you stayed at looks fantastic.
I think it’s important to plan ahead when you go anywhere. I am amazed with how much you did there in two days. Everything looked so beautiful!
It looks like such a magical place! So many things to see and experience, I don’t know if two days would be enough for me!
We always stay at the Drake! It’s an awesome boutiquey hotel, great food – great location! How fun that you had such a wonderful time!
There is so much to do in two days at San Francisco. You have mapped it out really well. I believe in planning ahead too, and always look up reviews on TripAdvisor. Cheers!!
I just love San Francisco! It has so many unique neighborhood and so much amazing food! Love the pier too!
You offer some great tips that can make that little stay in San Francisco memorable, the city does look lovely.
It is amazing you were able to do so much in that short span of time. San Francisco is s fantastic place to visit. I’ve only been there once and that was years ago. I would love to have a chance to go back!
The photos are amazing. I never knew about the Pier 39, looks so cool to be able to see the sea lions. Are they all day long there? or are there some blank times?
I would love to visit San Francisco one day! Your photo’s are amazing, very beautiful! Thanks for the great tips!
I have been to SFO last month for a 2 and half day and I totally loved SFO <3 By reading your post, it reminded me of those days . Thanks for sharing
48 hours is quite enough time i guess. I wish to visit the best cafe in San Francisco, the best chinese restaurant, bookshop and spend the rest of my timr roamig around the city with my camera 🙂
I still haven’t been to San Fran yet even though I’ve been to other parts of Cali. It always seemed boring but you make it look fun.
Thanks for sharing The Awesome content. I will also share with my friends. Great Content thanks a lot .