For different reasons, when you make a trip along the west coast of the United States, at the time of visit San Francisco for tourism You may find that you cannot dedicate too much time to it.
Although an ideal visit to San Francisco well worth a minimum of three days, perhaps you can only dedicate one day o two days to explore this incredibly attractive city.
But this should not be an impediment for you to do the essential visits of this city of California.
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In order to help you plan visit from San Francisco en one day o two days, then I am going to recommend which are the places essential to see.
Of course, to be able to make these visits in such a short period of time, it is essential that you have a rental car.
In this regard, I can tell you that compared to what can happen in other United States citiesas the New York, in San Francisco you can move around very easily with your vehicle and you will not have problems parking.
All the information in detail
- 1 The best things to see and do in San Francisco in one day
- 1.1 Where to see the best panoramic views of San Francisco
- 1.2 Crossing the Golden Gate in San Francisco
- 1.3 Where to see the Cuestas de San Francisco
- 1.4 Tour on traditional trams along the slopes of San Francisco
- 1.5 Where to see Victorian houses in San Francisco
- 1.6 San Francisco Chinatown
- 1.7 Little Italy neighborhood in San Francisco
- 1.8 Leisure areas in San Francisco
- 1.9 Tours and guided visits in San Francisco
The best things to see and do in San Francisco in one day
Where to see the best panoramic views of San Francisco
The first and recommended thing is to climb the hill of Twin Peaks, from where you will have the best panoramic views of the city and the Bay.
This will allow you to position yourself for the subsequent visit of the city and to measure the distances.

Crossing the Golden Gate in San Francisco
My advice is that you then go directly to the Golden Gate, the famous suspension bridge that links the San Francisco peninsula with the north.
This impressive bridge is the true gateway to the San Francisco Bay.
To begin with, the Golden Gate You will cross it in your car, but what you have to do is go to the gazebo (point view) from the north bank, which is on the right, just after crossing the bridge.
It is really from said viewpoint, and not on board the car, that you will be able to enjoy the best panoramic views of the Golden Gate, and also in the background you can see the Buenos Aires from the city of San Francisco.

On this visit, my advice is that you don't miss the opportunity to take a brief walk across the bridge, just as many of us tourists who visit it do.
Where to see the Cuestas de San Francisco
Another of the icons of this very interesting Californian city are its famous slopes.
Indeed, part of the city center sits on a hill so that several avenues extend along it with very striking slopes.
To see these steep streets you must go to the district of Nob Hill, north of the city, where from different points you will have curious views of them.
Y the most famous slope in San Francisco, whose visit must be obligatory, is the Lombard street, where you find those super steep curves that you have seen in so many movies.

There you will be able to see the curious scene of cars descending and zig-zagging down a steep slope.
Tour on traditional trams along the slopes of San Francisco
Another very popular activity among tourists visiting San Francisco is get to know the Nob Hill neighborhood.
And for this the best way is to get on board one of the traditional cable trams that Nowadays they have become a tourist attraction more of the city.
The only line of San Francisco streetcars that remains in operation connects the city center with the coastal area of La Marina. and in this one Nob Hill tour It goes up and down the famous slopes.
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You will see that these trams are full of tourists, and keep in mind that the price of the ticket does not correspond to that of public transport, but to that of a tourist activity.

Where to see Victorian houses in San Francisco
Another reason that makes the city of San Francisco very attractive is the special charm of some streets that show a surprising european atmosphere.
In those streets you can find a succession of victorian style houses so that seeing some corners can give you the feeling of being in a city in England.
While these Victorian houses can be seen in various corners of the residential district of Haigh Ashbury, the advice is to go to Alamo Park where are the famous ones victorian houses known as the Painted ladies.
Its colorful facades fit into the aforementioned atmosphere of a European style neighborhood, with hippie-style design and clothing stores, a trend that became fashionable in this residential neighborhood in the 60s of the last century.

San Francisco Chinatown
In many cities around the world it is increasingly common to have a Barrio chino…and San Francisco is one of them.
What's more, the San Francisco Chinatown It is one of the best examples you can find in the world of a Chinatown , which, for example, is much more attractive than New York.
On your walk through Chinatown at some point you will have the feeling of being in a Chinese city, as you will not only see establishments of Chinese merchants, but also buildings whose architecture in some way emulates that of China.
Little Italy neighborhood in San Francisco
And as happens in other North American cities such as the aforementioned New York, in San Francisco there is also a Italian neighborhood.

Very close to Chinatown you can take a walk through the district of North Beach, which is also known as Little Italy, where you will find an atmosphere of Italian restaurants.
Leisure areas in San Francisco
To complete the day of sightseeing in the city, the last essential visit in San Francisco is to go to Fisherman's Wharf,
This is the old fishing port of the city, which has currently become the great leisure and entertainment area of the same, with restaurants and bars always very popular with tourists.
Obviously, you still have many other attractions to visit in the city of San Francisco, but if your time availability is limited, you should leave them pending for a new trip.
Of course, with the visits that I propose in this article, you make sure see the essentials in San Francisco.
Tours and guided visits in San Francisco
Now, if what you prefer is to join an organized group to make a specific visit, here you have information with tours and guided visits in Spanish in San Francisco, which includes the best tourist activities.
You can also consult the information with the best excursions around San Francisco.
And possibly this information will also be useful to you to search hotel in San Francisco en booking.com.






Hello! Thanks for so much information. I plan to be on the west coast for 10 days. I was thinking of visiting San Francisco, Los Angeles and if I have time Yosemite Park. I would also love to see the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas. But it seems to me that it is too much for such a short time. I was also looking at hotels in the Yosemite area but I would like to know if there is public transportation that would take me to the park if I were staying in Mammoth, which is where there are more hotels and it doesn't seem that far to me. Could you guide me? Thank you so much
Claudia, sorry for the delay in answering me.
You don't say when you are going to travel to the west coast. Indeed, in 10 days it will be very difficult for you to see everything you want; you must choose. In any case, I will tell you that you cannot visit the high areas of Yosemite until mid-May, which makes the visit lose some interest. About public transportation from Mammoth, I can't tell you; I went by rented car.
As for how to choose, I think you have three options: visit San Francisco, Yosemite and Los Angeles; visit LA, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon; or visit SFCO, Yosemite, Las Vegas and Grand Canyon. You also have the alternative of, for example, visiting SFCO and then flying to Las Vegas, to also visit the Grand Canyon.
Hello! I would like to know if a shopping tour can be done and where it can be done? Thank you! Slds
Hi all!
José Luis, let's see if you can advise me. My idea is to go to SF from October 4 to 13 (9 nights) and spend the entire time there, enjoying the city without the rush of a tourist, as if I were just another local. What do you recommend in terms of area to stay? I have heard that there are areas that are called dangerous, I don't know if they are exaggerating. I think there will be three of us, do you know any trustworthy website to look at apartments instead of hotels?
Thank you in advance and for the route you have given. I will visit everything!
A hug!
Elena,
I'm sorry I can't help you, because I was only in San Francisco for two days, and I can't guide you about what you're asking me about.
And regarding websites for renting apartments, I know a couple of them, but I have never used them and I cannot advise you reliably.
Sorry and enjoy that stay in San Francisco. I'm sure you'll like it 🙂
Of course, how stupid! Thanks all the same.
A hug!
Congratulations, the truth is I went to San Francisco and all your advice is very useful. Now I'm going to Los Angeles, it's bigger. I have less time and I hope to carry out all the advice to enjoy the days. Thank you.
Violeta, I'm glad you found the information interesting.
Completely agree with the emblematic sites of San Francisco, but if you do not want to rent a car and you are in good physical condition, I invite you to walk through the beautiful city of San Francisco, it is a true pleasure. You must have at least 9 days , but it is worth getting to know this city on foot
We plan to travel between the last week of February and the first week of March 2012 (Total 7 Days)
Miami – San Francisco (Plane)
San Francisco – Yosemite Park – Las Vegas (Car)
Las Vegas – Miami (Airplane).
Jose Luis, how would you plan it and what places would you visit?
Thousand Thanks
I ask if you have a Paypal account for contributions from your readers.
A couple of considerations to what you raise:
– You only have 7 days and I understand that on this tourist trip to the west coast you try to see the most interesting things, and I assume that you have already visited Los Angeles, is that correct?
– in the case of Yosemite, when traveling in February you will find that you cannot visit the high areas of the park, and not even the Mariposa Grove sequoia area, since they are closed in winter ( http://guias-viajar.com/estados-unidos/california/epocas-cierre-carreteras-yosemite-climatologia/ ). Therefore, the visit loses a lot of interest.
– In exchange, wouldn't you be interested in visiting the Grand Canyon, which is much more interesting than Yosemite?
– As a summary, since you only have 7 days, including arrival and departure, my advice would be that instead of driving from San Francisco to Las Vegas, take a direct flight, which is quite cheap. And in Las Vegas, take the opportunity to visit the Grand Canyon and Route 66, this time by car (two days)
I hope these comments serve as guidance for you. And as for Paypal, I do have an account, but the information I provide is free for readers since the blog is financed by advertising and the commission for the sale of tourist services. In any case, thank you for your interest.
I also recommend visiting the Coit Tower in San Francisco. It offers a 360-degree view of the north of the city. Then Route 39 takes you to the Embarcadero.
Thanks for your contribution, Germán.
Ummm, Sausalito has some good views, and it's a great place to eat fish!
If you don't mind... Cristina, you have buses that go to the Golden Gate NRA, but I don't know if they go to Muir. In any case, renting a car to explore the area is a good option because it is beautiful.
Juan, I would sleep in Frisco; Getting in and out every day will take time that you will miss seeing the city.
Regards!
Thank you for your contribution 🙂
I am planning a trip to California, I will be in San Francisco for 3 days and I will have a rental car. Is it economically more profitable to sleep in a hotel in the city center or can it be more profitable to sleep outside the center and travel by car or public transportation to the various points of interest in the city?
I would like to know if the excursion to Muir Wood is interesting and if there is public transportation from San Francisco that reaches the park?
Thank you so much!
It's very worth it. The park is spectacular and well worth a visit. But do it when it's not raining, don't do like me because you won't be able to enjoy it to the fullest.
http://www.midiariodeviajes.es/un-dia-de-lluvia-en-san-francisco/