24 Hours in San Francisco
Landed in The City by The Bay? Only got one day? Let us show you the way... ok, that’s enough of that. The number of things to see and do in San Francisco is endless, but if you find yourself with 24 hours or less in San Francisco, here is our definitive list of the absolute essential experiences.
Take a Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
The best way to see San Francisco in a short time is from on top of an open-top Double Decker Bus.
The Official City Tour is 2 hours long and gives a comprehensive overview of the city with fun and informative commentary along the way. You can hop on and off at one of the many iconic stops along the route and explore further on your own.
Walk the Golden Gate Bridge
You simply can't come to San Francisco without visiting The Golden Gate Bridge. It's one of the most iconic structures in the entire world, and it's right here.
You can easily get to the bridge on the Hop-On Hop-Off tour bus, where you can get off and physically walk on the spanning cables. Spend some time at the visitor center taking photos before catching the next bus back into the city.
Ride a Cable Car
San Francisco has 3 historic cable car lines that act as a moving national monument.
The Powell/Hyde and Powell/Mason lines run from Market Street to Fisherman's Wharf, while the California/Van Ness line runs directly up and over Nob Hill. A single ride ticket is currently $9, and it's worth every penny for the thrill and the views!
Try Local Seafood
San Francisco is famous for its seafood, and especially for its fresh Dungeness Crab.
Fisherman’s Wharf is packed with amazing seafood that you can buy right from the bustling food stands at Fisherman's Grotto or upscale restaurants like Scoma's. If you want a quick, classic SF lunch, head over to Boudin Bakery and combine two local delicacies: rich Clam Chowder served inside a fresh sourdough bread bowl.
Visit the Sea Lions at Pier 39
At the end of Pier 39 at K-Dock, you will hear them before you see them: the famous, noisy California Sea Lions.
They first appeared after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and began taking over the marina. The boat owners tried all they could to get rid of them, but to no avail! Eventually, they gave in, and the numbers swelled to well over 1,500 in 2009. They are still there in their hundreds today, barking and basking in the sun.
Get an Irish Coffee
Well, it's been a long day, and you look like you could use a drink.
Head over to the Buena Vista Café at the corner of Beach and Hyde (right near the cable car turnaround) and get one of their famous Irish Coffees. The Buena Vista Café was the very first place in America to serve Irish Coffee after a travel writer named Stanton Delaplane tried it at Shannon Airport in Ireland. They have sold over 30 million of them to date!