San Francisco in 3 days with friends
Itineraries · San Francisco, CA · 3 days
A 3-day San Francisco plan for a group: the Ferry Building and Alcatraz, North Beach, a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, Lands End, Twin Peaks at sunset, and burritos in the Mission.
San Francisco is a small city of steep hills, so this plan keeps each day in one part of town. Day 1 is the bay and North Beach, Day 2 follows the coast from the Golden Gate to Golden Gate Park, and Day 3 is the Mission at a slower pace.
- Where
- San Francisco, CA
- How long
- 3 days, 15 stops
- Good for
- First trips to San Francisco, long weekends, groups of 2 to 8
- Best time
- September and October, the warmest and least foggy months
- Updated
- October 15, 2026
Plan it together in Freya
Every stop goes on your trip with its place from Apple Maps, so the group gets directions, drive times and the weather. Then swap things out, vote and split the costs.
Add to FreyaNot on an iPhone? Copy the plan for the group chat, or open it in the builder.
Day 1: The bay and North Beach
- 9:30 AMFerry Building MarketplaceEat1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA · Map of Ferry Building MarketplaceCoffee and pastries; farmers market Tue, Thu and Sat
- 11:30 AMAlcatraz IslandDoAlcatraz Landing, Pier 33, San Francisco, CA · Map of Alcatraz IslandFerries leave from Pier 33; plan on 3 hours
- 3:00 PMCity Lights BooksellersDo261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA · Map of City Lights Booksellers
- 4:00 PMCoit TowerDo1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, San Francisco, CA · Map of Coit TowerWalk up the Filbert Steps if the group is up for it
- 7:00 PMTony's Pizza NapoletanaEat1570 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA · Map of Tony's Pizza Napoletana
If we have time
- Any timeDragon GateDoGrant Ave & Bush St, San Francisco, CA · Map of Dragon GateThe entrance to Chinatown
Day 2: The Golden Gate and the coast
- 9:00 AMGolden Gate Bridge Welcome CenterDoGolden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, San Francisco, CA · Map of Golden Gate Bridge Welcome CenterWalk out on the east sidewalk and back
- 11:00 AMPalace of Fine ArtsDo3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA · Map of Palace of Fine Arts
- 12:15 PMLands End TrailDo680 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA · Map of Lands End TrailStart at the Lands End Lookout
- 1:30 PMLouis' RestaurantEat902 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA · Map of Louis' RestaurantA diner above the old Sutro Baths
- 3:00 PMde Young MuseumDo50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA · Map of de Young MuseumThe observation tower is free
- 6:00 PMTwin PeaksDo501 Twin Peaks Blvd, San Francisco, CA · Map of Twin PeaksSunset over the city, if the fog stays away
Day 3: The Mission
- 9:30 AMTartine BakeryEat600 Guerrero St, San Francisco, CA · Map of Tartine BakeryMorning buns go first
- 10:30 AMMission Dolores ParkDoDolores St & 19th St, San Francisco, CA · Map of Mission Dolores ParkViews from the upper southwest corner
- 12:00 PMBalmy AlleyDoBalmy St, San Francisco, CA · Map of Balmy AlleyMurals between 24th St and 25th St
- 1:00 PMLa TaqueriaEat2889 Mission St, San Francisco, CA · Map of La Taqueria
If we have time
- Any timePowell-Hyde Cable CarDoPowell St & Market St, San Francisco, CA · Map of Powell-Hyde Cable CarRide it to Fisherman's Wharf
- Any timeSwan Oyster DepotEat1517 Polk St, San Francisco, CA · Map of Swan Oyster DepotCounter seats only; go early
Tips
- Alcatraz tours often sell out weeks ahead. Book directly with Alcatraz City Cruises, the park's only ferry operator.
- Dress in layers. Summer fog can make the bridge and the coast cold, even when the Mission is sunny.
- Tap a contactless card or phone on Muni buses, trains and cable cars, or use the Clipper app.
- Car break-ins are common at viewpoints. Leave nothing in the car, not even in the trunk.
Plan it together in Freya
Every stop goes on your trip with its place from Apple Maps, so the group gets directions, drive times and the weather. Then swap things out, vote and split the costs.
Add to FreyaQuestions
Is 3 days enough for San Francisco?
For a first visit, yes. This plan fits 15 stops into 3 days (Day 1: The bay and North Beach; Day 2: The Golden Gate and the coast; Day 3: The Mission). Add a day if your group likes a slower pace.
When is the best time to go to San Francisco?
September and October, the warmest and least foggy months.
Where should a group eat in San Francisco?
This plan stops at Ferry Building Marketplace, Tony's Pizza Napoletana, Louis' Restaurant, Tartine Bakery, La Taqueria and Swan Oyster Depot. Vote on dinner in Freya if the group can't agree.
What if the group wants to split up?
The ideas under “If we have time” (Dragon Gate, Powell-Hyde Cable Car and Swan Oyster Depot) are optional. In Freya, set who's going on a stop so everyone knows where to meet back up.
How do we use this plan as a group?
Tap Add to Freya on an iPhone. Every stop goes on a shared trip with its place from Apple Maps, so the group gets directions, drive times and the weather. Friends join from a link with just their first name, then swap stops, vote on plans and split the costs.
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