The Ultimate San Francisco Road Trip

San Francisco took Jake and I by surprise. We knew San Francisco is one of the most popular cities, but we usually don’t visit cities as a destination rather just a place to drive through. We got really lucky with the October weather being 80 and sunny, making it a very desirable place to visit. But, typical weather of San Francisco tends to be overcast and in the mid 60’s. But San Francisco offers a large assortment of activities to keep you occupied for days! Here is a 3-day trip itinerary for The Ultimate San Francisco Road Trip.

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Day 1: A Day In The City

Painted Ladies:

Have you seen the TV series, Full House? If so, then you will want to check out this iconic spot. And if you haven’t seen the TV show, it’s still a very beautiful spot. 

It’s a line of historic Victorian houses that overlook the city of San Francisco. They are located right across the street from Alamo Square Park which has a grassy area so you can sit and enjoy the view. Grab a coffee and maybe a quick breakfast-to-go and settle into this adventurous day looking over San Francisco’s beauty. 

Andy Goldsworthy Wood Line:

Once you finish your breakfast at the iconic Painted Ladies, head over to Presidio. The Andy Goldsworthy Wood Line is a unique piece of art in the middle of a eucalyptus grove. It’s a beautifully arranged line of trees that zig-zag through the forest. You might also hear the walk called, Lovers Lane.  It’s a beautiful little slice of nature tucked into the city.

The piece of artwork is supposed to have you contemplate where the life of a tree begins and how fertile the earth really is. The piece of artwork only stretches 1200 feet. So you can just go to check out the artwork, or do a 2 mile loop for added exercise.

Lombard Street:

Lombard street is the famous steep zig-zagging road that has 8 hairpin turns in just one block. It’s said to be the crookedest streets in the world.

Jake, of course, being a video-gaming 90’s baby was like “Oh I remember this street from Grand Theft Auto.”  But for decades it’s been a staple of any video game or movie that’s trying to depict San Fransisco’s funky charm. 

It’s crazy to believe that people actually live here and have to deal with all the tourists gazing over the beauty of a street. The landscape was one of my favorite parts, with luscious green bushes and beautiful bright flowers. You can either drive Lombard street yourself or walk the stairs along the side of the street.

PS: It’s very difficult to snag a photo of this street. For a photo in this picture, you must have a drone or have access to a building that is parallel to the street.

Pier 39:

Next up on The Ultimate San Francisco Road Trip, is Pier 39. It’s a pier over the Pacific Ocean with many shops, entertainment and food options. It offers a beautiful view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, and the beautiful city.

Don’t forget to check out the world-famous sea lions at K-dock. You can’t miss them as they “bark” and play around with each other!

Also, if you are looking for a famous clam chowder bread bowl, be sure to check out Boudins Bread Factory. You can either sit down for service or order at the counter for quicker service! But you won’t be disappointed, it is delicious!

Jake’s a born-and-raised New Englander and the chowdah was “wicked good”.

Mission Dolores Park:

Now to end the day at Mission Dolores Park. This park has all types of character and offers a stunning view of the city. Grab a picnic dinner or a snack and sit and enjoy the sunset over the city. There are probably some great sandwich shops around the block, or you could check out one of the amazing restaurants in the area after sunset!

If you decide to visit Mission Delores Park during the day, there are basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields, a playground and a dog play area.

Note: If you are there before sunset, walk down the neighborhood to see some amazing Mission District street art.

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Day 2: Checking out The Surrounding San Francisco Bay Area

Fort Funston:

Today you are going to start on The Ultimate San Francisco Road Trip at Fort Funston. Fort Funston is a former Harbor Defense Installation of San Francisco. It’s right on the beach! And if you are traveling with a dog, this is basically compared to doggy heaven.

When Jake and I visited, we didn’t have a dog, but it was a great park to walk around and see all the dogs roaming around. You will most likely see professional dog walkers managing 6+ dogs at one time. You can access the beach from the parking lot or walk around on top of the 200-foot bluffs on a dirt path. 

Golden Gate Park:

Next, you will head to Golden Gate Park, which is HUGE! The park covers 1,017 acres. You can choose from a whole assortment of activities such as a walk in the park, touring beautiful gardens, fishing, segway tours, a place for a bite to eat, etc. Plus there are always special events taking place within the park.

We honestly just parked and explored the pond to get some fresh air. We were intrigued by the model sailboats racing on the weekend. They even have a Model Yacht Club! But, if you are looking for more to do, check out Golden Gate Park’s Website.

It’s at least worth a drive-through on The Ultimate San Francisco Road Trip!

Ocean Beach:

Ocean Beach is one of the best beaches in the San Francisco Bay. It stretched 3.5 miles. It’s the beach where most surfers head to and most locals that want to get in a quick swim! But beware, because the water is frigid all year long and the current is hazardous.

You can walk along the beach or have a front-row seat to surfers doing their thing. There are assorted parking lots along the beach with restrooms or street parking, but finding a spot can be difficult during busy times. 

Lands End Coastal Lookout:

The last section of the day will be spent at Lands End Coast Lookout. You can snag a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge here. Its a 3.4 mile loop hike that offers stunning views of golden gate bridge, coastal views of the Pacific Ocean, and historic sutro baths. It’s a great little walk to get some exercise and watch a beautiful sunset!

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Day 3: Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge:

You know that famous bridge you’ve been staring at this whole trip and probably taken numerous photos of? Well today is the day you get to cross over it! Do be aware that it costs $8 to come back across the bridge. But you gotta say you’ve at least done it once, right?! 

Muir Woods National Monument:

Next, head toward Muir Woods National Monument! PLAN AHEAD because you do need a permit to park in their parking lot. And you lose cell service the closer you get. You can purchase a permit HERE. Muir Woods National Monument provides complete solitude encompassed by tall old growth redwood trees. 

The land was founded by John Muir and has been federally protected since 1908. The redwood tree thrives in the coastal climate and the fog provides exponential plant growth! 

There is a beautiful scenic walk throughout the park, or many spur trails getting you deeper in the redwood forest. And there are even some trails that venture out of the redwood forest toward the coast. 

Muir Beach Overlook:

On your way to the next destination you will find Muir Beach Overlook. It’s a short walk with great views of the coast. It was actually a location for the San Francisco Bay Coastal Defense System. It was a base-end station for soldiers to view invading ships coming into the bay area. But overall, it is a great location to grab some history and get a stunning view of the Pacific Coast.

Stinson Beach:

Continuing on, you will follow a scenic drive to Stinson Beach. Grab some beach towels, a couple of cold ones and you will be in for a real treat. Stinson beach has beautiful white sand with a beautiful coastal view. The beach provides many outdoor recreational activities such as volleyball, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and surfing. 

We visited in their off-season and had no issues parking, but if you are visiting during the middle of summer, then the parking lot often fills up before noon. 

Point Bonita Lighthouse:

This beautiful lighthouse built in 1855 was the third lighthouse built on the West Coast. It is also still being used by the U.S. Coast Guard today. The lighthouse is only open to visitors on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 12:30pm to 3:30pm.

You are able to walk as far as the tunnel during non-business hours. But you, unfortunately wont get to see the lighthouse. However, the view of the rocky point is still incredible. And if you look down into the ocean you may see some sea otters. But stay quiet, because human voices are enough to spoil their important nap time.

If you are interested in a guided tour, you can book a tour with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. 

Kirby Cove Beach:

This was one of our favorite parts of visiting San Francisco on our San Francisco Road Trip. The cove is named after historic Battery Kirby from San Francisco Bay’s Coastal Defense System. This area is somewhat of a hidden gem, because unless you have a camping or day-use permit, you have to park at Battery Spencer and hike down to it.

We suggest visiting during sunset to get one of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Jake and I planned a last minute romantic date with some wine and cheese to enjoy a sunset picnic. It is quite a hike though because you go downhill in the light and have to climb back up in the dark. The hike is 3 miles round trip with 561 feet elevation change. So don’t forget a headlamp or flashlight for your adventure back up. 

But if you are looking for a cool place to camp on this San Francisco Road Trip, this is your spot.  The campsites are tucked in the trees, just above this incredible beach.

Camping: You will need to plan well in advance if you want to camp here, because there are only 5 campsites and often sell out fast. The fees range from $30-$45/night and is open from March 6- November 1st. You can grab a permit at Reacreation.gov.

Battery Spencer/Night View Of The Golden Gate Bridge:

After you finish your sunset hike at Kirby Cove, return to your vehicle parked at Battery Spencer. It’s one of the best (closest) viewpoints of the Golden Gate Bridge. And the night view of the Golden Gate Bridge is magical. Do bring a headlamp so you can find your way safely in the dark. Also, if night photography isn’t your thing, leave a little time to check out Battery Spencer before your hike to Kirby Cove.

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Takeaway:

San Francisco is one of the most incredible cities and it accommodates tourists from all over the world. Aside from being a top economic center of the world, San Francisco has so much more to offer. It has big city amenities, but many areas still retain their neighborhood vibe. The hilly streets are oddly charming, and also lend themselves to incredible views. And surrounding the landscapes of the Bay Area are breathtaking.

If you’re coming from the north, feel free to flip-flop the itinerary of this San Francisco Road Trip.  Or if you’re short on time just pick the destinations that interest you most. It is truly a beautiful city and has a lot to offer. We hope you enjoy The Ultimate San Francisco Road Trip.

If you are heading north, definitely don’t miss out on the epic adventures from Lee Vining to Mammoth Lakes or a the endless coastline on the Pacific Coast Highway.

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Honorable Mention

Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz is a famous prison island in San Francisco that was active from 1934 to 1963. And now you can go explore the historical landmark by ferry. You can purchase tickets for the ferry ride and tours from Alcatraz Cruises.

Trolley Ride

One legendary thing to do while traveling in San Francisco is to ride the famous trolley. There are 3 different routes, but we suggest Powell Hyde because you get a great view of Alcatraz, coit tower and lombard street. For more information on the trolley click here.

Coit Tower

If you want to snag a panoramic view of San Francisco, add Coit Tower to the list. It was built in 1933 and has been an emblem of San Francisco’s skyline. It was named after a firefighter, Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who always loved adding beauty to the city. 

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