San Francisco in 1 Day: all you need to know

San Francisco is located on the west coast of the USA and is one of the most famous and beautiful cities in the country. Famous for the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, it is a surprising tourist destination.

If you want to get to know the city of San Francisco, but you only have 24 hours, don't worry, it will be enough time to visit the main sites. Here's a guide to help you organise your route and make the most of your time.

The Golden Gate Bridge is the emblem of the city of San Francisco, a 227-metre high bridge that connects the two sides of the San Francisco Bay. The special thing about this site is that you will be able to contemplate the enchanting views from several viewpoints distributed in the surroundings and discover landscapes that will leave you speechless.

The best option to see the bridge from different perspectives is using a car, but another ideal proposal is to book a bike tour of the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito in San Francisco.

Tips

• As you only have one day in the city, I suggest you visit what I consider to be one of the best views in San Francisco, which is the Battery East observation deck.
• A must on your visit to San Francisco is also to walk across part of the bridge and see it all from the heights. There is a lane on the right hand side of the bridge exclusively for pedestrians and it will take you about half an hour to cross it, without taking into account the time it takes to take pictures.
• If you're staying in the city centre, keep in mind that the Golden Gate Bridge is about 6 kilometres away. You can get there by bus or bike very easily, and it will take you about 20 minutes.

Once you finish your visit to the Golden Gate Bridge, you can visit the historic and unique Alcatraz Prison, San Francisco's most famous jail. Although it is no longer a prison, it is a place full of history and holds many mysteries and curiosities. For example, the legendary Al Capone served his time here.

When it comes to visiting it, you have several options:

• From the Golden Gate Bridge, you can take a bus to Pier 33.
• Continue the tour with your bike or your car.
• Book a tour of Alcatraz, which will take you through its corridors and cells, making this a completely unique experience.
• Book a San Francisco bus tour with Alcatraz excursion.
• Book a San Francisco Big Bus tour bus and Alcatraz tickets.
• From this pier, boats depart to take you to the island where Alcatraz is located. The ferry ride takes only 15 minutes and will drop you off at the place where the sightseeing tour begins.

Of all of them, the best is to hire a guided tour, where your guide will tell you relevant information to complement the visit and learn even more about this important place in San Francisco. I recommend our article on how to visit Alcatraz, so you know everything you need to know before you visit.

After visiting Alcatraz, your day out in San Francisco continues at Fisherman's Wharf, an old harbour and fishing district. Wandering through its picturesque streets is a must on your way through the city, where you can also sample some of San Francisco's own delicacies.

There are plenty of things to do in Fisherman's Wharf:

• There are numerous stalls serving clam chowder, a creamy clam chowder with a spectacular taste and a typical dish of the city.
• Or, if you prefer, you can also head to the Crab House, where they serve delicious crab.
• For film buffs, very close to the pier you'll find the famous bench from the movie Forrest Gump, where the main character spends several moments throughout the film. So don't hesitate to take a picture. Remember, too, that you can book a film tour in San Francisco.
• Another characteristic site of Fisherman's Wharf is the Coit Tower, which measures 64 metres and is one of the best viewpoints in the area.

Pier 45, which is also part of Fisherman's Wharf, is one of San Francisco's most popular piers, and where you can do some interesting activities during your 24-hour tour of the city:

• You can get an inside look at two submarines: a USS Pampanito and the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, two vessels that participated in World War II.
• You can visit the Musée Mécanique, one of the best museums in San Francisco. It's completely free and you can see the large collection of arcade machines from the early 20th century. There is also an exhibition of mechanical artefacts that still work with coins, which is very curious. But the undisputed jewel of this San Francisco museum is a steam-powered motorbike built in 1912. To the surprise of many, it still works!

From Fisherman's Wharf you can walk about 5 minutes to Pier 39. This pier is the most famous in San Francisco and owes its popularity to the colony of sea lions that inhabit the area. You'll see them everywhere, as they roost on the wooden planks of the harbour.

Sea lions are a very common species on the California coast, and although you can see them in other places, all tourists come to observe this colony because of its proximity to the city.

In addition to meeting these friendly friends, you can take a stroll through the Pier 39 outdoor mall, where you'll find souvenir shops and restaurants that will take you back in time. Pier 39 is also a great place if you want panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge or Alcatraz Prison Island. Also, remember that during your stay you can also book your ticket to the San Francisco Zoo.

Recommended places to eat at Pier 39

At this point in the day you're probably already hungry. From all that sightseeing around San Francisco it's time to stop for a snack or lunch. Pier 39 is a good place for that, so here are some recommendations of places with good food:

Wipeout Bar & Grill

This restaurant is popular with both locals and visitors to the city, as it offers good food, a relaxed atmosphere and a nice ambience. The price-quality ratio of their dishes is also very convenient.

If you are looking for a place with an extensive menu, Wipeout offers both American food and some Mexican dishes.

• Address: Pier 39 #A02
• Opening hours: daily from 9am to 9pm. Saturdays and Sundays until 10pm.
• Average spend: 30 € per person.

Fog Harbor Fish House

This place is considered one of the classics of the city. They also offer an extensive menu with a variety of options, but I recommend the clam chowder and the seafood platter with lobster, which I liked very much. The value for money is very good and you can also enjoy one of the best views of San Francisco while you feast on their dishes.

• Address: Pier 39 #A202
• Opening hours: Every day from 11am to 9pm.
• Average spend: €40 per person.

San Francisco is a challenging city for both pedestrians and cyclists. One of the main characteristics of the city is its steep streets or the slopes around the corner.

LombardStreet is popularly known as the steepest street in San Francisco, and resembles a roller coaster for all who dare to take a ride down it.

You will see hundreds of tourists every day photographing the curves of this hill, a real zig zag in the middle of San Francisco. Despite its fame, I regret to say that it is not the steepest slope in the city, as it only has an incline of 40 degrees.

Don't miss the opportunity to stand at the bottom of the street and be part of this San Francisco phenomenon yourself. To get here from Pier 39, simply take the historic tram, which will take you directly to Lombard Street. Another option is to book an electric bike tour in San Francisco so you can negotiate the hills without difficulty.

Just 700 metres from Lombard Street, you will find Little Italy, the Little Italy lost in the North Beach district. This 10-minute walk will allow you to discover a quaint little neighbourhood in the city of San Francisco.

North Beach is an area of the city with a lot of personality, with many colourful Victorian houses and modern, avant-garde graffiti. You'll also find shops, ice cream parlours, cafes and Italian restaurants where you can sample some tasty treats. In fact, I highly recommend booking a food tour of Little Italy.

You can take a tour from Columbus Avenue to Broadway Street to see the best of San Francisco's Little Italy. Wandering the charming and colourful streets is one of the best things to do on a day out in the city.

Washington Square is a park in the North Beach district that hides some secrets and curiosities worth discovering. It is also a popular hangout for locals where you can experience the daily life of San Francisco residents.

You will also find the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, famous for being the site where Marilyn Monroe married baseball player Joe DiMaggio. This park is a gathering place in the neighbourhood where, if you're lucky, you can listen to street performers and feast your eyes on a variety of artists.

If you keep walking along Columbus Avenue, you will come across Columbus Tower, one of the most beautiful buildings in San Francisco. This green-coloured building delimits different districts of the city, making it a major focal point.

Its style is quite similar to New York's Flatiron Building and itwas built for political purposes, as it housed the headquarters of the famous Ruef Abe, a local figure at the time.

A curiosity of the Columbus Tower is that it houses the 'Caesar's' restaurant, which is credited with creating the world-famous Caesar salad. A few metres from this tower, you can also see the Transamerica Pyramid, the second tallest skyscraper in the city.

Finally, you'll tour one of the must-visit neighbourhoods in San Francisco: Chinatown. This is home to one of the largest Chinese communities in the world. It's always a good time to wander the streets lined with colourful and eye-catching signs, take pictures of the red lanterns adorning every corner and observe the dynamics of this popular district.

The must-see places on your Chinatown itinerary should include:

• Grant Avenue.
• Stockton Street.
• The must-see Dragon Gate.
• Also, head to Portsmouth Square, where locals gather to practice tai chi and play Chinese chess.

When it's time for dinner, don't miss the opportunity to binge on dumplings at a restaurant. This Chinese dish is simply delicious and the most famous outside China.

As you have read, there is a lot to see and do in San Francisco. A good way to make the most of your day in San Francisco is to book a seat on one of San Francisco's best tour buses. It's definitely the most convenient way to cover all the major areas of the city from the comfort of your seat.

Getting your bearings in a new city can be difficult at times. This itinerary is designed to include all of San Francisco's landmark stops on a single tour, and you can hop on and off as many times as you like during the validity of your pass.

Plus, you have the chance to learn all about the most important sites thanks to the on-board audio guide in English, with the best commentary on the main attractions as you stroll around the city.