San Francisco One-Day Itinerary

Wake up early and have breakfast at the Ferry Building Market. In the morning this wonderful waterfront market bustles with activity, with people buying coffee on their way to work and shoppers looking for the best cheeses and produce. The stunning view of the bay alone is worth a trip here. Stroll the market hall for fresh baked pastries or have a proper breakfast at Boulette's Larder, where you can sit outside and watch ferries pulling in. Boulette’s serves dishes like poached eggs with dungeness crab, and the beignets will knock your socks off.

Make your way over to Telegraph Hill (you can walk along the waterfront Embarcadero or take the F-line to Greenwich Street.) From there, you can’t miss Coit Tower, a 240-foot-tall Art Deco gem of a building. Inside, the 19-Depression era murals, inspired by Diego Rivera, illustrate California’s economic and political life. You can ride the elevator to the top of the tower and enjoy the views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

From there head over to the famous Filbert Steps (via Sansome Street) where you’ll find historic cottages tucked behind lush gardens and the famous wild parrots of Telegraph Hill. Next, head over to North Beach to check out City Lights bookstore, where the Beat generation was born and authentic Italian cafes and pastry shops. Fashionable boutiques are located along Grant Street. If you need a coffee pick me up, Trieste and Visuvio have been the popular java haunts here for decades. For lunch, try a mouth filling sandwich at Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Shop or nab a table outside at the refined Rose Pistola.

In the afternoon, head over to Chrissy Field for up-close views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Dip your toes in the icy Pacific or stroll along the little beach; the Warming Hut café and gift shop is well worth a stop.

For dinner, book a table at one of the cutting-edge eateries South of Market, a trendy area brimming with terrific restaurants. Coco500 offers eclectic Mediterranean food in an intimate and casual setting; Town Hall is big and bustling and serves New-Orleans inspired fare.