San Francisco is small — about seven miles square — but famously hilly. Group sights by neighbourhood, wear good shoes, and you'll cover the icons comfortably in two days.
Day 1 — The waterfront & the bridge
Begin at Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 (the sea lions), then the Ferry Building marketplace. In the afternoon, walk part of the Golden Gate Bridge and take in the view from Crissy Field or the Marin side.
Day 2 — Hills, cable cars & culture
Ride a cable car, see Lombard Street (the "crookedest street"), wander Chinatown (the oldest in North America) and Union Square. Optional: Alcatraz Island — book well ahead, as tickets sell out weeks in advance.
Getting around
- Cable cars and the Muni system cover the core; walking works for short hops.
- The hills are steep — use ride-share when your legs need a break.
- A contactless card or phone works on most transit.
Worth knowing
Dress in layers — summers are often foggy and cool ("the coldest winter is a summer in San Francisco"). And reserve Alcatraz before you arrive; same-day tickets rarely exist.
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