If you only have 24 hours in San Francisco, you might think there’s no way to see much of the city. After spending my first full day here, I actually think you can experience quite a lot if you plan your time well.
My day took me from some of San Francisco’s best food spots to the Golden Gate Bridge, North Beach and a live performance, with plenty of walking and exploring in between. It was busy, but it gave me a really good introduction to the city and some of the experiences that make San Francisco so unique.
So, if you’re planning a short trip and wondering what to do in San Francisco in one day, here’s exactly how I spent my 24 hours in San Francisco.
Start Your Day with a San Francisco Food Tour
I always think food is one of the best ways to get to know a new city, so I decided to start my first day in San Francisco with a guided food tour with Edible Excursions. Having a local guide was a great way to discover places I probably wouldn’t have found on my own, and we spent the morning trying everything from pastries and cheese to Jamaican patties, seafood and fresh fruit.
Parachute Bakery
Our first stop was Parachute Bakery, a popular bakery known for its pastries. The queue was already huge when we arrived, with people saying they’d waited around 45 minutes. If you’re visiting and want to try it, I’d recommend arriving early rather than spending a big part of your morning standing in line.
The Epicurean Trader
From there, we visited The Epicurean Trader, where we tried local cheese, bread and cured meats. One of my favourites was Humbled Fog, a goat cheese from California cheesemaker Cypress Grove. I’m not usually a huge fan of strong goat’s cheese, but this was much lighter and creamier than I expected.
Peaches Patties
We then stopped at Peaches Patties, where I tried Jamaican food for the first time. The Jamaican patty was similar in shape to an empanada, with buttery pastry and a really flavourful, spiced filling. It was such a simple thing, but it ended up being one of those foods I kept thinking about afterwards.
Try San Francisco’s Seafood at Nopa Fish
If there’s one thing that became very clear during my first day, it’s that San Francisco is a fantastic city for seafood. One of my favourite stops was Nopa Fish, where we met the owner and tried their trout latke.
This dish was honestly one of my favourite things I ate during the entire trip. It combines a crispy potato latke with beet hummus and smoked trout, finished with tartar sauce. The potato was crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle, while the beet hummus added a smooth, slightly sweet element to the smoked fish.
It was the kind of dish that made me immediately want to come back. If you’re looking for food experiences in San Francisco beyond the usual tourist recommendations, I would definitely put seafood high on your list.
Have Lunch Along the Waterfront at Cholita Linda
Our next food stop was Cholita Linda, where we tried their fish tacos. The tacos come with a double-wrapped tortilla and a light, crispy coating around the fish, and they were seriously good.
We also tried an agua fresca, which was a refreshing choice after walking around and eating our way through the city. If you’re visiting San Francisco on a Saturday, there’s also a farmers’ market nearby, which gives you another reason to explore the area.
This was one of my favourite things about the food tour. Instead of simply visiting one famous restaurant, we got to try completely different types of food and see little parts of San Francisco that I probably would have missed otherwise.
Cycle Across the Golden Gate Bridge
After spending the morning eating, it was time to do something a little more active. And obviously, no first visit to San Francisco would feel complete without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge.
We rented e-bikes from Blazing Saddles and cycled towards the bridge. If you’re planning to do the same, I would definitely recommend an e-bike. San Francisco is famous for its hills, and having some extra assistance makes the experience much easier and more enjoyable.
There are plenty of places to stop for photos along the way, and you can also grab a drink or snack at Round House Cafe before crossing the bridge.
The bridge itself can be a little intense. The wind is strong, there’s plenty of traffic noise, and even on a summer day, it can feel surprisingly cold. I was absolutely freezing despite it being peak summer, so bring layers.
But once you reach the other side, the views are incredible. Looking back towards San Francisco with the bridge stretching out behind you is one of those moments that makes you realise you’re actually there.
Stay Somewhere Central
After cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge, I headed back to my hotel to freshen up. I was staying at Hotel Emblem, a boutique hotel just a few minutes from Union Square.
I loved the location because it made exploring central San Francisco really easy. The hotel is inspired by the Beat Generation, a literary and artistic movement closely associated with San Francisco, and that influence is reflected throughout the property.
The interiors have a dark, cosy and eclectic feel, with artwork and details that give the hotel plenty of personality. My room was comfortable and had a really interesting design, including a record player that you could use from bed. There was also a Blue Bottle Coffee location in the lobby, which was very welcome after a full day of exploring.
For a short visit, staying somewhere central is particularly useful because you don’t want to spend your limited 24 hours constantly travelling between your hotel and the places you want to see.
Explore North Beach
Once I was refreshed and ready to head back out, I made my way towards North Beach. This is one of San Francisco’s most interesting neighbourhoods and has a strong connection to the city’s literary and artistic history.
North Beach was at the heart of the Beat Generation, a movement that included writers and poets such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. You can still see that creative influence around the neighbourhood, with independent businesses, cafés, bookshops and historic buildings giving the area a completely different atmosphere from some of the city’s more modern districts.
It’s also a great neighbourhood to explore on foot, particularly if you’re interested in San Francisco’s history and culture.
Have Dinner at Tony’s Pizza Napoletana
No day of eating in America would be complete for me without pizza, so naturally, I had to find some in San Francisco.
We headed to Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in North Beach, which was founded by Tony Gemignani, a 13-time pizza world champion. The restaurant is particularly interesting because it doesn’t just specialise in one style of pizza.
The menu features 12 different styles, and the restaurant uses seven different ovens to cook them. That’s probably why I found the menu so overwhelming. I had no idea what to order, so I asked the server for a recommendation based on the type of pizza I usually enjoy.
I ended up trying their award-winning Margherita, which had a soft and chewy base rather than the crispier style I usually go for. I also added anchovies and hot honey, which turned out to be an excellent decision.
If you’re a pizza fan, Tony’s is definitely somewhere I’d recommend adding to your San Francisco itinerary. Just be prepared to spend a little time deciding what style you actually want to eat.
Wind Up Your Evening at Club Fugazi
To finish my 24 hours in San Francisco, I went to Club Fugazi in North Beach to see Dear San Francisco, a 90-minute acrobatic and theatrical performance.
Club Fugazi itself is a historic theatre, and the show combines acrobatics, dance, music, theatre and storytelling to explore the history and character of San Francisco. We were actually seated on the stage, which made the experience even more immersive.
The performers were incredible. They were dancing, tumbling, jumping, singing and moving across the stage at a ridiculous speed, and it was one of those shows where you genuinely have no idea how they’re doing half of what you’re watching.
What I particularly liked was that the performance wasn’t simply a circus show. It was really a celebration of San Francisco and the people who have shaped the city. It explored the idea of how this small settlement developed into such a diverse and creative city.
After a full day of exploring San Francisco, it was a really fun way to finish the evening.
A Few Tips for Spending 24 Hours in San Francisco
- Get an eSIM before you arrive. Having mobile data makes a huge difference for maps, ride-sharing, restaurant recommendations and getting around the city without relying on public Wi-Fi.
- Wear layers. San Francisco can feel surprisingly cold, especially around the Golden Gate Bridge and waterfront, even on a sunny summer day. A light jacket is definitely worth packing.
- Use public transport and walk. Many central attractions are close enough to explore on foot, while Muni buses, trains and cable cars make it easy to cover longer distances.
- Book popular experiences ahead. If you want to do an architecture cruise, visit a popular restaurant, or see a show like Dear San Francisco, booking in advance can save you a lot of time.
- Plan your food stops. San Francisco has an incredible food scene, so leaving some room in your itinerary for bakeries, markets and local restaurants is absolutely worth it.
- Explore beyond the main attractions. Neighbourhoods like North Beach have their own history and character, and sometimes wandering without a strict plan ends up being one of the best parts of the day.
Making the Most of 24 Hours in San Francisco
My first 24 hours in San Francisco gave me a pretty perfect introduction to the city. What I loved most was how much variety you can fit into a single day. You can start with incredible food, cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge, wander through historic neighbourhoods, sit beside the water and finish the evening with a show, all without feeling like you’ve stayed in one part of the city.
If you only have 24 hours in San Francisco, I wouldn’t try to tick off every attraction. Pick a few things you’re genuinely excited about and build your day around them. You’ll probably do plenty of walking, and those famous San Francisco hills are no joke, so leaving yourself some time to slow down and enjoy each stop will make the day much more enjoyable.
And honestly, this was only my first day in San Francisco. By the end of it, I already knew there was so much more I wanted to see, eat and explore. If you’re planning your own trip, I hope this guide helps you make the most of your time in the city.
For more San Francisco travel guides, itineraries, tips and inspiration, head over to Travel For Phoebe blog, and don’t forget to join me on my YouTube channel to see the city and my travels in action.