The city of San Francisco defies brevity in description. Take a San Francisco day trip to experience it firsthand. No matter how many times one visits the magical city, there is always more to discover.
The concierge will be pleased to arrange excursions, theatre tickets, recommend restaurants – whatever is desired. Special effort is made to stay current on events and compelling attractions.
One of the great advantages of staying at the Inn Above Tide is the ferry terminal just steps from the hotel’s front door. You can skip the bridge traffic entirely, enjoy a glass of wine on the water, and arrive in downtown San Francisco refreshed and ready to explore.
The ferry ride itself is part of the experience. Watch Alcatraz, Angel Island, and the Golden Gate Bridge drift past as you glide across the Bay, often accompanied by sea lions, harbor seals, and seabirds.
San Francisco Day Trip Without a Car
- Ferry to the Embarcadero. Take the ferry adjacent to the hotel to San Francisco and tour the Ferry Building with its artisan shops, cafés, restaurants, and extensive Saturday Farmers Market along the waterfront. The Farmers Market runs Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with Saturday being the largest and most festive.
- Head to Union Square. Walk or taxi downtown to Union Square – the heart of San Francisco. The walk takes about 15 minutes and passes by historic buildings, public art, and the distinctive architecture of the Financial District. Union Square itself is surrounded by flagship stores, art galleries, and the city’s main theater district.
- Lunch and Chinatown. Lunch near the square or continue on to Chinatown for walking and lunch at one of hundreds of authentic Asian eateries. Enter through the iconic Dragon Gate at Grant Avenue and Bush Street, then wander up Grant and the parallel Stockton Street for the most authentic market experience. Don’t miss the fortune cookie factory on Ross Alley.
- Coit Tower. Taxi to famous Coit Tower and take in the 360-degree views. If you’re feeling energetic, take the Filbert Steps up through one of the city’s most charming hidden neighborhoods – a steep but beautiful climb past gardens and cottages with views of the Bay. The murals inside the tower’s lobby, painted in the 1930s under the WPA, are worth a look on their own.
- Choose a neighborhood. Continue on to one of these three locales, which provide a glimpse of San Francisco’s famed architecture and lively neighborhood life: Union Street (Cow Hollow), Chestnut Street (Marina), or Upper Fillmore (Pacific Heights). Each has its own personality. Union Street is known for boutiques and Victorian-era buildings, Chestnut for a younger and livelier crowd, and Upper Fillmore for upscale shops and elegant Pacific Heights mansions.
- Dinner and return. Enjoy an early dinner or cocktail in one of the above neighborhoods before taxiing the few minutes back over the Golden Gate to the Inn Above Tide. The drive back across the bridge at dusk is one of the most memorable moments of any visit to the Bay Area.
Additional Attractions to Consider on your San Francisco Day Trip
If you have extra time or want to swap out a stop your San Francisco day trip offers dozens of other worthwhile destinations within an easy cab or rideshare ride.
Golden Gate Park is the city’s green heart and home to the de Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences, the Japanese Tea Garden, and the Conservatory of Flowers. A half day here is easy to fill and pairs well with a stroll through the adjacent Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.
The Presidio offers wooded trails, coastal overlooks, and the Walt Disney Family Museum. Crissy Field along the Presidio’s waterfront is one of the best places in the city for a walk with unobstructed Golden Gate Bridge views.
The Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina is a short walk from Crissy Field and makes a stunning photo stop, with its Roman-inspired rotunda reflected in a lagoon.
Alcatraz Island tours depart from Pier 33 and should be booked well in advance. The audio tour narrated by former inmates and guards is one of the most compelling attractions in the city.
Cable cars are both transportation and attraction. The Powell-Hyde line ends near Ghirardelli Square and offers the most dramatic hill climbs and views.
Tips for a Smooth Day
Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers. San Francisco weather can shift quickly, and even warm afternoons often turn cool when the fog rolls in.
Check the ferry schedule before you leave the hotel. Sailings are less frequent midday and in the evening, so plan your return accordingly or be prepared to take a cab or rideshare back across the bridge.
Cash is handy for Chinatown markets and cable car fares, though most places accept cards. A reloadable Clipper card or the MuniMobile app makes using public transit easy if you’d prefer to skip taxis between stops.
Whatever route you take, a San Francisco day trip from Sausalito is one of the most memorable ways to experience both sides of the Bay in a single unforgettable day.
