Cidade Turismo
the United States

Before you go

Your trip to São Francisco.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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São Francisco – Califórnia Destination San Francisco and Napa

How to get there

  • San Francisco International Airport (SFO) San Mateo County · 23 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before purchasing. SFO links to the city center via BART; the urban transport Muni serves the neighborhoods.

How many days

Four or five days for the city, the Alcatraz crossing and the main parks.

When to go

In San Francisco, the periods from April to June and from September to October usually have mild conditions for outdoor circuits; between November and March, consider the possibility of rain when planning the coast.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Use public transport and walk by sector; a car is not necessary for the core of the visit.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in São Francisco
  1. Morning
    Golden Gate Bridge

    Dedicate the start of the itinerary to Golden Gate Bridge. Prioritize the main part of the visit and arrival time, leaving a break before continuing in San Francisco.

  2. Afternoon
    Alcatraz Island

    After the break, head to Alcatraz Island. Check access and tour the site without turning the afternoon in San Francisco into a sequence of transfers.

  3. Late afternoon
    Return via the Golden Gate Bridge sector

    Finish the walks in the sector already visited in San Francisco and return to accommodation before planning another transfer. Light and weather can change the duration of this stage.

  4. Evening
    Free evening in San Francisco

    Have dinner near your base in San Francisco and keep the evening free to rest after the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island outing.

2 days in São Francisco

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Golden Gate Bridge

    In this 2-day plan, on day 1 of the 2-day San Francisco itinerary, start with Golden Gate Bridge; in the 2-day plan, arrival at Golden Gate Bridge should respect the access reserved for day 1 of the 2-day plan.

  2. Afternoon
    Golden Gate Bridge circuit

    In this 2-day plan, continue the Golden Gate Bridge visit on day 1; if time and energy remain, São Francisco’s Cable Cars can complete the shift, depending on available access.

  3. Late afternoon
    End of day 1

    In this 2-day plan, conclude the Golden Gate Bridge shift on day 1 and arrange the return to your San Francisco base, leaving leeway for the next stage of the 2-day itinerary.

  4. Evening
    Break after Golden Gate Bridge

    In this 2-day plan, keep night 1 near your accommodation in San Francisco; the 2-day plan spreads the effort so as not to compress subsequent visits.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Alcatraz Island

    In this 2-day plan, on day 2 of the 2-day San Francisco itinerary, start with Alcatraz Island; in the 2-day plan, arrival at Alcatraz Island should respect the access reserved for day 2 of the 2-day plan.

  2. Afternoon
    Alcatraz Island circuit

    In this 2-day plan, continue the Alcatraz Island visit on day 2; if time and energy remain, Golden Gate Park can complete the shift, depending on available access.

  3. Late afternoon
    End of day 2

    In this 2-day plan, conclude the Alcatraz Island shift on day 2 and arrange the return to your San Francisco base, leaving leeway for the next stage of the 2-day itinerary.

  4. Evening
    Break after Alcatraz Island

    In this 2-day plan, keep night 2 near your accommodation in San Francisco; the 2-day plan spreads the effort so as not to compress subsequent visits.

3 days in São Francisco

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Golden Gate Bridge

    In this 3-day plan, on day 1 of the 3-day San Francisco itinerary, start with Golden Gate Bridge; in the 3-day plan, arrival at Golden Gate Bridge should respect the access reserved for day 1 of the 3-day plan.

  2. Afternoon
    Golden Gate Bridge circuit

    In this 3-day plan, continue the Golden Gate Bridge visit on day 1; if time and energy remain, São Francisco’s Cable Cars can complete the shift, depending on available access.

  3. Late afternoon
    End of day 1

    In this 3-day plan, conclude the Golden Gate Bridge shift on day 1 and arrange the return to your San Francisco base, leaving leeway for the next stage of the 3-day itinerary.

  4. Evening
    Break after Golden Gate Bridge

    In this 3-day plan, keep night 1 near your accommodation in San Francisco; the 3-day plan spreads the effort so as not to compress subsequent visits.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Alcatraz Island

    In this 3-day plan, on day 2 of the 3-day San Francisco itinerary, start with Alcatraz Island; in the 3-day plan, arrival at Alcatraz Island should respect the access reserved for day 2 of the 3-day plan.

  2. Afternoon
    Alcatraz Island circuit

    In this 3-day plan, continue the Alcatraz Island visit on day 2; if time and energy remain, Golden Gate Park can complete the shift, depending on available access.

  3. Late afternoon
    End of day 2

    In this 3-day plan, conclude the Alcatraz Island shift on day 2 and arrange the return to your San Francisco base, leaving leeway for the next stage of the 3-day itinerary.

  4. Evening
    Break after Alcatraz Island

    In this 3-day plan, keep night 2 near your accommodation in San Francisco; the 3-day plan spreads the effort so as not to compress subsequent visits.

Day 3

  1. Morning
    São Francisco Cable Cars

    In this 3-day plan, on day 3 of the 3-day San Francisco itinerary, start with São Francisco Cable Cars; in the 3-day plan, arrival at São Francisco Cable Cars should respect the access reserved for day 3 of the 3-day plan.

  2. Afternoon
    São Francisco Cable Cars circuit

    In this 3-day plan, continue the São Francisco Cable Cars visit on day 3; if time and energy remain, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 can complete the shift, depending on available access.

  3. Late afternoon
    End of day 3

    In this 3-day plan, conclude the São Francisco Cable Cars shift on day 3 and arrange the return to your San Francisco base, leaving leeway for the next stage of the 3-day itinerary.

  4. Evening
    Break after São Francisco Cable Cars

    In this 3-day plan, keep night 3 near your accommodation in San Francisco; the 3-day plan spreads the effort so as not to compress subsequent visits.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get to San Francisco and start the visit?

BART links SFO to the central axes of the bay.

How many days to set aside for San Francisco?

Four or five days allow for neighborhoods and Alcatraz.

How to get around during your stay in São Francisco?

Muni and walking replace the car in the urban core.

Do I need a coat in São Francisco’s summer?

Yes. Wind and fog can make bay areas chilly even between June and August; wear layers that allow you to adapt.

Back to São Francisco