🌉 San Francisco in 5 Days?📸 Top Spots & Hidden Gems to Visit!
Explore San Francisco without driving🚋 — from Pier 39 to Golden Gate Bridge!
Hi everyone, I’m Hattie 👋 For our California adventure, we planned a Los Angeles + San Francisco twin-city trip, and this post is all about our 5-day, 4-night San Francisco itinerary — perfect for first-time visitors who love taking photos but don’t want to rent a car.
💡 Good news: Getting around San Francisco is a breeze!
Even though it’s a hilly city, the public transport network is excellent. We relied entirely on the Muni Mobile App — hopping on and off buses, streetcars, and cable cars — and still managed to explore all the must-see spots (and a few hidden gems!)
🏞️ Day 1 — Yosemite National Park Day Trip
You can’t visit the U.S. without experiencing one of its incredible national parks.
We booked the Yosemite Day Tour via Klook, which made everything super convenient — no driving, no stress!
Because winter roads may close due to snow, I recommend visiting Yosemite on your first day.
The views were absolutely breathtaking: misty waterfalls, towering granite cliffs, and golden forests that look straight out of a dream 🌲✨
👉 Related post: 🌄 Yosemite One Day Itinerary｜Complete Guide & Tour Review 🚍
🌊 Day 2 — Pier 39 Sea Lions ➝ Sausalito ➝ Fisherman’s Wharf ➝ Ghirardelli Square
Start your morning at Pier 39, where the famous sea lions bask in the sun — it’s one of the most relaxing and photo-worthy places in San Francisco! 🦭
Then take the ferry to Sausalito, a charming European-style seaside town. Enjoy a cup of coffee, admire the ocean views, and snap some romantic photos by the marina. ☕🌊
👉 Read more: 💙 Sausalito: The Dreamy Bay Town That Feels Like Europe ⛵️🌸
As the sun sets, take the ferry back to the city and stroll to Fisherman’s Wharf — the sunset glow along the waterfront is stunning 🌅
Dinner time = Boudin’s famous clam chowder in sourdough bread 🍞💛
The portion is huge and the soup is rich — a must-try classic!
End your evening at Ghirardelli Square, browsing the chocolate shop surrounded by festive lights. 🍫✨
🚋 Day 3 — Cable Car Ride ➝ Union Square ➝ Macy’s ➝ Chinatown ➝ Golden Gate Bridge
Time for the ultimate San Francisco experience — riding the iconic Cable Car!
Go early in the morning to avoid long lines. The staff were so friendly they even rang the bell and helped take photos for us 🤭
We rode from the pier area to Union Square, took photos among the Christmas décor, and went shopping at Macy’s — I even found Ralph Lauren socks for a steal!
Then hop off at Chinatown (Washington St.).
It’s like stepping into a mini Asia — bilingual street signs, red lanterns, and local stores everywhere.
We took a picture with the Taiwan flag 🇹🇼(I’m from Taiwan) and had an amazing lunch:
• the spicy shrimp Restaurant — try the steam rice rolls😋
• By me boba tea— Hong Kong–style bubble milk tea 🧋
End your day at the Golden Gate Bridge, ideally before sunset — the orange glow is mesmerizing 🧡
⚠️ Tip: Leave after dusk; the area isn’t safe after dark.
⛴️ Day 4 — Alcatraz Island ➝ Ferry Building ➝ Financial District ➝ Pier 39 Night View
Morning: take the ferry to Alcatraz Island, the real site of Escape from Alcatraz 🎬
The audio tour (available in Mandarin!) is fascinating — eerie, historic, and windy, so bring a jacket 🧥
✅ Reserve tickets early via Alcatraz City Cruises
Back in the city, hop on the Streetcar to Ferry Building Marketplace for oysters and coffee:
• Hog Island Oyster Co. — incredibly fresh seafood 🦪highly recommended
• Blue Bottle Coffee — a must-visit California café ☕
Across the street is the Financial District, great for urban photos (just avoid walking there after office hours)
Finish the day at Pier 39 again — the night view, lights, and ice cream are unbeatable 🎄
🏛️ Day 5 — Palace of Fine Arts ➝ Lombard Street ➝ Fisherman’s Wharf Seafood ➝ Salesforce Park ➝ Tenderloin Warning
A day filled with Insta-worthy locations:
📍 Palace of Fine Arts — romantic architecture reflected in a peaceful lake, perfect for photos or relaxing.
📍 Lombard Street — the world’s most crooked street, full of fun and tourists.
📍 The Crab Station — enjoy fresh crab under the sun 🦀☀️
📍 Salesforce Park — a sky garden hidden among skyscrapers, calm and beautiful 🌿🌆
🚨 Safety note: Avoid the Tenderloin District.
We accidentally drove through — lots of homeless and drug activity. Even our Uber driver warned us.
If you’re curious, ask a driver to take a quick loop — just don’t walk there yourself!
🚃 Getting Around San Francisco — Easy Transit Guide
We used the Muni Mobile App for all transport — super convenient!
You can buy time-based passes and use them on:
• Cable Cars (the “ding-ding” cars)
• Streetcars (vintage and adorable!)
• Muni Buses
Everything runs frequently and tickets are digital — no cash or paper needed 📲
🌟Hattie’s Final Thoughts — Why I Love San Francisco
San Francisco is truly one of the most photogenic cities I’ve ever visited — where mountains meet the sea, Victorian architecture meets modern skylines, and every corner feels like a postcard.
The city is compact, convenient, and endlessly charming.
Stay alert in certain neighborhoods, and you’ll be rewarded with views, food, and photos you’ll never forget 💙
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