3 Days In San Francisco: Bay Views, Must Eats and Things to Do

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There are Plenty of Things to Do in San Francisco

San Francisco, California, is one of the most, if not the most, beautiful cities in the United States. From those gorgeous San Francisco Bay views and winding hillside streets to the signature Victorian homes and stunning Art Deco Golden Gate Bridge, the city is so unique and charming that it’s clear why more than 25 million people visit San Francisco each year. Spending 3 days in San Francisco is enough time to see the city highlights and dine at some of the best restaurants.

When I first moved to California, people were quick to tell me that since I grew up just outside New York City, I would surely love San Francisco much more than Los Angeles. Not sure what it is about Los Angelinos that made them want to tell me that, despite my packing up all my worldly possessions and purposefully moving to LA, there’s a city 6 hours north of here that I might find more pleasing. I think it’s probably their desire to ease traffic by having one less car on the road.

But you know what? They’re not wrong. I’ve visited San Francisco half a dozen times and honestly love it. It’s a truly great city. Unfortunately, I could never afford to live there, and I’m just not that into clam chowder or parking on hills, so it looks like Los Angeles is stuck with me.

Where to Stay in San Francisco

Figuring out where to stay in San Francisco can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time in the city. If you’re a tourist looking to see as much of the city as possible, I highly recommend staying in one of the following areas: Union Square, Haight-Ashbury, North Beach, The Mission, Nob Hill, SOMA, or The Castro. Here’s more information on San Francisco’s best neighborhoods and hotels at all price points. Of course, there are always great options if you’re looking for San Francisco hotels with the best views.

The Disabled Traveler’s Guide to San Francisco in 3 Days

While it’s true there are some unique challenges to visiting San Francisco as a disabled person (ugh, those hills!), the city is easy enough to navigate, and there are plenty of accessible tour options. Wheelchair users can ride city buses, trains, ferries, and most streetcars without having to leave their chairs. It’s also easy to find hotels and restaurants that are ADA-compliant.

For travelers like me who live with chronic pain, the shifting barometric pressure from SF’s copious fog and rain may be a little rough on the joints, but with a little planning and taking things slow, it’s possible to have an amazing trip.

San Francisco should be on every traveler’s bucket list.

Getting Around San Francisco

For my San Francisco in 3 days itinerary, I recommend using Uber or Lyft, BART, Muni, and the occasional cable car ride to get around the city. Bay Area Rapid Transit is exceptional. If you’re staying longer and want to add on some trips outside the city, like Napa Valley or Sonoma, you might consider renting a car. But since San Francisco itself is only 49 square miles and has a great public transportation system, you’re better off skipping the rental car. Simply parking it at the hotel will cost you hundreds of dollars, and you don’t need it to get around.

Big Bus Tours are also a great way to see the city. Check out Big Bus Tours San Francisco Tickets and Passes. Big Bus Tours operates wheelchair-accessible vehicles that can accommodate up to 650 lbs. Please be advised that the entire fleet is not wheelchair accessible. If you require an ADA-accessible vehicle, please contact Big Bus Tours 48 hours before your desired travel. Buses take guests to many SF attractions like Lombard Street, the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Haight Ashbury, Little Italy, and more!

Another fun option for seeing the city is San Francisco’s Go Car Tours. These little yellow cars are available to rent for anywhere between 2 and 10 hours and come complete with GPS navigation and an audio tour that talks you through the top San Francisco attractions. Go Cars are wheelchair accessible and feature a trunk to lock up all your worldly possessions. Riders can park in any available car or motorcycle space. Yes, you’ll look like a ridiculous out-of-towner, but you’ll have a lot of fun.

Let the 3 Day San Francisco Adventure Begin!

3-Day San Francisco Itinerary

Three days in San Francisco is the perfect amount of time to take in the sights, enjoy some fabulous meals, and have a ton of fun. This day-by-day travel itinerary is perfect for a long weekend in San Francisco or a middle-of-the-week trip. I would recommend that if anything on this SF itinerary strikes your interest, you get tickets ASAP. Many tours, museums, and public spaces sell out quickly.

My San Francisco 3-day itinerary will allow you to make the most of your time in the city without running you ragged. So, pack a bag and get ready for some exciting San Francisco travel tips.

Day 1 – The Ferry Building, Embarcadero, Coit Tower, North Beach, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Alcatraz

The Ferry Building

Day one of our 3-day itinerary for San Francisco starts with breakfast at the Ferry Building Marketplace. The Ferry Building has a storied history as the primary portal to the city. Beginning in 1898, the Ferry Building became the arrival point for anyone coming to San Francisco by train. From the Gold Rush to the 1930s, the building became the only way those arriving by ferryboat could enter the city.

Today, the Ferry Building is a world-class public food market. The Ferry Building Farmer’s Market is considered one of the best farmer’s markets in the country and is frequented by San Francisco’s best chefs. Markets showcase fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats, flowers, and eggs from small regional farmers and ranchers. You can also find delicious items like assorted bread, cheeses, and jams. Honestly, every time I visit, I wish I lived here so I could live out my Julia Child fantasies by selecting the freshest artisanal ingredients for a fabulous dinner party. Unfortunately, fresh-caught oysters don’t keep very well in a carry-on bag.

On Thursday, the market also has a wide variety of street food such as tacos, sandwiches, wood-fired pizza, and grilled meats. On Saturday, local restaurants serve up a variety of delicious offerings.

My top picks are coffee at Blue Bottle Coffee, the delightful (and organic) donuts at Donut Farm, the Gluten-Free bagels at Mariposa Baking Company, or for a really decadent sit-down breakfast, literally anything at Boulettes Larder and Boulibar.

Check the Ferry Building website for the most up-to-date schedules. If you don’t want to go it alone, check out this Wheelchair-Accessible San Francisco Food Tour of The Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

The Embarcadero

If you still haven’t found something that suits your palate, or you feel like you need to burn off the many things you did eat, take a walk down the Embarcadero. The Embarcadero is a flat roadway perfect for walking along the Port of San Francisco. It’s also on the National Register of Historic Places. The Embarcadero starts near Oracle Park and continues through North Beach past the Ferry Building, Pier 39, and Fisherman’s Wharf before ending at Pier 45.

San Francisco Railway Museum – If you’re interested in the history of San Francisco’s cable cars, you can pop into this rail museum located next door to the Ferry Building. Located at 77 Steuart Street. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for children 6-17, and Free for kids ages 5 and under.

Pier 7 – Heading north along the Embarcadero, you’ll eventually run into Pier 7. Pier 7 has some of the best San Francisco Bay and City views. It’s also a popular area for fishing, and it’s generally not too crowded. If you’re looking for a nice park bench to relax on or a spot to snap some photos of the Bay Bridge, this is your spot.

Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf – This pier marks the start of Fisherman’s Wharf. Pier 39 is a two-story outdoor shopping mall with plenty of eateries, great views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, and its colony of California Sea Lions. It’s also home to the Aquarium of the Bay. The Aquarium houses more than 20,000 marine animals, including sharks, rays, octopuses, jellyfish, and more. Click here for Tickets to the Aquarium of the Bay.

While Pier 39 may not make very many locals’ lists of things to do in SF, it’s for sure worth stopping by, especially if you have kids. There’s plenty for kids to do with mirror mazes, musical stairs, the San Francisco Carousel, Aquarium of the Bay, the Sea Lion Center, rides, and Whale tours.

Coit Tower

Located just west of the Embarcadero is a slender white column rising up from Telegraph Hill. This is Coit Tower. The Tower features an observation deck, reachable by elevator. The observation deck provides 360-degree views of the city and bay.

Docent-led tours take visitors through the tower and its fabulous painted murals. And you know I love a good mural. Tours are available for groups of 4- 6 people and last 30-40 minutes. You can also opt to go it alone without a tour group by paying the $10 elevator fee to reach the top of the tower.

To reach Coit Tower, you can either grab a taxi or Lyft or hop on Muni’s #39 Coit bus, which travels between Coit Tower and Fisherman’s Wharf. While the distance from the Embarcadero to Coit Tower may not seem that great on a map, to reach Coit Tower, you will have to climb Telegraph Hill or hike up the Filbert Street stairs or the Greenwich Street stairs. Which, if you have chronic pain or mobility impairments like me, is a profoundly bad idea.

Fisherman’s Wharf

Once you’ve snapped your panoramic photos from Coit Tower, hop back on the #39 Coit bus to head down to Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s time to finish up our tour of North Beach, San Francisco, and grab lunch! Whether you prefer the classic clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl from Fog Harbor, a Korean-style feast at Surisan, Tanguito’s mouth-watering Argentinian food truck slash empanada counter, or The Codmother’s famous fish tacos, there are plenty of great choices down at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Or, if you’re like me and appreciate Tommy Wiseau’s cinematic class, The Room, head on over to 555 Beach Street. You can grab a slice of pizza from the very place that served as the location for the movie’s cafe scene.

Whatever you choose, save some room for a little chocolate snack and a visit to Ghirardelli Square.

For more fun, check out this Wheelchair-Accessible San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Scavenger Hunt.

Ghirardelli Square

Ghirardelli Square was originally home to a chocolate factory established by Italian confectioner Domenico “Domingo” Ghirardelli. Considered the first adaptive reuse project in the country, Ghirardelli Square has been converted into unique shops and restaurants. Visitors can pick up some of the famous chocolate, as well as Ghirardelli gluten-free items and Ghirardelli coffee.

Alcatraz

Topping everyone’s list of things to do when in San Francisco is visiting Alcatraz. It’s one of the most famous San Francisco landmarks. This prison once housed the likes of Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Robert Franklin Stroud, the Birdman of Alcatraz.

Tips for Visiting Alcatraz:

It’s important to get tickets to Alcatraz in advance as they sell out quickly. I cannot overstate how important it is to buy them in advance. It is next to impossible to buy tickets to Alcatraz when you get to town, as they’re usually sold out days in advance. Click here for a Wheelchair-Accessible Tour of Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Bay Cruise.

If you head back to Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing with your ticket, the Alcatraz Ferry will take you to the Island. The ferry trip takes about 10 minutes and is wheelchair accessible. Upon arriving on the island, a National Park Ranger will give you a brief welcome and orientation. You’re then free to explore the island and the prison at your own pace. Capture photos inside Alcatraz prison cells, and learn about the famous inmates and the prisoners who attempted to escape Alcatraz, swimming through choppy Bay waters for a chance at freedom. As you’ll learn, the swim from Alcatraz is next to impossible. Prisoners who tried either got shot, captured, or drowned during their attempts.

Audio headset tours of Alcatraz are available in 6 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and Italian. These audio tours feature stories from former inmates and prison guards and add a nice eerie touch to what life must have been like for the men kept behind these bars.

Ferries depart Alcatraz every 30 minutes, so feel free to enjoy Alcatraz at your own pace. Sustainable, easy-access transport is available for wheelchair users and visitors with mobility needs who are unable to walk up the 12% grade hill for a quarter-mile to the Cell House. I highly recommend using the transport so you can conserve some energy for the rest of your tour.

If you want to plan your own itinerary, there are multiple Alcatraz tour options available, including the Alcatraz Early Bird Tour departing Pier 33 at 8:45 am, the Alcatraz Behind The Scenes Tour, a more in-depth tour of the former prison, and the Alcatraz Night Tour, a 2-hour 40-minute after-dark tour of Alcatraz at night. Alcatraz Night tours are not for the faint of heart. Tours explore haunted Alcatraz, ghosts, and the prison’s dark and mysterious history. Space on Tours of Alcatraz at night is limited, and tickets should be purchased at least a month in advance.

You can find more info here and purchase tickets for tours of Alcatraz at night.

After you’ve finished day one of your SF things-to-do list, it’s time for dinner! My top recommendation is Burma Love. If you’ve never had Burmese food, then you’re missing out. I’m telling you, it’s one of the world’s most underrated cuisines. I only wish it were available in every city. If you like Chinese, Thai, and Indian cuisine, then you’ll love Burmese!

Burma Love is the contemporary younger sister of SF favorite, Burma Superstar. It’s located in Downtown San Francisco. Must-try dishes include the famous Tea Leaf Salad, Vegan Samusa Soup, Minced Chicken with Fresh Mint, Dried Fried String Beans, and Garlic Noodles. They also offer a wide variety of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes. Burma Love and Burma Superstar are hands down some of my favorite restaurants in the world, and an absolute must-eat spot for any weekend in San Francisco.

Day 2 – Mission Dolores Park, Alamo Square, The Painted Ladies, Haight Ashbury, Lombard Street, San Francisco Mission District, Chinatown, Twin Peaks, and Union Square

Mission Dolores Park

Day 2 of our 3 days in San Francisco begins at Mission Dolores Park. Check out nearby Alnico for a fabulous Asian fusion breakfast/brunch. Their Vietnamese coffee, mini ube pancakes, and scrumptious pork belly are not to be missed. From here, head a few blocks over to Mission Dolores Park, a gorgeous outdoor space with panoramic views of Downtown San Francisco.

Dolores Park is not only a great spot for snapping photos but is also a center for cultural, political, and sports activities since the 1960s. There are 6 tennis courts, a basketball court, two soccer fields, a clubhouse with public restrooms, and a playground accessible to children with disabilities.

From here, head north to Alamo Square. While the walk is only about a mile away, it’s very hilly, so it’s a good idea to grab a Lyft or taxi.

Alamo Square

Alamo Square is one of the most famous and beautiful areas of San Francisco. Even if you’ve never heard of it, you’ve seen it hundreds of times in movies, TV, and commercials. It’s a fantastic area for anyone who appreciates Victorian architecture. If you visit Alamo Square Park on a clear day, you can see the Transamerica Pyramid Building and the tops of the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge. Looking down Fulton Street, you’ll see San Francisco City Hall. But the biggest attraction remains Alamo Square’s famous Victorian houses, the Painted Ladies.

“Hey, Laaaaadieeeees!”

Painted Ladies of San Francisco

Directly across from Alamo Square Park, you’ll find the best-known Victorian homes in SF, the Painted Ladies. These Seven Sisters at 710-712 Steiner Street are frequently referred to as “Postcard Row.” Built between 1892 and 1896, the mansions have appeared in movies, ads, and TV series, perhaps most notably in the opening credits of Full House and its sequel, Fuller House.

If you’re interested in seeing the exterior of the actual Full House, you’ll have to make the trip to the nearby Lower Pacific Heights neighborhood at 1709 Broderick St., 94115. Being a fan of television, I wasn’t about to miss the opportunity to live out my Danny Tanner fantasies, so I popped on by and patiently waited my turn to grab a photo of one of the most iconic TV sitcom locations. Word of warning: this is someone’s actual home, so please be respectful and resist climbing on the stairs or disturbing the residents. As the sign says, “Don’t make anyone say ‘How Rude!’”

From here, it’s time to head to the heart of the city, Union Square. You can either take another Lyft or hop on the 5 Fulton bus, which has a stop next to Alamo Square.

Union Square, San Francisco

You may have already taken a walk around Union Square, as it’s the area of San Francisco with the largest concentration of hotels. But if you’re not staying in Union Square, it’s well worth stopping by to explore the neighborhood. The area is popular for shopping, nightlife, theater, galleries, and fun bars.

Around the square, you’ll find high-end retailers like Louis Vuitton, Sak’s 5th Avenue, and Tiffany’s. Heading down Maiden Lane, you’ll find the likes of Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Marc Jacobs. But you’ll also encounter a 2-block area of pedestrian-only traffic open daily from 11 am to 6 pm. The local cafes set up small outdoor tables during this window of time. So you can have a lovely outdoor snack or a bit of lunch surrounded by these posh shops.

You can also find regular malls and retailers like Macy’s, Sephora, and Urban Outfitters, so if your airline lost your bag or you need some last-minute items, this is a good place to shop.

SF Cable Cars

Another important part of Union Square is the cable cars. Two of the three cable car lines run through Union Square. Even if you don’t end up purchasing cable car tickets and taking a ride, it’s fun to watch the cable car turnaround as these beautiful cars change direction and head back down Powell Street to Fisherman’s Wharf.

Check out the SFMTA page for cable car prices, tickets, accessibility, and stop info.

If you feel like enjoying a professional tour of SF, Union Square is also the departure point for many tours including the Movie Sights Tour, the 1960s Magic Bus Tour, Hop-On Hop-Off Tours, San Francisco Trolley Tours, the Haunted Tour, Cocktail Tour, and the Free SF City Guides Tours, which are given free of charge as part of the SF Public Library.

Chinatown

From Union Square, it’s a quick trip to Chinatown, a great spot to enjoy lunch. I recommend China Live for crisp-bottomed Sheng Jian bao and Peking duck sesame pockets, Hing Lung Company for Cantonese barbecue, Bund Shanghai Restaurant for xiao long bao, New Lun Ting Cafe for Chinese and American comfort foods, Z&Y Restaurant for its out-of-this-world Sichuan food, or Hon’s Wun-Tun House for their legendary wonton soup. I also recommend the iconic Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Whatever you pick, you can’t go wrong with these San Francisco must-eat restaurants.

Lombard Street

Now that you have a belly full of delicious Chinese food, let’s head to the most famous road in San Francisco. More than just a crooked street, the San Francisco landmark, Lombard Street, receives more than 2 million visitors per year. (So, don’t worry if you’re driving down this hill; odds are with traffic, you won’t be going very fast.)

You’ll want to perch at either the top or the bottom for optimal photos. If you’re driving, expect about a 15-minute wait time for cars to clear. I can’t imagine living along this section of 8 hairpin turns, but it sure is pretty.

Haight Ashbury

Ready to explore more areas of San Francisco? Good. Because we’re on our way to Haight Ashbury, the birthplace of the 1960s counterculture movement, home of the first head shop, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and Big Brother and the Holding Company. In the 1980s, the neighborhood also launched the careers of comics Robin Williams, Dana Carvey, and Whoopi Goldberg.

If you like street art, the Haight Ashbury neighborhood is a fantastic place to look for murals. There are also many great independent Haight Ashbury shops. Take a moment to wander around the neighborhood and look for unique SF finds. Music lovers will love a trip to Amoeba Music at 1855 Haight Street, and book lovers should check out the independent bookstore, The Booksmith, at 1644 Haight Street. Fans of the Grateful Dead should stop by the Grateful Dead House at 710 Ashbury Street. Five of the band’s founding members once called this Victorian-style house home.

If you’re feeling tired and need to stop for a break, there are plenty of Haight Ashbury restaurants with outdoor seating where you can grab a quick coffee or a drink and take a moment to relax and people-watch.

Twin Peaks

If you’re craving more amazing city views, head to nearby Twin Peaks. Originally called “Los Pechos de la Choca” (Breasts of the Maiden) by early Spanish settlers, these two 922-foot-tall peaks offer 180-degree views of the Bay Area. While the Twin Peaks San Francisco hike is popular with many visitors, it’s also possible to drive to the North Peak parking lot. There is a small parking lot at the Christmas Tree viewing area. The parking lot has designated handicapped parking spaces.

I know this San Francisco itinerary packs in a lot, but hopefully, you’ve found enough that sparks your interest without being overwhelming. At this point, my bones would be aching, so I’d grab a quick rest back at the hotel before grabbing dinner.

My dinner recommendation for night two is to try out some of San Francisco’s fabulous sushi. I have two recommendations. 1st is Chaisai Sushi in the Mission District. San Francisco does not disappoint when it comes to sushi, and Chaisai is no exception. I highly recommend going with the omakase. They even feature a vegetarian omakase option.

My second recommendation is Sushi Ondo in the So-Ma neighborhood. Again, you can’t go wrong with omakase here. I’ll let my pictures do the talking.

Day 3 – Crissy Field, The Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Park, Muir Woods Tours, and the Best SF Dim Sum

Closing out my three days of things to do in S.F. is a day of steamed buns, suspension bridges, and sky-high trees. We start our day by grabbing a quick breakfast before heading to the Marina and Crissy Field. I recommend Cracked and Battered for their yummy chicken and waffles, tasty egg dishes, and vegetarian Moroccan Shakshouka.

For today’s itinerary, it would be a perfect opportunity to rent a car from San Francisco’s Go Car Tours. You can rent a car for 2 to 4 hours to see everything on the morning part of the itinerary. There’s ample parking everywhere we’re going, so you can leave your car and safely lock any bags in the trunk. You’ll also get a nice audio tour of the area.

Crissy Field, San Francisco

Now that you’ve got a belly full of chicken and waffles, it’s time to burn some of it off. Head to Crissy Field and its flat, hard-packed promenade with gorgeous views of the Bay. It’s a great spot for easy walks on a flat, stable surface, which after two days in SF will be a very welcome relief. There’s a great trail that winds through Crissy Field between Marina Green and Fort Point.

The Crissy Field picnic area is a great spot to enjoy a warm cup of cocoa from the Warming Hut on the west end of Crissy Field. If you’re driving, Crissy Field Parking is available in the beachfront lots just west of the Marina gate.

Golden Gate Park

From Crissy Field, it’s a quick trip to iconic Golden Gate Park. Here you can get up close, gorgeous shots of the architectural wonder, the Golden Gate Bridge. Opened in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge spans 1.7 miles between San Francisco and Marin counties. It’s a marvel of engineering and a true American icon.

You can even walk across the bridge, though I highly recommend checking Golden Gate Bridge conditions as it can be incredibly windy and/or foggy. The last time I visited, the weather on the San Francisco side was sunny, beautiful, and in the high 70s. But on the opposite side of the bridge in Marin County, it was pouring rain. Welcome to Bay Area weather. This is why you’ll want to check before setting out across the bridge.

The Palace of Fine Arts

The most unique venue in San Francisco, the Palace of Fine Arts, was built in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific Exhibition and now operates as a private venue for weddings, galas, corporate events, trade shows, and other events. It features a massive Greco-Roman rotunda and colonnades, lagoons, and beautifully landscaped grounds. Even if you’re not attending an event, it’s a great area to wander around and snap some photos.

Bonus: If you’ve rented a Go Car and have some extra time, you can head back and check out anything you may have missed, or enjoy some time doing one of my favorite things to do in the Mission District, San Francisco: check out the Mission District murals. The Mission SF is home to a dazzling array of street art, and as you may know from my posts about LA Street Art and Chicago Street Art, I’m a sucker for a good mural. So is my Frenchie girl, Maddie

Once you’ve burned off breakfast, it’s time to enjoy some lunch before our exciting afternoon adventures.

Dim Sum

Dim sum is a must-eat in San Francisco. And my go-to Dim Sum place is the third-generation, family-owned restaurant, Yank Sing. Opened in 1958, this home of contemporary and traditional dim sum features over 100 rotating dishes. I go here every time I’m in town, and it’s never disappointing.

Muir Woods Tour

Closing out your 3 days in San Francisco, I recommend taking a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin. Muir Woods National Monument and its towering redwoods are a quick 30-minute drive from SF, located right in Marin County. This federally protected national monument protects 240 acres of old-growth coast redwood forests. Word of warning: the weather in Muir Woods is very damp. It’s best to bring a raincoat and waterproof shoes. Because of the woods’ proximity to the Pacific Ocean, it’s often covered in a foggy marine layer, which can lead to a very wet and sometimes slippery environment. It’s great for plant life and terrible for walking in flip-flops, so come prepared.

To go from San Francisco to Muir Woods, you have several options. Your first option is the shuttle going to Muir Woods from San Francisco. The Muir Woods shuttle is wheelchair accessible and operates on weekends and holidays, running directly from SF to Muir Woods. You MUST make reservations beforehand. The SF to Muir Woods shuttle is extremely popular, and park space is limited. For more information, check out the Go Muir Woods website. The shuttle is $3.25 per person.

Your second option is a Muir Woods Group Tour from SF.

Finally, if you have your own car, you may wish to make the drive yourself. But you should still arrange for a parking pass before you go, as parking spaces are limited. Parking reservations are $8.50 per car.

The park offers several accessibility features, including assistive listening devices, segments of accessible Muir Woods trails, braille brochure and trail map, large print brochure, accessible cafe and gift shop, audio-described brochures and wayside, and American Sign Language orientation videos. The Muir Woods parking lot also has designated accessible parking.

Hiking at Muir Woods is accessible for all. The main trail is a mix of paved and boardwalk. It’s a 2-mile loop on level ground, which even for me was a pretty easy hike. Muir Woods also has a 1/2 mile ADA accessible loop from the Visitors Center, through Founders Grove, to Bridge 2 and back. Other unpaved trails in Muir Woods exist from the main trail to neighboring Mt. Tamalpais State Park for those who are interested in more difficult hikes in Muir Woods.

The park sees up to 6,000 visitors a day during peak times. When I visited in September 2021, the park was full and not allowing additional guests, so again, please make sure you purchase your pass ahead of your trip. Entrance to the park is $15 per person. The park is open daily from 8 am to sunset.

Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed this jam-packed three-day itinerary. San Francisco has so much to offer, and I’ve tried to include as many accessible activities as possible. I know a lot of this is outdoors, so if you’re wondering what to do in San Francisco on a weekend when it’s raining, I thought I’d include a few more indoor activities.

San Francisco things to do when it rains

1. SFMOMA: This San Francisco museum has more than 8,000 paintings, sculptures, and other works of art by artists such as Henri Matisse, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, and more. Click here for SF Museum of Modern Art Tickets.

2. The Walt Disney Family Museum – Head to The Presidio and explore the wonderful world of Walt Disney. The man, his story, and his innovations are the focus of this expansive museum. Click here for Tickets to the Walt Disney Family Museum.

3. Grace Cathedral’s Indoor Labyrinth – Need some reflection, peace, and meditation? Head to Grace Cathedral to get in touch with your inner yogi.

4. Conservatory of Flowers – Located in Golden Gate Park, the Conservatory of Flowers is home to exotic blooms, colorful rarities, and the building itself is on the National Register of Historic Places. Beautiful inside and out! What more could you ask for?

Add-ons to Your San Francisco and Surrounding Areas Itinerary

If you’re sticking around for more than 3 days in San Francisco, you might be interested in adding on a trip to one of these fantastic locations. Also, check out these exciting weekend getaways from San Francisco.

Yountville and Napa Valley Wine Tours: Do you love wine? Are you interested in Napa Valley AVAs? If you want to indulge in some downtown Napa wine tastings, there are several Wheelchair-Accessible Wine Tasting Tours from San Francisco to Napa Valley.

Yosemite National Park: A 3-hour drive from SF, Yosemite is my number one day trip from San Francisco. See Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome, and the Giant Sequoia Redwoods. National Parks are great with accessibility and even offer a free National Park Access Pass for visitors with permanent disabilities. For a $10 application fee, you’ll have free entrance to all National Parks.

Hit me up if I’ve missed one of your favorite SF spots or if you have something accessible to add to this list. Happy travels!

What to Pack for San Francisco