3 Days in San Francisco
Artisanal Food, Culture, and Nature Walks
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January 07, 2025
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The City by the Bay has often been at the forefront of social movements and innovation, from the Gold Rush to the Summer of Love to the Big Tech era, which recently unleashed driverless robotaxis. Many food trends start here, and the variety of satisfying experiences includes tacos in the Mission, fine French pastries, lavish omakase menus, and artisanal products on offer at the Ferry Building Marketplace.
Art lovers are also spoiled for choice in San Francisco, which has more worthy museums than you can pack into three days, plus outdoor murals. The hilly city is a patchwork of diverse neighborhoods, some picturesque and others struggling with social change. Keep your street smarts and a light jacket about you – and take advantage of easy access to nature by exploring the Presidio and windswept beaches, biking the Golden Gate Bridge, and hiking in Muir Woods.
Read on for our recommended three-day San Francisco itinerary and learn about some of the benefits that you can enjoy throughout your journey when you book through American Express Travel®.
Museums and Live Shows
Accommodation
San Francisco Proper Hotel
Taj Campton Place
The St. Regis San Francisco
Place of Interest
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Asian Art Museum
Exploratorium
Alcatraz Island Night Tour
Drag Show at Oasis
Comedy Show at the Punch Line San Francisco
Eat & Drink
1601
Rintaro
Rich Table
Penny Roma
Fine Food and Water Views
Place of Interest
A Literary Meeting Spot—City Lights Booksellers & Publishers
Chinatown and North Beach Tour
A San Francisco Stroll with Spectacular Views
Eat & Drink
Maison Nico
Hilda and Jesse
Eat Your Way Through the Ferry Building
Del Popolo
Routier
San Francisco Wine Society
Nature to Artsy Neighborhoods
Place of Interest
Bike Over the Golden Gate Bridge: San Francisco to Sausalito
Hit the Trails in Muir Woods
Murals & Graffiti of The Mission District
A Walk Through Haight-Ashbury
Eat & Drink
Copita Tequileria y Comida
Prubechu
Tartine Bakery
Mijote
The Morris
San Francisco Proper Hotel
Maximalists will feel right at home at The San Francisco Proper Hotel, whose 131 rooms pack a punch with bold florals, zig-zag patterns, and wall art all vying for your attention. Credit goes to LA-based interior designer Kelly Wearstler for bringing her aesthetic to this flatiron-style landmark in the Mid-Market district. An equally stylish restaurant, a rooftop bar with intoxicating views, a 24-hour gym, and a lobby with castle vibes add to the appeal.
Platinum Card® Members have access to the following benefits with The Hotel Collection bookings of 2 nights or more through American Express Travel*
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available†
$100 credit towards eligible charges**
12pm check-in, when available
Late check-out, when available
†Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade
** Eligible charges vary by property
$600 HOTEL CREDIT
Platinum Card Members get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection‡‡ bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®.
‡‡The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
Taj Compton Place
In a historic building next to Union Square, Taj Campton Place is about as central as you can get, with easy access to nightlife, shops, and the Chinatown and North Beach neighborhoods. It’s also a sought-after dining destination, thanks to Chef Srijith Gopinathan’s distinctive Cal-Indian cooking at the award-winning Campton Place Restaurant. The open-air rooftop fitness terrace’s state-of-the-art equipment and skyline views are enough to inspire even the most reluctant gym-goers.
Platinum Card® Members have access to the following benefits with Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings through American Express Travel.*
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available†
Daily breakfast for two
$100 credit towards eligible charges**
Guaranteed 4pm check-out
†Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
** Eligible charges vary by property
$600 HOTEL CREDIT
Platinum Card Members get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection‡‡ bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®.
‡‡The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
The St. Regis San Francisco
Towering over SFMOMA in the South of Market district — and featuring its own discerning collection – The St. Regis San Francisco is an ideal base for art aficionados. The sophisticated, soothingly decorated rooms and suites offer city or park views that are also easy on the eyes. The St. Regis Bar serves up handcrafted cocktails like a Golden Gate Mary, the local evolution of the timeless vodka cocktail, which, legend has it, was first concocted at The St. Regis New York.
Platinum Card® Members have access to the following benefits with Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings through American Express Travel.*
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available†
Daily breakfast for two
$100 credit towards eligible charges**
Guaranteed 4pm check-out
†Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
** Eligible charges vary by property
$600 HOTEL CREDIT
Platinum Card Members get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection‡‡ bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®.
‡‡The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
Sample California Takes on Sri Lankan and Japanese Flavors
1601 Bar Kitchen
Chef Brian Fernando brings contemporary Sri Lankan sensibilities to California in an intimate, elegant dining room between Mid-Market and the Mission District. Each dinner is a multi-course tasting menu, emphasizing seasonal fish and produce from the city’s farmer’s markets, with a mix of traditional recipes and fresh inventions. Diners will get a chance to indulge in a variety of flavors, from house-made achcharu-style pickles to scallop crudo, for a refreshing night out.
Rintaro
The details of this Japanese izakaya are lovingly hand-crafted, from the house-made udon, tofu, and pickles, to the booths made by owner-operator Sylvan Mishima Brackett’s father from 100-year-old Redwood wine casks. The dedication has paid off with rave reviews and plenty of media buzz both in the United States and Japan. The menu changes seasonally, but be sure to get something simmered in dashi broth for deep, rich flavor.
Immerse Yourself in Art or Science Exhibitions
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
After a three-year overhaul, SFMOMA (sfmoma.org) reopened in 2016 in a LEED Gold-certified building designed by the starchitects Snøhetta and Mario Botta. The expansion created more room to show off the museum’s collection, from painting to industrial design to digital art. Photography exhibits are especially strong, and some of Andy Warhol’s most famous works are found on the 4th floor.
Asian Art Museum
Asia, the largest continent, gets its due at this museum devoted to 6,000 years of culture spanning from Turkey to India and China to the Philippines. Admire jade jewelry, ancient ceramics, video installations, and murals imbued with social messages from street artists like Mumbai’s Jas Charanjiva. Regular cultural celebrations and interactive workshops make the Asian Art Museum (asianart.org) popular with families – unlocking the past and sparking questions about the future.
Exploratorium
Time flies at this scientific funhouse, where kids – and grown-ups – find themselves caught up in fascinating, hands-on exhibits across indoor and outdoor galleries. The museum (exploratorium.edu) caters to varied ages and abilities; bubbles, shadow boxes, and a tinkerer’s clock for the toddler set; freezing water crystals and a fog bridge installation for tweens; and Thursday After Dark events for the 18+ crowd. It’s fully wheelchair accessible with tactile maps for the visually impaired.
Alcatraz Island
America’s most notorious prison has been decommissioned since 1963, but it retains a strong hold on our collective imagination. The audio tour provides context as you explore the cellhouse as well as Eagle Plaza, the Rec Yard, the Sallyport, and the Rose Garden. Close-up views of the exteriors of the Cellhouse, Building 64, Warden's House, and the Officer's Club are other highlights — and timing your visit to sunset heightens the drama of the experience (alcatrazislandtickets.com).
Savor Delicious Comfort Foods
Rich Table
Rich Table is known for elevated comfort food in a relaxed, rustic dining space (think salvaged wood tables and California-made dinnerware from Heath Ceramics). Douglas fir levain bread with cultured butter whets the appetite for a powerhouse menu that goes from strength to strength: cacio e pepe with sea urchin, seasonal vegetables, shellfish, and hearty sea and land entrees. If you feel decision fatigue setting in, let the kitchen run wild with the Chef’s Pick option.
Penny Roma
Pastas made fresh daily with local, seasonal produce take you on a cross-country tour of Italian flavors from Genoa to Roma to Sicily. The wine list brings in a variety of Italian and Californian hits, while whole-album playlists and a courtyard with twinkling lights create a festive atmosphere.
Take in a Show
Drag Show at Oasis
No haters, but all others are welcome at this nightclub’s raucous cabaret, drag shows, burlesque, DJ sets, and themed events held in an 8,000-square-foot converted gay bathhouse (sfoasis.com). Owner and artistic director D’Arcy Drollinger is a fixture of the local LGBTQIA+ scene and was named the country’s first-ever drag laureate in May 2023.
Comedy Show at the Punch Line San Francisco
Punch Line is San Francisco’s oldest-running comedy club and a source of belly laughs since 1978 (punchlinecomedyclub.com). The long list of marquee comedians who cut their chops here includes many household celebrity names. The intimate setting creates a special connection between the audience and the performer.
Pick the Perfect Start to Your Day
Maison Nico
Kickstart your morning with some of the best pastries and café bites outside of France – concocted at Maison Nico, which serves an all-day menu starting at 9 am (maisonnico.com). There’s a gorgeous array of savory and sweet choices, including pâté en croûte, quiche, croissants, brioche feuilletée, terrines, and seasonal tarts, plus packaged gourmet products to go. Arrive early as favorites will sell out.
Hilda and Jesse
Hilda and Jesse is a retro-inspired diner in North Beach with playful breakfast and lunch food dreamt up by Chef Kristina Liedags Compton. We recommend Pancakes Without Boundaries, a double stack of buttermilk pancakes with smoked maple that changes with the seasons – or going even bigger with the Chef's Adventure Menu.
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers
Founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter D. Martin, City Lights was one of the most influential publishers of the Beat Generation and has published more than 3,000 books (citylights.com). It’s a beloved indie stalwart that hosts frequent literary events and draws bookworms to browse its treasure trove of novels, magazines, and periodicals.
Chinatown & North Beach Walking Tour
Peel back the onion to learn what Chinese and Italian immigrant communities have in common and how their traditions have shaped San Francisco's Chinatown and North Beach neighborhoods during the small-group Chow Ciao! Multicultural Stroll (wokwiz.com).
Eat Your Way Through the Ferry Building
Foodies flock to the soaring Ferry Building (est. 1898) along the Embarcadero waterfront where stalls sell regional produce, cured meats, cheeses, fair-trade chocolates, and coffee – not to mention the sizable outdoor farmer’s market that takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays (ferrybuildingmarketplace.com). There are casual sit-down spots like El Porteño for empanadas or Hog Island Oyster Company for guzzling sweetwater oysters. And if the historic and kitschy sights of Fisherman's Wharf (fishermanswharf.org) are on your to-visit list, it’s not far away at Pier 39.
A San Francisco Stroll with Spectacular Views
Take to the streets of San Francisco for a memorable afternoon exploring highlights at your leisure, beginning at Golden Gate Park. There is so much to see, from forests to meadows and lakes; we’re partial to a stop at the Japanese Tea Garden before moving on to the Sutro Baths and the Presidio.
Situated in Golden Gate Park, the Japanese Tea Garden (japaneseteagardensf.com) features koi ponds, a Zen Garden, a Tea House and a gift shop where you can purchase ceramics and teas to take home.
Golden Gate Park (sfrecpark.org) spreads across more than 1,000 acres, featuring 10 lakes, herds of buffalo, a conservatory of flowers, an arboretum, and nature trails. It also lures visitors to The De Young Museum, an aquarium, and the Park Playground.
Dating back to 1896, Sutro Baths (nps.gov) was once a saltwater swimming complex before it burnt down more than 70 years ago. Today, visitors to these striking ruins at Lands End cliffs can admire views looking out to Seal Rock and the Pacific Ocean and explore the rocky coastline.
Located in the northwestern corner of the city, where the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean meet, Lands End (nps.gov) is an aptly named wild, windy trail that delivers fantastic views of the shoreline, headlands, and the Golden Gate Bridge. It curves along rugged cliffs, passing through groves of cypress and eucalyptus trees.
The Legion of Honor Museum at Lincoln Park (famsf.org) packs in 4,000 years of art history: European paintings, European decorative arts and sculpture, ancient art from the Mediterranean basin, and one of the most significant collections of prints and drawings in America.
Formerly a military post, the Presidio (presidio.gov) is now a national park and recreational paradise promising spectacular vistas, trails, museums, and Civil War-era architecture. Come for a hike, a walking tour, a picnic, or to view a museum exhibit. Most events and activities are free, making the Presidio an escape that's welcoming to all.
Simple Yet Elegant European Fare
Del Popolo
Del Popolo started as a mobile pizzeria serving up wood-fired Neapolitan-inspired pies from a shipping container on the back of a truck. But in 2015, the beloved eatery put down roots at a brick-and-mortar location near Union Square, and the sophisticated dining room is well worth a visit. Split a classic Margherita or a delicately-crafted Potato, and if you like it you can even take a frozen pizza home.
Routier
Routier describes its cuisine as “French-ish,” but one thing that’s unmistakably French is its spirit of simple epicurean joy. Whether serving up continental favorites like mushroom risotto or innovative takes on tempura, Routier cultivates an atmosphere of quick, kind, and unfussy service. Make sure to end your visit with dessert to sample the mastery of pastry chef Belinda Leong (who owns the trendy B Patisserie along with Routier collaborator Michel Suas).
San Francisco Wine Society
The San Francisco Wine Society encourages oenophiles to expand their horizons with its globe-spanning collection; the menu highlights staff favorites and includes flights of creative wine pairings. There’s no TV or WiFi to distract you from soaking up the wine experience. The space is cozy and friendly and spills out to the patio where you can try your hand at bocce.
Explore the Outdoors
Bike Over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
It’s one thing to spy the Golden Gate Bridge through the signature morning fog; it’s quite another to cycle across it (goldengatebridgebikerental.com). While the 8.5-mile route from Fisherman’s Wharf can get crowded, it enables you to take in the waterfront area, pedal along a modern engineering marvel, and then poke around the quaint streets and houseboat communities of Sausalito.
Hit the Trails in Muir Woods
Walk among giants – the tallest living organisms in the world – on Muir Woods’ leisurely trails, or head into Mount Tamalpais State Park for a longer, more rugged trek. Marvel at the size of the old-growth coast redwoods as you follow the asphalt and boardwalk trails (nps.gov). Paths to Mount Tamalpais Park are long, narrow, unpaved, and often steep, requiring sturdy shoes.
Add Some Spice to Your Day
Copita Tequileria y Comida
Celebrity Chef Joanne Weir and business partner Larry Mindel have brought gluten-free, organic Mexican to downtown Sausalito with Copita Tequileria y Comida. Tomatillo mint salsa and chicken tortilla soup are standouts, and the many tacos are served on handmade corn tortillas. True to the tequileria in its name, you are spoilt for choice with more than 100 tequilas, mezcals, and cocktails.
Prubechu'
Back across the Golden Gate strait in San Francisco, Prubechu’ brings the flavors of Guam and the Mariana Islands to the heart of the Mission District. Island-born chef Shawn Naputi serves up Chomorro classics like sweet rolls and beef tinaktak, along with dishes that make the most of seasonal and locally-grown produce. Dig into the pika tamales gisu and pair it with a hyperlocal beer or natural wine from the bar.
Get Cultured in the Mission or Haight-Ashbury
Street Art in The Mission and Beyond
San Francisco’s tradition of political activism continues to find expression through street art, particularly in the Mission District, a Latino hub. See for yourself by exploring the hundreds of thought-provoking murals that cover Balmy Alley and nearby Clarion Alley. They take on immigration, environmental causes, human rights violations in central America, and more sources of abuse and injustice.
For another approach to public art, head west to the Moraga Steps, where locals decorated the 163 steps with hand-painted ceramic tiles that form whimsical images of stars, flowers, birds, and fish.
The Hippie Daze of Haight-Ashbury
Haight-Ashbury immediately conjures up 1960s counterculture and all its flower power, incense, tie-dye, and psychedelics. Today, this small area is chock full of landmarks, shops with indie cred and others hawking souvenirs. The Upper Haight is more gentrified while the Lower Haight feels grittier. Seek out Amoeba Music, Jim Henderson's one-stop shop for free live shows, CDs and vinyl, posters, and memorabilia (amoeba.com). Female-owned and operated, Indigo Vintage Cooperative is another highlight for epic band tees, denim, and one-of-a-kind fashion pieces (indigovtg.com). An inspired mix between ice cream and traditional shaved ice, the "snow" served at Powder Ice Cream comes with virtually any flavor you can imagine (powdershavedsnow.com).
Tartine Bakery
Ever since its 2002 opening, Tartine has been motivated by a mission “to bring bread with an old-soul into the lives of our friends and family in California,” (tartinebakery.com). Using a wood-fired brick oven, Chad Robertson bakes its now-legendary bread, while Elisabeth Prueitt creates pastries using techniques learned from her travels. The banana cream tart has inspired block-long queues.
Dine Like Locals
Mijote
Named after the French word for “simmered,” Mijoté brings painstaking French technique to bear in lovingly crafted, constantly-rotating, surprisingly affordable four-course prix fixe dinners. Chef Kosuke Tada continually showcases the best of locally produced ingredients, often inflected by changes in the seasons and weather. Keep an eye out for pop-ups and collaborations from Tada’s friends in the local culinary scene.
The Morris
This bistro has all the appeal of a convivial, neighborhood hangout and a world-class dining destination. There are many ways to build a meal; one is the tender charcuterie board, halibut crudo, and smoked duck, with buckwheat doughnuts and whiskey crème Anglaise to finish. The selection of wines and spirits is in the very capable hands of renowned sommelier Einbund.
Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.
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