San Francisco in a day - a suggestion

We were recently in San Francisco for one day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Based on suggestions from others on this board and my internet research, this is what we did. We started at 8 and finished about 5. All walking was either flat or downhill (with one small exception). Our goals were to go to: North Beach, Chinatown, Ferry Building, Pier 39, and ride the Powell-Hyde cable car. It worked out really well for us. Enjoy!

Beginning where you are docked, Pier 35, The Embarcadero, walk several blocks to Fisherman’s Wharf, taking Beach Street to Hyde. (This corner is site of Buena Vista Café for Irish Coffee.) Here you can purchase a one day Muni pass ($14) and take the Powell-Hyde cable car line. This is the “scenic” line.

Tell the operator you want to exit on Washington in Chinatown. Walk down Washington to Stockton. Explore a café or market on Stockton (we got cherries for $2/lb. at a market and authentic Chinese rolls and cookies at AA Bakery, 1068). Off of Washington, between Stockton and Grant, turn down Ross Alley. Stop at 56 Ross, Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Co. for free samples and pay 50 cents to have your picture taken. Exit Ross Alley at Washington, turn left, then right onto Waverly Place to admire the painted balconies and see the Tin How Temple.

Walk down Grant to California to pick up California line east, ride to end (Drumm-Market) and continue to Ferry Building. OR walk down Grant to Bush, see the Chinese Gateway Arch, then walk down Bush to Market, ending at Ferry Building.

Take a break at the Ferry Building, with lots of shops and restaurants and a farmer’s market on T, Th, Sat. (we had fresh raspberries and Peet's Coffee). Hop on the F-line a few stops north to exit at Broadway Street. Walk several blocks west into North Beach (Italian district). (Alternatively, skip the Ferry Building and walk into North Beach from Chinatown.) City Lights Books (Broadway/Grant) is the first paperback book store and home of the Beat poets, and the surrounding streets have many cafes and places to break for lunch or a caffe: Caffe Trieste (601 Vallejo St. @ Grant), Molinari Delicatessen (Columbus/Vallejo), Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store (566 Columbus). We had a great sandwich at Molinari’s and cappuccino at Caffe Roma.

End at Washington Square (Columbus and Union). Sit a while in the park or go inside Saints Peter and Paul church on NW corner. Pick up the Powell-Mason line a short distance away at Union Street to end at Bay / Taylor. A few blocks down, Taylor ends at Fisherman’s Wharf. Or, head west to Hyde / Beach for Buena Vista Café, Ghiradelli Square, GG National Recreation Area. Return to ship at Pier 35 by walking or taking F-Line (which will be really full at this point).

That was a mouthful! It sounds like a great day. Thanks for posting it.

Thanks for sharing! Sounds like a plan!

Thanks for sharing your experience with everyone.

Keith