One Day in San Francisco Walking Tour (2023)
UPDATED 1/18/23
Have just one day in San Francisco, or just a long layover, and want to see the best San Francisco sights? For Free? Without a rental car? No worries. I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area and have a self-guided San Francisco walking tour for you to see some of the best of San Francisco on foot in one day. You’ll love it.
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San Francisco Walking Tour Tips
To ensure you have the best experience while spending time outside in the famous City by the Bay, here are some tips I highly recommend:
- Allow at least 4 hours to walk at a casual pace from start to finish. If you have more time, you can stop for lunch or dinner, or both – it just depends on what time of day you start the tour (the earlier the better, of course).
- Dress in layers for your one day in San Francisco, no matter when you go.
- Bring a good day bag big enough to fit your essentials, any emergency items and camera, but not too big or overloaded, like the Victorinox Altmont mono sling bag or the eco-friendly Sakroots Go Sling backpack. These are also great at keeping your belongings safe.
- The best time to visit San Francisco is September and October. Summers are cold in San Francisco but come Autumn, the skies are mostly blue and weather is still warm. It’s a great time for views and taking pics.
- Always check the weather before your one day in San Francisco. Even if a slight chance of rain, err on the side of caution and bring an eco-friendly umbrella.
- If you encounter fog, it will more than likely burn off by late morning. This could vary, though, depending on time of year.
- Of course, make sure to wear good walking shoes. You’re going to cover a lot of ground on this self-guided tour, and don’t forget San Francisco is full of hills.
- Do not over exert yourself, especially if you have a medical condition or possibly an out-of-shape traveler over 50. Stop as often as you need and don’t be afraid to take public transportation, a cable car, taxi or Uber/Lyft between sights. The point is to enjoy your one day in San Francisco, not hurt yourself.
San Francisco Travel Essentials
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Tips for Bay Area Airport Layover
San Francisco International Airport
If you are flying into San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and have time to explore San Francisco during a long layover, you can immediately store your carry-on baggage at Airport Travel Agency, located on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal, near the entrance to Gates G91-G102.
It is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. No reservations are required for baggage storage. Price depends on bag size. An alternate option is Vertoe luggage storage.
Right down the hall you can catch BART yellow line to the city. It takes approximately 25 minutes each way from SFO to the city. Prices and times could change depending on time of day so it’s best to check the BART schedules and prices in advance.
Oakland International Airport
To my knowledge, Oakland International Airport (OAK) does not have any lockers or baggage storage facilities.
However, Vertoe’s daily baggage storage on Eddy, 2 blocks from Union Square (among other locations) so you could take BART into the city and drop off your luggage at this location at the start of this walking tour. They are open daily 9am to 11pm.
Clipper Card
Do not even bother renting a car for the day. First, San Francisco is famous for street parking being next to impossible, and parking lots can be very pricey.
Second, San Francisco is full of one-way streets, so if you’re unfamiliar with the city, you can waste a lot of time driving in circles. Do yourself a favor and utilize the Bay Area public transportation system.
The Clipper Card is your gateway to public transportation in the Bay Area. The Clipper Card covers all forms of transportation, including BART, MUNI and ferries. It does not cover cable cars, however. You pay separately for those.
You can purchase a Clipper Card at either airport, or at any BART station in the city. In addition to your round-trip city/airport ride, I suggest putting on a few extra bucks should you get tired of walking and want to catch a MUNI in the city.
Hang on to your Clipper Card. You never know when you’ll be back in the Bay Area so if you bring it back with you, you won’t have to do the initial purchase price again.
Best Places to Stay in San Francisco
Where Should a First-time Tourist Stay in San Francisco?
For optimum ease of walking and seeing the sights on a one day (or more) solo visit to San Francisco, I recommend staying in a downtown accommodation from Union Square north to Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s centralized for top sights and easily accessible by foot or public transportation.
Check to see how far your hotel is away from a BART, MUNI or cable car stop for better accessibility.
However, if it’s too pricey in the city as a solo traveler, don’t be afraid to stay south of the city, like South San Francisco, or in Oakland in the East Bay near a BART station. If you have access to BART, you have access to San Francisco.
Additionally, Marin County does offer ferry service to the city from San Anselmo and Sausalito.
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What to See in One Day in San Francisco on Foot
Ready for one day in San Francisco on foot? For this self-guided walking tour of San Francisco, you’ll start in the heart of San Francisco on the North corner of Market at Powell. If you are taking BART, you’ll stop will be the Powell Street station.
Note: This starting point is on the border of the Tenderloin District, which can be a little sketchy, especially at night. However, I was just there for a day in 2022 and was fine. Just be street-wise and watch your belongings.
You’ll see the start of the Powell Street cable car, where you could catch it straight up to Lombard Street and bypass the first part of this walking tour, if you wish. Feel free to ask at the booth for a hard-copy sight-seeing map.
If you want to walk, walk north up Powell Street 3 blocks to Union Square, the first San Francisco sight on your walking tour.
Union Square
Once you hit Geary, you’ll find Union Square catty-corner from you.
Union Square is a central shopping, hotel, and theater district. Many stores surround Union Square so you can shop and people watch as long as you want. There are also some good clubs for a nightlife scene.
Exit out the northeast corner of Union Square. Five blocks north you’ll see Dragon’s Gate, the entrance to Chinatown on Grant Street.
Chinatown
San Francisco’s Chinatown is the largest outside of Asia. Take a stroll down Grant street do some shopping. Don’t forget to try a chocolate or green tea fortune cookie at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory on Ross Alley.
Chinatown Dining Tip
If it fits your schedule, enjoy a dim sum lunch in Chinatown.
When Grant hits Broadway, you’ll see a large, diagonal crossing area. Turn behind you to see the Trans America building. You can’t miss it.
Russian Hill
Note: if you have a lot more than 4 hours to spend, you could turn west on Pacific from Grant to catch the Powell Cable Car that will take you to Lombard Street – you know, the most crooked street in the world? From there you could walk down hill to Columbus Street to explore the North Beach District.
If you’re not into a cable car ride, walk north up Columbus and you’re immediately in North Beach.
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North Beach
North Beach is one of my favorite dining areas in the city. Not only are there great murals and iconic architecture, but there are also many great Italian restaurants and cafes – some with outside seating – to choose from.
North Beach Dining Tip
Like garlic? I mean, really like garlic? The Stinking Rose is an institution in San Francisco. Note, it only opens for dinner at 5pm.
North Beach Dining Tip
For good deli, try Molinari Delicatessen on Columbus.
At this point you may want to rest your feet because the Coit Tower is next.
Meander the North Beach area to find a deli, restaurant or bar that strikes your fancy, or just grab a gelato at Gelato Classico Italian on Union Street and cop a squat in Washington Square while you people watch.
Telegraph Hill
Got your energy up? Ok, so let’s start the hike to Coit Tower.
Two blocks past Washington Square is Greenwich. Hang a right, gulp as you see the hill, and just start climbing.
Once the street ends, head up the stairs and keep going up. You’ll…eventually…get…to…Coit Tower. Trust me.
Once you get there you’ll be glad you made the climb because the views of the city and the bay are fantastic. Get out your camera. You’re going to want take several pics.
Go inside to check out the amazing murals documenting life in San Francisco. You can pay to go up to the top of the tower for even better city and bay views.
Done with all of your picture taking? Now comes the easy part: walking downhill from the Coit Tower to Fisherman’s Wharf.
Fisherman’s Wharf
It may take 20-30 minutes to walk to Fisherman’s Wharf. Head back down Greenwich to Columbus. Take a left on Bay and a right on Van Ness to the waterfront.
At this point you’ll be in the Fort Mason and San Francisco Maritime Park, which marks the west side of the Fisherman’s Wharf District.
Feel free to wander to your hearts content. On a clear day you’ll have great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Marin County (the North Bay) in the background.
Like chocolate? Don’t miss the Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop at Ghirardelli Square.
Fisherman’s Wharf can be a little touristy, but there are some incredible seafood restaurants if you’re feeling up to dinner at this point.
Depending on your time limit, you may wish to stroll east along the water or just head down Bay Street until you get to The Embarcadero.
The Embarcadero
Here is the last section of your fantabulous walking day in San Fran. You’re in the final stretch. Start at Pier 39 and work your way down until you get to the Ferry Building.
The Embarcadero can take you all the way to Oracle Park where you can catch a Giant’s game. I love my Giants (the best baseball team ever), so I highly recommend a game if you have time (and there’s a home game scheduled) to spend in the prettiest ballpark in the USA.
No Giants game scheduled? Perhaps you can make the 1.5 hour ‘behind the scenes’ tour of Oracle Park.
If you wish, pop into The Exploratorium (Pier 15) along the way, or save it for another day. And if you haven’t eaten dinner by now, then pop into the restaurants along the Embarcadero to view menus.
Are your feet a little tired? No worries. Hop on a Muni and it will take you right to the Ferry Building. Use those extra funds on your Clipper Card.
If you haven’t found a restaurant along the Embarcadero, then try one of my favorite San Francisco restaurants: The Slanted Door.
Embarcadero Dining Tip
The Slanted Door is in the Ferry building with views of the bay and Bay Bridge. Since you spent the day seeing sights for free, then here is where you can splurge on a great meal. The Vietnamese fusion cuisine is delicious.
I would make reservations in advance. However, if you get there early, you could put your name down, grab a drink at the bar, and see if you get a table if you have a flexible timeframe. The wait will be worth it.
Now you’ve ended your beautiful San Francisco day with a delicious dining experience. How do you feel? Wonderful I hope. All that’s left to do now is head out for a night cap, back to your hotel, or the airport.
If you’re needing to head back to the airport, walk 2 blocks up Market Street to the Embarcadero BART station. Easy peasy.
DOWNLOAD This Day San Francisco Walking Map FREE
More Top Things to See and Do in San Francisco
Of course, you can’t see all of San Francisco in a day. If you’re fortunate enough to have another day or more in San Francisco, check out the following top sights and attractions. These will not really be accessible by foot, so plan on renting a bike, taking public transportation, or grabbing a taxi or rideshare between attractions.
- Chrissy Field
- The Walt Disney Family Museum
- Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco
- Golden Gate ParkCalifornia Academy of Sciences
- de Young Museum
- Conservatory of Flowers
- San Francisco Botanical Gardens
- Japanese Tea Garden
- Ocean Beach / Beach Chalet & Brewery
- Haight Ashbury
- The Castro
- Palace of Fine Arts
- SF MOMA
- The Mission District
- Oracle Park – GO GIANTS
Eco Travel Tips
When hiring a rideshare, choose the Lyft Green or Uber Green options, or use Carpoolworld, to support the use of hybrid and electric cars, and carpooling, for cleaner transportation in San Francisco.
Let Me Hear From You
I would love to hear if this 1 day in San Francisco walking tour was helpful to you. Post me your thoughts or questions in the Comments section below. Thank you!
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I never enjoyed walking tours in my life but I will enjoy it after reading this article.
I’m so pleased!