4 days in San Francisco is just enough time to visit it complete and enjoy it.
For this, the key is to organize the tour grouping the nearby neighborhoods and thus make the most of it.
If you go in summer, know that the weather is a little cooler and there is usually a kind of fog at night, so take a coat for these days.
DAY 1: FISHERMAN'S WARF | SAUSALITO
We chose to start with the port: Fisherman's Warf.
The bus costs approximately 2 dollars and that same ticket is useful for you to use for approximately 2 more hours. You have to go with cash and exact ticket price as it doesn't give back what's left.
The port is divine, with the Golden Gate looming on the left... it is one of the things you cannot miss if you go to San Francisco. We recommend renting a bike and take the opportunity to explore Pier 1 to 39 (or vice versa).
On the way, a must stop at the famous Pier 39: The one from Forrest Gump. We recommend leaving the bike and going for a walk. It is full of shops and little bars on the water. You can also find the famous Bubba Gump to eat. Another very cute place to eat very well is Louis.
In the area, be sure to visit Lombard Street, the famous "snake-shaped" street. From above it has a very good view.
Sausalito is across the Golden Gate. A good recommendation is to go in the afternoon and stay to eat at night. But you can also go early in the morning and stay for lunch.
You can cross by car, ferry or bike. Another option is to rent some small cartings. Although the bike ride is not heavy at all, since most of it is downhill. If you go by bike, to avoid the ascent of the return we recommend taking the ferry (you can take the bike inside).
If you go to Sausalito for lunch, you have to be careful because the first ferry leaves back at 3:00 p.m., and there is a long line to take it and it is due to capacity.
If you arrive before noon, 3pm is a good time to return. The town is small and very very cute. It's all miniature, clean and neat.
There are 2 ferries, one of them passes very close to Alcatraz, the prison. It's good to see this iconic prison from the water but it's even better to go see it from the inside with the tour. Get your tickets early! There are usually months of delay. The best thing is to do the night tour!
DAY 2: UNION SQUARE | CHINATOWN | CASTRO
Start at Union Square and do some shopping. The neighborhood is very nice, but practically the main thing to do here is go shopping, since you have ALL the main stores and malls.
In the middle you'll see Union Square with huge buildings around it. For lunch: Cheescake Factory located on the terrace of Macy's, facing the square, is a very good option.
The food is great, it's not expensive, and it's a cool rooftop from where you can see Union Square from above.
You can follow the tour through Chinatown. It is across a tunnel to the other side of Union Sq.
Another recommendation for the night: the Castro neighborhood, which is known for having a great night life, bars and cool restaurants.
San Francisco is very beautiful, but there are many humble people begging for money or sleeping on the street, so at night it is not recommended to walk around alone until very late.
DAY 3: PIER 39 | HAIGHTS-ASHBURY
Before reaching the neighborhood you will see the Golden Gate Park. We recommend stopping by and exploring it for a while. Then go up Ashbury Street one or two blocks to Haights Street. That is the heart of the neighborhood.
You look to your left and to your right along Haights street and you have a huge variety of stores. The neighborhood is known to be the "hipster" one.
There are musicians playing in the street, and it is ideal for those who want to shop in vintage stores.
A good place to eat at night is on Divisadero street, there are several bars and restaurants- Our favorite: Nopa. Food is delicious. But remember to go early!
At 10 pm almost all restaurantes close.
A favorite for some cheese, wine and beer is: Fat Angel.
DAY 4: TIBURÓN | PAINTED LADIES
Another place to go across the bridge is Tiburón. If you have one more day you can leave early and explore it.
On the way back, don't miss Alamo Square and the Painted Ladies (famous Victorian-style painted houses facing the square).
It is best to go in the late afternoon, the square is on a hill, in the afternoon the sun sets behind there and it is very nice to see it as it hides. Not to mention the light that it reflects to the houses.
A nice bar to close this last night: 620 Jones, in Union Square. Very good, it has an outside terrace, the food and drinks are great.
Another option: 15 Rimolo, this bar is very quiet, and it has one of the best bars in San Francisco, all the bartenders go there to try new drinks.
OTHER USEFUL GUIDES