Family Friendly 3 Days
Sea lions at Pier 39, the Exploratorium at Pier 15, a cable car ride to Ghirardelli, and a Muir Woods day trip among the coast redwoods.
The inside local's take
Day 1: Exploratorium at Pier 15 (allow 4 hours), lunch at the Ferry Building, sea lions and carousel at Pier 39, ice cream at Ghirardelli Square.
Day 2: Cable car adventure from Powell Street, California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, playground at the Koret Children's Quarter.
Day 3: Rent a car and drive to Muir Woods National Monument for the coast redwoods (reserve parking online), lunch in Sausalito on the way back.
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Classic 48 Hours
Day 1: Golden Gate walk, Palace of Fine Arts, Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. Day 2: Ferry to Alcatraz, cable car to Nob Hill, sunset from Twin Peaks.
Four Days by the Bay
Add Alamo Square Painted Ladies, a Mission burrito crawl, Golden Gate Park's museums, and a Marin Headlands hike for the ultimate bridge photo.
Weekend for Foodies
Ferry Building Saturday market, dim sum in Chinatown, tasting menu on the Embarcadero, and Tartine morning buns before you fly home.