An Ideal Layover in San Francisco

San Francisco is a compact city spanning just seven by seven miles, making it easy to explore a lot in a short time.

In just one day, visitors can travel from the historic Ferry Building on the Eastside waterfront to watch a stunning sunset at Ocean Beach on the Westside, taking in the culture, cuisine, and unique character of key neighborhoods along the way. For a more relaxed experience, you might want to focus on just a couple of areas, perhaps hitting the must-see spots for first-timers. However, it's best to skip Alcatraz and Angel Island during a layover, as they require significant time to visit.

Getting from the airport:

Luckily, SFO is conveniently located near the city, with plenty of affordable transport options available. BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) trains on the Yellow Line provide direct service from SFO to various locations in the Bay Area. The SFO BART station, found just outside the International Terminal (G), is within walking distance of Terminals 1 and 3, or you can take the free AirTrain from any terminal. A quick BART ride to Powell station in Union Square downtown takes only 30 minutes, costing $8.95 one-way. Rideshare services like Lyft or Uber, as well as taxis, generally start at around $25 to reach the city.

What should I do with my bags?

SFO provides luggage storage at the Airport Travel Agency in the International Terminal, with fees ranging from $7 per hour to $60 per day based on the size of your luggage. Allow 30 minutes for the entire process; the service operates from 6am to 11pm. Alternatively, you can use Bounce, a more affordable storage service with locations near SFO and throughout the city, but keep in mind the extra time needed for drop-off and pick-up. If you choose airport storage, consider packing a change of clothes in a day pack if you plan to explore without returning to the airport before your flight.

Where should I stay if I have 24 hours in San Francisco?

SFO features several nap rooms in the International Terminal available for a few hours or overnight. However, given the cost, a hotel might be a better option if sleep is a priority. Although downtown SF is quieter due to many working remotely, the Union Square area remains a great base for a 24-hour layover, offering various accommodation options, easy access to public transport, and walking distance to iconic spots like Chinatown and North Beach. Budget-conscious travelers might consider hostels such as the well-regarded Hostelling International Downtown SF Hostel, which also has private rooms. Newly opened or renovated options include the Beacon Grand (formerly The Sir Francis Drake), St. Regis, and the trendy boutique LINE hotel.

How should I navigate the city during a 24-hour stay in San Francisco?

Utilize a mix of BART and San Francisco's local public transit system, MUNI, to navigate the city. You can load funds onto a digital Clipper Card via your smartphone (or use a physical card), which works across various transit options, including ferries and cable cars. A 1-Day Visitor Passport on your Clipper costs $13 and grants unlimited MUNI rides. Additionally, station-less bike share bicycles are available throughout the city, which can be accessed by scanning QR codes through the Bay Wheels app. While MUNI offers late-night Owl bus service, it runs infrequently after midnight, making rideshare services (or taxis) a better choice during those hours.

What can I do in San Francisco in 24 hours?

Early morning activities:

San Franciscans lead active lives, but the city remains relatively calm before the weekday rush hour kicks in around 7am. Take advantage of this tranquility and the potential fog while everyone else starts their day.

Dining:

Visit the Union Square area, specifically the nearly century-old Sears Fine Food on Powell near Post, known for its iconic 18 tiny Swedish pancakes served with butter and lingonberry jam (add $3 for this treat). For a modern SF breakfast, stroll a couple of blocks east to the charming Heist to try one of their renowned breakfast burritos, like the chorizo-packed Captain Crunch.

Activities:

Catch either MUNI or BART from Powell station, or hop on the vintage F Market & Wharves streetcar at Market and 4th or 5th streets, for a quick 5-minute ride to Embarcadero station.

The clock tower of the Ferry Building welcomes you at the junction of Market Street and The Embarcadero. Before entering, enjoy a morning walk (20-45 minutes) south along the waterfront, where joggers, cyclists, and occasionally rollerbladers glide by on this palm-lined path. It's an easy stroll, but be cautious of both vehicles and bicycles. You'll also have a close-up view of the impressive two-tiered steel San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, boasting one of the longest spans in the US at nearly 4.5 miles.

Just half a mile south of the Ferry Building lies the grassy Rincon Park, featuring a massive bow and arrow sculpture known as Cupid’s Span, which evokes the romantic essence of being in San Francisco. Take a moment to relax or meditate here, or continue walking south for another half mile, passing two of the city’s charming old bars – Hi Dive and Red’s Java House. Then make your way back north to the Ferry Building.

Mid-Morning:

By mid-morning, the sun typically disperses the fog, signaling the start of a new day.

Dining:

You can't visit the Ferry Building Marketplace without indulging in the array of artisanal foods available inside. While vendors may change, you'll always find tempting options like hot malasadas filled with lilikoi from Ocean Malasada, fragrant Cambodian yellow curry from Lunette, and delicious Jamaican beef patties from Peaches Patties.

If you're there on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, stroll through the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market to sample the abundant local California produce that contributes to SF's culinary reputation. Saturday's market is the largest, featuring over 100 vendors that extend around the building into the spacious outdoor area behind it. Here, you'll discover Asian produce like bok choy and bitter melon from Laotian-owned GG Farm, nopales (cactus pads) from Yerena Farms, the renowned vegan No Cookie and mini bean pies from Delightful Foods, and scrumptious chilaquiles from Primavera.

Activities:

From the Ferry Building, catch MUNI or BART for a quick 12-minute ride to Montgomery station, where you can explore the remarkable SFMOMA (note: it’s closed on Wednesdays). General admission costs $30, although there are occasional Free Community Days. The first and second floors of the museum feature expansive public art spaces that are always free. If you plan to buy tickets, set aside about two hours to navigate the museum, from the impressive hanging mobiles of Alexander Calder to temporary exhibitions like “Unity through Skateboarding,” which highlights the legacy of pioneering skaters from marginalized backgrounds.

After visiting the museum, take MUNI/BART back for one stop to Powell station (or enjoy an 11-minute walk west) to reach the cable car turnaround at Powell and Market streets. A single ride on the cable car is $8 – you can pay with your Clipper card (which comes with a 1-Day Visitor Passport) or purchase a ticket in advance at one of the locations. Board the Powell-Hyde line, which operates every 10-20 minutes, and ride to the second-to-last stop at Hyde and North Point streets, close to Ghirardelli Square. The journey takes 15 minutes and offers views of classic Victorian homes as you traverse SF’s iconic hills.

Avoid the crowded Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, and Ghirardelli Square; instead, make your way to the intersection of Hyde and North Point streets to catch MUNI bus 30 The Presidio. This 16-minute journey west will take you to the newly opened Presidio Tunnel Tops. Enjoy the park and visit the Presidio Visitor Center to discover more about this beautifully designed space.

Afternoon:

As afternoon rolls in, take advantage of the likely mild weather and vibrant San Francisco atmosphere by stepping outside.

Eat:

Presidio Tunnel Tops features a rotating selection of food trucks through the Presidio Pop-Up program, operating roughly from 9am to 3pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends. While a few trucks serve meals during the week, over a dozen set up from Friday to Sunday. Options include Dungeness crab sandwiches drizzled with homemade peanut sauce from Satay by the Bay, Filipino-Mexican burritos by Señor Sisig, and Bulgarian banítsa (hand-rolled phyllo pastries) filled with sheep’s milk cheese from Kuker. There’s plenty of picnic space, and a new indoor food hall is set to open in 2025.

Do:

As one of San Francisco's newest parks, Presidio Tunnel Tops was built atop the Presidio Parkway tunnels, creating over 14 acres of new green space for the public. Designed by the same firm that created New York City’s High Line, this beautiful park features picnic areas, a large communal fire pit, a playground made from recycled materials, a nature education center, and a food truck pop-up program, along with diverse year-round events, from an Intertribal Dance Gathering to a World Arts West Dance Festival.

Tunnel Tops also provides a unique perspective of the Golden Gate Bridge and stunning views of the nearby skyline. Strolling through the park can fill an afternoon, but if time permits, visit the Walt Disney Family Museum located just across the street.

After your visit, walk back to the Mason St.-Tunnel Tops stop and catch MUNI bus 30 Caltrain Depot to Chinatown. The ride lasts about 40 minutes, and you’ll get off at the intersection of Stockton and Pacific streets.

Evening:

While many San Francisco residents have transitioned to remote work, happy hour remains popular, with dinner times shifting slightly earlier since 2020. Food plays a central role in local culture, and the number of restaurants continues to rise. The nightlife scene is vibrant, featuring live theater, cabarets, concerts, independent cinemas, and more. Keep in mind that many restaurants close by 9pm, but night owls will find plenty of options in younger neighborhoods like the Mission, Hayes Valley, parts of Chinatown, and around the nightclubs in SoMa.

Eat:

Chinatown is anchored by classics like the seafood restaurant R&G Lounge and the traditional diner Capital, but new dining spots are emerging to keep the area fresh. Four Kings is the latest brick-and-mortar location from two alumni of the Michelin-starred Mister Jiu’s. Here, Hong Kong diner favorites like fried pork chops over rice receive a modern twist in a nostalgic ‘90s Canto-pop setting. While reservations can be tricky to secure online, same-day slots are often available for dinner after 8pm or 9pm, along with bar seating and a few tables set aside for walk-ins.

For a laid-back meal without the wait, check out the larger, newer location of Hon’s Wun-Tun House on Washington Street. Here, you can savor freshly made shrimp-and-pork wontons served over chewy egg noodles, all swimming in a hot chicken broth and garnished with vibrant green scallions.

Do:

If you reach Chinatown by 3pm, snag a $12 ticket for the Chinese Historical Society’s engaging exhibit, “We are Bruce Lee: Under the Sky, One Family.” On Saturdays from 2-6pm, you can also visit the Showgirl Magic Museum on Waverly Place, which requires advance reservations (admission is donation-based). This museum offers a unique look at the vibrant burlesque and nightclub scene of SF Chinatown from the 1940s to the 1970s, hosted by former showgirls.

Visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Ross Alley, which is open until 6:30pm on weekdays and 7pm on weekends. Here, you can watch fortune cookies being hand-folded and enjoy numerous free samples. The soon-to-be-renovated Portsmouth Square Park is perfect for people-watching, showcasing locals playing traditional Chinese instruments, seniors engaging in chess matches, and groups practicing Tai Chi. If you’re in the mood for an evening performance, the historic Great Star Theater on Jackson Street hosts traditional Chinese opera, film festivals, burlesque shows, comedians, and more.

After dark:

San Francisco tends to quiet down after midnight, if not sooner. However, the city has expanded its late-night offerings, and nightlife enthusiasts can usually find an afterparty or two.

Eat:

Late-night dining in SF has made a comeback to some extent post-pandemic. If you’re in Chinatown, you’ll find plenty of late-night options: Yuet Lee serves up Cantonese stir-fried favorites until 11pm, while Taishan stays open until 3am. In nearby North Beach, Sam’s on Broadway and Columbus offers classic burgers and fries.

If you’re bar hopping in Polk Gulch near the Tenderloin, check out the queer-friendly, Portuguese-influenced Grubstake Diner, open until 3am on weekdays and 4am on weekends, or the 24-hour Bob’s Donuts for delicious apple fritters. For a Castro vibe, Orphan Andy’s serves breakfast until 9:45pm on weeknights and is open 24 hours from Thursday to Saturday.

Many taquerias in the Mission cater to the late-night crowd, with places like El Farolito and La Taqueria offering hefty Mission-style burritos, as well as street vendors selling bacon-wrapped hot dogs. ABV serves food until midnight. If you venture south on Mission Street into Bernal Heights, Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack now offers dinner until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

For something near Union Square, Hinodeya Ramen on O’Farrell at Powell serves high-quality ramen until 1:30am.

Do:

Staying in Chinatown for the night? Head to the quirky Li Po Cocktail Lounge, known for its distinctive lantern-shaped neon sign and famous Chinese Mai Tai that even had Anthony Bourdain surrendering. Just down the block on Grant Avenue is the more local Buddha Lounge, where the bartender might even roll dice with you if you ask. The Lion’s Den, off Grant near Jackson, opened with a vibe reminiscent of the former nightclub Forbidden City, attracting a diverse crowd with its mix of live bands and DJs.

Venture just north of Chinatown to North Beach for a lively nightlife experience. Start with a visit to the iconic City Lights bookstore, a haven for literary enthusiasts, open until 10pm. Afterwards, stop by Vesuvio Cafe next door or cross the street to Specs for a laid-back, bohemian atmosphere. For those seeking something more daring, explore the strip clubs on Broadway, with the Condor being the city's first topless club and the most renowned. Even a casual stroll along the block, admiring the neon lights and engaging with bouncers and promoters, can be an entertaining experience.

If you prefer nightclubs and dancing, SoMa remains the go-to district for nightlife, featuring Cat Club, famous for its ‘80s goth and New Wave nights, Monarch with its underground dance floor, and the expansive five-story 1015 Folsom, offering diverse music genres on each level. Most venues stay open until 2am or 3am on weekends. For those wanting to party all night, inquire with bartenders, bouncers, or club regulars for after-hours options, as some parties may be unlisted and move around.