How To See San Francisco in 48 Hours
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Let me guess you found this post because you are heading to San Francisco for a work trip or conference? How did I know? Well, San Fran is one of the busiest conference center hubs I have ever seen. Something is always going on, literally. Every convention you can think of happens here! Hence, why I have compiled this list of sights to see when you’re in the area for a quick work trip.
The beauty of this is list is:
1. you can accomplish all of these things,
2. if you can’t get away during the work day no biggie, all of these attractions are at your finger tips after hours.
So dive into the NON-negotiable’s (must see/cannot miss) you get the point, you can’t leave SF without accomplishing these during your work trip! Further down, you’ll see a few options to squeeze in and at the bottom there are some attractions that are widely talked about, but honestly in my opinion not worth it.
Non-Negotiable Must See:
Golden Gate Bridge. OBVIOUSLY, you have to check this one out on your work trip. Who goes to SF and doesn’t see the bridge? Photo Opp: take a picture from the Presidio or Baker Beach. It is worth the close up.
Bay Bridge at night to see the lights. It is basically a free light show. If you are looking for an Epic Dinner, the Bay Bridge is right next to Epic Steakhouse! The steaks are as you can imagine Epic and so are the prices, Epic-ally expensive but delicious.
City Scape in the Hilton by Union Square, maybe you’re staying here already. The view is undeniable at sunset and pairs well with a heavy Cabernet (if that is your kind of thing)!
Lombard Street, is called the “crookedest street in the world”. You cannot come all the way out here for work and miss it. BONUS: hop on the cable car for less than $10.
Alamo Square and the Painted Ladies. If you have aren’t a Full House fan, you will still enjoy it. I promise. The perfectly painted homes in the middle of this big city, almost makes you feel like you are somewhere else.
Looking for dinner and maybe some comfort food after a long day at work. When I think comfort food, I think Italian. North Beach is the Little Italy of San Francisco and it does not disappoint. Walking the streets is so relaxing and the smells! Yum.
If You Have Time
Alcatraz Night Tour. You have to book ahead of time but it is worth it! Coordinate with coworkers or clients to go after work. To get a discount check out Expedia or Groupon.
After Hours Museums: The Exploratorium and California Academy of Sciences both have an adult night on Thursdays from 6 – 10 PM.
If you get out of work and it is still day light, check out Twin Peaks for the best 360 view of the city. It is located near Haight-Ashbury. After you soak in the view of the bridges, skyscrapers of buildings and SF crazy, you can head down the mountain to Haight-Ashbury to grab a bite!
16th Ave Tiled Steps is a quick stop as well. Best in daylight to see the unique community project that the Golden Gate Heights neighborhood put together.
If it is Baseball season, catch a Giant’s Game. Tickets are cheap and during the summer the weather is beautiful. Great opportunity to take a client or team out for a work function too. My all time fav app for last minute events is GameTime.
Skip It List
Chinatown it looks cool at night with the lights, but nothing that you ‘have to see/do’
Coit Tower is big, glorious and you cannot miss it from anywhere in the city. That being said, you’ve probably already seen it. If you want to sit at the top of the world, or the top of SF. Maybe you should go see it for yourself. There is typically a line to get to the top. I went in the middle of the week, during the day and the tour including the wait was over an hour.
Fisherman’s Wharf is a HUGE tourist trap and always packed, so if you are set on checking it out, my advice is to keep your visit short.
Pier 39 falls under the same boat as the Fisherman’s Wharf. Enter at your own risk.
Obviously, this list cannot cover all of the amazing and not so amazing things to do in San Francisco. These are some of my personal favorite spots and some of the most sought out spots by first time visitors and local San Franciscans. I will continue to update as I discover new ‘NON-negotiable’s’ in the city. Don’t let work get in the way of your fun!
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