3-Day San Francisco Itinerary for First-Timers
Everyone dreams of visiting San Francisco once in their life, and if your time has finally come, we promise you won’t leave disappointed. “The City by the Bay” has a special place in America’s heart, and it’ll quickly find its way into yours as soon as you visit.
But if you’ve only got three days to see the glory of San Francisco, it can get overwhelming planning the perfect itinerary, especially when you’re traveling with a group. Luckily, Champion Charter Bus is the champion in group transportation, providing simple solutions for private trips, weddings, corporate events, school field trips, and more. No matter what you’ve got planned, let our expertise guide you on your next adventure.
We help groups explore more than just San Francisco-- learn more about planning a trip to Los Angeles for your next vacation.
Be Prepared
San Francisco is a unique city for many reasons, and if it’s your first time visiting, you’re up for some surprises. Here are some tip and tricks from locals to ensure you’re fully prepared for the trip ahead:
- San Francisco is known for its summer fog, which is why it’s deemed the “Fog City,” making it difficult to pack for. Due to its fog, summer mornings and early afternoons can get a little chilly, even in the summertime. Make sure you pack some jackets and layers to stay comfortable while you’re out and about. Don’t worry, though, the fog usually clears up by the afternoon!
- Pack comfortable walking shoes. San Francisco is extremely hilly, and you’ll be required to walk a lot as many destinations are located off narrow, windy roads most vehicles can’t reach.
- Make reservations. San Francisco has some of the most popular tourist attractions in the nation, meaning tickets can sell out fast. For bigger groups, you’ll want to make sure to call ahead to ensure there’s availability and space for everyone.
- Book your charter bus early. San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., so booking early will help you get the best quote possible. Luckily, Champion Charter Bus can help you find the best bus for your trip at the best price.
Where to Stay
Before making any other travel plans, find a hotel that gives you comfort and relaxation after a long, busy day. We recommend staying in the Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf area for easy walking to shops and restaurants, as well as close proximity to all your upcoming destinations. Here are just a few hotels that our clients have stayed at:
- Hilton San Francisco Union Square
Address: 333 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 771-1400
- Hotel Union Square
Address: 114 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 397-3000
- Chancellor Hotel on Union Square
Address: 433 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 362-2004
- San Francisco Marriott Fisherman's Wharf
Address: 1250 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 775-7555
- Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf
Address: 425 North Point St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 561-1100
How to Travel With a Group
Traveling around San Francisco is easy when you’re just with yourself and a couple of other people. The city offers a variety of options, from cable cars that make the city what it is to BART and Muni. Plenty of people also rely on rideshare apps, and when all else fails, San Francisco is a very walkable city.
If you’re traveling with a group, especially if it begins to exceed 15 members, all these options end up being more of a challenge than a solution. It’s difficult to stay organized and on-schedule if you have to separate group members between different vehicles, and costs can quickly add up if you depend on public transportation to get to every attraction. Champion Charter Bus can help make your transportation easier than ever in a private charter bus or minibus rental completely dedicated to your trip. We’ll help you get to each destination on your itinerary on your time, giving you complete freedom to focus on enjoying your trip.
Explore the Golden City
With so much to see and do in San Francisco, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But we want you to enjoy what this unique city has to offer, so we crafted the best itinerary for first-time Frisco explorers based on our past clients’ trips.
Day 1
Morning
Start day at Alcatraz.
Address: San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 561-4900
Book a morning tour to explore the famous island where Alcatraz stills stands tall. Known as one of the toughest prisons to escape, it’s appeared in several movies and TV shows. But don’t be fooled by its rough history and spooky presence-- the island is now a national park that serves as a popular attraction. Because this is such a popular tourist attraction, you’ll need to purchase tickets a few weeks in advance to ensure availability. Your ticket fare will include the ferry ride over and an audio tour as you walk around.
Afternoon
Lunch and Shopping at Fisherman’s Wharf
This may be the busiest tourist area in the entire city, but if it’s your first time here, you don’t want to miss out on the experience at Fisherman’s Wharf. Full of souvenir shops, boutiques, vendors selling fresh seafood, and delectable restaurants, you’ll have a delightful afternoon catching postcard views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge while enjoying a satisfying lunch. You might even catch a glimpse of the colony of sea lions that like to like to lounge around. Here are just a few restaurants and shops our clients have recommended:
Scoma’s Restaurant
Address: 1965 Al Scoma Way, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 771-4383
Fog Harbor Fish House
Address: Pier 39, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 421-2442
The Wharf Store
Address: 398 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 318-8016
The Cable Car Store
Address: Pier 39, P-3, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 989-2040
Evening
Climb Coit Tower
Address: 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 249-0995
After driving down Lombard Street, “The Crookedest Street in the World,” head over to Coit Tower to catch jaw-dropping views of the Bay area. This 1930s-era building features WPA murals and rewards climbers with a complete 360-degree view of the city, as well as a resident flock of parrots.
Explore Chinatown
Address: Centered near Grant Avenue and Stockton Street
You’ll be close enough to explore San Francisco’s Chinatown, arguably one of the best Chinatowns in the U.S. Explore the shops and atmosphere that makes the city so unique and fun. San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest one in North America, meaning you’re sure to find some treasures and a lucky fortune or two. Grab a bite to eat while you’re there, and if you’re up for it, enjoy a bit of their vivid nightlife.
End the day back at the hotel.
Day 2
Start the day at Alamo Square.
Morning
Walk Alamo Square and Admire the Painted Ladies
Address: Steiner St & Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Phone: (415) 218-0259
While it’s a residential neighborhood, Alamo Square features what most people envision when they think of San Francisco: Victorian townhomes lined up across steep hills. While you’re there, stop by the row of “Painted Ladies,” the most popular and photographed Victorian homes in the city, as seen in the popular 90s sitcom Full House. These houses are known for their vibrant colors that are meant to embellish their architectural details, and with the perfect backdrop to complement them, you’ll have plenty of beautiful snapshots to bring back home.
Afternoon
Lunch at E&O Trading Company in Union Square
Address: 603 Bush St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: (415) 956-0396
After a morning of brisk walking, you’ll definitely be hungry. Your next stop is the commercial hub of the city, home to a diverse selection of shops, restaurants, and a vivid nightlife scene. Before browsing the shops, head over to E&O Trading Company, a hip Asian restaurant with a trendy bar. If your group isn’t up for Asian cuisine-- don’t worry. Union Square is full of different restaurants all within walking distance of each other, from Indian cuisine all the way to Southern comfort food, so you're sure to find something to fit your palate.
SF MOMA
Address: 151 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 357-4000
After lunch and shopping, it’s time to explore SF MOMA, or the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. After a recent remodel, the museum has tripled its exhibition size, giving visitors so much more to explore. It’s also the only art museum on the West Coast completely dedicated to contemporary art.
Evening
Address: One Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: (415) 983-8030
After your art fix, have your bus drop you off at the Ferry Building, where there’s something for everyone. Here, you can find vendors who sell produce, cheese, candy, as well as freshly-prepared food for a tasty dinner. Once you’re all done, you can safely store all your goodies in your bus’s luggage bays for your next activity.
Catch a Game at AT&T Park
Address: 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone: (415) 972-2000
Whether you’re a baseball fan or not, everyone has to experience cheering on the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Buy your tickets in advance to make sure you get good seats, or if there’s no game or special event occurring, you can still stop by to tour.
End the day at the hotel.
Day 3
Start the day at Golden Gate Park.
Morning
Explore Golden Gate Park
Address: Park Headquarters, 501 Stanyan St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Phone: (415) 831-2700
This vast playground is home to 1,000 acres of gorgeous gardens and recreation areas, making it the perfect way to spend your last morning in San Francisco. The amphitheater is always hosting live music, and it’s also close to various museums for your next adventure.
California Academy of Sciences
Address: 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118
Phone: (415) 379-8000
This science museum is full of things to discover-- and it’s right next to the Golden Gate Park for easy accessibility. As the largest natural history museums in the world, it holds over 26 million specimens and holds a special adult only event every Thursday night. When you’re done exploring, enjoy lunch at their Academy Cafe.
Afternoon
The Golden Gate Bridge
Address: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA
Rent a bike-- or just walk-- and travel across the one-and-only Golden Gate Bridge. Standing over 746 feet tall, you’ll feel on top of the world as you find picture-perfect spots. As you make your way across the bridge, you’ll pass by Fort Mason, Crissy Field, and the Presidio for amazing photo opportunities.
Evening
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Address: U.S. 101, San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: (415) 561-4700
This national park will put your hiking shoes to work. Enjoy coastal views and explore historic sites and activities as you finish your trip in San Francisco. After snapping more photos and indulging in some water sports, your bus can take you to any of the nearby restaurants for dinner and drinks. Here are just a few of our favorites:
Murray Circle
Address: 02 Murray Cir, Sausalito, CA 94965
Phone: (415) 339-4750
Saylor's Restaurant & Bar
Address: 2009 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965
Phone: (415) 332-1512
Scoma's Sausalito
Address: 588 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965
Phone: (415) 332-9551
Angelino Restaurant
Address: 621 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965
Phone: (415) 331-5225
FRED'S Place
Address: 1917 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965
Phone: (415) 332-4575
End your day back at the hotel.
Explore San Francisco with Champion Charter Bus
Transportation will be the least of your troubles on your San Francisco trip when you work with Champion Charter Bus. We’re experts at arranging the best charter bus rentals for groups of all sizes and trips of all kinds. Whether you’re staying in town, or traveling to other cities like Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, Santa Monica, and anywhere else, we’ll make transportation the easiest part of your trip. Make your dream vacation come true-- just call our 24/7 team at 415-226-7968 to get started!