The Perfect San Francisco 2-Day Itinerary for Families

Are you planning a trip to San Francisco? Our 2-day itinerary for families will help you have a great time in the Golden Gate city.

San Francisco is a really popular city, and planning a trip there can get overwhelming. Nothing is worse than finding the feeling of missing out on an activity when visiting a city for a short period.

Disclaimer: Just a heads up, this free article contains affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Your support helps me continue to provide helpful and free content for you.

san-francisco-golden-gate-bridge — View of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Golden Gate Bridge Viewpoint in Marin County

But let’s be honest: a 2 day in San Francisco itinerary is packed. It’s a short time to see all there is to see in San Francisco and the Bay Area. For more ideas of things to do in San Francisco, you’ll want to read those two articles:

2 Days in San Francisco With Kids show

A Few Things to Know When Planning a Trip to San Francisco

Here are a few things to know when planning a trip to San Francisco.

Book Your Flight to San Francisco

Find cheap flights to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) using Google Flights or Skyscanner. Those two search engine searches for different airlines deserving SFO, including some low-cost ones.

Book Your Accommodation in Sacramento

Booking.com is a great search engine for hotels and guesthouses in San Francisco.

Some nice hotel options for families in San Francisco are:

Marriott Fisherman’s Wharf: This hotel is located in one of the most popular areas in San Francisco. The guestrooms have two double beds, which are ideal for families. There is also a heated outdoor swimming pool, which we know kids LOVE”.
Hilton San Francisco Union Square: This hotel is located near Union Square’s Powell Street cable car turnaround. There is an outdoor pool and 2 restaurants. The hotel offers family rooms.

Rent Your Car

If you plan on staying in San Francisco, you don’t necessarily need a car. Parking in the city can be really expensive, and it can be a hassle even to find a parking spot.

If you still wish to rent a car, DiscoverCars is a good search engine for car rentals.

Book Your Tours in San Francisco

Viator and Get Your Guide are great hubs for finding fun tours in San Francisco, such as the Hop-on Hop-off San Francisco bus, the Alcatraz ferry and entry tickets and the Bay Area cruise tour.

Check out the 10 best family tours in San Francisco here.

The Perfect San Francisco 2-Day Itinerary for Adventure Families

Here’s a great itinerary for families to see San Francisco in two days. It includes all the must-see attractions and some hidden gems.

Day 1: Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Muir Woods

Start your first day in San Francisco at the top of Lombard Street, known as the “crookedest street in the world.

Lombard Street is a famous street in San Francisco, California. It has a steep one-block section with eight hairpin turns. It stretches from The Presidio to The Embarcadero, with a gap on Telegraph Hill.

The street is in the Russian Hill neighbourhood, which has become a chic residential area with great views, cafes, restaurants, antique shops, and boutiques. You can walk up and down the 250 stairs on either side of the road.

Once you’re done admiring Lombard Street, hop on the famous San Francisco cable car. The Powell/Hyde cable car stops at the top of Lombard Street.

The price of a ride is $8. You can pay for your tickets after boarding the cable car. Take the cable car to Hyde St & North Point St stop.

Pro-Tip:
To enjoy the cable car longer, why not start at the Powell terminus and ride to Lombard Street? Stop in Lombard St to admire the street and take some pictures. Then, you can hop back on the cable car and end your journey at Hyde St & North Point St stop.

Once you get off the cable car, walk toward Ghirardelli Square.

Ghirardelli Square is a historic landmark, and all chocolate-loving families will enjoy a visit. The square was originally a chocolate factory built by Italian immigrant Domingo Ghirardelli in 1893. The factory was in operation until 1965, when it was sold, and the chocolate-making operation was moved elsewhere.

Today, Ghirardelli Square is a popular destination for locals and tourists, offering various shops, restaurants, and attractions. Kids will love sampling the chocolate. There’s a wide range of chocolate treats, including ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, and hot cocoa.

It’s never too early for chocolate sampling when on vacation!

The sealions at Pier 39 in San Francisco

After you tour Ghirardelli Square, head to San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39

Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf are the most popular attractions in San Francisco for families. At Pier 39, families can enjoy various activities, such as the Aquarium of the Bay, the Frequent Flyers bungee and trampoline jumping, and the Lucky Tuk Tuk night tour. And it’s at Pier 39 you can see the famous sea lions.

By that time, it will be lunchtime. Don’t miss a good clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.

With a filled belly, it’s time to take the ferry for your Alcatraz tour. The ferry building is located at Pier 33.

Alcatraz Island has a long and fascinating history. It was home to the west coast’s first lighthouse, a Civil War fort, and the infamous Federal penitentiary. The prison was opened in 1934 and was home to some of the most notorious criminals in the country, including Al Capone and Machine gun Kelly.

The prison closed in 1963 and is now a popular tourist destination. Take your time exploring the island and visiting the prison. With your tour, you’ll have a self-guided audio tour.

When you’re back at the Fisherman’s Wharf, you can return to your hotel and enjoy the pool. Get ready for another busy day.

Alternative Option:
If you want to see more of San Francisco, you can get tickets for the Hop-On Hop-Off San Francisco bus tour. It will allow you to ride on and off the bus for 24 hours.

Day 2: Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Muir Woods

This second day of your 2-day San Francisco itinerary is better if you rent a car.

Don’t feel like renting a car?
You can book a great Muir Woods guided tour. On this Muir Woods guided tour, you’ll take a bus from San Francisco to Muir Woods National Monument. Your entry tickets are included in the tour. At Muir Woods, you’ll have 1.5 hours to explore the park and the beautiful ancient sequoia trees. You’ll also get a sightseeing bus tour of Sausalito on the way back.
Check the price and availability for the Muir Woods guided tour.

Start your day off with a visit to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. There are different places across the city where you can have a nice view of the bridge and the Bay Area.

But, the best view of the Golden Gate Bridge for families is at the Golden Gate View Point.

The Golden Gate View Point is on the north side of San Francisco in Marin County. You’ll drive outside the city on the Golden Gate Bridge itself.

Finding parking can be tricky at the viewpoint area if you’re visiting in the peak season. You can park along Old Conzelman Road or by the Battery Spencer Overlook.

You may have to wait a bit to find a parking spot, but it’s worth it. Plus, there are no parking fees or entrance fees to the viewpoint.

Muir Woods near San Francisco You can drive there or take a guided tour from San Francisco

Then, drive to Muir Woods National Monument.

Note:
Reservations are required for all vehicles and shuttle riders visiting Muir Woods National Monument.

You can drive directly to Muir Woods National Park and pay the parking fees ($9.00 per vehicle) or park in Sausalito and use the shuttle bus ($3.50 per person). The entrance fee of $15.00 per person (Children 15 years or younger go in for free) is in addition to the parking and shuttle fees.

At Muir Woods, you can stroll through the towering redwood trees and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

There are several easy hikes. The Muir Woods Trail is an excellent option for families, as it is an easy hike surrounded by beautiful redwood forests.

After a few hours in the park, drive to Muir Beach. It’s a 10 to 15-minute drive from Muir Woods. Enjoy the ocean and the hiking trails.

End your day in the charming town of Sausalito.

F.A.Q. 2-Day Itinerary in San Francisco

Is 2 days enough for San Francisco?

2 days is short to see all there is to see in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Ideally you’ll want to stay in San Francisco for at least 3 to 4 days. But if you only have 2 days, you’ll still have a great time and see the most famous attractions.

Is Fishermans Wharf worth seeing?

The Fisherman’s Wharf is a really popular sight in San Francisco, but it’s also really touristic. But it would be a shame to miss it when visiting San Francisco. At least,s stop by Pier 30 to see the sea lions and grab a delicious clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.

Is Alcatraz worth seeing?

Yes, Alcatraz is worth seeing. The history around this infamous prison is interesting, and kids will love to take the ferry to the island.

What is the best time to see the seals at PIER 39?

The best time to see the seals at Pier 30 is late July to mid-May. The seals breed in June and July, so there will be less hanging around.

Final Thoughts: 2 Days in San Francisco

I hope this 2-day itinerary in San Francisco for families helps you plan your trip. San Francisco and the Bay Area is a great places to visit with kids.