San Francisco was the perfect place to kick off our Pacific Coast Highway road trip. We spent three days exploring the city’s iconic landmarks before picking up our rental car and heading south on Highway 1. Since we stayed in a central location, we were able to walk to many attractions and rely on public transportation instead of renting a car.
If it’s your first visit to San Francisco, this itinerary covers many of the city’s must-see attractions while leaving enough time to enjoy the unique neighborhoods and incredible food scene. Our visit was very unique as we went in December right before the holidays so the entire city was decorated in preparation.
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Day 1: Fisherman’s Wharf
After arriving in San Francisco, we checked into Hotel Caza, which became our home base for the next three nights. Its location near Fisherman’s Wharf made it easy to start exploring immediately without worrying about transportation.
Since it was already late in the day, we kept things relaxed and spent the evening wandering around Fisherman’s Wharf. We watched the sea lions at Pier 39, explored the waterfront shops, and enjoyed our first views of the San Francisco Bay. It was the perfect introduction to the city and an easy way to shake off the travel day.
Day 2: Cable Cars, Lombard Street & Ghirardelli Square
No first trip to San Francisco is complete without riding one of the city’s historic cable cars. We started our morning by hopping aboard and riding through the city’s famously steep streets before getting off near Lombard Street, often called the “crookedest street in the world.”
From there, we made our way to Ghirardelli Square, where we warmed up with one of Ghirardelli’s famous hot chocolates. Even if you’re not a big chocolate fan, the historic square is worth visiting for its shops, waterfront views, and lively atmosphere.
For lunch, we stopped at Square Pie Guys, a popular local spot known for its Detroit-style pizza.
That evening, we met up with friends who live in the city for drinks, giving us a chance to experience a more local side of San Francisco beyond the typical tourist attractions.
Day 3: Golden Gate Bridge & A Memorable Dinner
We dedicated our final day to one of California’s most recognizable landmarks—the Golden Gate Bridge.
Rather than simply stopping for photos, we walked across the bridge, taking in panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz, and the surrounding bay. Walking the bridge gives you a completely different perspective and is something we’d highly recommend if the weather cooperates.
Afterward, we made our way to the nearby Palace of Fine Arts, one of San Francisco’s most beautiful architectural landmarks. Originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, its grand rotunda, tranquil lagoon, and picturesque walking paths make it a wonderful place to slow down and enjoy the scenery. It’s also one of the city’s most photogenic spots.
To celebrate our final night in the city, we had dinner at Baia, an upscale vegan Italian restaurant in downtown San Francisco. Even as non-vegans, we were impressed by the creative menu and flavors, making it one of our favorite meals of the trip.
The next morning, we picked up our rental car and officially began our journey down California’s iconic Pacific Coast Highway.
Off Shift 
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