We Traveled Where - How to Spend 24 Hours in San Francisco

I just got back from a 24-hour road trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Although the drive is long, there is so much you can do in the city in 24 hours. So, let’s get started!

We started on Chesnut Street in the Marina. There are tons of shops and little eateries sprinkled throughout this street, so it is a great place to start the day. We had breakfast at Causwells, a super cute little European inspired bistro cooking up some of the best french toast in town. I am not kidding when I say they really do have the best french toast I have ever had. If you are craving something savory, I also had the veggie hash, which was delicious!

Next stop, Buena Vista! Buena Vista is right in Fisherman’s Wharf and is one of the most famous little pubs in the city. Known for its Irish coffees, you can stand at the counter and watch the bartenders put on a show as they make 8 Irish coffees at once. Be careful though.. they can be a little strong!

Tip: it is very hard to find seating, so expect to stand while sipping on your beverage of choice.

After getting our slight buzz on at Buena Vista, we took a walk down near Fisherman’s Wharf and then finally up to Ghirardelli Square. You can walk into Ghirardelli and even grab some chocolates for later or to bring home.

Now, it is time to hit the Golden Gate Bridge. Since this is one of the most touristed spots in the city, I recommend driving up the mountain a ways to avoid the crowds. There are several look out points you can stop at and walk around to enjoy the views.

Tip: the photos below were taken at Battery Spencer.

Driving to Battery Spencer:

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge
Exit at Alexander Ave
Turn left and go under the freeway
Follow Conzelman road up the hill
There are several turn off spots, choose which one you like the best! I suggest the 2nd, 3rd or 4th turn off.

If you have enough time, you can take the hike down to Kirby cove! Kirby cove is a great camping spot right on the water, frequently seen on Instagram with the rope swing.

At this point, we started to get hungry and took a drive to The Mission district. We first stopped at Tartine, one of the best bakeries in San Francisco for pastries and then over to Bi Rite Market. Bi Rite Market is down the street from Tartine and sells the best homemade sandwiches, wine and little bites. We stocked up with enough goodies for a nice little picnic.

Tip: try the Mozzarella and Pesto or the Bahn Mi Sandwich!

Dolores Park is right around corner, where we sat down and enjoyed our meal. Dolores Park is great for people watching, especially during summer. Packed with people from around the world enjoying the sun, it is a great spot to relax within the busy city and watch the sunset.

For dinner, we went over to the Design District to eat at Dumpling Time. Dumpling Time is one of the best dumpling shops in SF, but does not take reservations, so you should expect a wait. We waited for two hours for a table of six. I suggest going with a smaller group or even just two people and you will be able to get in within 20-45 minutes. If you need a spot to grab a drink and kill some time, check out The Grove down the street. They have some great ciders and heaters outside you can enjoy!

After dinner, we had a sweet tooth, so we made our way over to Smitten Ice Cream. If you haven’t been before, I highly suggest it! You need to get a cone, they are homemade and absolutely delicious. Each batch is made to order and you can watch as the ice cream is churned.

What I ordered: Honey Chamomile with Chico Honey, spicy caramel and toasted almonds.