Help with my 2.5 day itinerary
Hi there this is going to be a quick weekend trip this time to San Fran with my hubby and 2 teens and we are hoping for some help making the best out of our time there. We fly in and out of San Fran Airport arriving late after noon on a Friday and leaving end of day Monday. Happens to fall on cinco de mayo.
Staying at Stanford Court Hotel. So far this is what we have planned but pls help refine and make suggestions.
Friday checking into hotel around 430-5pm at Stanford Court then dinner reso close by at Nob Hill Cafe (recommended by the hotel since it’s close)
Saturday -venture down to Ferry Building for Farmers Market and possibly grab quick nibble/ breakfast there. Next head down embarcadero hopefully see some sea lions on some pier here? making our way to Chinatown for lunch reso at Harbourview Dim Sum next head to explore North Beach. Hoping to find an authentic cannoli and espresso here. Coit tower.
If time and not exhausted from all the walking it would be nice to also see golden gate park and bridge from a viewpoint on this day. If not then we can push this to Sunday.
Dinner reso at Flour and Water
After dinner short walk to explore this neighborhood before finding transportation back to Stanford Court. (Uber or BART )
Sunday
Breakfast at hotel or venture off to brunch at Zazie?
Lands end trail hike starting in Sutro Baths or ocean beach ending in Golden Gate Bridge (which trail is easier for kids/pre teens?)
Baker beach to Marshall beach to take some photos of bridge. Walk across bridge to Sausalito for dinner ? No dinner plans Sunday
Monday -cinco de mayo -checkout leave bags in storage and don’t need to get to airport until 5pm
Nopa Mission area exploration hoping to include Alamo Park, Painted ladies, ending off on Valencia Street close to cinco de mayo celebration
* gluten free restaurants where possible and I’d like to avoid Fisherman’s wharf this time and Union Square unless there’s time of course
Your planned itinerary is already strong and covers a lot of San Francisco highlights in a short time. Here’s a refined plan with some suggestions for timing, kid-friendly adjustments, and gluten-free options, as well as tips for minimizing backtracking and walking fatigue.
Friday
- Arrival at Stanford Court Hotel around 4:30–5pm is perfect. Nob Hill Café is convenient for dinner; consider making a reservation to avoid waiting, especially on a weekend.
- After dinner, a short walk around Nob Hill is fine. You could enjoy views of Grace Cathedral and the surrounding architecture without straying too far.
Saturday
Morning:
- Ferry Building Farmers Market is best early (around 8–10am) to avoid crowds. Grab a coffee and gluten-free pastry from local vendors.
- Walk along the Embarcadero to Pier 39 for sea lions, which is fun for teens. Keep it brief to save time for Chinatown.
Lunch and early afternoon:
- Harbourview Dim Sum in Chinatown – reservation recommended if possible. Teens usually enjoy the variety and experience of dim sum.
- Explore North Beach afterward; consider visiting the iconic City Lights Bookstore, sample a cannoli at Stella Pastry & Café, and enjoy espresso.
- Coit Tower is nearby; you can drive or Uber up to save walking energy.
Afternoon/Evening:
- Golden Gate Park is large; a brief visit can focus on highlights like Conservatory of Flowers or the Japanese Tea Garden. Alternatively, postpone to Sunday if time is tight.
- Sunset viewpoints of the Golden Gate Bridge can be accessed from Marin Headlands or Battery Spencer; check traffic timing and sunset hours.
- Dinner at Flour + Water – excellent Italian with gluten-free options. Make a reservation; the Mission District is lively and walkable afterward.
Sunday
Morning:
- Brunch at Zazie is a good option; they offer some gluten-free dishes. Consider calling ahead for wait times.
- Lands End Trail starting at Sutro Baths is kid-friendly, mostly flat with some stairs; views of the ocean and ruins are spectacular. Ending at the Golden Gate Bridge is too long for kids; a loop back to the starting point or short hike to Eagle’s Point may be better.
Afternoon:
- Baker Beach and Marshall Beach are excellent for photos of the bridge; access is straightforward. Avoid walking across the bridge to Sausalito with pre-teens unless everyone is up for 2–3 miles of walking plus return.
- For dinner, consider heading back toward the Mission or North Beach for casual options rather than attempting Sausalito, which requires a ferry or long drive.
Monday – Cinco de Mayo
- Breakfast at hotel or small café near the Mission.
- Explore Alamo Square to see the Painted Ladies; easy walk for photos.
- Nopa and surrounding Mission area for casual walking, murals, shops, and lunch. Check local events for Cinco de Mayo parades or street fairs on Valencia Street.
- Leave bags at hotel and plan Uber or Lyft to airport by mid-afternoon to ensure plenty of time for check-in.
Additional tips:
- Consider using Uber or Lyft strategically to avoid excessive walking, especially when covering steep hills.
- Gluten-free dining options: Flour + Water (Mission), Zazie (Cole Valley), Little Gem (Mission), and Mariposa Baking Company (near Alamo Square) for pastries/snacks.
- Plan for flexible timing; you may need to drop Golden Gate Park or extend North Beach/Chinatown exploration based on energy levels.
- Parking is limited; using rideshare often saves time and frustration.
With this refinement, your itinerary balances iconic sightseeing, kid-friendly walking, and culinary highlights while avoiding overcrowded tourist areas like Fisherman’s Wharf. It also provides options for gluten-free dining and minimizes backtracking where possible.
