Itinerary Help

Question

Hello,

Family of 3 (all adults) traveling to SF towards the end of July. I’m having a difficult time grouping activities based on location/time needed and would appreciate advice. Suggestions of restaurants with vegan options would be greatly appreciated as well. We will be staying at the Axiom Hotel in Union Square. Below is how I have currently grouped activities. Thank you so much for your help!

Day 1: We will be driving into town from the Arcata/Eureka area, dropping off rental car at SFO and taking BART to downtown. Probably arriving late afternoon, so will most likely just get situated in hotel and check out surrounding area, maybe tackle something from the bottom of the itinerary I haven’t found a place for yet.

Day 2: Coit Tower, check out North Beach, Lands’ End coastal path and Mile Rock beach, then bus to Golden Gate Park—would like to see Photosynthesis Light Show after sunset

Day 3: Chinatown in the morning and then Fisherman’s Wharf—Musee Mecanique, shopping and street performers, sea lions. We have tickets for the Alcatraz Island Evening Tour.

Day 4: The Presidio, Fort Point National Historic Site and Golden Gate Bridge. Thinking about renting bikes to cross the bridge and end up in Sausalito, then ferry back, but looks like our only option would be to bring bikes on ferry with us.

Day 5: Checking out of hotel and need to head to airport by noon.

Also on the list to see is Painted Ladies, Lombard Street, the Mission District, and cable car museum.

Answer

Your San Francisco itinerary looks well thought out, but grouping activities by neighborhood and transportation can help maximize your time and reduce back-and-forth travel. Staying at the Axiom Hotel in Union Square is ideal for accessing many attractions via walking, Muni buses, or cable cars.

Here’s a suggested day-by-day plan with location-based grouping and timing adjustments:

Day 1: Arrival and settling in. Since you’ll arrive late afternoon, keep it light. Walk around Union Square, check out nearby shops and cafes. You could grab an early dinner in the area, many restaurants offer vegan options.
Day 2: Focus on northern SF and coastal sites:
- Morning: Coit Tower, explore North Beach
- Late morning/early afternoon: Head to Lands’ End coastal path and Mile Rock Beach
- Late afternoon: Bus or rideshare to Golden Gate Park for sunset; catch Photosynthesis Light Show after dark
- Vegan dining: Millennium Restaurant near Golden Gate Park is excellent
Day 3: Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf:
- Morning: Chinatown exploration, dim sum or vegan-friendly breakfast
- Late morning/early afternoon: Walk or cable car to Fisherman’s Wharf, visit Musee Mecanique, watch street performers, see sea lions
- Evening: Alcatraz Evening Tour
- Vegan lunch/dinner options: Shizen Sushi in the Mission District (if willing to detour), or Nourish Cafe near Wharf
Day 4: Presidio and Golden Gate Bridge:
- Morning: Explore the Presidio, Fort Point National Historic Site
- Late morning: Golden Gate Bridge bike rental (check if your ferry back allows bikes; some do, confirm in advance)
- Lunch in Sausalito or back in SF
- Optional: Painted Ladies and Alamo Square can be done mid-morning if time allows before the Presidio
Day 5: Checkout and head to the airport by noon

Additional tips and adjustments:

Lombard Street is best seen while walking or driving; it can be squeezed in Day 2 or Day 3 depending on your routing.
Mission District murals and vegan dining (like Gracias Madre) can be a quick visit either Day 2 or Day 3.
Cable Car Museum is near Union Square; consider visiting Day 1 evening or Day 2 morning before heading north.
Use Muni passes or Clipper Card for easy transit across neighborhoods.

With this grouping, you reduce travel time, keep activities within the same area together, and balance sightseeing with meals and rest. Vegan restaurants in each area:

Union Square: Golden Era Vegan
North Beach: Nourish Cafe
Mission District: Gracias Madre
Golden Gate Park vicinity: Millennium Restaurant

This layout should make your 5-day trip more manageable while hitting your top destinations efficiently.