First-Time Family Trip to San Francisco - 2-Day Itinerary

Question

Hi all! We're a family of 4 (kids are 7 and 11) visiting San Francisco for the first time during a road trip. We'll be there for 2 full days and would love any advice or suggestions from locals or experienced travelers. Here's our rough plan:

Day 1 – Classic SF

• Arrive via 10 to drive through Golden Gate Bridge.

• Park at Crissy Field for Golden Gate Bridge photos. Is it the best photo opt?

• Walk to Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 to see the sea lions (is morning the best time?), explore, and maybe eat at Bubba Gump or Franciscan Crab, want dinner with view!

• Treat yourself to an Irish coffee at the nearby Buena Vista Café.

• Check out the submarine at Pier 45 and visit Ghirardelli Square for chocolate.

• Ride the cable car from Market/Powell. Any tips on avoiding long waits or picking the best route? It says on travel forum while riding look to the left for a glimpse of Lombard Street and its eight epic switchbacks. Is that the correct route? It also says that it’s passing city’s 10 attractions, I would like to pass through all of them. Is that the route? Does it have routes/timetables posted?

Day 2 – Outdoors and Local Culture

• Walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, then ferry back (which is better with kids?). is it walkable both ways?

• Lombard Street – walk up and down, probably won’t be able to drive (XL vehicle), BUT could try?

• Visit California Academy of Sciences (backup if the weather’s bad) or even if not bad, probably worth it but it’s huge so will absorb entire day probably?

• Explore Chinatown (fortune cookie factory, tea tasting at Vital Tea Leaf ?) and visit Alamo Square (Painted Ladies, but reading about off leash roaming dogs and burglaries with broken windows in parked cars?).

• Optional: Coit Tower via Filbert Steps for a view of Alcatraz. If lucky to see the Telegraph Hill Parrots.

Questions:

1. We have lego fan, is LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area worth the visit? It’s not on our way because we are planning on take Hwy 1 when leaving SF, but perhaps on the way back, we can detour if it’s worth it?

2. Anything that I am missing that is iconic/fun for kids?

3. Can you walk both directions across the Golden Gate Bridge? Or is biking a better choice?

4. Read Nopalito to try the ensalada de nopales. Overhyped? If not and truly iconic? Where to fit it in not to track back and force?

5. Read Sam’s Anchor Cafe for a smoked lobster roll and bottle of Scribe rosé. Where to fit it in?

Appreciate any tips or feedback to help us make the most of our 2 days. Thanks in advance!

Answer

Your 2-day San Francisco itinerary looks well-planned and packed with iconic sights. Here’s a detailed response to your questions and some additional tips to optimize your time with kids.

Day 1 – Classic SF

Crissy Field is one of the best spots for Golden Gate Bridge photos, especially in the morning when the light is soft and fog is less likely. Another excellent photo spot is the Battery Spencer overlook across the bridge, but it requires a short drive and limited parking.

Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf are busiest in late morning to early afternoon. Morning is fine to see sea lions, but crowds start building around 10–11 AM. For lunch or early dinner, both Bubba Gump and Franciscan Crab have views; Franciscan Crab is more upscale with a nice water view.

The Buena Vista Café is a must for Irish coffee; arriving mid-morning often avoids long waits.

Pier 45’s submarine (USS Pampanito) is great for kids, and Ghirardelli Square is convenient afterward for a chocolate treat.

For the cable car ride:

Market/Powell line is correct for seeing Lombard Street’s switchbacks to the left when looking down the hill.
The “10 attractions” route is more a guide than a strict itinerary; the cable car passes notable streets like Union Square, Chinatown, and Nob Hill, but not all “official attractions.”
To avoid long waits, ride early morning or later afternoon; boarding at the end of the line (Powell or Mason) helps.
Maps and timetables are posted at terminals and online.

Day 2 – Outdoors and Local Culture

Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge with kids is feasible one way; round-trip is 3–4 miles and can be tiring. Biking may be better for energy and fun, and ferries can take bikes back. If walking one way, consider taking the ferry back from Sausalito, which is scenic and fun for kids.

Lombard Street: walking down is easy, but walking up is steep; driving with an XL vehicle is not recommended due to narrow lanes and tourist traffic.

California Academy of Sciences is large and can absorb a full day. If time is limited, prioritize the aquarium, rainforest dome, and planetarium. Even with good weather, it’s worth visiting because it’s interactive and fun for kids.

Chinatown is great for kids; the fortune cookie factory is small but charming, and Vital Tea Leaf is a fun tasting experience. Alamo Square is lovely for photos, but keep valuables in the car; break-ins can occur. Visiting Coit Tower via Filbert Steps is optional; kids often enjoy spotting the Telegraph Hill Parrots.

Specific questions:

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area: It’s mostly indoor and best for younger kids (5–10), so your 7-year-old may enjoy it, but it’s not essential if you’re pressed for time. Detouring could be possible if heading north after SF, but may add extra driving.
Other iconic/fun for kids:
- Exploratorium: highly interactive science museum near Pier 15, fun for all ages.
- San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park at Hyde Street Pier.
- Ride a historic streetcar along the Embarcadero.
Walking vs biking Golden Gate Bridge: Walking one way is fine, round-trip may tire kids. Biking allows more fun and less strain.
Nopalito: Authentic Mexican cuisine; ensalada de nopales is worth trying. Fit it into lunch near Mission District or brunch if time allows.
Sam’s Anchor Cafe: Ideal for lunch or early dinner when visiting Tiburon or Sausalito; smoked lobster roll is popular. You could schedule this when returning from Sausalito ferry.

Additional tips:

Use ride-sharing or Muni to save parking stress in downtown SF, especially for Chinatown, Alamo Square, and Coit Tower.
Layered clothing is essential—San Francisco weather can change quickly, even in August.
Plan ferry and bike rental reservations ahead if you intend to bike the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito.

Overall, your plan balances iconic sightseeing and kid-friendly activities. Prioritize the cable car, Golden Gate Bridge, and Pier 39 for Day 1, and for Day 2, choose between California Academy of Sciences or bridge/ferry biking depending on energy levels and interests.

First-Time Family Trip to San Francisco - 2-Day Itinerary

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