Pick a mood and give the city a little room to surprise you. These suggestions are starting points, with links to full guides for practical details.
Choose the kind of day you want. Start with one neighborhood, leave room for a meal, and follow a guide for the details.
Leave space between stops
Allow time for hills, meals, transit connections, and a change in the weather. You can shorten a route at any point. Check official sources in each guide for current access, tickets, and schedules.
Need a different starting point? Browse neighborhoods or our Bay Area day trips.