24 hrs in San Francisco

We had exactly one day in San Francisco before heading to Napa, and I spent most of it thinking: I wish someone had just handed me a list. Where to stay, what to skip standing in line for, which “iconic photo stop” is actually worth pulling over for. So that’s what this is — everywhere we went in 24 hours, what was worth it, and the one packing mistake I’d fix next time. Save it before your next trip.

Our San Francisco adventure officially started the second we landed. We flew in from LAX, picked up our rental car, and checked into the Beacon Grand Hotel in Union Square — and I genuinely couldn’t have picked a better home base.

If you’re planning a trip to San Francisco, location is everything, and this hotel puts you right in the middle of it all. We were able to walk to coffee, restaurants, shopping, cable cars, and so many of the places on our itinerary, while still having easy access whenever we wanted to drive somewhere.

What I loved most, though, was the character. Originally opened in 1928 as the iconic Sir Francis Drake Hotel, the building has been part of San Francisco’s history for nearly a century. It was reimagined and reopened as the Beacon Grand in 2022, but it still keeps so much of its original grandeur — beautiful architecture, vintage-inspired design, rich colors, classic details.

One of the biggest wins? We landed around 9 AM, and they were kind enough to let us check in early. That honestly changed the whole day — instead of waiting around with our luggage, we unpacked, freshened up, and immediately started exploring the city.

If you’re looking for a hotel that feels like you’re staying in a piece of San Francisco history, but with all the modern comforts, this one is absolutely worth adding to your list.

One thing I wish someone had told me before this trip — San Francisco and Napa have completely different vibes when it comes to weather. Mind you this is end of July full blown summer.

Because we were spending most of our trip in Napa, I packed cute wine-country outfits and totally underestimated how cold San Francisco would be. The mornings were surprisingly chilly, it was pretty windy throughout the city, and I definitely found myself wishing I’d packed another jacket. By the afternoon it would warm up into the 70s and feel perfect.

So here’s my advice:

• Bring layers.

• A light sweater or jacket will go a long way.

• Dress in outfits you can easily add to or take off throughout the day.

It was one of those learn-from-my-mistakes moments. I made it work, but next time I’m leaving extra room in the suitcase for San Francisco.

Our first food stop was the Ferry Building, and I get why everyone recommends it. It’s definitely touristy, but in the best way — great views of the Bay, tons of local vendors, and a fun place to wander if you’re visiting for the first time.

We were starving by the time we got there, so instead of overthinking it, we went with whatever looked most appetizing, which happened to be Joyride Pizza. We kept it simple: a personal pepperoni Detroit-style pizza and a garden salad.

This place completely caught us off guard. You’d expect food in a tourist-heavy spot to be just fine, but this was legitimately one of the best meals we had in San Francisco. The pizza had that perfect crispy, caramelized crust with a light, airy center, and the salad paired with it perfectly.

If you’re wandering through the Ferry Building and can’t decide where to eat, I’d order this exact meal again.

No trip to San Francisco is complete without driving across the Golden Gate Bridge. The whole time I was crossing it, I kept thinking — why is it called the Golden Gate when it’s literally red?

Turns out, the bridge isn’t named after its color. It’s named after the Golden Gate Strait, the narrow passage connecting the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco Bay. The strait was named “Golden Gate” by explorer John C. Frémont in 1846, who envisioned it as a golden gate for trade with Asia — years before the Gold Rush even began. The bridge simply inherited the name decades later.

After crossing, we pulled over at Crissy Field, and it ended up being one of my favorite spots in the city. You get an incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge on one side and the San Francisco skyline on the other, with a beach stretching alongside it. People walking dogs, riding bikes, having picnics, just sitting in the sand.

If the weather’s nice, grab some food beforehand and come hang out here for an hour or two. Definitely picnic-approved.

This stop wasn’t even part of the plan. We were driving toward the Golden Gate Bridge when this massive, beautiful building caught our eye — we looked at each other and said “wait, what is that?” and pulled over. It ended up being one of the best decisions of the trip.

The Palace of Fine Arts doesn’t even look real. The towering rotunda, the massive columns, the peaceful lagoon, the lush landscaping — it feels like you’ve been transported to ancient Rome or Greece.

Architect Bernard Maybeck intentionally designed it to look like the ruins of a grand classical monument, wanting visitors to experience the beauty of architecture that had gracefully aged over time. It was originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal and San Francisco’s recovery after the 1906 earthquake — only meant to be temporary, but so beloved that the city fought to preserve it. It was fully reconstructed in the 1960s using permanent concrete, making it the only major building from the World’s Fair still standing on its original site.

We walked the entire park, and I couldn’t get over the scale of it. Standing under those columns made me feel so small. If you appreciate history, architecture, photography, or just want a peaceful escape from the busier parts of the city, this is a stop I wouldn’t skip. Sometimes the best places aren’t the ones you planned — they’re the ones that make you pull over.

Next up was one of San Francisco’s most iconic postcard views — Steiner Street. We made a quick stop to admire the famous row of colorful Victorian homes, instantly trying to channel our inner Full House and Mrs. Doubtfire nostalgia.

These homes are known as the Painted Ladies, built between 1892 and 1896 during San Francisco’s Victorian boom. Sitting across from Alamo Square Park, they’re some of the best-preserved Victorian architecture in the city and one of the most photographed spots in San Francisco, having survived the 1906 earthquake and decades of change.

Most people recognize this view from the opening credits of Full House, where the Tanner family picnic scenes were filmed in Alamo Square Park with the Painted Ladies in the background. If you grew up watching Mrs. Doubtfire, you’ll probably recognize the neighborhood too — the Hillard family house from the film sits just a few minutes away in Pacific Heights, making this whole area feel like a little time capsule of ‘90s San Francisco.

Even if you’re not into TV or movies, it’s worth stopping for a few minutes. Between the colorful architecture, the skyline backdrop, and the park stretching out in front of you, it’s one of those places that captures exactly why people fall for San Francisco.

Because we only had 24 hours in the city, there were so many food spots we never got to try. But there was one place I wasn’t leaving without visiting — Tartine Bakery. I’ve owned their cookbook for years, so this was a true bucket-list stop.

When we got there, the line was wrapped around the block. Normally I’d wait, but we were about to drive to Napa and didn’t have 45 minutes to spare. So I pulled out my phone, opened DoorDash, and placed a pickup order instead.

Best decision ever. Seven minutes later my order was ready — I walked right in, grabbed it, and skipped the entire line. If you’re short on time, check if pickup is available before you get in line. It saved us so much time. (Parking is its own story — expect to circle the block a couple of times.)

I ordered the Egg Sando and a Frangipane Croissant, and both lived up to the hype. The sandwich was simple but incredibly well executed, and the croissant was buttery, flaky, with the perfect amount of almond frangipane. If the line looks intimidating, now you know the hack.

Before heading to the airport, we made one final food stop at Little Lucca, a small, family-owned sandwich shop about 8 minutes from SFO that’s become a local institution.

The place was packed. We waited over 30 minutes, which just gave us more time to stare at the menu. Since it was our first time, we had to try their famous Dutch Crunch bread, a Bay Area staple I’d somehow never heard of — soft on the inside with a crackly, tiger-striped crust on top.

We ordered the Turkey Bacon on Dutch Crunch, and the first thing that hit me was the size. This thing was massive, easily enough for two people. My only critique is I wish they toasted the bread — that extra warmth and crunch would’ve taken it from great to unforgettable. But that’s personal preference; the sandwich itself was fresh, generously stacked, and packed with flavor.

Little Lucca has been serving the Bay Area for decades, known for its oversized sandwiches and its famous garlic sauce, which has become something of a local legend. It’s the kind of neighborhood spot tourists might miss but locals have been recommending for years. If you’re flying into or out of San Francisco, make the detour — it’s the perfect last meal before your flight, or the perfect first bite to kick things off.

That’s 24 hours in San Francisco — one hotel I’d book again, one packing mistake I won’t repeat, and a lot of stops I never would’ve planned but wouldn’t skip now. If you’re headed to SF, save this and let me know which stop you added to your list.

Until next time, Sol

If you’re not subscribed yet, hit the button below — new guides land in your inbox before they land anywhere else.