San Francisco 1-day itinerary

Start at the Golden Gate Bridge — walk or bike across from the Welcome Center on the south side. The bridge is 1.7 miles long and the views of the bay, Marin Headlands, and Alcatraz are staggering, especially when the fog rolls beneath you. Return to Crissy Field and walk the waterfront promenade through the Marina District. Breakfast at Mama's on Washington Square in North Beach — their French toast ($16) draws lines, but the Monte Cristo sandwich ($18) is the move.

Walk to Fisherman's Wharf — tourist-heavy but the sea lions at Pier 39 are genuinely entertaining and free to watch. Skip the overpriced restaurants and get clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl ($12) from Boudin Bakery at the wharf. Ride a cable car from the Powell-Hyde turnaround ($8 one-way) down the hills to Union Square. Walk to Chinatown through the Dragon's Gate — the oldest Chinatown in North America. Dim sum at Good Mong Kok Bakery on Stockton ($3–5 per item).

BART to the Mission District for San Francisco's best neighborhood. Start with a Mission-style burrito at La Taqueria on Mission Street ($12–14) — regularly voted the best burrito in America. Walk Valencia Street for independent bookshops (Dog Eared Books), vintage stores, and craft cocktails at ABV ($15–18). End at Dolores Park's hilltop for sunset views of downtown and the bay. For dive bars, Zeitgeist on Valencia has a huge beer garden and 40+ taps.