• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • Writer Course
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
  • Find your college or university
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

You are here: Home / Life / 24 Things to do in 24 Hours in San Francisco

24 Things to do in 24 Hours in San Francisco

December 12, 2017 //  by Lily Holmes

Shares9FacebookTweet

San Francisco has everything an out of town visitor could possibly want—a city, the beach, mountains nearby and activities for every personality. Now that you’ve made it to the Golden Gate city, how will you spend your time? Start humming the Full House theme song.

Check out this list of 24 things to do in San Francisco.

6 a.m. Watch the sunrise at Land’s End

Image result for lands end san francisco
wikimedia.org

Take a stroll down the Bay’s rocky shoreline and pop a squat to watch the sunrise at one of San Francisco’s most scenic parks, Land’s End. With views of the Golden Gate Bridge and where the Bay meets the horizon, Land’s End is pretty hard to beat when it comes to an early morning view.

7 a.m. Coffee at Jane on Filmore

Photo of Jane on Fillmore - San Francisco, CA, United States. Gluten free granola and almond milk Latte
yelp.com

Because what’s a morning without some Joe? With a wide variety of coffees, teas and of course, juices, Jane on Filmore is the perfect place to stop in early a.m. “Jane on Filmore is a local favorite with adorable charm and great vibes,” said Georgetown University sophomore Denna Nazem. “With a menu filled with healthy options that are unbelievably delicious, Jane is bound to give you a memorable taste of San Francisco!” Try one of Jane’s custom herbal tisane tea blends. “Detox, Not Botox” or even “Hangover Helper” are both great choices.

8 a.m. Jog around Golden Gate Park

Image result for golden gate park san francisco
wikimedia.org

Kickstart your endorphins for the day with a quick run around Golden Gate Park. Topping NYC’s Central Park in size, Golden Gate hosts many a morning jogger with ample space to avoid boredom while suffering through exercise at such an hour.

9 a.m. Breakfast at Mr. Holmes Bakehouse

Photo of Mr Holmes Bakehouse - San Francisco, CA, United States. Infamous sign at Mr. Holmes Bakehouse.
yelp.com

Famous for its neon-light sign that reads “I Got Baked in San Francisco,” Mr Holmes bakehouse is a great place to stop in for a bite— of croissants and donuts, of course. While you won’t actually get baked here in the sense that most Californians would understand, this retro bakery is a fan-favorite for many San Franciscans.

10 a.m. Rent bikes at Golden Gate Bridge

things to do in san francisco
Lily Holmes

You’ve already seen it a million times in pictures, so why not check visiting the Golden Gate Bridge in person off your bucket list? If you’re already tired of trekking around the city and don’t feel like walking the 1.07 miles across (and likely back the other way), renting bikes may prove more appealing. The bridge has plenty of room for bikes, but just watch out for the occasional straggling tourist that will ruin your vacay with a little accident.

11 a.m. Marin Headlands

marin headlands
wikimedia.org

Pics or it didn’t happen, right? After conquering Golden Gate, hike (or let’s be honest, drive) up to the Marin Headlands and see one of the city’s best views of the Bridge. “The Marin Headlands offer one of the best views of San Francisco,” University of Southern California sophomore Esmee Morris said. “All at once you can see the Golden Gate Bridge, the Financial District, and sailboats on the bay.” Not only are the Headlands a beautiful spot to kick back and take the city in, but a great photo op for those concerned with their Instagram aesthetic. #traveltuesday, anyone?

12 p.m. shop at Union square

san francisco union sqaure
flickr.com

Good shopping = a good trip. It’s the one thing that can make or break a day of traveling, but Union Square doesn’t disappoint. While you’ve been getting all the picturesque views your heart (or VSCO) could desire, Union Square is a must for lovers of all things retail. “Union Square is absolutely amazing during the holiday season especially,” San Francisco native Leslie Akin said. “There’s free hot cider at Williams and Sonoma, ice skating and petting adorable adoptable puppies at Macy’s.” Hit up Anthropologie or Banana Republic, because who knows, maybe they’re bound to be further ahead of the trends than your store at home.

1 p.m. Lunch at Blue Barn

Photo of Blue Barn Gourmet - San Francisco, CA, United States. Kale Caesar Salad
yelp.com

You’re in California, so it’s time to eat like it too. Get your greens in for the day at Blue Barn, a popular lunch spot for local SF health nuts dedicated to sustainable and organic. Eat your weight in quinoa so you’ll be good on your dose of the tasteless grain for the rest of the year.

2 p.m. Explore the Redwoods

pixabay.com

From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf Stream waters—never mind, just the Redwoods. Get out of the city for a sec and head to the Redwoods to immerse yourself in nature and recall just how small you really are. “I’ve always wanted to go to the Redwoods, and when I finally did, it was awesome,” University of Georiga sophomore Kara Marbuger said. “It’s crazy how old and huge the trees are, and they really make you feel so small.” Hug a Redwood tree for good measure; the Earth needs that right now.

3 p.m. Visit Stanford

Image result for stanford
wikimedia.org

You might not have gotten in, but you can still visit. Stanford not only serves as home to some of the nation’s brightest, but its scenic campus also feels perfect for a stop in college tour while in the Bay Area. “Stanford’s campus is beautiful,” Stanford University sophomore Will Kingsfield said. “It’s always fun to walk around and explore the main quad area, and also get off campus to enjoy Palo Alto.”

4 p.m. Ice cream at Birite

Photo of Bi-Rite Creamery - San Francisco, CA, United States. Black Sesame and Coffee Toffee
yelp.com

With flavors made daily using organic and local ingredients, Birite will be pretty hard to pass up (if you’re anything like San Fran natives, that is). I mean, come on, organic ice cream that actually tastes good? Only in San Francisco. While the flavors available change every day, try chocolate chip cookie, a favorite of many Birite fans.

5 p.m. Half Moon Bay

half moon bay
wikimedia.org

Venture out of the city for a bit and check out Half Moon Bay, a coastline trail along a string of beaches nestled under rocky cliffs. Whether it’s to hike, jog or snap a few pics, Half Moon Bay is just another of SF’s beautiful places to visit. You might even say hello to a few seals chilling on the rocks. “I always love driving over to Half Moon Bay,” Vanderbilt University sophomore Mia McConnell said. “In less than an hour, you can walk along the cliffs or the beach and see incredible views of the water.”

6 p.m. SF MoMa

Image result for SF moma
flickr.com

Get cultured at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, aka, SFMOMA. Now’s the time to go with multiple exhibits up and running, including one dedicated entirely to spiders, if you’re into that. “I love the MOMA,” UGA student and San Francisco native Elizabeth Gaddini said. “I really like just wandering around because even the building itself is art and is connected to all the pieces. And, it’s free if you’re a student, which is awesome.”

7 p.m. Thrift shop at Haight Ashbury

haight ashbury San Francisco
flickr.com

Hope you brought those old Grateful Dead t-shirts with you. Visit the famous spot for some thrift shopping and dive deep into true hipsterity. To really dive into the atmosphere of Haight, try Held Over, Wasteland or Ambiance.

8 p.m. Dinner at Slanted Door

Photo of The Slanted Door - San Francisco, CA, United States. Caramelized shrimp
yelp.com

Did someone say food? Eat up at Slanted Door, an upscale, modern Vietnamese restaurant in the city. Enjoy five star, gourmet food while sitting right on the water at the end of San Francico’s financial district with a view of the Bay Bridge. Sounds picturesque, no?

9 p.m. Golden State Warriors

golden state warriors
flickr.com

Ah, sports! Who could go to San Francisco without making it to see Steph Curry drain three’s all night? “The most exciting game I ever saw at Oracle was when Klay Thompson scored 37 points in one quarter, setting a record and electrifying the crowd in the process,” Dartmouth College senior Jack Heneghan said.

10 p.m. Take me down to Chinatown

Image result for chinatown sf
wikimedia.org

This city really has everything. Take the BART over and walk the lantern-lit streets of San Francisco’s Chinatown in the evening. “One of the coolest things to do in Chinatown is going to see fortune cookies being made,” Morris said.

11 p.m. Sundaes at Ghirardelli

Image result for ghirardelli sf at night
wikimedia.org

Check out Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghiradelli Square all at once. “Ghiradelli Square is a great place to get amazing chocolate and splurge on ice cream sundaes all while overlooking the bay,” UGA sophomore and San Francisco native Lucy Heneghan said. Stop in for some life-saving sundaes at the closest thing you’ll find to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory right before their closing time. Just try not to get turned into a blueberry while you visit, ok?

12 a.m. Alcatraz

Image result for alcatraz
wikimedia.org

As if touring a former prison to some of the country’s most notorious criminals wasn’t creepy enough, the National Parks Service offer midnight tours of Alcatraz. While the prison itself is great, the tour offers a unique view of the Bay itself on the park’s cruises. Also PSA, remember to pay your taxes this year: Al Capone was ultimately jailed for tax evasion of all things.

1 a.m. Late night at In-N-Out

in N out
wikimedia.org

After all this activity you’re probably starved, and what’s a trip to California without a little In-N-Out? You can’t go wrong with the classic double cheeseburger, but if you’re feeling more of a sweet-tooth at this time of night, shakes are popular choices too. Why not both? Do it big.

2 a.m. Star gaze at Twin Peaks

Image result for twin peaks sf night
wikimedia.org

Take in the entire city of San Francisco at Twin Peaks, a popular SF lookout spot. Whether it’s star gazing or city-light gazing, Twin Peaks is a must, especially in the night (or early morning, should we say).

3 a.m. Drive highway 280

highway 280
wikipedia.org

Grab the aux and blast “Hotel California” as you cruise down scenic Highway 280. “Driving down 280 has always been one of my favorite things,” Heneghan said. “I love the lack of billboards, focus on natural scenery and the reservoir the road curves along.” Other song suggestions include “San Francisco” by The Mowgli’s and “Save Me, San Francisco” by Train.

4 a.m. Crash at Fairmont Hotel

san francisco fairmont hotel
wikimedia.org

You’re probably in need of a solid eight hours by now, so finally crash at a classic San Francisco lodging destination—or stay up all night pretending to be Zach and Cody.

Shares9FacebookTweet

Filed Under: Life Student Travel

About Lily Holmes

You May Also Like

songs to belt out

21 Songs to Belt Out in the Shower

Top 10 Weird Scholarships You Can’t Miss

cultural identity and language

Language Abilities Don’t Define Your Cultural Identity, Unless?

How I Turned My Personal Journals into a Published Book

15 Alcohol-Free Activities for a Friday Night In

Reflecting on Fall 2020: How to Recover from One of the Hardest Semesters

How to Make Money From Home Without Taking Off Your PJs

15 COVID-19 Safe Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in 2020

Top 10 COVID-19 Safe Activities to Do Near Fresno, California

Breaking the Binary: My Journey into Identifying as Non-Binary

The Döner Project: My Berlin Budget as a College Student

CM’s Guide to the Print and Digital Journalism Major

Away from Home and Feeling Gross: Being Sick My Freshman Year

A Tale of Two Twin Flames

movies to binge over winter break

Battling Boredom: 10 Movies to Binge Over Winter Break

Being an Asian-American: Learning to Accept Both Halves of Myself

How to Become a Published Poet

ADHD or the Enemy? At Least My College Helped Me

berkeley outdoors

10 COVID-19 Friendly Things to Do in Berkeley, California

Top 10 DIY Gifts for Your BFF

Christmas

10 Gifts For Parents That They Want But Haven’t Asked For

friend group dressed up as Big Hero Six characters

Animation Nerds Unite: 10 Gifts for Animation Lovers

gifts for your girl squad

10 Gifts Your Girl Squad Can’t Live Without

10 Virtual Gifts for Your BFF that Will Make Them Love You Forever

Previous Post: « Nebraskan Native Just Living The Dream: CM Interviews Justified’s Abby Miller
Next Post: 10 Hardest Classes at Temple University to Avoid at all Costs »

Primary Sidebar



Trending Posts

102

10 St. John’s University Finals Activities to Help You De-Stress

mental health
95

Pandemic and Academic Blues: Being Aware of Your Mental Health

23

A Gator’s Bucket-List: 21 Things to Do Before Graduating From UF

Broadway
15

10 Musical Soundtracks to Make Study Sessions That Much Easier

songs to belt out
14

21 Songs to Belt Out in the Shower

Featured Chapter: St. John’s University

Footer

logo

College Magazine is the national daily guide to campus life. Our articles for college students feature university rankings of U.S. colleges, college guides, academic advice, college prep, career advice, student health and collegiate dating tips.

Written by students for students, by a team of journalists from universities nationwide, we’re on the pulse of the college experience.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

Majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

Intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

Money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

Travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

Shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

Copyright © 2021 College Magazine · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc.