The best of San Francisco in 2 days

There’s something magical about Northern California. The way one day can start with salty ocean air and end with towering mountain views. My recent trip was the perfect mix of iconic city experiences, good food, scenic drives, and unforgettable moments. I hosted a group of college students who were there for a travel photography class so all the locations were chosen based on the activities and lessons they were working on. We spent two days exploring San Francisco before heading toward Yosemite National Park, and honestly, even though San Fran is not my favorite city, this itinerary was a masterpiece!

Here's how we made the best of two days in San Franscisco...

Every street has its own personality, and historical relevance, so I wanted to make sure they got a little taste of everything while they were in town.

We started our first day with a Meet n Greet on the Historic Klamath ferry boat. The Klamath was one of dozens of ferryboats used before bridges and freeways existed. It carried cars and passengers across the bay between major cities each day. As technology changed and bridges were built, the boats were not used as much and this particular boat was retired from service in the 1950s and over the last few years it's been refit to be used as a beautiful event space. I scheduled a tour guide to join us and share a bit of history and culture about the city. I love doing this because it gives context to what the students will be experiencing and photographing. It's a perfect way to start any trip. I always use trusted guides I know and respect so I can guarantee a great experience. Sharon is funny and smart and always gets us excited for our day.

After the Meet n Greet, we walked from Pier 3 to Pier 39 for lunch. Don't forget to walk to the end of the pier and visit the seals! It smells as bad as you'd imagine so I don't recommend eating lunch there but there are plenty of great restaurants to choose from. My personal fav is the sourdough bowls at Boudin Bakery.

Next, we boarded a ferry to Alcatraz Island. Seeing the famous prison up close was surreal, and the ferry ride over gave us incredible views of the city skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge. Walking through the old prison cells while hearing stories from the past made it one of the most memorable parts of the trip. I've been to a lot of museums and this one has the BEST audio tour I've ever experienced.

Back along the waterfront, we rode the giant ferris wheel overlooking the bay.

No visit to San Francisco would be complete without seeing the famous Painted Ladies — the colorful Victorian homes many people recognize from Full House. Sitting across from them in the park with the skyline behind us felt like stepping into a postcard. I enjoyed an early lunch there before we started our day.

We hopped aboard one of San Francisco’s historic cable cars and rode through the city toward Chinatown. The streets were packed with lanterns, markets, and hidden little shops that made every turn feel exciting. Cable cars can get crowded, with long lines to wait for a ride. Thankfully, I've done this enough times to know when and where to jump on with very little trouble. This info is useful especially if someone in your group wants a chance to hang off the edge for the infamous Instagram-worthy photo opp!

Later that evening, we climbed Coit Tower, rode past the Most Crooked Street and then wandered into North Beach, San Francisco’s Little Italy neighborhood, where we ended the night with an incredible Italian dinner and cozy city vibes in Washington Square.

Leaving the City Behind

After two packed days in San Francisco, we woke up early to make the drive toward Yosemite National Park. Since we left before the hotel breakfast was served, I greeted everyone in the lobby with pre-packed breakfast bags to eat on the bus. The 4-hour drive from busy waterfronts to towering forests and granite cliffs was incredible, and it felt like the start of a completely new adventure. Using a bus company I know and trust goes a long way on rides like this. It was smooth sailing!

The scenery along the drive alone was unforgettable, and by the time we arrived near Yosemite, we were more than ready to slow down, breathe in the mountain air, and experience nature on a whole different level.

Stay tuned for the next post where I’ll share everything from our two days exploring Yosemite — giant sequoias, breathtaking viewpoints, waterfalls, and some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen.

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