San Francisco Zoo
Zoo in San Francisco.
Morning · 2 hr 30 minDay 1
The green western edge
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Golden Gate Park
Public park in San Francisco, California, USA.
Morning · 1 hr 15 min
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Public arts institution in the city of San Francisco; comprises the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park.
Two buildings make up this institution; this route uses the de Young, inside Golden Gate Park and a short walk from the morning's park time.
Afternoon · 2 hr
Pink Triangle Park
Mini-park located in the Castro District of San Francisco, California.
Evening · 45 minArrive at the zoo when it opens; the morning is its calmest stretch, and the rest of the day builds from there.
Day 2
A loop of city icons
Golden Gate Bridge
Suspension bridge on the San Francisco Bay.
September mornings can hold shifting fog; giving the bridge its own stop lets the view change while you watch.
Morning · 45 min
Palace of Fine Arts
Structure in San Francisco.
Morning · 1 hr 30 min.jpg?width=800)
Lombard Street
Thoroughfare in San Francisco, California, United States.
The crooked block is one-way downhill; the pedestrian steps on either side give the view that makes the street famous.
Afternoon · 45 min
Coit Tower
Observation tower.
The Tower sits above the surrounding streets, and the walk up the hill is part of the visit.
Evening · 45 minThe day moves from bridge to bay to hill, ending at Coit Tower as the evening light comes on.
Day 3
A day given to museums
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War Memorial Opera House
Opera house in San Francisco, California, United States, home of the San Francisco Opera company.
Morning · 1 hr
Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
Museum in San Francisco, California.
Morning · 2 hr
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Modern art museum in San Francisco, California, USA.
Afternoon · 2 hr
Exploratorium
Museum in San Francisco.
The exhibits ask for hands-on time, so the two evening hours here go quickly; give them the full two.
Evening · 2 hrThe four stops sit within a compact part of the city, leaving room to take each one slowly.
Good to know
Which Fine Arts Museums building is on this route?
The de Young in Golden Gate Park. The Legion of Honor, the institution's second building, sits in Lincoln Park and is not part of these three days.
How much time does the Exploratorium need?
This trip gives it two hours in the evening, the last stop of day three; the hands-on floor fills the time.
What time of day is best for the Golden Gate Bridge?
Morning, before the day moves east. September mornings can bring fog that clears and returns while you are there.
How does the trip divide the city?
Day one is the green west side, day two the landmarks, day three the museums, so the route moves across San Francisco without doubling back.
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