San Francisco Dog Friendly Itinerary: Explore the best of the city in 3 days
This San Francisco itinerary helps you to explore the best of the city in 3 days. It also includes dog-friendly options, how to get there, when to visit, where to stay, and how to get around.
I most recently went to San Francisco with my husband, Jason, and dog, Maya, in June 2022. We were so excited to explore city streets, fisherman’s market, and Sausalito! Read below to see details about our trip and my tips for visiting and doing things that are dog friendly.
Overview of San Francisco (Dog Friendly)
How to Get There:
San Francisco is located in Northern California. If you’re flying, you’ll want to fly into San Francisco Airport. If you’re driving from Los Angeles, it’s about a 6-hour drive up Interstate 5.
When to Visit:
San Francisco has fantastic things to do year-round! I recommend visiting in the summer (June-September) to avoid the cold.
Where to Stay:
There are many great neighborhoods in San Francisco. I recommend staying in Union Square which is within walking distance of many good restaurants and things to do. The Hilton San Francisco Union Square hotel was great for my trip and is dog-friendly (even large dogs – we brought our golden retriever) with an additional fee.
How to Get Around:
Walking and biking around the city is the easiest, especially with a dog. If you need, you can catch an Uber/Lyft when you need it. Having a car can be stressful in a big city. If you do have a car, I recommend keeping it at your hotel and exploring on foot.
Day 1
For day 1 of this San Francisco Dog Friendly Itinerary, if you have a weekend there (like I did) and want to make the most of it, here is what I recommend doing:
Note: Dog friendly options are specified throughout the itinerary
On your first day in San Francisco, you’ve either driven or flown in. Get checked into where you’re staying and get refreshed. Then, find a great place to eat dinner nearby. Here are some great places to go if you’re staying near Union Square:
- The View Lounge (for drinks)
- Barcha Restaurant for Mediterranean food (dog friendly)
- Buddha Lounge (for drinks)
- Barbara Pinseria & Cocktail bar for Italian food
Day 2
- Walk the Embarcadero over to the Fisherman’s Wharf
- Then, rent a bike at Blazing Saddles near the Fisherman’s Wharf. If you have a dog, you’ll want to rent the dog carrier to attach to a bike (pictured above). Then, bike along the water and beaches and finally across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
- Grab lunch in Sausalito
- I recommend eating at Scoma’s of Sausalito for amazing seafood on the water (dog friendly)
- Take the Ferry from Sausalito back to the Embarcadero with your bikes and finish the last stretch of the bike back to the Fisherman’s Wharf to return them (the 6pm ferry is dog friendly. For a ferry ride earlier in the day, you’ll want to get there early and ask if its okay – you may get lucky like us!)
- Refresh back at your hotel – you’ve earned it!
- Finally, Get yourself a very rewarding dinner at 54 Mint Ristorante Italiano. You won’t be disappointed. Make sure to get the margarita! The waiter told us it is rated one of the top 50 margaritas in the world. After getting it, I believe it!
Day 3
On day 3 after some good rest, wake up and explore the city some more. Here are some options for your last day:
- Walk the city some more to explore new neighborhoods
- Go see the ‘Full House’ house
- Relax on Crissy Field beach (north side) or Baker Beach (west side)
- Take a ferry to tour Alcatraz
- Go take in the view at Land’s End Lookout
- Explore Golden Gate Park
I hope this San Francisco Dog Friendly Itinerary helps you explore the best of the city in 3 days! Feel free to reach out on my Contact page if you have any questions!