You won't need a car for this trip, but it is highly recommended to sign-up for a month of Bay Wheels. Pay $13 (2021) for a month of riding to get unlimited 45-minute bike rentals for the month, then cancel the membership before you leave the city. It's cheaper than parking and will allow you to explore this entire itinerary.

Have a car? Even so, park the car somewhere and go with Bay Wheels. Parking is an exercise that will leave you frustrated in the city.

How to start this itinerary

This itinerary can be started in a few ways:

• You can take Bart/Cal-Train and get a Bay Wheels bike to ride up the Embarcedaro

• You can take the ferry from Oakland and start at the Ferry Building

• You can park in North Beach and take a Bay Wheels bike to start the itinerary at Pier 39

Rincon Park sits along the Embarcadero right by the water and at times can be caught under the shade of the Bay Bridge. This tiny slice of green space is most famous for the large bow and arrow sculpture known as "Cupid's Span." Though perfect for seaside jogging, the park is best for tourists to capture a photo of the Bay Bridge in all its glory.

It's position at the start of the Embarcadero makes it the best starting point for this SF itinerary. Once you get here, grab a Bay Wheels bike to begin biking up the Embarcadero.

Further up the Embarcadero is the San Francisco Ferry Building. Built before the 1900s, the building features an elegant Beaux Arts style that withstood the test of time and two major earthquakes. Aside from being a hub for the Golden State Ferry, the building also houses offices, a food court, and on certain days of the week, a farmer’s market in the plaza in front of the building.

Aside from food and architecture, the building stands as a famous landmark in the area with a 75m clock tower that stares down Market Street. Be sure to be at the Embarcadero Plaza just across the street for the best angle to capture the whole building.

If you're hungry, check out Hog Island Oyster for their happy hours. It's one of the most frequented Oyster restaurant in San Francisco.

About 15 minutes on foot up the Embarcadero is the Exploratorium. Located in Piers 15 and 17, the building is now a modern science and technology museum famous for its participatory exhibits.

Self-described as scientific funhouse, the museum has been heralded by both experts and tourists alike as a unique introduction to the mechanisms behind the world around them. With topics ranging from electricity to the local wildlife of the Bay Area and even human behavior, the museum features nearly 600 exhibits, a peek into their workshop, a glass observatory, and several restaurants among others. Tickets are priced anywhere from USD 20 - 40 but are definitely a steal for the kind of fun you'll be having here.

If you want to save on the ticket price, check Groupon to look for discount codes. If you find one, help us out by using our referral link to sign up!

After crossing a public park from Pier 35 is Pier 39, the most famous of all the piers along the Embarcadero. The pier is a shopping center similar to that in Santa Monica. Thus, you can find lots of great gimmick restaurants and souvenir stores, as well as a build-a-bear among others. One other thing tourists flock to are the sea lions that now rest on the docks instead of their former home of Seal Rock. Come here for the fun and food and stay for the friendly sea lions, which can be viewed on the left-back side of the pier.

One of our favorite attractions here is the mirror maze, which is only $5 with Groupon (updated February 2021)! Use our referral link to sign up and to help us out.

Tucked away in Pier 45 just a short walk west on the Embarcadero from Pier 39 is the Musée Mécanique. This museum is one of many in the Fisherman's Wharf district and is famous for its exhibit of old machines. These machines include antique slot machines and old arcade games among others, most of which are available to interact with.

Though technically spanning an area including Pier 39, the Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood is more famous for Pier 45. Similar to 39, the area around Pier 45 has wide collection of shops and restaurants. However, unlike the previous, there are more museums and activities including Madame Tussauds and the afforementioned Musee Mecanique. Pier 45 also has the USS Pompanito and SS Jeremiah O'Brian, both of which are now museum ships.

For Lunch, be sure to try out one of the many seafood restaurants right in front of the iconic Fisherman's Wharf sign.

As the name suggests, the Cannery was once a functional canning factory that began operations in 1906. After having closed down during the Great Depression, the building was bought in the 60s to preserve its history and was subsequently turned into a mall. Now a famous hang out spot, be sure to try out some of the classic restaurants surrounded by old time charm in this urban shopping center.

Right next to the Cannery is an equally old building that was once a warehouse. Now, it's a museum that houses the San Francisco National Historical Park Visitor Center. Here you can find exhibits of the old ships that passed through the bay and the buildings and tools that helped support them. Since it's a national park, there is a park ranger present and is usually open to questions about the area.

Across the street from the visitor center is the Hyde Street Pier. similar to the piers that come before it, this one features whimsically designed shops and restaurants. Though noticeably smaller, the pier had the important task of serving as the terminal for ships that did what the bay bridges do now. Today, it's where several historic ships are permanently anchored such as the Balclutha, an 1800s square rigged ship, the Eureka, a 19th century paddle steamboat, and the Hercules, a 20th century steamboat. All of these are available for tours and is accessible from a separate visitor center on the pier.

Contrary to what some might think, the park where you can see the Ghirardelli sign from is not Ghirardelli Square but the Aquatic Park. part of a larger national park, the area is home to the Maritime Museum.

With In-and-out nearby, a popular afternoon activity is to buy some burgers to eat on the grass.

If you get here before sunset, walk over to the Aquatic Park Pier to catch the sun dipping below the Golden Gate Bridge.

While it is named after the chocolate company, Ghirardelli Square is not where the company is based, at least not anymore. When the square was built in the late 1800s, the building did in fact have the headquarters of the Italian chocolate company. Thus, it took on an industrial European style and was renovated to be an example of a classic town square. Now, it's a mall and hotel which has several Ghirardelli stores and restaurants. While checking out the stores, make sure to try the Ghirardelli sundae.

This park is Fort Mason, a former navy site which at one time was the principal port for the Pacific Campaign during World War Two.

Fort Mason hosts several events, shows and activities, such as rollerdisco, lit Food Truck nights and art shows. Check the website for events and happenings.

If you started this itinerary in reverse, or you arrive at Fort Mason early, make sure to stop by The Interval, which is one of the most intriguing bars in the entire city.