Embark on an enchanting journey through San Francisco’s iconic landmarks, including the panoramic views from Coit Tower, Fisherman’s Wharf, the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, and the lush greenery of Golden Gate Park.
We were in the Bay Area so of course, we couldn’t resist spending a day in San Francisco. Here’s a perfect dog-friendly one-day itinerary in San Francisco!
Coit Tower
Our Pacific Coast Highway adventure culminated in San Francisco, where we kicked things off with a visit to Coit Tower. Perched atop Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower offers panoramic views of San Francisco and its iconic landmarks, making it a must-visit destination for both locals and travelers. This Art Deco tower stands as a testament to the city’s rich history and provides an ideal vantage point to capture the city’s beauty from above.
The original plan was to park at the bottom of the hill and walk up, but I couldn’t find any parking at the bottom of the hill. So we drove all the way up instead and fortunately, found a parking spot up there. During the weekend though, I don’t think you can park there so check the signs! It was still really beautiful to walk around at the top of the hill. We took a lot of pictures of the beautiful bay view.
Pier 39 & Ghiardelli Square
Our next step was the famous San Francisco Pier 39. We got there, and I wanted to eat lunch at the place with the best sourdough bread, Boudin. It’s a chain bakery with multiple locations in northern California. They have amazing sourdough bread, available in a variety of fun shapes like teddy bears, crabs, and turtles. We sat down in the outdoor seating. It’s not very pretty or anything, but this way, Toby was able to enjoy the sun while I enjoyed some clam chowder in a sourdough bowl. It was busy but the line went by pretty quickly, and while waiting, I looked around the store where I saw sourdoughs shaped in various cute animal shapes, like turtles, crabs, and bears. There were lots of cool merchandise as well. You can also explore the Boudin museum, if you have the time.
From here, we walked along the Pier 39 to catch a glimpse of the sea lions sleeping in the sun and took pictures of the Alcatraz Island. You can take a ferry to the island for a tour and visit of the old prison. Toby, though, I don’t think was up for the ferry ride. I’m pretty sure dogs aren’t allowed anyway. It’s important to note that the pier can be a bit dirty, with many tourists eating as they walk, so be mindful of your furry friends to prevent them from picking up any litter.
After a couple of snaps on the pier, we decided to take a nice walk to the Ghirardelli Square. It’s actually not that far. I didn’t want to bother trying to find parking over there. It’s a really cute square with old brick buildings changed into cute stores. You should definitely stop by the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience shop if you’ve never been and enjoy the delicious chocolate treats. I had a milkshake, and it was absolutely amazing, especially after the long walk. It was a great sugar pick-me up for the afternoon. After a little break, we got back to the parking lot to drive to the next spot.
Golden Gate Bridge & Golden Gate Park
We wanted a nice picture with the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a must in San Francisco! So we drove to Battery East Vista. Luckily, the cloud had cleared up and by the time we got there, there was a clear, stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge. While it’s a great spot for a leisurely stroll, it’s important to watch out for cyclists and keep your furry companion close by.
Following our bridge photo session, we ventured into the expansive Golden Gate Park. Trust me, when I say it’s huge, I’m not exaggerating! With Toby in tow, we started at the Golden Gate Dog Park, a delightful area where friendly dogs and humans mingle in a clean and welcoming environment. There’s a fenced area for smaller dogs and another area for bigger dogs. By the way, there aren’t any dog potty bags available for you so don’t forget to bring a couple to the park! Toby had a blast running around with other pups.
From there, we drove over to Lindley Meadow, where we found countless people enjoying the sunshine and picnicking. Spotting other dogs playing off-leash, I allowed Toby some freedom to roam and join in the fun. He took off like a bullet, as if I never took him anywhere. He ran around the meadow and played with other pups in the meadow. If your pup is good with other dogs and you can trust them off-leash, I would suggest stopping by this meadow and spending some time here as well!
As our afternoon drew to a close, we decided to wrap up our Golden Gate Park adventure. Toby was fast asleep as soon as I got him in the car, tired from such an eventful day in San Francisco. By the way, if you have the time, I highly recommend a visit to the windmills on the west end of the park. Although I’ve explored them before and didn’t revisit with Toby this time, they are beautiful, especially during the flower seasons when the park bursts with colorful blooms.
