One day in San Francisco

Ferry to Sausalito or Tiburon? You've probably already done this.

Marin Headlands. Lots of interesting sights and good hiking.

Agree ferry to Sausalito or use the N Judah muni from downtown and get off at 9th and walk into Golden Gate Park.

Head toward the De Young museum. Visit
Take a picnic if the weather is agreeable.
Might be a concert happening at the band shell.

If weather isn’t great I whole heartedly recommend using the N Judah again to 46th. Disembarking and having the garlic crab at ThanhLong. http://www.thanhlongsf.com. Pricey but so worth every bite. Been going there since forever. Parents used to live off of Funston.

Or heck just check out Filmore Street or North Beach and Chinatown. You husband can get his workout at Coit Tower.

I would spend it hiking through the Presidio and when I'm done stroll over to Fillmore Street and find a droll boite for a drink and a meal.

We like the hike onnthe Coastal Trail,from Cliff House/Land's End past China Beach and Baker Beach to Fort Mason..

https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/upload/GOGA_X3-web_sm3-2.pdf

Why don't you take a day trip to Nappa Valley for the day and visit some wineries and sample wines. Furthermore, you can take a hot air balloon ride over the valley and enjoy panoramic views. That is really fun.

Since you like the outdoors and if you haven't been there, Muir Woods National Historic Site is nice for a 'get out of the city' jaunt.

Renting bikes at Sports Basement in the Presidio at Crissy Field is a fun way to get around.

You can also rent bikes in the Cannery Row area, ride through the Marina and Crissy Field, across the GG Bridge to Sausalito, then take a ferry back to SF (the Ferry Bldg is a lot of fun, good shops and places to eat) and ride along the Embarcadero back to where you rented. This is a very fun day.

You can also rents bikes in Sausalito.

Angel Island is wonderful. And you can rent bikes there too which is the best way to see everything there imo.

If you’re not interested in bikes, a ferry from Oakland/Alameda, checking out the Ferry Bldg, walking east along the Embarcadero, then dinner at The Slanted Door in the Ferry Bldg would be fun.

stan’s suggestion of ferry to Sausalito is very good. Wonderful, charming town on the water. Close by, if you have a car, lunch and a nice walk at Cavallo Point (at the base of the north end of the GG Bridge) is super nice.

Muir Woods is a great idea. I've been there, but that was 40 years ago.

Thanks!

Or if you have fond memories of the 60's, take BART to Berkeley, stroll the UC Berkeley campus and walk along Telegraph Avenue -- buy a tie-dye tshirt.

If you choose Muir Woods, make sure you have a parking or shuttle reservation.

If you choose Muir Woods, make sure you have a parking or shuttle reservation.

Wow, thanks for that. It would never occur to me to reserve a parking spot there in advance!

I once spent the day on the USS Hornet docked on Alameda Island. Loved it, absolutely fascinating. . . . much more than Alcatraz.

A couple of tours that offer interesting takes on the city:
https://www.urbanhikersf.com/hikes
https://gourmetwalks.com/food-tours/

Half my family lives in SF so what I’d recommend is a SF Walking Tour by the public library. The free walk talks you around a historic neighborhood in the city. I’ve taken many but one of my favorites was the Hitchcock walk showing the many places he used in his films.

Just want to add to this thread. The suggestions here are just what we have been looking in to as we will have an overnight layover in SF the end of January. We were thinking about Fisherman's Wharf and wondering if BART is a reliable option as transportation there, or is there a better way. Also since our interest has been piqued by some of the suggestions seen here, what means of transportation is most efficient to get around the city, BART, Uber, cab? All help is appreciated.

Marcia, if the weather is decent, I love the large San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. Every season is different there, and there are very nice, free docent walking tours. It is very, very near the Japanese Tea Garden, De Young Art Museum (with a good restaurant), and the California Museum of Science. Also, more in the park, including the zoo, but not as close to the Botanical Garden.
Other suggestions here are terrific too, such as Muir Woods, SF walking tours, etc.

SFCityguides.com is another great walking tour company. We’ve done at least 30. They are free, donation at the end if you want.

Pat - Fisherman's Wharf is touristy. BART doesn't go there.

I love taking the ferry to Angel Island. Not sure of the hours of the cafe on the island, so you might want to bring a lunch or snacks. Lots of nice walks, and the Chinese Immigration Station is more interesting than Alcatraz! One of my favorite walks is along the waterfront from the Ferry Building to Hyde Street Pier. Be sure to find the Fisherman's Chapel in the Fisherman's Wharf area, along with the historical markers that explain the Italian experience in SF during WW II. You can also stop at the Musée Mécanique.
(I've lived in SF for over 30 years and take many walks...)

Pat, the most efficient way to get around SF is Uber or Lyft, except where BART goes which is very limited. I don’t use BART so you’d have to Google to find out where their very few stops are.
As Chani said, Fisherman’s Wharf is extremely touristy, in a bad way.
The Ferry Bldg and the Embarcadero are much nicer.