Itinerary Summary
Two days in San Francisco cover the Golden Gate Bridge, Fishermans Wharf and Union Square, then a Napa or Sonoma wine-tasting day, a flight south to LA for Rodeo Drive, Santa Monicas Third Street Prom…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
San Francisco arrival and the Embarcadero
11:00
1h
BART ride from SFO to downtown
Follow the BART signs from arrivals and take the yellow or red line to Powell Street in about 30 minutes. Buy a Clipper card at the machine or tap a contactless card, which also works on buses and cable cars.
📍 SFO to downtown San Francisco
13:00
1.5h
Hotel check-in near Union Square
Drop bags at a Union Square hotel, which puts the shops, cable cars and BART within a few minutes' walk. Ask the desk about the Powell-Hyde cable car pass, which is cheaper than single rides.
📍 Union Square, San Francisco
17:00
2h
Ferry Building and Embarcadero evening walk
Walk the waterfront past the Ferry Building clock tower toward the Bay Bridge lights. The farmers market inside runs on Saturday mornings, while the food counters stay open through the week.
📍 Ferry Building, San Francisco
💡 Pro Tip: BART runs from SFO to downtown in about 30 minutes and is far cheaper than a taxi. Entry rules depend on your passport, so check the United States visa section. California is UTC-8, or UTC-7 from March to November. Bring a windproof layer, as fog and sea breeze make summer evenings cold.
Days 2-8 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$1,36035%
Union Square and Beverly Hills hotels, 7 nights
Food & DiningUS$78020%
Clam chowder, In-N-Out and tacos al pastor
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim a sales tax refund on shopping in the United States?+
No. The US has no national VAT or sales tax refund scheme for visitors, so purchases in San Francisco, Los Angeles and the Desert Hills outlets are final at the till price plus local sales tax. Some outlets ask for your passport at checkout for their own records, but that does not create a refund.
What is the best month for a San Francisco, Napa and Los Angeles shopping trip?+
August to October usually gives clear skies in San Francisco after the summer fog, warm weather in LA and the Napa harvest. November brings Black Friday discounts but also crowds. Spring is pleasant too, though Napa can be wet. Check the dates of major sales before fixing flights.
Do I need a car for San Francisco, Napa and Los Angeles?+
Not in the cities. Use rideshares or transit in San Francisco and LA, where parking is expensive and scarce. For the Napa or Sonoma day, book a wine tour or private driver so nobody drinks and drives. If you prefer a rental for the outlet day, reserve it early and check one-way fees.
How do I plan flights for an open-jaw trip into San Francisco and out of Los Angeles?+
Book a multi-city ticket arriving at SFO and departing from LAX rather than two separate one-ways, which is usually cheaper and protects the connection if the airline reschedules. Allow a full day for the internal flight south and check baggage allowances, since budget carriers charge for checked bags.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 8 days
- Budget: Upscale · approx. $3,290–4,490 (≈ €2,860–3,900), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: easy
- Best for: Shopping
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