A couples trip to San Francisco works best at a slower pace. The city rewards long walks, a drink with a view and a dinner that runs late, and you can leave the packed sightseeing days to the families at Pier 39.
In this guide
This guide belongs to our San Francisco attractions hub. If you live here and want something for a weeknight, see our date ideas in San Francisco.
Watch the sunset from Lands End
Lands End faces west over the Pacific and the mouth of the Golden Gate, so the sun goes down right in front of you. Walk the coastal trail from the Lands End Lookout to Eagle’s Point, or sit above the Sutro Baths ruins. Fog can roll in quickly, especially in summer, so check the sky before you go and bring a layer.
Walk around the Palace of Fine Arts
The rotunda and colonnades were built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, and the lagoon in front is a quiet place for an early morning or evening walk. It is free and close to the Marina, so you can follow it with dinner on Chestnut Street. Our Palace of Fine Arts guide has more.
Take the ferry to Sausalito
Ferries leave from the Ferry Building and from Pier 41 for Sausalito, a small town across the bay with a waterfront promenade and houseboats. The ride gives you views of the skyline, Alcatraz and the bridge. Have lunch in town and take the ferry back in the late afternoon. Check Golden Gate Ferry for the schedule.
Have dinner in North Beach
North Beach is the old Italian neighborhood, with small trattorias, cafes and bars along Columbus Avenue and Grant Avenue. Walk up to Coit Tower before dinner for the view over the bay. See our best restaurants in San Francisco for more ideas.
Ride a cable car at night
The Powell-Hyde cable car line is usually less crowded after dark, and the view down Hyde Street toward the bay lights is one of the best rides in the city. Hop off at the top of Lombard Street and walk down the crooked block. The cable car guide has fares and tips.
Find a rooftop or hotel bar with a view
Several downtown and Nob Hill hotels have bars on high floors with views over the city. Go around sunset and expect a dress code at some of them. Our San Francisco nightlife hub covers bars by neighborhood.
Spend a slow morning at the Ferry Building
On market days, farmers sell produce in front of the Ferry Building, and the hall inside has bakeries, coffee and oyster bars. The Saturday market runs from 8am to 2pm, and the Tuesday and Thursday markets from 10am to 2pm. Take your coffee to the end of the pier behind the building and watch the ferries.
Where to stay as a couple
Nob Hill and Union Square put you close to bars and restaurants, and boutique hotels in the Marina and Hayes Valley feel more like neighborhoods. See where to stay in San Francisco.
Official resources: Golden Gate Ferry, San Francisco Bay Ferry, Lands End, National Park Service, Palace of Fine Arts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most romantic spot in San Francisco?
Many couples pick Lands End at sunset or the Palace of Fine Arts lagoon. Both are free.
Is Sausalito worth a day trip?
Yes for a relaxed half day. The ferry ride is part of the appeal, and the town is easy to see on foot.
What should couples book ahead?
Dinner reservations at popular restaurants and any Alcatraz night tour. Other plans can wait until you arrive.
Photo credits
Featured image: King of Hearts / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Watch the sunset from Lands End: Gregory Varnum / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Take the ferry to Sausalito: Brocken Inaglory / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Have dinner in North Beach: InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.