San Francisco is a cultural mecca on the West Coast, so it’s a perfect place to visit in your rental RV. Whether you’re planning to spend two days in San Francisco or you have a little more time, you’ll have no problem filling your itinerary with excellent local attractions.
Renting an RV is a great travel option for those who want to experience the flexibility of traveling with a camper. You can travel wherever you want, whenever you want, and you’ll be able to prepare your meals. Whether you want to travel in style or with economy in mind, you’ll have plenty of RV options from which to choose.
Search RV rentals in the San Francisco area.
Preparing for Your San Francisco RV Trip
Choosing the right kind of RV rental in San Francisco is simple when you use RVshare. If you want to rent a large camper full of luxuries, then you’ll probably wish to choose a Class A motorhome. If you want to rent a compact RV, you might want to rent a Class B campervan. If you’d prefer an economical motorhome, then the Class C may be right for you. Should you prefer to tow your camper behind your vehicle, then you’ll likely want to rent a travel trailer.
To learn more about renting an RV, you can read these articles:
• RV Rental Delivery
• Choosing the Best RV Size
• Renting an RV With RVshare
Finding the perfect campground is an important part of vacation planning. One excellent camping option in the San Francisco area is San Francisco RV Resort. This RV campground in Pacifica is within walking distance of the beach and just 15 minutes from attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Another possibility is Pillar Point Harbor RV Park, about 20 miles south of San Francisco on Half Moon Bay. This park is also close to the beach and can handle rigs as long as 40 feet.
Find other campground options in our comprehensive list of top-rated campgrounds in San Francisco.
Day 1: Have a Golden Day
Morning: Explore the Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is San Francisco’s most iconic landmark, so it’s a logical first stop on your trip. This International Orange bridge, built in the Art Deco style, is open to vehicle, bicycle, and foot traffic. Other places to check out here include the Visitor Center, onsite exhibits, and a round coffee cafe with stunning views of the bridge and bay.
Lunch: A Slice of Americana
The original Mel’s Drive-In is long gone, but this first restaurant in the franchise’s reformed chain has been delighting diners since 1987. This classic diner on Lombard Street features burgers, sliders, sandwiches, salads, milkshakes, sundaes, and more.
Afternoon: Check Out Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is just four miles from Mel’s Drive-In, so you can easily head over to this 1,017-acre park after lunch. You can explore places like the Conservatory of Flowers, the Bison Paddock, and the de Young Museum when you visit here. If you want to get out in nature, you can go biking, fishing, skating, and more at this park.
Setting Up Camp
When you’re ready to set up camp at your San Francisco campground, you’ll need to first check in at your chosen campground. Then, you’ll need to park your camper at your designated site, hook up your RV, and ensure that your vehicle is properly secured. If you’d rather skip those tedious tasks, you can simply rent an RV that comes with a delivery option.
Dinner: Classic or Classy
If you’d prefer to eat at your campsite, you could always have a cookout and relax. If you’d rather have some of San Francisco’s legendary fine dining, then you could head over to the Spruce instead. This well-known restaurant has an outstanding wine selection and high-class California-inspired cuisine.
Day 2: Fisherman’s Wharf and Beyond
Morning: Ghirardelli Square
Ghirardelli Square is one of the most popular attractions at Fisherman’s Wharf, which is a well-known San Francisco tourist area. Whether you’re a chocolate lover or a casual chocolate fan, you’ll enjoy buying and sampling goods from the Original Ghirardelli Chocolate and Ice Cream Shop and the Ghirardelli Experience.
Lunch: Enjoy a Seafood Feast at Pier Market on Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is home to multiple delicious restaurants; one of these is Pier Market Seafood Restaurant, which is on Pier 39. If you’re looking for some of that fabulous San Francisco seafood, this is one great place to find it. Perhaps you should try the clam chowder in a sourdough bowl, as it’s a local specialty.
Afternoon: Pier 39
After lunch, you can explore Pier 39, which is a great place to eat, shop, and play. Exciting rides like the Flyer Thrill Zone, Bay Plunge, and Frequent Flyers await. Be sure to check out K-Dock, often frequented by more than 2,000 sunning sea lions.
Evening: The Rock at Night
For some more tasty San Francisco seafood at Pier 39, you can eat supper at Fog Harbor Fish House. Crab cakes, oysters, lobster tails, and more are available at this top-rated restaurant. Afterward, you can head out to The Rock for an Alcatraz Night Tour. The prison facility itself is spooky at night, but the views of San Francisco from the island are stunning.
Day 3 and Beyond in San Francisco
If you can’t bring yourself to leave San Francisco after just two days, then you should explore some of the city’s other interesting locations.
• The Ferry Building is a well-known San Francisco landmark that’s full of shops and restaurants. It’s also home to the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and regular art and music events.
• Another great San Francisco landmark is Coit Tower, which was built in 1933. This tall building has an observation deck that gives visitors a 360-degree view of San Francisco and its bay.
Seasonal Activities:
If you want to head to the beach during the summer, you may want to check out Crissy Field East Beach. This beach is family-friendly and is popular with kite surfers. Grills and picnic areas are also available.
Another nice beach in San Francisco is Ocean Beach. This beach is known for its 3.5 miles of lovely white sand and its relatively small number of visitors.
Indoor Activities:
The San Francisco Cable Car Museum is an excellent place to go to learn more about San Francisco’s iconic cable cars. After you’ve seen the historic cable cars and memorabilia, you can pick up a souvenir at the museum store.
At the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, you’ll be able to experience seven floors of fabulous modern art. If you get hungry, you can grab a bite at Cafe 5 or eat a bigger meal at the Floor 1 restaurant.
Whether you’re spending two days in San Francisco or taking a longer trip, you’ll have no trouble finding plenty of fun things to do in the Bay Area. Once you’ve packed up your rental RV, you can hit the road and get started on your vacation to San Francisco.
