Whether you're stuck in a long layover or have a few hours to kill before your next flight, there's no need to be bored at San Francisco International Airport. With plenty of things to see and do, you can make the most of your time in San Francisco.
Planning ahead will allow you to better enjoy your travel plans and take advantage of any unexpected delays during your trip, rather than simply waiting around bored for your flight to come. So take on an adventure and take advantage of one of these excellent options the next time you have a short or long layover in San Francisco.
About me, I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and my husband and I lived in an apartment very close to SFO. All of the recommendations in this blog post are things that we have done ourselves when either waiting for a flight or entertaining friends and family visiting on a long layover.
For SFO Layovers Less Than 2 Hours Long
Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, sometimes you just can't avoid a layover. But that doesn't mean you have to suffer through bad airport food.
If your layover is less than 2 hours, we recommend you take advantage of some of these amazing restaurants inside the SFO airport. Because of traffic and travel times, I do not recommend leaving the airport if your layover is less than 2 hours long.
Healthy & Trendy Restaurants Inside SFO
Lark Creek Grill is perfect if you're in the mood for something a little fancier. They offer gourmet California cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Starbird won’t disappoint, their curated menu highlights fresh salads, chicken strips, and the best chicken sandwiches. (Insider secret: the chicken sandwiches are all made on La Brea Bakery brioche buns.)
Cat Cora's Kitchen is a great choice if you're craving something healthy. They've got a delicious selection of salads, sandwiches, and soups.
SF Uncork'd is perfect if you need to unwind after a long flight. They offer a variety of wines by the glass, as well as cheese and charcuterie plates.
1300 Fillmore is ideal if you want to experience some authentic San Francisco dining. They serve soul food with a modern twist.
Farmerbrown is serves fresh and inventive Southern comfort foods. They feature a variety of fresh local ingredients and have some tasty dishes to choose from like chicken and waffles and veggie jambalaya.
Mission Bar & Grill is a great option if you're looking for some classic American fare. They've got all your favorites like burgers, fries, and wings.
So next time you're stuck at the airport on a layover, be sure to check out one of these restaurants. You'll be glad you did!
For SFO Layovers Over 3 Hours Long
If you find yourself with a layover of more than three hours at San Francisco International Airport, don't despair! You can leave the airport for about an hour to stretch your legs and do some shopping.
From SFO, there's plenty to do in the nearby Peninsula Bay Area, even if you don't have time to make it all the way into San Francisco proper. From SFO you are looking at a minimum 45 minute drive to the city center of San Francisco, which doesn’t leave you hardly any time to explore.
San Bruno, Burlingame and San Mateo are all great options for those looking to get out of the airport for a bit. And because SFO is located on the peninsula, you won't have to worry about fighting traffic to make it back in time for your flight.
So go ahead and enjoy your 3 hour layover, knowing that you can leave the airport and still have plenty of time to make your next flight.
What To Do in Burlingame
Burlingame is an upper class and ritzy area in the bay, and it's located just 10 minutes outside of SFO. This charming area is packed with great restaurants, cafes, juice bars, ice cream shops, and more. Downtown Burlingame is known as "Burlingame Avenue" and this area is very walkable.
My Favorite Shops and Dining on Burlingame Ave are:
La Vie Nail Bar - Get a mani and pedi while you wait for your flight.
Joe & The Juice - This modern health bar serves fresh juices, healthy shakes and light eats such as sandwiches.
Rise Pizzeria - Check out the pictures below of our delicious pizza from at Rise.
Blue Line Pizza - Another very popular pizza chain with a location in Burlingame.
Salt & Straw Ice Cream - This ice cream brand has a cult-like following in the bay. And they’re open late until 11pm fo red eye flights!
Madewell - Madewell is one of my favorite clothing brands and they have a shop in downtown Burligame.
So whether you're looking to grab a bite or just enjoy some retail therapy, downtown Burlingame Ave is a great option.
What To Do in San Bruno
Looking for something to do in San Bruno? Look no further than Tanforan shopping mall. Just a 10-minute drive from the airport, Tanforan is perfect for those who want to do some dining and shopping while they're in town.
My Favorite Shops and Dining in Tanforan are:
Cold Stone Ice Cream - Rich and creamy ice cream with a large selection of toppings.
Five Guys Burgers - Giant juicy burgers, hot dogs, fries and milkshakes.
Target - “Tarjay” is a store that needs no introduction.
Bath & Body Works - Shop for lotions, soaps, etc. Just make sure you don’t buy anything too big that you can’t get through TSA!
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse - At BJ’s there’s a huge menu of American style foods and picky eaters will surely find something to eat.
Coyote Point Recreation Area in San Mateo
If you’re traveling with children and they need a place to run around and let out their energy, the Coyote Point Recreation Area is perfect. This 670 acre nature park is located less than 15 minutes from the airport. There’s a climbing and play structure for kids to use and picnic tables for a casual meal.
For SFO Layovers Over 5 Hours Long
If you're stuck at the SFO airport for a layover of 5 hours or more, the opportunities to explore really open up. There's plenty to do and see in the city of San Francisco. Just make sure you leave plenty of time to come back to the airport to catch your connecting flight.
I've included some of the most iconic San Francisco spots for first time visitors to the city. These recommended landmarks are areas of the city are easily accessible by Uber and dob't require reservations or to purchase tickets in advance.
Golden Gate Bridge
One of the most iconic landmarks in all of California, the Golden Gate Bridge is a must-see for anyone visiting San Francisco. Spanning almost 2 miles across the Golden Gate strait, this suspension bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in the world. And it's easy to see why! The bright orange color and stunning views make it a truly unique sight.
There’s multiple ways to see and experience this bridge. If you want to take photos with the bridge in the background, I have a complete guide with the Best Spots in San Francisco to Photograph the Golden Gate Bridge. This guide also includes picnic spots with the bridge in the background if you want to relax and take in the scenery.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can even bike or walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time, as it's about a 1.5-mile walk from end to end.
Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf is one of the most popular tourist destinations in San Francisco. This historic area is packed with great restaurants, cafes, and shops. Plus, it offers stunning views of the bay and Alcatraz Island.
If you're looking for some fresh seafood, Fisherman's Wharf is the place to be. You'll find everything from clam chowder to crab sandwiches. The famous San Francisco sourdough bread company Boudin's makes popular clam chowder bowls that are bucket list foodie items when visiting Northern California.
At Pier 39 there's a large colony of seals that live right on the dock and it's quite a sight to see. Especially for those who haven't lived near an ocean, these very large marine animals are very animated and lively.
And finally, if you're traveling with children, at Fisherman's Wharf there's kid-friendly activities and entertainment such as arcades and carousel rides.
See our complete guide to Fisherman’s Wharf on the blog.
Umbrella Alley in Fisherman’s Wharf
The newest edition to the Fisherman’s Wharf area of San Francisco is Umbrella Alley. This is basically an interactive Instagrammable area with colorful murals, suspended colorful balls and a bunch of photo opportunities for tourists visiting San Francisco. If you like taking fun vacation photos, swing by Umbrella Alley when you’re on your way to Fisherman’s Wharf.
The Painted Ladies & Alamo Square
When my in-laws came to visit us in San Francisco, the number one place they wanted to visit was the famous victorian houses known as The Painted Ladies. This row of colorful houses sit on a hill across from Alamo Square park and are very iconic to the city. Many recognize them from the opening credits in the American TV show Full House from the 90’s. This park is a great place to set up a picnic and relax with great views.
Chinatown in San Francisco
San Francisco's Chinatown is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia. This vibrant area is packed with great food, shops, and culture. From traditional Chinese medicine shops to dim sum restaurants, there's something for everyone in Chinatown.
If you're looking to do some shopping, be sure to check out Grant Avenue. This street is lined with great shops selling everything from souvenirs to clothing. Or, if you're looking for something to eat, head over to Stockton Street. This street is home to some of the best Chinese restaurants in the city.
San Francisco Union Square
Union Square is one of the most popular shopping destinations in San Francisco. This large city square plaza is home to many high-end shops, as well as some great restaurants and cafes. If you're looking to do some serious shopping, Union Square is the place to be. You'll find everything from designer clothes to jewelry and home goods. Or, if you're just looking to browse, there are plenty of window displays fun things to explore.
If you happen to be in San Francisco during the Christmas holiday season, Union Square has a giant Christmas tree and the center of the square turns into a big ice skating rink with holiday music playing. It's very festive and merry during the month of November and December.
Market Street in San Francisco
Market Street is one of the busiest streets in San Francisco. This street is packed with great shops, restaurants, and cafes. You'll find everything from high-end stores to lower end chain fashion stores such as Old Navy, Forever 21 and H&M.
On Market Street there's also a huge Westfield mall that has 9 stories of shopping stores and a big food court. My favorite stores at the Westfield San Francisco Centre are Madewell, Lululemon, The Body Shop and Sephora.
Lombard Street
Lombard Street is one of the most famous streets in San Francisco. This street is known as the "crookedest street in the world." It's a must-see for anyone visiting San Francisco. And it's not just because of its unique design. The views from Lombard Street are truly breathtaking.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can even walk or bike down Lombard Street. Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time, as it's a very steep street. Or, for an even better view, take a drive down Lombard Street.
Beach Day in San Francisco
If you happen to be in San Francisco on a rare warm and sunny day, you can actually have a very enjoyable beach day during your long layover. You could even possibly take a nap on blanket between flights.
The best beaches to plan a picnic on the sand are Ocean Beach and Sutro Baths. If you want to do some light hiking along the cliffs, Lands End Park is right next Sutro Baths and there’s great views of the Pacific Ocean.
See More San Francisco Guides on the Blog:
Best Photography Locations in San Francisco
San Francisco Neighborhood Guide to the Marina District
100 Things To Do in San Francisco Under $10
Foodie Photographer's Guide to San Francisco
Top 100 San Francisco Instagram Photo Spots
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Travel
Gennifer Rose
San Francisco
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