San Francisco [1]’s rich, diverse culture and immense range of activities and entertainment make it a destination worth a day, a week, or a month. For new visitors to the region, plan to spend the bulk of your time in the City, exploring its neighborhoods and museums, taking a few walking tours and maybe catching a cable car [2], and eating at its restaurants whenever possible. If you have only two or three hours to spend in the City, consider spending them in a restaurant [3].
For return visitors, as well as more adventurous first-timers, consider taking at least a day or two (or more) out of the City proper. The Bay Area [1] grew up as rich as the city that gave it life. Spend a day visiting the high-tech world of the Silicon Valley [4], stopping to try the affordable and delicious ethnic food. Enjoy a stellar meal and a view of activism in the East Bay [5]. Or spend a whole weekend on the beautiful, welcoming Coastside [6] beaches.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/san-francisco-and-the-bay-area
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/san-francisco-and-the-bay-area/sights/union-square-and-nob-hill/cable-cars
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/san-francisco-and-the-bay-area/food
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/san-francisco-and-the-bay-area/silicon-valley
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/san-francisco-and-the-bay-area/east-bay
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california/san-francisco-and-the-bay-area/coastside