Timeline
15:04
Grab a coffee at Caffe Trieste. It is a North Beach landmark with excellent coffee and a local vibe. The cafe opens at 06:30, so you will have plenty of time before the golden hour begins.
15:49
Walk up Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower. The climb takes about 37 minutes from the Warfield area, but from North Beach it is a shorter ascent. Arrive here to find a spot with a view of the bay as the golden light starts to hit the city.
16:34
Watch the golden light wash over San Francisco. On January 15th, the sun sets toward the WSW, offering a clear view of the skyline and the bay in the warm afternoon glow.
17:34
End the evening at The Saloon. This is the oldest bar in San Francisco, a grotty and rough-looking spot with a rich history of Blues and Jazz. It is open from 12:00, so it will be ready for your post-sunset drink.
Local tip
The walk up Telegraph Hill can be steep. Wear comfortable shoes. The Saloon has a cover charge on weekends, so check if your visit falls on a Saturday or Sunday.
Check before you go
- Caffe Trieste is open Mo-Th and Su 07:00-23:30; Fr-Sa 07:00-24:00.
- The Saloon is open Mo-Su 12:00-02:00.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to San Francisco (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).