Itinerary and Sim Card

Question

Dear all. We finally decided to stay at Stanford Court Hotel. Two questions: which sim card to buy for a ten day visit? I have an android phone from the UK which is unlocked.

Second question us itinerary. We have four and a half days in SF itself. We don't need to see Alcatraz. But want to see museums such as De Young, SFMOMA, Palace of Fine Arts. Also of course Golden Gate and some neighbourhoods. We don't have a car. Any way if grouping things so that we make it efficiently? Thanks

Answer

For a 10-day visit to San Francisco with an unlocked UK Android phone, purchasing a US SIM card is the easiest way to get reliable data and calls. You have a few good options:

T-Mobile Prepaid SIM: T-Mobile has excellent coverage in San Francisco. You can buy a prepaid SIM at the airport, T-Mobile stores, or online. A plan with 5–10 GB data for 30 days is usually sufficient for navigation, social media, and casual browsing.
AT&T Prepaid SIM: AT&T also offers good coverage. Prepaid SIM cards are available at stores and online. Choose a 30-day data plan similar to T-Mobile’s.
Visible or Mint Mobile: These are budget-friendly options with online activation. Make sure your phone is compatible with US LTE bands.

In your case, T-Mobile is often the most convenient for short-term visitors, as you can pick it up at SFO or in the city and have coverage immediately.

For your 4.5 days in San Francisco without a car, here’s a suggested itinerary grouping attractions efficiently by area to minimize travel time and maximize your experience:

Day 1 – Civic Center & Golden Gate: Start with Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District, then head to Golden Gate Bridge viewpoint (near Crissy Field). Use a rideshare or Muni bus. Evening walk along Marina and chestnut street for dinner.
Day 2 – Museums & Golden Gate Park: Spend the morning at De Young Museum and California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. Afternoon stroll in the park or nearby Haight-Ashbury neighborhood.
Day 3 – SFMOMA & SOMA: Take Muni or walk to SFMOMA. Explore the SOMA district galleries and nearby Yerba Buena Gardens. Consider lunch at the museum café or nearby restaurant.
Day 4 – Neighborhoods: Explore neighborhoods like North Beach, Chinatown, and Mission District. Walk through colorful streets, murals, and sample local food. Evening could include a ferry building visit or waterfront stroll.
Half Day 5: Fit in anything missed from earlier days, or a leisurely morning at Ferry Building Marketplace and Embarcadero before heading out.

Tips:

Use Muni or rideshare for longer distances; San Francisco is very walkable for short trips.
Buy museum tickets in advance online to save time.
Golden Gate viewpoints: Battery Spencer or Marin Headlands provide iconic views without needing a car if you take a guided tour or rideshare.

This plan keeps activities grouped geographically, balances walking with public transit, and ensures you see the highlights efficiently without a car.

Itinerary and Sim Card

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