Observe: Some tour suppliers on this checklist could have restricted or ceased operations as a result of COVID-19. Test along with your tour operator about availability earlier than you e book.
Whether or not by air, by bike, by boat, by bus and even by classic Volkswagen, there are such a lot of other ways to absorb the great thing about San Francisco and expertise its prime points of interest. That can assist you resolve which methodology is best for you, U.S. Information compiled 19 of town’s prime excursions, contemplating traveler sentiment and skilled opinion. Foodies, historical past buffs, adventurers and everybody in between will discover a tour on this checklist.
Crimson and White Fleet – Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise
Soak up San Francisco’s two most well-known bridges on this 90-minute boat journey via San Francisco Bay. Along with crusing beneath each the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge, tourgoers will see Alcatraz, Treasure Island and town skyline, amongst different landmarks. Crimson and White Fleet offers an audio information out there in 16 completely different languages that particulars town’s historical past. Reviewers say they benefit from the views, the useful commentary, and the clear and comfy boats. Excursions can be found Thursday via Sunday at 11:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m., relying on the day. Cruises depart from Fisherman’s Wharf. Tickets begin at $48 for adults and $36 for teens ages 5 to 17. Kids 4 and youthful can journey free of charge, however require a ticket. Quick on time? Crimson and White Fleet additionally presents an hourlong Golden Gate Bay Cruise, amongst different excursions.
Vantigo – San Francisco Metropolis Excursions
As an alternative of a conventional tour bus, Vantigo transports as much as seven passengers in a classic Volkswagen van to see all town has to supply. The three-hour tour highlights 15 factors of curiosity, with loads of alternatives for images and views of Haight-Ashbury, the Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks and extra. Reviewers love the Volkswagen, which they are saying is roomy and comfy, and describe the guides as enjoyable and informative. Excursions go away a number of instances all through the day from Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Sq.. Tickets begin at $65 per grownup or $45 per youngster ages 5 to 11. Kids 4 and youthful aren’t permitted on public excursions. Combo excursions to Alcatraz are additionally out there, as are brewery excursions.
Seaplane Adventures – SF Metropolis Websites Tour
After you’ve got walked town streets and sailed the bay’s waters, the next move needs to be an air tour. On this 20-minute flight from Seaplane Adventures, you may depart from Sausalito – a captivating city positioned throughout the Golden Gate Bridge – then fly over downtown and above Alcatraz and Angel Island earlier than touchdown again in Sausalito. Reviewers describe the journey as wonderful and top-of-the-line actions they did whereas visiting San Francisco. Tickets value roughly $179 per grownup and $155 per youngster ages 3 to 11. Seaplane Adventures conducts a number of different air excursions, together with a 45-minute Larger Bay Space Tour.
Avital Meals Excursions – Mission District Meals Tour
Eat your method via certainly one of San Francisco’s most well-known neighborhoods with Avital’s Mission District meals tour. The three-hour tour presents a culinary historical past of the Mission District, which is acknowledged for each its Mexican delicacies and colourful murals. Alongside the best way, take pleasure in 4 programs (two appetizers, an entree and a dessert) at 4 space eating places. Tastings range with every tour however could embrace cheeses, tacos, churros, burritos, quesadillas or salted caramel ice cream. Reviewers say the tour is enjoyable, well-paced and academic. Excursions are restricted to eight individuals. Tickets begin at $99 per individual. Foodies 21 and older can select to improve their tour to incorporate three alcohol pairings for an extra $26 per individual. Kids are allowed on the tour, although there isn’t a low cost, and Avital advises that its outings are finest fitted to older kids. Excursions are supplied Sundays at 10 a.m. The corporate additionally presents excursions of North Seashore.
San Francisco Love Excursions – The Love Tour
Drive via 15 neighborhoods in a basic Volkswagen hippie bus throughout this two-hour tour. As you drive round to websites like Lombard Road and Haight-Ashbury, you may hear all about San Francisco historical past and take heed to music. You will additionally make two stops for images to seize the Golden Gate Bridge and town skyline. Reviewers rave concerning the educated guides and the nostalgic music selections. Excursions, which begin and finish at Fisherman’s Wharf, are usually out there each day at 8:30 and 11 a.m. in addition to 2 and 5 p.m. The van can accommodate as much as six passengers. Tickets begin at $69 per individual. Kids 4 and youthful are solely permitted on personal excursions.
Eat your method via North Seashore with Native Tastes of the Metropolis Excursions.(Getty Pictures)
Native Tastes of the Metropolis Excursions – North Seashore/Little Italy Strolling Meals Tour
In keeping with reviewers, this tour is a should for meals and historical past lovers because of skilled guides who’re partaking storytellers. Alongside the three-hour tour, you may discover seven to eight blocks of North Seashore (or “Little Italy”). Samples of the neighborhood’s finest pizza, pastries, espresso, goodies and extra are all included in the price of the tour. Vacationers say the parts are beneficiant and suggest arriving to the tour hungry. Excursions are usually supplied each day at 10:30 a.m. with an extra midday tour out there on choose days. Tickets value roughly $70 for adults, $40 for teens ages 12 to 16 and $15 for kids ages 2 to 11; infants 1 and youthful can tag alongside free of charge. Nonetheless hungry? Contemplate the corporate’s Chinatown excursions.
Massive Bus San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
In case you’re in search of a handy approach to go to town’s prime points of interest in at some point, this hop-on, hop-off tour could also be simply the ticket. Massive Bus lets riders disembark at any of its stops, discover the realm and catch one other bus after they’re prepared. Massive Bus operates each half-hour and visits greater than 20 places, together with Presidio Park, Chinatown, the Embarcadero and even features a journey over the Golden Gate Bridge. All the tour lasts a little bit greater than two hours, for those who do not select to disembark. All buses have open tops, Wi-Fi entry and prerecorded commentary out there in 10 languages. Reviewers benefit from the instructional commentary and the chance to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge within the open prime bus, however many warn that buses get crowded shortly. In case you purchase your tickets on-line, pricing begins at roughly $50 per grownup and $45 per youngster ages 3 to 12 for the basic one-day ticket. Massive Bus San Francisco additionally presents night time excursions of town, in addition to upgraded tickets that embrace free bike leases and excursions of Muir Woods.
Electrical Tour Firm – Official Golden Gate Park Segway Tour
Driving a Segway generally is a enjoyable and expedient approach to see a lot of prime points of interest in a brief period of time. The Electrical Tour Firm presents you an opportunity to see dozens of sights within the iconic Golden Gate Park within the span of two 1/2 hours, visiting the Conservatory of Flowers, the Shakespeare Backyard, the California Academy of Sciences and the Spreckels Temple of Music alongside the best way. The tour begins with a 30-minute coaching for first-time riders. All riders should be no less than 12 years outdated and weigh between 100 and 250 kilos. Reviewers reward their guides, who they are saying are useful and descriptive, and describe the Segways as simple to journey. From June to August, excursions are supplied each day at 10:30 a.m. and a couple of p.m., with an extra 3 p.m. tour on the weekends. The remainder of the yr, excursions can be found to e book Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and a couple of p.m. Tickets begin at $79 per grownup and $65 per youth ages 12 to 17. Bike and electrical scooter excursions of the park are additionally out there.
Grey Line San Francisco – Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour
This four- to six-hour tour from Grey Line San Francisco takes you to Muir Woods Nationwide Monument to see its lovely redwood timber up shut. After exploring the forest, the tour continues to Sausalito, a captivating city throughout the bay stuffed with waterfront eating, procuring and artwork galleries. To take pleasure in extra time in Sausalito, you may choose to return to town by ferry for an extra value. Reviewers say the tour bus is snug and describe the driving force as partaking and educated. Many suggest this tour if you do not need to navigate the site visitors and parking complications at Muir Woods. Ticket costs begin at $89 for adults and $59 for kids ages 5 to 11 and embrace admission to Muir Woods Nationwide Monument. Grey Line presents a wide range of daytrips from San Francisco, together with journeys to Sonoma, Napa Valley and Monterey.
Bay Metropolis Bike Leases and Excursions – Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
See San Francisco by bike on this tour that guides you from Fisherman’s Wharf to Sausalito. The journey takes two to 3 hours and covers 8 miles. After making your method alongside the waterfront, you may pedal throughout the Golden Gate Bridge, stopping for photo-ops alongside the best way. On the conclusion of the tour, you may both bike your method again to town or choose to take the ferry from Sausalito to San Francisco for an extra charge. Tourgoers say guides are pleasant and informative and the sights are lovely. Excursions are open to all ages. Ticket costs begin at $55 for adults; costs for kids range. From March via October, excursions can be found each day at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; excursions can be found each day at 10 a.m. the remainder of the yr. The corporate additionally presents a Streets of San Francisco Electrical Bike Tour, amongst different choices.
See magnificent whales and the basic Golden Gate Bridge as you tour the San Francisco Bay with San Francisco Whale Excursions.(Courtesy of San Francisco Whale Excursions)
San Francisco Whale Excursions – Golden Gate Whale Watch
Head into San Francisco Bay to catch sight of among the many whales that cross via its waters with San Francisco Whale Excursions. On the two 1/2-hour cruise, riders might even see humpback whales, harbor seals, dolphins, porpoises and seabirds. You will additionally get a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The tour doesn’t embrace meals, although you may convey your personal, and you must convey heat garments, together with jackets, hats and gloves. Many vacationers report seeing each grey and humpback whales and describe the crew as very pleasant. Tickets begin at $120 per individual. The corporate presents its Golden Gate Whale Watch from March via October Thursday via Sunday at midday and three p.m.
Extranomical Excursions – Yosemite Nationwide Park and Large Sequoias Tour
As soon as you’ve got gotten your fill of town, trek to California’s incomparable pure wonders with a daytrip to Yosemite Nationwide Park. On the roughly 15-hour tour, you may cease at Tuolumne Meadows to see the two,000-year-old big sequoia timber, then hit prime stops like El Capitan, Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall. Buses, which choose up from most motels, are outfitted with tour guides who present commentary alongside the best way. Tourgoers recognize the knowledge offered by the guides and rave concerning the surroundings. The journey departs on daily basis of the yr. Tickets begin at $179 for adults and $165 for kids 11 and youthful if bought on-line. Tickets don’t embrace meals, however do over the park entrance charge. Extranomical Excursions presents a wide range of metropolis excursions, in addition to excursions to wine nation and Monterey.
San Francisco Film Excursions – San Francisco Film Sights Metropolis Tour
Many films and TV exhibits have been filmed in San Francisco, and this tour highlights all the highest filming places. Actors-turned-guides lead the interactive tour, which takes you to filming places for productions, corresponding to “Full Home,” “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Ant-Man.” All through the three-hour journey, you may see clips on huge screens with encompass sound of every film or present as you arrive. Tourgoers describe it as a enjoyable approach to see town and say guides are entertaining. Tickets value roughly $60 for adults, $35 for kids ages 5 to 17 and $50 for seniors. Excursions are usually supplied each day at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. or 2 p.m., although availability could range by month. San Francisco Film Excursions additionally leads a “Soiled Harry” tour, amongst others.
Wild SF Strolling Excursions – Haunted San Francisco Ghost Tour
In keeping with reviewers, Wild SF’s Haunted San Francisco Ghost Tour is stuffed with intriguing and spooky data advised by partaking guides. The nighttime strolling tour, which lasts as much as 90 minutes, unveils the darker facet of San Francisco historical past, together with tales concerning the outdated red-light district, serial killers, haunted motels and extra. Excursions meet at Union Sq. and traverse a little bit greater than half a mile of downtown San Francisco.. Guides are all performers who’ve been main excursions for greater than 4 years. Tickets begin at $33 per individual. Wild SF recommends this tour for vacationers 10 and older. In case you did not get your fill of the paranormal, take into account the corporate’s ghost looking tour.
Dylan’s Well-known Tour contains time in Muir Woods.(Getty Pictures)
Dylan’s Excursions – Dylan’s Well-known Tour with Muir Woods
In case you’re hoping to see the very best of the Bay Space in at some point, take into account this six-hour tour. You will journey by minibus to a few of San Francisco’s most iconic neighborhoods and landmarks, together with North Seashore, Chinatown, Pacific Heights and the Painted Women earlier than having fun with a snack within the charming city of Sausalito. From there, you may spend greater than an hour in Muir Woods. The tour begins and ends at Fisherman’s Wharf and contains a number of photograph stops. Reviewers describe tour guides as insightful and humorous, and say the bus may be very clear. The tour departs each day at 8:30 a.m. and tickets value roughly $99 for adults and $69 for kids 12 and youthful. Combo excursions to Alcatraz and electrical bike excursions are additionally out there.
San Francisco Helicopters – Vista Grande Helicopter Tour
Take pleasure in a chicken’s-eye view of San Francisco on this 30-minute helicopter tour. You will fly over prime websites like Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island and Sausalito, whereas having fun with musical accompaniment choreographed to the flight and narration from the pilot. Tourgoers describe the flight as spectacular, a visit of a lifetime and top-of-the-line helicopter excursions they’ve ever taken. The tour departs thrice each day. Tickets begin at $280 per grownup and $210 per youngster ages 2 to 12. The corporate additionally conducts wine nation excursions by helicopter, amongst a wide range of different choices.
Journey Cat Crusing Charters – San Francisco Bay Sail
To really feel a bay breeze and see San Francisco from a brand new perspective, climb aboard Journey Cat’s crusing catamaran. The 90-minute cruise permits you to see the sights from contained in the protected cabin or outdoors on a netted deck trampoline the place you may really feel the waves crashing beneath your toes. When you cannot convey drinks on board, snacks, beer and wine can be found for buy within the cabin bar. The corporate additionally offers an audio tour, which presents listeners details about key points of interest as they sail by. Reviewers describe the cruise as implausible, with many lauding the tour as their prime expertise in San Francisco. Others recognize the wonderful service offered by the crew. Costs begin at $60 for adults and $30 for teenagers ages 6 to 12; youngsters 5 and youthful journey free of charge. The corporate additionally presents sundown sails and Alcatraz combo tickets.
Edible Excursions – Ferry Constructing Meals Tour and Alcatraz Tour
Mix two of town’s most iconic landmarks on this distinctive daylong tour. The day begins with a tour of the highest purveyors on the Ferry Constructing Market and contains tastings of artisan cheese, bread and goodies, adopted by a cruise to Alcatraz and a self-guided tour via its historic jail. Vacationers are welcome to remain so long as they’d like at Alcatraz earlier than hopping on the return ferry. Individuals say they unexpectedly loved the meals portion of the tour, which they describe as each scrumptious and informative. Tickets begin at $165 per individual, which incorporates the Alcatraz entrance ticket. Excursions are supplied 4 days every week. Desire to discover a distinct space of town? Edible Excursions presents excursions via Japantown, the Mission District and extra.
Discover town at your personal tempo with this GPS-guided automobile that gives instructions and historic and cultural commentary as you comply with the designated route or department off on detours, stopping for photo-ops or breaks as you please. A most of two individuals can match contained in the three-wheeled automobile and also you should be no less than 21 years outdated to drive it. Reviewers describe driving within the automobile as plenty of enjoyable and an effective way to see town, however they warn that the expertise can get expensive for those who preserve the automobile previous your allotted time. One-hour leases begin at $65, however a wide range of routes and rental intervals can be found (the automobile options commentary on greater than 500 points of interest and factors of curiosity).
