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San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off tours

Our most recommended San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off tours

San Francisco: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour

1. San Francisco: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour

Hop aboard a sightseeing bus for a tour of the City by the Bay and delve into the fascinating history of San Francisco and its legendary landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf. The hop-on-hop-off route stops at the main points of interest all around San Francisco.  Experience the diverse culture, beautiful parks, stunning architecture, and picturesque views from the top of an open-air sightseeing bus. Hop off anytime and create your customized itinerary at your leisure. Explore 3 routes depending on your ticket purchase and enjoy photo stops at the Golden Gate Bridge on each route. With the Classic (24-hour) ticket, enjoy the Hop-on Hop-off service at your leisure for a full day and try the bike rental offer and ride along San Francisco's stunning waterfront. The Premium (24-Hour) and Deluxe (48-hour) tickets allow you to venture out to see the daytime and evening views of San Francisco with the panoramic Night Tour. Additionally, the Deluxe (48-hour) ticket includes the option to choose from either a bike rental, or admission to the USS Pampanito. Take a deep dive into the history of a World War WWII submarine or cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge and into Sausalito. San Francisco City Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Sit back and enjoy the ride as you cruise through the city on an open-top bus. Learn about the unique history of San Fransisco while passing through Chinatown, Union Square, Civic Center, and the Alamo Square.  Panoramic Night Tour Board the night bus to explore the dazzling city of San Francisco at nighttime. Climb the historic Nob Hill for a stunning close-up view of the magnificent Grace Cathedral. The Night Tour is included in the Premium (24-Hour) and Deluxe (48-Hour) Tickets. Then, make your way across the grand Bay Bridge for picturesque views of the city skyline from Treasure Island, the World Fair site in 1939. After heading back to the city, continue along the Embarcadero to view the glittering lights of the Port of San Francisco.

SF: Alcatraz Ticket w/ 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Night Tour

2. SF: Alcatraz Ticket w/ 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Night Tour

See the best of San Francisco with this combined hop-on-hop-off ticket and Alcatraz Island visit. Explore the island of Alcatraz and enjoy 2 days of sightseeing with insightful commentary from a live guide. Tour the famous prison that has played a role in jailhouse folklore and the historic evolution of the West Coast. Learn more about the 14 unsuccessful escape attempts by over 30 prisoners and their fates. Your Premium Big Bus hop-on-hop-off pass is a great way to see the sights of San Francisco. Listen to commentary by live English-speaking guides, or enjoy pre-recorded audio commentary in 10 languages. Your 2-day ticket includes a full day of unlimited hop-on-hop-off and a 1-hour panoramic night tour. Explore one of San Francisco's most fascinating neighborhoods on a fun and informative walking tour of Chinatown. The tours are offered daily, and you can ask an agent for locations and time schedules. Also included are a bonus 1-hour bike rental (with the purchase of a 1-hour rental) and Players Arcade Drink and Game Tokens. Hop-on, hop-off tour stops include: Stop 1: Corner of Jefferson & Mason StreetStop 2: Holiday Inn Northpoint b/w Jones & ColumbusStop 3: Washington Square - Columbus & Union StreetsStop 4: Embarcadero Center - Corner Clay & Battery StreetsStop 5: Ferry Building - Market St b/w Stuart & Spear StreetsStop 6: Union Square South - Geary St across from Macy’sStop 7: Hilton Hotel - Corner Mason & Ellis StreetsStop 8: Civic Center - Fulton St b/w Larkin & Hyde StreetsStop 9: Alamo Square - Corner Fell & Pierce StreetsStop 10: Haight Ashbury - Haight & Shrader StreetsStop 11: Golden Gate Park - Music Concourse Drive Golden Gate ParkStop 12: Golden Gate Bridge- North Vista PointStop 13: Palace of Fine Arts - Richardson & Francisco StreetStop 14: Marina Neighborhood - Lombard & Fillmore StreetsStop 15: Lombard Street Corridor - Lombard & Gough StreetsStop 16: Union Square North - Post & Powell StreetsStop 17: Chinatown Gate - Grant and Bush StreetsStop 18: Portsmouth Square - Kearny & Clay StreetsStop 19: Pier 35 Cruise Terminal - The EmbarcaderoStop 20: Pier 39 Fisherman’s Wharf (then return to Stop 1)

San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Ferry & Alcatraz Tour

3. San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Ferry & Alcatraz Tour

Get lots of choices for sightseeing in San Fransisco in one go — access to the hop-on hop-off city tour route with English commentary, a special night tour, a ferry ride with tickets to Alcatraz Island for a self-guided audio tour of the notorious prison. Benefit from audio guides available in a variety of languages at Alcatraz Island. With open double-decker buses and an English guide on each one, you can see just about everything and learn just as much. Get to all the most famous spots in the city. Pick out the ones that interest you as 48 hours is enough time to go back and visit your favorites again. The Official City Loop highlights include: • The Palace of Fine Arts• North Vista Point where you can take photos of Golden Gate Bridge• Golden Gate Park where you can enjoy the Japanese Tea Gardens• Haight-Ashbury district• San Francisco Downtown, Chinatown• The Civic Center• The Embarcadero• Fisherman’s Wharf• Barbary Coast• The Financial District and the Ferry Building Take the Night Tour to cover many of the attractions from the other routes, but with a whole new perspective. It is not hop-on hop-off and departs from Fisherman’s Wharf in the evening all year round with additional departures during the summer months.

San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Golden Gate Bay Cruise

4. San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Golden Gate Bay Cruise

Make your way around San Francisco with a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket. Hop off to explore the city's best highlights or stay on the double decker to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the city for two hours. Combine your ticket with a 1-hour Golden Gate Bay Cruise to sail around the famous San Francisco Bay. Golden Gate Bay Cruise Arrive at Fisherman's Wharf and look for the red and white colors of the "Red & White Fleet" to find your boat. Sail past the lively neighborhood of North Beach and take advantage of the bar onboard with drinks, snacks, and merchandise. Admire the famous swimming clubs of the Aquatic Park and the historic vessels at Hyde Street Pier. Enjoy idyllic views of Crissy Field and The Presidio of San Francisco before the stunning image of the Golden Gate Bridge comes into view. Cruise straight under the bridge as the sun shines and waves lap against the boat. Travel past the wildlife reserves of the Marin Headlands to reach the shores of Sausalito, once home to the Flower Children. With Angel Island State Park to your left, finish your cruise outside the infamous Alcatraz prison. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Exchange your voucher at any of the bus stops and get ready to discover the city of San Francisco. Discover local parks and architecture as you listen to the digital commentary, available in 10 languages. The route of the hop-on hop-off bus includes stops at iconic landmarks from Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, Golden Gate Bridge, and Little Italy. This flexible approach to sightseeing allows you to enjoy your day at your own pace.

San Francisco Combo: Hop-on Hop-Off Ticket & Muir Woods Tour

5. San Francisco Combo: Hop-on Hop-Off Ticket & Muir Woods Tour

Explore the nature surrounding San Francisco with a 1 day hop-on hop-off bus adventure. Board the bus at any stop to view the city in a different perspective as you learn about the remarkable history that surrounds the "Golden City" or hop-off to explore Fisherman's Wharf, which took on the name due to the Italian-fisherman immigrants that settled in the 1800s. Drive out of San Francisco and arrive at the Muir Woods National Monument, also known as the Coastal Redwoods. As you drive, enjoy live commentary describing the sights you pass. Enter the park and go on an adventure for 1.5 hours. Appreciate a peaceful stroll across the valley floor or take an epic hike along the hillside. Walk through ancient old-growth redwood forests and marvel at the height of the towering trees. End your tour with a picturesque drive through the coastal mountains of Sausalito. Choose to hop off in Sausalito and shop in the boutiques, eat at a restaurant or cafe, oe even visit an art gallery. Make your own way back after enjoying some time in Sausalito. Those who prefer to get back to the city immediately can return on the bus and enjoy a panoramic view of the Golden Gate Bridge and take in the San Francisco Skyline along with the Pacific Coast. This tour is perfectly catered for Day and Evening Muir Woods tour.

San Francisco: City Highlights Tour and 1-Hour Bay Cruise

6. San Francisco: City Highlights Tour and 1-Hour Bay Cruise

Start your tour of San Francisco from the world-famous Fisherman’s Wharf district. San Francisco is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. Experience the city's picturesque neighborhoods from the comfort of a double-decker hop-on hop-off bus.  Journey up some of San Francisco’s most famous hills, for stunning views over the city. Listen as your own personal audio-headset tells you San Francisco’s history, sharing local stories and personal experiences with you. Pass through areas such as Chinatown, Union Square, Cliff House, and Ocean Beach. Then enjoy a 1-hour scenic cruise on San Francisco Bay as you enjoy the city skyline, views of Alcatraz Island, and sail under the Golden Gate Bridge. Discover the city’s colorful history and world-famous landmarks with an audio guide, available in 16 languages. During the cruise, you might encounter wildlife, including seagulls, pelicans, and sea lions. At times you may even see porpoises and whales, so be alert. This tour is a wonderful experience for first-time visitors.

San Francisco: Muir Woods Tour & Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass

7. San Francisco: Muir Woods Tour & Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass

Join this exciting full day trip and venture north over the Golden Gate Bridge to an isolated canyon filled with ancient coastal redwood trees, also known as Muir Woods National Monument. Enjoy solitude and peace, through the cool, moist air, as you stroll through 1000-year-old trees towering 260 feet tall.  The canopy of coastal redwoods soaring above will stimulate all of your senses as you journey through a piece of ancient California history. You will never forget the crisp, fresh redwood fragrance that will surround you on your journey to the majestic Muir Woods National Monument. Then enjoy a drive through the quaint seaside town of Sausalito – a Mediterranean-like village harbored across the San Francisco Bay, famous for its sweeping views, timeless sophistication, local boutiques and cafes.  (Muir Woods Tour portion is available in English only.) After exploring Muir Woods, enjoy all of the famous San Francisco attractions and landmarks from an open-top double decker bus. Learn about the city's fascinating history from live guides or your own audio headset. The hop-on, hop-off tour allows you to jump off at 20 different stops which interest you most.  

Frequently asked questions about San Francisco

What are the best day trips and excursions from San Francisco?

The best day trips and excursions from San Francisco are:

Yosemite National Park

Other Sightseeing Options in San Francisco

Want to discover all there is to do in San Francisco? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about San Francisco

Overall rating

3.8 / 5

based on 395 reviews

Ferry had flexible return times to explore at your own pace which was nice. Very interesting tour and definitely a must do in SF. Self guided Audio tour was excellent. The National Park Ranger Matt gave an excellent presentation and was very knowledgeable. The island was interesting to explore, and the history of the island is quite incredible and we learned many new facts. In certain areas of the prison you could easily get goosebumps! Dress for weather although we had great timing and boarded the return ferry just as heavy rain hit. It was sunny during our tour. Interesting was the smell of fresh herbs and shrubs growing, which seemed out of character for a cold rock! We spent about 3 hours in total on this tour. Worth the money!

This was so worth it! Being able to get off at any stop and then get back on was amazing. Really helped us see the city and have a great time.

We recommend! First drive a lap, look at everything and then get off at great sights. The bus comes every 20 minutes. Absolutely perfect.

It was excellent and I felt very comfortable, as I travelled solo. I strongly recommend buying the one day extra ticket for 15 dollars

A must to get a feel on what to do in San Francisco