Go City: San Francisco Explorer Pass: Choose 2 to 5 Things To Do

San Francisco’s Explorer Pass lets you pick a handful of attractions and spread them across a 30-day window. I like two things in particular: you choose the activities that fit your interests, and a single mobile pass can cover very different outings, from a science museum to a cruise past Alcatraz.

I also like the chance to slow down rather than cram a stack of admissions into one rushed day. The catch is that the pass saves money only if you use it for attractions you genuinely want, and some popular activities require advance reservations.

The short version

• Pick two to five activities from a roster that includes museums, cruises, a bus tour, bike rental and family attractions.
• Use the pass within 30 days, giving you room to spread outings across a longer stay.
• Compare the individual prices first. At the stated price of $79 per person, value depends on the attractions you choose and how many admissions you use.
• Plan reservations early for popular activities, and check current instructions in the Go City app.
• Expect a mix of city and out-of-town options. Some choices are in San Francisco, while LEGOLAND Discovery Center is in San Jose and Hurricane Harbor is in Concord.

A pass that works best with a plan

This is not a guided tour with a set route. It is an admission pass: choose two, three, four or five activities, then visit participating attractions on your own schedule. The roster spans museums, family outings, sightseeing tours and time on the Bay, so it can suit a couple with different interests as well as a family looking to keep children busy.

That freedom is useful, but it puts the planning in your hands. Start by naming the two or three attractions you most want to see, then check whether they are currently included, how much separate admission costs and whether they need reservations. The selection can change, so use the Go City app for the latest choices, opening times and entry instructions.

The listed price is $79 per person, but the value is not automatic. A pass used for a few lower-cost activities may not beat buying separate tickets. Several museum visits, a cruise and a full-day activity could make the math more appealing. Check the current price for each attraction you plan to visit before buying, and remember that the pass includes admission to your chosen activities, not meals or transportation to and from them.

Spend the first visit getting your bearings

The one-day Big Bus Tours San Francisco Classic Tour can help you survey the city before deciding where to linger. The route includes major sights from Fisherman’s Wharf toward the Golden Gate Bridge, and the hop-on, hop-off format lets you leave the bus at a stop and rejoin later.

Treat it as a sightseeing day, not a precise transport schedule. One useful tip is to locate the stops and check the current bus information before setting out. Bus availability and finding the right stop can affect how smoothly the day goes, so avoid building a tight chain of timed plans around it.

If you prefer to explore under your own steam, the all-day comfort bike rental from Blazing Saddles offers another way to spend time along the waterfront and on bike-friendly streets. It is a substantial commitment of several hours, so it suits you best if cycling is part of the appeal, not simply a way to tick off an admission.

GoCar is a different sort of city outing: a small car with GPS-guided storytelling that takes you around San Francisco’s sights. Reservations are required, so do not assume you can decide on the day. The Fisherman’s Wharf walking tour is shorter and more focused, covering places such as Ghirardelli Square and Pier 39 with a guide over about an hour.

Choose your museum day carefully

The California Academy of Sciences is one of the strongest choices for a full museum visit, with around three hours suggested. It combines science and natural history under one roof, making it a good pick for mixed-age groups or anyone who wants more than a quick gallery stop. Families can build a generous part of the day around it; pairing it with another major attraction may leave little room to explore at an easy pace.

The Exploratorium takes a more hands-on approach. Its 650-plus interactive exhibits invite you to touch, test and tinker, which makes it a natural fit for curious children and adults who like learning by doing. Plan about two hours, though you may want longer if you enjoy working through the exhibits rather than making a quick circuit.

Aquarium of the Bay focuses on local marine life, with clear underwater tunnels and animals that include seven-gill sharks. It is a shorter visit than the Academy of Sciences, at about two hours. The aquarium’s size may feel modest if you expect a sprawling marine park, so think of it as a focused waterfront stop rather than an all-day attraction.

Art lovers have several choices. The de Young Museum and Legion of Honor offer same-day entry to both museums when you visit one, so you can make a fuller art day of the pass. Each is listed at about two hours, but seeing both means allowing more time for the visits and the travel between them.

SFMOMA is a good option if modern art is high on your list; allow roughly three hours. The Asian Art Museum, with collections devoted to Asian art, is another focused two-hour visit. These museums give the pass real range, but they are not interchangeable. Check current exhibitions and choose the one that matches your interests rather than selecting a museum just because it is included.

The Walt Disney Family Museum presents the story of Walt Disney through galleries, interactive displays, video screens and a detailed model of Disneyland. Its 40,000 square feet of exhibits make it more than a quick stop, so set aside about two hours. It is a specific-interest choice, but families and animation fans may find it a welcome change from the city’s larger general museums.

Get out on the Bay

A cruise is one of the simplest ways to see San Francisco from a different angle. The standard one-hour San Francisco Bay Cruise passes the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the waterfront and the Pier 39 sea lions. It is a compact outing that works well when you want a broad view of the city without giving up most of the day.

The 90-minute Bridge to Bridge Cruise runs between the Oakland Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge. It gives you more time on the water and a wider look at the city’s shoreline. If you want one cruise and can spare the extra half-hour, this is a practical way to combine bridge views with a longer Bay outing.

Blue & Gold Fleet’s Escape from the Rock is also about 90 minutes, but its focus is Alcatraz. The boat circles the island and sails beneath the Golden Gate Bridge while recorded accounts tell stories of escape attempts and harsh prison life. Choose this one if Alcatraz itself is the draw; pick a general Bay cruise if you would rather see more of the waterfront and skyline.

The cruises are distinct pass choices, not one combined boat trip. Check the current schedule and reservation instructions before planning your day, especially if a particular sailing is important to you. Weather and operating schedules can affect the experience, and a pass does not remove the need to follow the operator’s entry instructions.

Historic ships and family outings

The USS Pampanito is a World War II submarine and National Historic Landmark at Fisherman’s Wharf. A visit takes about an hour and offers a close look at a historic naval vessel. The USS Hornet Museum, in Alameda, requires more time, around an hour and a half, and centers on the history of the aircraft carrier. These are good choices if ships and military history interest you, but they are more specialized than the big museums.

For younger visitors, the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens offers a three-hour outing with more than 2,000 animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. It can fill a substantial part of the day, so allow time for the visit rather than squeezing it between distant attractions.

The Flyer is a brief, 10-minute flying-theater ride that simulates soaring over places such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown and Redwood National Park. It takes little time, but its short duration means you should compare its separate admission cost with the pass price before counting it as one of your limited choices.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area is in San Jose, not central San Francisco. Its indoor attractions include play areas, a 4D cinema and a LEGO-themed ride, and the suggested visit is about three hours. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord is another regional option, a seasonal water park with slides and a suggested visit of about three hours. Both can work as dedicated family days, but factor in the time and cost of getting there. Transportation is not included unless a specific activity says otherwise.

Make the savings add up

With a pass limited to two to five choices, every selection matters. A practical way to decide is to list your preferred activities, look up their current individual admission prices and add them together. Compare that total with the pass price for the number of choices you want. Do not assume the five-activity option is better value if you will use only three of its admissions.

The strongest combinations tend to pair activities you already want to do. For example, you might build a museum-and-cruise plan, or choose several family attractions that would otherwise be expensive. The Academy of Sciences, the Exploratorium and the Bay cruises are particularly easy to understand as pass choices because they offer clearly different kinds of outings. The right mix depends on your interests and the current roster.

The 30-day window is a real advantage if your stay is long enough to use it. You can spread visits out instead of racing from one attraction to the next. Still, check the exact activation and expiry terms shown at purchase. Some confusion can arise when a pass is bought through a third-party app and then marked as used after the first visit. Save the original confirmation, download the Go City app and keep the pass accessible on your phone. A printed copy is also permitted.

Reservations deserve attention. Popular activities may require them, and availability can limit your plans if you wait until the last minute. Read the digital guide or app instructions before you set out, and check opening times on the day. The pass is a tool for admission, not a guarantee that every attraction will have an open slot whenever you arrive.

One more point: this pass is not listed as a general public-transport ticket. It covers admission to selected attractions and tours, while transportation to and from them is not included unless stated. Budget separately for getting around, and do not count on the Explorer Pass for cable cars or Muni unless the current product terms explicitly say so.

Who should buy the Explorer Pass?

I would consider this pass if you already have at least two included attractions in mind, want the flexibility to visit over several days and are willing to check reservation rules. It can be especially useful for families and first-time visitors who plan to combine museums, a cruise or a bus tour. The broad menu also helps if your group has varied interests.

I would skip it if you are still unsure what you want to see, have only a short stop in town or would choose mostly low-cost activities. Compare prices first, check the current roster and reserve early where needed. Book when the numbers work for your actual plans, not because the idea of a bundle sounds convenient.

FAQ

How many activities can I choose?

You can choose a pass for two, three, four or five attractions or tours from the participating options.

How long is the pass valid?

The pass is valid for 30 days. Check the exact activation and expiry terms provided when you book.

What is the listed price?

The listed price is $79 per person. Prices and pass options can change, so confirm the current cost before purchase.

Can I use the pass on my phone?

Yes. The digital pass is available after purchase and can be saved to your phone. You can also download and print it at home.

Do I need to reserve activities in advance?

Some popular activities require advance reservations. Check the Go City app or digital guide for each attraction’s current instructions, and reserve early when required.

Are food and transportation included?

Food and drinks are not included unless specified. Transportation to and from attractions is also not included unless a particular activity states otherwise.

Are all the listed attractions in San Francisco?

No. Most options are in San Francisco, but LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area is in San Jose, and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord is in Concord. Check locations and plan your own transportation.