San Francisco CityPASS®: Save 46% at 4 Top Attractions

San Francisco CityPASS bundles four admissions into one purchase, with a generous nine-day window to use them. The key is choosing the two optional stops that suit your plans, rather than treating the pass as a checklist you must race through.

I like the flexibility of mixing a full day at a museum or zoo with the one-hour bay cruise, and I like that mobile tickets can be scanned at each attraction. The pass costs $89, with savings advertised up to 46 percent, so its value depends on how many included admissions you actually use.

One consideration: you get only two choices from a list of five, and transportation and food are not included. If you have little time in San Francisco, compare the individual admission prices for your exact picks before buying.

Key points

• Two admissions are fixed: California Academy of Sciences and a one-hour narrated Blue & Gold Fleet bay cruise.
• You choose two more: Options include the Exploratorium, Aquarium of the Bay, SFMOMA, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, and the Walt Disney Family Museum.
• Nine days gives you breathing room: The validity period starts with your first use, not necessarily the day you buy the pass.
• Tickets arrive on your phone: Present the CityPASS mobile ticket at each attraction for scanning.
• The savings depend on your plans: The pass can save up to 46 percent, but unused admissions do not help your value.
• Check reservations before setting out: Use my.citypass.com to see which attractions require reservations and to check current details.

Four admissions, with room to set your own pace

This is not a guided city tour with a set route or departure time. CityPASS is an admission bundle: you decide which attractions to visit and in what order, then show your mobile ticket at each entrance.

Two parts of the pass are fixed. You get general admission to all exhibits at the California Academy of Sciences, plus a one-hour narrated cruise on San Francisco Bay with Blue & Gold Fleet. For your other two admissions, choose from five options. Each attraction is valid for one-time entry unless otherwise noted.

That structure works well if you prefer to arrange your days around your interests. You could pair the Academy with the Exploratorium for a science-focused visit, or choose the zoo and SFMOMA for a mix of outdoor and indoor time. You can also spread the four admissions across the full nine days instead of trying to fit them into one packed stretch.

The pass does not include transport, meals, or drinks. Keep those costs in your own budget, and check how each attraction fits with where you are staying and what else you plan to do. CityPASS supplies the admissions, not a complete day-by-day itinerary.

At the California Academy of Sciences

The Academy is one of the two required stops, and general admission covers all exhibits. That makes it the anchor attraction for anyone who wants a substantial indoor visit rather than a quick look at a single exhibit.

The attraction details provided do not specify how long to spend there, so let your interests and schedule guide you. The nine-day validity period means you do not have to squeeze the Academy and the other three admissions into a single day. If you want time to see more than one exhibit, give the visit the room it needs.

For families, the Academy can make a useful shared stop, particularly if adults and children have different ideas about what makes a good day. The pass itself does not describe age limits or child admission rules for every attraction, so check the individual requirements before relying on one child ticket to cover everyone.

The bay cruise brings the city into view

The included Blue & Gold Fleet trip is a one-hour narrated cruise on San Francisco Bay. It is the pass’s clearest change of pace: instead of walking through exhibits, you see the bay from the water while listening to narration.

A short cruise can fit into a busy itinerary more easily than a long excursion. You may also find it helpful early in your stay, when seeing the city from the bay gives you a broader sense of its setting. The ticket covers one cruise, so check current departure and reservation details before you build the rest of your day around it.

The narration is a useful feature for anyone who likes context while taking in a view. Still, this is a one-hour outing, not a full-day boat trip, and the pass does not include food or transportation to the departure point. Plan accordingly, especially if you are connecting it with another attraction.

Choose two attractions that match your interests

Your two optional admissions are where the pass becomes personal. Think about what you would pay to visit on its own, how much time you have, and whether the attraction fits the rest of your plans. You do not need to pick the most famous-sounding options; you need to choose the two you are most likely to use.

• Exploratorium: General admission is included. Pick it if an interactive museum visit is a better fit for your group than another conventional museum stop.
• Aquarium of the Bay: This option provides general admission. It can be a natural choice if you want another focused indoor attraction, though compare its individual ticket price with the $89 pass before deciding.
• San Francisco Zoo & Gardens: General admission is included. The zoo and gardens may appeal if you want an outdoor visit, but allow for the time and transport that a larger attraction can require.
• SFMOMA: The pass includes general admission. Choose it if modern art is a priority for your trip; check the museum’s current admission details and any reservation requirements.
• The Walt Disney Family Museum: General admission is included. This gives you an option with a specific subject focus, which may be a strong fit for Disney fans or families interested in the museum’s material.

Those descriptions are deliberately broad: the pass information confirms admission, but does not promise particular exhibits, galleries, or programs. Attraction offerings and ticket inclusions can change, so check the current details before you go.

Is $89 a worthwhile price?

The advertised maximum saving is 46 percent, but your own savings depend on your choices and how many admissions you use. At $89, the simplest test is to compare the regular prices of the Academy, the cruise, and your two selected attractions with the pass price. If those individual tickets would cost more, the pass is doing its job.

One purchaser described using the pass for three admissions, including the Academy, Exploratorium, and cruise, and still finding it worthwhile. Another said that visiting five attractions made for good value, though the pass itself includes four admissions. These examples point to a practical rule: calculate with the admissions you will actually use, not the maximum savings figure.

Even when the arithmetic is close, there is a convenience factor. One purchase gives you mobile tickets for the included attractions, and a purchaser reported that PDF tickets scanned without trouble. That is useful, but it does not mean every venue will have no line or that reservations can be skipped. Check the CityPASS site for current requirements.

If your schedule is tight, you may not use all four admissions. A buyer who expected to use only three still found the purchase worthwhile, but that will not be true for everyone. Compare the individual admission prices and consider whether the extra convenience is worth any small difference.

Use the nine-day window strategically

The pass is valid for nine consecutive days starting with your first use. It expires within one year of purchase if you do not activate it sooner. That long window gives you room to place attractions on different days, take a break between visits, or account for changes in your schedule.

Because the days run consecutively once you start, avoid activating the pass far ahead of your first planned attraction. Check your calendar first, then use the pass when you are ready to begin its nine-day period. The exact order is up to you, but it is sensible to confirm reservation requirements before choosing dates.

Attraction details and inclusions can change. Before departure, check my.citypass.com for ticket access, reservation information, and current details for each stop. Keep your phone ticket ready to present for scanning at each attraction.

Children, access, and a few practical limits

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. If access needs affect your plans, contact the attractions directly for current details about the facilities and specific visit arrangements.

Child admission needs extra attention. If you select an infant free ticket rather than buying a child CityPASS, some attractions may require separate child admission tickets based on age, and you may need to make reservations for those tickets separately. Children below the age specified for a child CityPASS can still use a child pass. Buying individual child tickets ahead of time may help you avoid the main ticket lines.

The pass does not cover transport, food, or drinks, so those are separate costs. It offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve now and pay later. Check the terms presented at purchase in case they have changed.

Who should book San Francisco CityPASS?

I would consider this pass if you already want to visit the Academy and take the bay cruise, then can name two optional attractions you genuinely want to see. It is especially useful if you value having nine days to spread out your visits and prefer phone tickets over buying each admission separately.

I would pause if you are unsure about the optional attractions, have only a short stay, or expect to use fewer than four admissions. The pass may still be worthwhile with three, but the numbers deserve a quick check. Compare individual prices, confirm reservations, and make sure your chosen stops fit your schedule.

For a flexible visit built around four specific attractions, CityPASS is a straightforward way to bundle admissions and potentially save money. If you are buying it mainly because the maximum discount sounds impressive, do the arithmetic first. A pass is only good value when its attractions are your attractions.

FAQ

What does San Francisco CityPASS include?

It includes general admission to the California Academy of Sciences and a one-hour narrated Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay cruise. You also choose two admissions from Aquarium of the Bay, the Exploratorium, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, SFMOMA, and the Walt Disney Family Museum.

How long is the CityPASS valid?

It is valid for nine consecutive days starting with the first use. It expires within one year of purchase if you have not activated it.

How much does the pass cost?

The listed price is $89 per person. The stated maximum saving is up to 46 percent.

Do I have to visit the attractions in a particular order?

No order is specified. You choose when to visit each included attraction, within the nine-day validity period.

How do I use the tickets?

Present your CityPASS mobile ticket at each attraction for scanning. You can access tickets and attraction details through my.citypass.com.

Do I need to make reservations?

Reservations may be required at some attractions. Check my.citypass.com for the current requirements before you go.

Are transportation and meals included?

No. Transportation, food, and drinks are not included.

Can I use an infant free ticket instead of a child CityPASS?

You can select an infant free ticket, but some attractions may require separate child admission tickets based on the child’s age. You may also need to reserve those tickets separately.

Is the pass wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Contact the attractions directly for details about access at each specific venue.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.