San Francisco · SAN FRANCISCO CITY TOURS

The 15 Best San Francisco City Tours

56 tours  ·  from $15 a head

Twin Peaks, the Painted Ladies, Lombard Street and the bridge viewpoints, in a van, a vintage bus or a fire engine. These 15 compare the stops, the group size and the price per seat.

San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with 17 Stops - Union Square, the museums, and Civic Center
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San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with 17 Stops

1.Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with 17 Stops

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,600 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $56Our pick

Ride an open-top bus past 17 San Francisco stops, from Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown to Haight-Ashbury and the Golden Gate Bridge. A 24- or 48-hour ticket lets you hop off and explore, with multilingual audio commentary on board. Bring a warm layer for the exposed bridge crossing.

“Just to be able to hop on and off and see so much of the city was brilliant - the last driver was fantastic we were on his happy bus and he made it great fun!”

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Yosemite Highlights & Giant Sequoias Day Tour from San Francisco - Tunnel View gives you the grand first look
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Yosemite Highlights & Giant Sequoias Day Tour from San Francisco

2.Yosemite Highlights & Giant Sequoias Day Tour from San Francisco

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,455 reviews · 14 to 15 hours (approx.) · from $219

Leave San Francisco before dawn for Yosemite’s Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Valley, El Capitan Meadow, and, when trail conditions allow, a walk among giant sequoias in Tuolumne Grove. A local guide handles the long drive and park stops, then gives you time to explore on your own. Expect a 14 to 15 hour day and a possible extra fee if you are not a U.S. resident.

“Hi just wanted to let you know that Robert was phenomenal yesterday!! The entire coach enjoyed with him!”

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Combo Tour: Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Grand City Tour - Lands End, Golden Gate Park, and Twin Peaks
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Combo Tour: Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Grand City Tour

3.Combo Tour: Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Grand City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,228 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $149

This 6.5-hour combo pairs a guided San Francisco coach tour with a ferry visit to Alcatraz. Expect short photo stops at places such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Lands End, and Twin Peaks, followed by the cellhouse audio tour, with voices from former staff and inmates. Guides including Michelle have led the city portion.

“The whole trip was very informative. The narrator was awesome. He knew the area very well. The bathroom at Golden gate Bridge was very nasty, other then that I recommend the tour”

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Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour - Three photo stops, with little time to linger
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Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour

4.Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,081 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $82Top rated

Ride through San Francisco in a small vintage Volkswagen bus, with a guide, snacks, bottled water, and music from the 1960s and 70s. The two-hour route passes Chinatown, North Beach, Haight-Ashbury, and more, with photo stops at the Palace of Fine Arts, the Painted Ladies, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Guides have included Jim, Jack, Caio, Kial, and Dominick.

“Super accommodating, worked well with an infant in lap. Jack was an amazing guide, would recommend it for everyone. Be sure to request Jack as your guide!”

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One Day in San Francisco: Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and SF City Tour - Pacific Heights and the city’s changing face
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One Day in San Francisco: Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and SF City Tour

5.One Day in San Francisco: Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and SF City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,445 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $129

Ride with a local guide through North Beach, Chinatown, Pacific Heights and other San Francisco highlights, then cross the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods and Sausalito. The day ends at Pier 33 for the Alcatraz ferry and prison audio tour. Groups are capped at 24; check whether your $129 booking includes the Alcatraz ticket.

“This is a really comprehensive city tour with lots of great information & recommendations. Lunch in Sausalito at the Barrel House was phenomenal”

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San Francisco Movie Sights City Tour - From the waterfront to the city’s famous scenes
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San Francisco Movie Sights City Tour

6.San Francisco Movie Sights City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,223 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

In about three hours, ride from Fisherman’s Wharf through San Francisco neighborhoods and movie locations, with film clips shown beside the real places. Your actor-turned-guide shares cinema and city stories, and the group is limited to 13. Stops include Fort Point, Alamo Square, and the Palace of Fine Arts.

“This trip was Very enjoyable Brian was very Knowledgeable and very pleasant. I would recommend this trip”

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San Francisco: Alcatraz Island & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour - Alcatraz: the main event
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San Francisco: Alcatraz Island & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

7.Alcatraz Island & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 647 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $120

Use a 48-hour Big Bus pass to explore San Francisco’s major neighborhoods, from North Beach and Haight-Ashbury to the Golden Gate Bridge. Your package also includes the Alcatraz ferry and cell-house audio tour, Aquarium of the Bay admission, a digital Chinatown walk, and a one-hour sunset bus tour. Alcatraz departure times are assigned, not chosen.

“Excellent service Alcatraz amazing experience and the hop on hop bus shows you around great areas in San Francisco would highly recommend”

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San Francisco Grand City Tour - The Palace of Fine Arts: a brief stop for a grand setting
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San Francisco Grand City Tour

8.San Francisco Grand City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 595 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $69

In about four hours, a driver-guide takes you from Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf past Golden Gate Park, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Golden Gate Bridge, Lands End, Twin Peaks and more. Expect clear city narration and short photo stops. Optional upgrades include a Bay cruise, a four-hour bike rental or Aquarium of the Bay admission.

“It was a great trip, booked last minute. Saw a lot of sights, the guide was excellent, very knowledgeable. The only thing I'd say is I wish the bus would pause, even for a few seconds so there is more opportunity to take photos when sights are pointed out.”

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San Francisco: Small-Group City Tour by Vintage VW Bus - Up the hills and into the neighborhoods
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San Francisco: Small-Group City Tour by Vintage VW Bus

9.Small-Group City Tour by Vintage VW Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 549 reviews · 2 hours · from $85

Ride through San Francisco in a restored vintage Volkswagen bus with a guide and no more than seven other passengers. In two hours, you’ll pass the Painted Ladies, Lombard Street, Haight-Ashbury, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the Golden Gate Bridge, with stops for photos. Guides such as Jim, Jack, Lily, and Caio bring local stories, music, and practical tips.

“WITHOUT A DOUBT, My wife and I agree this was the best part of our 3 day trip to THE CITY. (See Jack we didn’t say ‘Frisco’) Jack our bus driver and tour guide took us to great locations and gave us fun and pertinent information and pointed out possible places of interest to return later. I loved passing thru Haight Ashbury as I saw The Fillmore, a painting with Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jerry Garcia and the houses they lived in. My wife loved going by all the second hand shops as both of us our eager shoppers at those type of places. We also stopped at the…”

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Big Bus San Francisco: Sightseeing Sunset Tour by Open-Top Bus - The Bay Bridge, not a Golden Gate tour
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Big Bus San Francisco: Sightseeing Sunset Tour by Open-Top Bus

10.Big Bus San Francisco: Sightseeing Sunset Tour by Open-Top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 339 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

At 6:30 pm, board a double-decker bus near Fisherman’s Wharf for a roughly 90-minute sunset circuit through Chinatown, the Financial District, and the Embarcadero, then across the Bay Bridge to Treasure Island. Digital commentary plays through onboard headphones. Seats are first come, first served, and the open upper deck gets cold.

“We loved sitting on the top area of the bus! The tour guide was awesome! We saw places in San Francisco that we would have never seen on our own. Great tour with interesting information.”

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San Francisco Bay Adventure Sightseeing Cruise - Alcatraz, the Presidio and Fort Point
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San Francisco Bay Adventure Sightseeing Cruise

11.San Francisco Bay Adventure Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 339 reviews · from $109

Depart Pier 39 with a captain and a maximum of 11 other passengers for a 90-minute ride past Alcatraz, Coit Tower, Fort Point and the Golden Gate Bridge. The rigid inflatable boat gets you close to waterfront sights, while a West Marine jacket and Helly Hansen pants help with the wind and spray. Captains Charles and Brian have both led tours.

“Great trip, very fun and informative, the pants and jacket provided were perfect. Wish we have seen/heard about Alcatraz.”

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San Francisco Afternoon City Tour Small-Group Half-Day - From old military ground to the Palace of Fine Arts
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San Francisco Afternoon City Tour Small-Group Half-Day

12.San Francisco Afternoon City Tour Small-Group Half-Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 304 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $79

Cover San Francisco’s main sights in about 3.5 hours, with stops at Coit Tower, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Sutro Heights Park. Hotel pickup is offered in central areas, and a guide provides live commentary. Guides on recent tours have included Randy, Buddy, Eileen, Jerry, and Ulrich.

“Buddy was great. Very knowledgeable. And flexible . Plus it was a lovely day so the City looked good.”

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San Francisco Super Saver: Grand City Tour plus Muir Woods & Sausalito Day Trip - Palace of Fine Arts: a fairground fantasy
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San Francisco Super Saver: Grand City Tour plus Muir Woods & Sausalito Day Trip

13.San Francisco Super Saver: Grand City Tour plus Muir Woods & Sausalito Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 290 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $155

Pair a narrated San Francisco city tour with a 90-minute visit to Muir Woods and an hour in Sausalito. You’ll cross the Golden Gate Bridge, stop for city views, and ride in an air-conditioned coach. Muir Woods admission is included. The day uses two tours, so plan for a transition and possible wait between them.

“The tour was really good and informative. The quality of the coach was great. The drivers knowledge was great. 3 little things I personally did not like. 1: I was not aware that the tour was 2 tours with a 90 minute break in between until the day. Was a very long day and had I been aware of this I would not of booked this one instead done the city tour in the morning and the Muir woods on another day. 2: I had the front seat and my son and his dad the seat behind. At one stage my son asked me some questions and I turned to…”

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San Francisco Small Group City Highlights and Alcatraz Tour - The ferry ride to Alcatraz
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San Francisco Small Group City Highlights and Alcatraz Tour

14.San Francisco Small Group City Highlights and Alcatraz Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 265 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $195

Spend about four hours touring San Francisco in an open-sided safari-style vehicle with guide Eric, then take the included ferry to Alcatraz for a self-paced audio tour. Expect neighborhood stops, photo viewpoints and a route that can shift with weather and group interests. The group is capped at 12.

“Erik was a awesome. Great tour of San Francisco. Alcatraz was interesting and you could take your time.”

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Self-Guided Cable Car City Tour in San Francisco - Chinatown at a walking pace
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Self-Guided Cable Car City Tour in San Francisco

15.Self-Guided Cable Car City Tour in San Francisco

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 226 reviews · from $15Best value

Take a self-guided San Francisco cable car tour with the Pintours app, stopping at Union Square, Chinatown, Nob Hill, North Beach, and Fisherman’s Wharf. You can pause, skip stops, and explore at your own pace. The experience is private to your group, but it depends on app access and clear ticket instructions, so check those details before setting out.

“A really interesting way to see San Fran! The tour was very informative and really unique! Don’t forget to take time to visit the Wharf!”

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New in San Francisco City Tours

★ 4.5Private San Francisco City Tour and Muir Woods with SausalitoFrom $39011 reviews
★ 5.0Private Tour: San Francisco Sightseeing – 3 Hour4 reviews
★ 4.0San Francisco Private E-Bike Tour: City HighlightsFrom $1556 reviews
★ 5.0San Francisco Private City Tour in New EV Volkswagen Van5 reviews
★ 5.0San Francisco Private Group City Tour 2.5 Hours – Lucky Tuk TukFrom $22952 reviews
★ 5.0Lombard St Loop 50 Min Best City Highlights TourFrom $497 reviews
★ 5.0Fisherman’s Wharf Highlights Tour + Golden Gate Bay VoyageFrom $3411 reviews
★ 5.0Golden Gate Park’s Hidden Gems, Highlights and HistoryFrom $258 reviews
★ 5.0Private Full-Day San Francisco City Tour with Muir Woods (Max 6)From $41714 reviews
★ 4.0Mix & Save: San Francisco Grand City Tour + Escape from the Rock CruiseFrom $1096 reviews
★ 5.0Alcatraz Combo with San Francisco Private Group City TourFrom $2427 reviews
★ 3.0Alcatraz and City Tour ExpressFrom $1894 reviews
★ 4.0Official Alcatraz + San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off City TourFrom $17830 reviews
★ 5.0SFO Pick-Up with City Sightseeing Tour3 reviews
★ 5.0San Francisco City Tour in EV Volkswagen VanFrom $9528 reviews

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