The 14 Best San Francisco Helicopter & Seaplane Tours

1.Wine Country Join-in Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 237 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $315Our pick

Meet in Sonoma before sunrise for coffee, snacks, a safety briefing, and a hot-air balloon launch. Then drift for about an hour above vineyards in Sonoma, Carneros, and Napa, with views shaped by wind and weather. The roughly four-hour outing ends back at the meeting point with a champagne toast. Spanish-speaking pilots are available.

“The ride was beautiful, smooth and serene! Our pilot was very skilled and entertaining too. It was so fun to float above the vineyards.”

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2.San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 145 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $326

Seaplane Adventures takes you on an approximately 30-minute flight from Sausalito over the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, San Francisco and Marin County. Your pilot points out sights along the way, and every passenger gets a window seat. The plane holds no more than six people. City transportation may be available on request, so confirm arrangements before you go.

“It was a great tour, we had done the ground tour of San Francisco and this tour just brought it all together. I would highly recommend it.”

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3.Golden Gate Bridge Seaplane Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 128 reviews · 30 min · from $299

Take off from San Francisco Bay in an Alaska Bush seaplane for a 30-minute flight over the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island and the waterfront. The small group is limited to six, with a guaranteed window seat when you book through GetYourGuide. Meet at Seaplane Adventures, or select the Fisherman’s Wharf shuttle option.

“A stunning seaplane ride from Sausillito over the mountains around San Francisco Bay, over Alcatraz and San Quentin, past the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco. Great views and a very good pilot.”

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4.Golden Gate Helicopter Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 30 min · from $339

Meet your English-speaking pilot at Seaplane Adventures in Sausalito for a 30-minute helicopter flight over the Golden Gate Bridge, Ocean Beach, Alcatraz, Angel Island, and downtown San Francisco. The pilot gives a safety briefing and narrates the route. Flights are shared, with groups combined to meet operating requirements, and weather can affect departure.

“Good service with the owner and our helicopter pilot was amazing man good match”

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5.Airplane Elite San Francisco Flight Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · 50 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) · from $339

Take a private, roughly one-hour airplane tour from Hayward over Oakland, the Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco neighborhoods and SFO. Your pilot provides Bay Area commentary, and you get aerial photo angles you cannot reach on foot. It costs $339 per person, with at least two people required.

“Amazing experience highly recommend. Will definitely do it again. Pilot was super knowledgeable and polite.”

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6.Greater Bay Area Seaplane Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $376

Take off from Sausalito for a 45-minute seaplane circuit past the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods, Stinson Beach, Alcatraz, and Angel Island. Every seat has a window, and a pilot provides commentary. You can request a complimentary shuttle from Fisherman’s Wharf when booking. The flight is limited to six passengers, and the route can change with weather.

“Excellent adventure for locals and tourists alike. This flight was my birthday gift from my wife. The view was gorgeous all the way. The pilot was very friendly, explained the points of interest along the route. We flew all the way to Point Reyes, circled the lighthouse, watched the waterfalls, crossed above the Golden Gate and circled the downtown San Francisco, Angel Island and Alcatraz. The flight was smooth, and taking off and landing on the water was very unusual, definitely adding to the uniqueness of this experience.”

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7.Greater Bay Area Seaplane Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 45 min · from $349

From the water at Sausalito, fly with a pilot-guide over Point Bonita, Stinson Beach, Muir Woods, the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco’s waterfront. The 45-minute flight carries no more than six people. Shuttle service from Fisherman’s Wharf is optional; Aaron is one pilot who has led the tour.

“If I could have given more than 5 stars for this activity I would gladly have done so! We were blessed with perfect conditions, and Aaron our pilot/guide was fantastic, very knowledgeable about all of the areas below us, as well as being very witty. The tour was tinged with a hint of excitement, we've never been in a seaplane before, and the take off and landing were fabulous. Would heartily recommend this to anyone.”

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8.Seaplane Flight with Champagne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 40 min · from $389

Take a 40-minute flight from the Seaplane Adventures base in a small Alaskan bush plane, with a guaranteed window seat and champagne. The route passes over the Golden Gate Bridge, then Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, Aquatic Park, Angel Island, Tiburon, and Belvedere. Flights hold up to six people; a past flight was piloted by Bruce, though your pilot may differ.

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9.30-40 Minute Airplane San Francisco Bay Flight Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · 30 to 40 minutes (approx.) · from $289Best value

Take a private airplane flight from Hayward over Oakland, the Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Crissy Field, and San Francisco’s waterfront. The tour lasts about 30 to 40 minutes, with headsets for hearing your pilot. You need at least two people to book, and passenger weights must be provided in advance.

“Great experience my husband and I loved it. And the pilot was amazing we recommend this experience to anyone who likes a little adventure.”

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10.San Francisco 1-Hour Seaplane Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $426

Take a 60-minute seaplane flight from Sausalito with a professional pilot and up to five other passengers. Look down on Tomales Bay, Point Reyes, the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco’s landmarks, then land on the water at Richardson Bay. Shuttle transport from Fisherman’s Wharf is available if requested.

“It was a great and beautiful trip! We were able to see a lot of the coastline, Muir Woods and also flew over the Golden Gate, Alcatraz, Giants Stadium and the City of San Francisco. Great overview of the Bay Area!”

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11.Golden Gate Helicopter Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $339

Take a private, approximately 45-minute helicopter tour from Mill Valley with an experienced pilot and noise-canceling headset. You’ll fly over the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown San Francisco, City Hall, the Painted Ladies, and Alcatraz. The tour is in English and returns to its starting point. A pilot named Jhonatan has been praised for clear, attentive explanations, though you cannot request him based on the information provided.

“Beautiful helicopter tour seeing San Francisco from the top. The pilot explained and showed us the highlights and was very nice.”

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12.Airplane San Francisco Sunset Flight Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 30 to 40 minutes (approx.) · from $329

Take a private 30 to 40 minute airplane flight from Hayward, crossing the Bay Bridge and passing Treasure Island, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco’s waterfront. Headsets let you hear the pilot’s commentary. The plane seats up to three passengers, with a minimum of two required.

“The whole experience was great It was a little tricky to find out especially when you’re not from the area”

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13.From Sausalito: San Francisco and Alcatraz Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 20 min · from $339

From Seaplane Adventures in Sausalito, join a pilot-guide for a 20-minute helicopter flight over the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, downtown San Francisco and Angel Island. The route also passes Oracle Park and Crissy Field. Pilot John has led one reported flight, but your pilot may differ. Expect a small shared group and a big change in perspective.

“The was one of the best experiences ever. Absolutely stunning! Our pilot was awesome, knew a ton, and was hilarious! (For the record, I get vertigo driving over bridges sometimes and was completely fine once we were up. I’m soooo glad I didn’t let that stop me from booking, bc it almost did.)”

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14.Alcatraz City Sites Helicopter Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) · from $339

Take an approximately 50-minute private helicopter tour from Mill Valley, with a pilot guide, English commentary, and a noise-canceling headset. Look for Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Angel Island, and the city’s waterfront from above. The tour returns to its starting point, and the maximum passenger weight is 220 pounds.

“Perfect tour of the area in a small helicopter with a great pilot Mile! Appreciate all the views and a new knowledge”

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