The 15 Best VIP Experiences in San Francisco

1.San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,097 reviews · 1h 30m · from $90Our pick

Depart from Pier 39 on a 90-minute sunset sail aboard a 55- or 65-foot catamaran. You’ll pass Alcatraz, Sausalito, and the Golden Gate Bridge, with open-air trampoline nets, a sheltered viewing area, and one complimentary drink. The crew can help with photos, and jackets are available to borrow on some sailings.

“such a cool experience sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge on a Catamaran. I was thankful that they had coats for us to use as I underestimated the cold and wet while on the boat. Highly recommend to anyone that wants some good ole fun and beautiful sight seeing”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Skip The Bus: San Francisco By Luxury Van Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 800 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $116Top rated

This four-hour San Francisco tour travels by luxury van, with a maximum of 12 people and guide Brian sharing local stories along the way. Expect photo stops at the Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Painted Ladies, and Sutro Baths, plus neighborhood views and snacks from local merchants. It starts and ends near Fisherman’s Wharf.

“Small group. Brian is a very knowledgeable guide. See many major sites and a few bonus ones. Water and snack provided. Snacks were all from local merchants. 4 hours went by very fast. Great way to see the city.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Luxury Small-Group Wine Tour of Napa Valley

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 114 reviews · from $299

Spend 10 hours traveling from San Francisco to three Napa wineries in a small luxury vehicle. Tour Castello di Amorosa’s medieval-style castle, taste wines at V. Sattui and Ru Vango, and take a break for lunch in Calistoga. Guides such as Ben and Randall have led trips, but the guide and wineries may vary.

“We had a great time with our driver Randall, Who was providing plenty of details about wine, grapes, winery anda the whole área. Not only about that but about history, geography... We visited the Castle anda two more bodegas. Definitely was worth It.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Napa and Sonoma Private Wine Tasting Tour and Luxury Car Service

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 6 to 10 hours (approx.)

Set your own wine-country pace on a private 6-to-10-hour outing from San Francisco, with hotel pickup and a luxury vehicle for your group of up to four. Your driver can help shape the day around winery visits and lunch. Tastings and reservation fees cost extra, and you should confirm whether your plans include Sonoma as well as Napa.

“A private tour was ideal as we had limited time in SFO. Napa was fantastic, the recommendations were great and flexible. The car was very luxurious, it was a great day, worth spending a little extra fir the experience. Neil S. Australia.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Full-day Private San Francisco to Napa Valley Tour by Luxury Car

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · 6 hours (approx.)

Travel from San Francisco toward Napa Valley in a private luxury vehicle for up to four people. You choose the wineries, arrange any reservations, and pay tasting fees separately. Domaine Carneros is the named stop; your driver-guide may offer local pointers, though the level of guiding can vary. Pickup is offered, and the outing lasts about six hours.

“This is a car ONLY setup not a TOUR at all. I had to do all the work to setup the winery tours and itinerary. Clearly the title says Winery Tour. Be very careful, if you know where you want to go and want to setup,all the visits, then consider it. The driver was great and the ride was comfortable but I did not expect to do all the work. Viator needs to better screen its operators. None of the reviews state that you have to setup your own tours. Also, our driver knew nothing about the area and was quiet the entire trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.6-hour Private Luxury SUV Wine Tour in Napa Or Sonoma Valley

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · 6 hours (approx.)

Spend about six hours exploring Napa or Sonoma in a private luxury SUV for up to six people. You choose the winery stops, and your driver handles the roads, waits while you visit, and can offer local suggestions. Anthony is praised for responsive planning and helpful tips. Tastings and any fuel or out-of-area pickup fees cost extra.

“We had a fabulous experience! My conversation with Anthony was great. He was incredibly responsive and helpful every time we spoke. Our tour with Jovon was pleasant and very comfortable. I have zero complaints and highly recommend using them. I know I will again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.VIP Haunted Hotel Experience: Ghost Hunting plus Cocktail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $115

Start at Fior d’Italia at 8 pm for a cocktail and stories about the restaurant’s tragic past, then head to the San Remo Hotel for an hour of ghost hunting with a local guide and a range of investigation tools. The tour lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes, is capped at 10 people, and ends where it begins.

“Very friendly tour guide very knowledgeable and had some good experiences with the paranormal activity if you are a non believer this will definitely make you believe ghosts are real”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.San Francisco Luxury Van Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 21 reviews · 4 hours · from $116

Spend four hours touring San Francisco in a small group with an English-speaking local guide. Starting at Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf, you’ll see major landmarks and lesser-visited corners, with photo stops at places such as Alamo Square, Fort Point, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Sutro Baths. Bottled water and local snacks are included.

“Even we had a couple of different city tours in and around San Francisco within the last days, the tour today operated by Bryan was very special. He gave us very interesting and for us new perspectives and informations about the different parts of the city and a lot of tips for fancy restaurants and shops. Thank you for the enjoyable time! Brigitte”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Napa Valley Luxury Wine Tours & Car Services

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 6 hours (approx.)

This private Napa and Sonoma car service gives your group about six hours for winery visits, with pickup at San Francisco International Airport or an agreed location. Driver Anthony has been praised for clear communication and flexible planning, but your winery choices and pickup details should be confirmed before you go.

“Valley Luxury Car Services Was Amazing! Our Driver Anthony is the best driver we've had in a long time. He Was kind polite and very helpful our price was wrong and he still charged us what we where quoted. This guy had snacks, waters helped us pick out our wine tours great service all the way around. We will definitely will use this company again hopefully we get Anthony as our driver again. Thank you Valley luxury car services....”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.PRIVATE Luxury Transportation Experience – Napa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

You get about five hours in a private executive-class vehicle, with pickup from many Napa Valley hotels or rental properties. Choose and reserve your own wineries, pay tasting fees as you go, and ask your driver-host about local wine culture. Guides named Hardt, Lance, and Mark have led days in Sonoma and Napa wine country.

“Lance the tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable about Sonoma, and wine. I had a good time. I would recommend this tour to others with no doubt.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.PRIVATE Luxury Transportation Experience – Sonoma

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

You get about five hours of private transportation around Sonoma wine country, with pickup from a Sonoma Valley hotel or rental and a driver-host who can share local wine insight. You choose and reserve the wineries, pay tasting fees as you go, and set the pace. Doug, Anthony, Lance, RJ, Sam, and Hardt have hosted Grapeline outings, but no specific driver is guaranteed.

“Doug made our day special and added much to the experience. Having our own tour was just what we wanted! Thanks to the whole team.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Savor the Day: Private VIP Wine Tour & Tasting Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 7 hours (approx.)

Spend about seven hours with Chris on a private Napa and Sonoma wine tour for your group of up to two at the listed price. He plans three winery visits around your preferences, shares wine know-how along the way, and can arrange a picnic lunch prepared by his wife, a home chef. Tastings cost extra.

“Had a wonderful time on this tour with Chris. He kept us on time and made sure we had everything we needed. His wife’s lunch was spectacular. Highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Aquarium of the Bay VIP Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $61Best value

Start at 9:15 am for an early-access Aquarium of the Bay tour led by an aquarium guide. See the exhibits before public opening, ask about the animal-care team’s work preparing habitats, and finish with a video on river otter training. The group ranges from 3 to 25 people, and aquarium admission is included.

“It was a really awsome experience! Our guide was very friendly and told us so many things and stories about the Aquarium. We also had enough time for everything.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Private Full-Day Napa Wine Tour in a Luxury Vehicle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.)

Set your own Napa Valley pace in a private luxury vehicle for six or eight hours, with pickup and drop-off arranged to suit your plans. Your driver can suggest wineries, while concierge assistance helps schedule required reservations. Max, Alex, Viktor, and other drivers have been praised for friendly service and practical recommendations. Tastings and lunch cost extra.

“Our Driver was excellent. Very professional. We customized our experience to fully celebrate my Goddaughter’s birthday. His flexibility to ensure we enjoyed the day was great. Francis Ford Coppola Winery is a must to visit. The gentleman who booked our tour was very knowledgeable offering suggestions on wineries and checking to see if reservations were required. Will definitely use them in the future”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Winery and Vineyard Transportation in Luxury Full Size Black SUV

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · 6 to 12 hours (approx.)

A private chauffeur picks up your group for a 6-to-12-hour Napa or Sonoma wine-country outing in an air-conditioned black SUV. You choose wineries and pay tasting fees directly. The driver can suggest estate cellars and small family-run wineries, but you should reserve your visits in advance. Frank is the only named driver in the available details, not a guaranteed assignment.

“Frank was wonderful! Very polite and the trip went well! We got to all our destinations safely and would use them again!”

Check availability →Read our full review