Top San Francisco Arts & Design

Take a journey around San Francisco's top sights in a retro way with this small-group tour by vintage Volkswagen bus, decorated with long eyelashes so you can't miss your tour vehicle. You'll pass by neighborhoods like Chinatown, Union Square, Pacific Heights, North Beach, Haight-Ashbury, the Marina, and Hayes Valley, plus see the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Civic Center, and more.

Go beyond the movies and gain a deeper understanding of the man behind some of the world’s most beloved animated characters at The Walt Disney Family Museum. Located in San Francisco’s historic Presidio, the museum brings Walt Disney’s life and creative legacy into focus through early cartoons, films, personal stories, and recordings in his own voice. Before you leave, take in sweeping views of San Francisco Bay from the museum’s glass-walled galleries.

See San Francisco’s most famous waterfront landmarks from the water on a bay cruise that combines iconic views with onboard flexibility. Sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, pass Alcatraz Island, and take in panoramic views of the city skyline while listening to stories and insights through an app-based audio guide. With skip-the-line boarding and indoor and outdoor viewing areas, it’s an easy way to experience the bay from a different perspective.

Enjoy easy skip-the-line access to the California Academy of Sciences with this pre-paid ticket. Walk right in to explore the museum's 4-story rainforest, planetarium, and aquarium, plus the new Tiny Chef, Big Impact exhibit celebrating small actions for the planet.

Prebook general admission to San Francisco’s de Young Museum—located in Golden Gate Park, and home to one of the city’s most prominent art collections—and have the freedom to explore its galleries at your own pace with this convenient visiting option. Upgrade your ticket to include entrance to the Special Exhibits. With your ticket, you can also enjoy same-day entry to the Legion of Honor Museum at no extra cost.

Ensure a smooth visit to San Francisco’s Exploratorium by pre-booking your admission ticket. Pass by ticket lines and spend more time engaging your senses and delve into a world of discovery through hundreds of interactive exhibits for the whole family. Explore the amazing realms of physics, anatomy, human perception, and Earth’s ecosystems through inquiry-based displays that delight and inform visitors of all ages.

Explore one of California's most iconic settings from the beauty of San Francisco Bay. This narrated Golden Gate Bay cruise journeys alongside Alcatraz and Angel Island State Park, past the shores of Sausalito and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. You can choose to view the sights from inside your boat or out on deck.

Check out the Painted Ladies on this private tour in San Francisco. These popular homes aren’t open all the time, so grab your chance to view them on this tour. Your guide will tell you all about the history of the interiors and the families who lived inside the homes. Tour for around an hour, and then you are free to continue exploring San Francisco.

The American Bookbinders Museum in San Francisco invites visitors to explore the rich history and craft of bookbinding. Open Tuesday through Saturday, this unique museum showcases hand-binding tools from the 1600s to the industrial machines of the 1800s. Engage with self-guided and audio tours, featuring interactive exhibits and hands-on activities that enhance your understanding of book creation. Discover special rotating exhibits like 'Design for a Modern Century,' reflecting the influence of Art Deco on book arts. This museum is perfect for book lovers and history enthusiasts looking to appreciate the art of bookmaking.

Sail across San Francisco Bay at twilight to admire the skyline as it begins to light up for the night, and enjoy a perspective on the skyline that few other visitors get to see. With an experienced captain at the helm, you’ll glide past Alcatraz Island and cruise underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. As you go, you can also enjoy one complimentary beverage to accompany your sightseeing, or purchase additional drinks from the onboard bar.

Ride a double-decker sightseeing bus to San Francisco's most famous landmarks with a hop-on hop-off bus pass valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours. Visit big-name attractions such as Pier 39, the Palace of Fine Arts, and Union Square. Explore at your own pace, hopping off at any of the stops along two routes. Upgrade to the 48-hour tour for a digital Chinatown walking tour and a panoramic sunset tour, or the 72-hour tour, which also includes a bay cruise.

Beyond the tie-dye and neon, the Haight-Ashbury is a masterpiece of redwood and revolution. This 2.5-hour tour reveals the neighborhood’s true soul through three lenses: its world-class Victorian architecture, a six-decade legacy of street art, and the raw history of the 1960s counterculture—minus the nostalgia. We’ll explore grand Victorian estates that rival the famous Painted Ladies, uncovering why these communal spaces became the literal infrastructure for a social uprising. You’ll walk past musicians' homes and iconic murals—including the city’s oldest—to see how a "rejection" of the status quo birthed a new aesthetic in art and sound. From the highs of the "Free" philosophy to the darker realities of the era’s decline, this is an insider’s look at how one neighborhood’s built environment fueled a global shift. Perfect for those seeking the wider story behind the legendary addresses.

Visit two of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most popular destinations without the hassle of driving, parking, or securing reservations on your own. Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge to explore the towering redwoods of Muir Woods, then spend time in Sausalito, known for its waterfront views, art galleries, and laid-back charm. Return to San Francisco by coach or choose the flexibility of a ferry ride across the bay.

Hop on a '70s-era VW bus and get to know the hippie past and hipster vibe that make up San Francisco today. Starting and ending at Fisherman's Wharf, this sightseeing tour takes you around the city, including Chinatown, North Beach, the Castro, the Mission, downtown and more. See the homes of The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, while listening to '60s classics. So settle into a neon-blue seat and dig your shoes into groovy shag carpet. Each bus accommodates up to just six people.

Pair science with San Francisco nightlife and you have NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences. Prebooking your admission ticket is the perfect, child-free way to explore the museum after hours. Make your way inside and enjoy a lively venue of music, provocative science, and exhibits. Each special program changes weekly and is well worth exploring.

Explore Alcatraz Island like never before with this exclusive package that includes official admission and round-trip ferry tickets. Accompanied by a unique companion audio guide, your journey unfolds with captivating narratives about the island’s history, hidden gardens, and powerful stories of resistance. From the moment you board the ferry at Pier 33 to your return, enjoy immersive storytelling that enhances the official Cellhouse audio tour. This experience reveals insights often missed, providing a deeper understanding of transformation within this historic site. At checkout, you can select the Alcatraz Night Tour option, which includes evening ferry service, guided introductions by park rangers, and access to areas not open during the day. With fewer visitors and special programs, the night tour offers a more intimate and immersive experience of the island. Night option is not available Sundays and Mondays. This is a self-guided tour with an exclusive audio companion guide.

Enjoy a fun and flexible way to explore one of San Francisco’s most colorful neighborhoods on this self-led audio tour of Haight-Ashbury. Upon booking, download the app and receive lifetime access to the audio tour. Set off at a time that works best for you, departing from the Golden Gate Bridge. Check off the sights at your own pace, from the Hippie Temptation House to the Four Seasons Houses and beyond.

Savor the best of Napa and Sonoma wine country with ease on this full-day tour from San Francisco. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge, enjoy scenic photo stops, and visit renowned wineries in Napa and Sonoma. Taste award-winning wines, explore charming Sonoma Plaza, and discover gems that can include Artesa Winery and Madonna Estate. Enjoy guided commentary, round-trip transport, and tastings, making this tour a relaxing and memorable one.

What's best about this tour: This is a black SUV, holds up to 4 passengers, your party only will participate in the tour. You'll see: Sonoma Valley is large and beautiful with many unique valleys, vineyards. It's your day: Fully flexible to stop at wineries or locations you choose. You may stay as long as you like at any stop which will determine how many stops on your tour. Wine tasting fees are not included and reservations are generally requested in advance. If you would like assistance in securing tasting reservations, please contact us directly at least 7 days prior to your tour. Please forward any reservation times to us to help plan your tour day. PLEASE PRINT THIS PAGE SO YOU WILL HAVE WINERY LOCATIONS FOR MAKING TASTING RESERVATIONS. THIS IS A SHORTER VERSION OF OUR OTHER TOURS AS IT STARTS AND ENDS IN SAN FRANCISCO WHICH USES SUBSTANTIAL DRIVE TIME ON YOUR TOUR.

Uncover San Francisco’s haunted history on this thrilling ghost-hunting tour, complete with your own EMF detector. Explore eerie alleys, historic neighborhoods, and infamous sites like Gold Rush cemeteries and Chinatown’s old red-light district, while hearing chilling tales of paranormal activity, murders, and mysterious deaths. Perfect for thrill-seekers, this tour blends ghost stories with true crime and the city’s darker past.

Explore the vibrant and historic San Francisco Chinatown at your own pace on this self-guided walking tour. As the oldest Chinatown in North America, this neighborhood offers a rich tapestry of stories, from the resilient spirit of its early immigrants to the lively markets and serene temples that define its character today. Discover iconic sites like the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory and hidden gems tucked away in lantern-lit alleys. Engaging narration will illuminate the cultural significance of this unique community, providing a fresh perspective on a beloved destination that tourists often overlook. — Self-guided tour allows you to explore at your own pace — Visit historic landmarks and hidden corners of Chinatown — Discover the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory — Engaging stories bring the cultural heritage of Chinatown to life

Peek behind the scenes at the California Academy of Sciences with VIP tickets to the Thursday NightLife—an adults-only event that proves museums aren’t just for kids. Sip cocktails and nibble hors d'oeuvres at a private reception, then go inside “The Vault” to see glittering gemstones and prehistoric treasures not on view to the general public. You’ll also take a walk on the wild side with express entry to the Osher Rainforest dome and get starry-eyed during a planetarium show.

Save time and money with the San Francisco CityPASS®, which gives you admission to your choice of four top attractions: the California Academy of Sciences and Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay Cruise, de Young Museum + Legion of honor, Aquarium of the Bay, Exploratorium, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art — SFMOMA, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, or The Walt Disney Family Museum.