Top San Francisco Historical Tours

San Francisco is home to so many enchanting neighborhoods that it can be challenging to explore them all. On this small-group walking tour, visit Chinatown and North Beach, two of the city’s most storied districts, in about a half day of sightseeing. Learn about culture and traditions from your local guide, and stop for generous food tastings—from tea and dim sum in Chinatown to fresh cannoli in one of North Beach's oldest bakeries.

Bypass the line and head directly to the gate with your prebooked tickets for this San Francisco Bay sightseeing cruise. This sunset cruise takes you across the bay with outstanding views of the city skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz Island. Relax while background music sets the tone. Watch the sunset or select a city lights cruise during winter months.

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.

Take in panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline and Alcatraz Island, and sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, on a relaxing San Francisco Bay cruise. Sit indoors or savor cool bay breezes from an outdoor deck and experience San Francisco in a new way. This ticket allows you to skip the line and go straight to the gate. Access an audio guide via your smartphone or other device.

San Francisco's rollicking, rags-to-riches history has left plenty of haunted happenings in its wake, so explore the city's more sinister side on a walking ghost tour. Visit some of San Francisco's most historic and allegedly haunted locations on and around Nob Hill, once the epicenter of San Francisco high society. Learn trivia and hidden history that you won't find in any guidebook on this ghoulishly fun, after-dark adventure.

Enjoy two quintessential experiences when you visit Alcatraz Island and cruise the San Francisco Bay—and make exploring simple—with this convenient tour package. First, depart from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island; after a ranger talk, you can explore at your own pace with an audio guide. Upon returning to the mainland, hop aboard your next cruise from Pier 39 and look forward to getting up close and personal with the Golden Gate Bridge.

Experience visiting an unforgettable experience that combines history, mystery and incredible views. It is a bucket list San Francisco experience.This tour guarantees admission to Alcatraz Island. Secure this experience because it often times sells out weeks in advance.You will also receive the free appetizer of the day at the iconic Mona Lisa Restaurant and Steps of Rome Trattoria with an entree purchase.

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.

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.

If you fancy yourself a foodie or culture enthusiast, don’t miss this walking tour of San Francisco’s Little Italy—the neighborhood of North Beach. Voted one of the 15 best foodie tours in the USA by U.S. News, join an insider guide and experience a slice of the top things to do in North Beach, such as tasting coffee and witnessing bread being freshly made. Soak up the lively atmosphere of one of the city’s most popular districts as you learn about its cafes and bakeries and see landmarks like Saints Peter and Paul Church.

Avoid the crowds, confusion, and limitations of large buses and discover San Francisco by luxury minivan. This half-day, small-group tour takes offers the perfect city overview. Stop for photo opportunities at some of San Francisco's most popular attractions, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Twin Peaks, and learn more from your guide's stories. By the end of the tour, you'll have seen the best of the City by the Bay.

We are the only company in San Francisco offering a round-trip, direct shuttle from San Francisco to the majestic Red Woods in Muir Woods! Enjoy stunning scenery and gorgeous walking trails upon arrival. • Spend up to 90 minutes walking around the majestic Muir Woods Red Wood National Monument, home to some of the oldest living things in the world. • Cross the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge, declared "one of the 10 wonders of the modern world." • Our local guide will share history and recommendations along the route, while you sit back and relax during the ride. • Drive through Sausalito with a chance to view this artists’ enclave. If you take the morning departure, you have the option to stay in Sausalito and take the ferry back to Fisherman's Wharf. Ferry ticket not included • NO ferry, NO taxi, NO Uber = No waiting around! Let Dylan’s take care of all of your transportation needs.

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.

This fun, family friendly open air 90 Min Tour is the best and easiest way to experience San Francisco’s top highlights. Departing from Fisherman's Wharf, you’ll ride down world-famous Lombard Street, descend ultra-steep Filbert Street, and enjoy an iconic Golden Gate Bridge photo stop. Travel through Little Italy and Chinatown, pass filming spots from Mrs. Doubtfire, Bullitt, The Rock, and Dirty Harry, and catch views of the iconic Cable Cars climbing our steepest hills. You’ll also explore Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, the Marina, Fort Mason, the Presidio, and more—plus four scenic photo stops at the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, and Pacific Heights. Perfect for guests short on time but big on adventure. Would you like to visit Alcatraz? Upgrade to our 90 Min Tour with Alcatraz option! Do you prefer a Private Tour, select 1 passenger and book a private vehicle for up to 7 passengers!

Unlock the best of San Francisco, without breaking the bank, with this convenient package. Bundle your Alcatraz excursion with a bike rental to cruise the atmospheric streets and landmarks, a guided bus tour across the legendary Golden Gate Bridge, or a relaxing Bay cruise to see the sights from the water. Then, take the ferry to Alcatraz with your prepaid ticket—a great way to avoid waiting in sold-out lines—and tour "the Rock" at your own pace with your included audio tour.

Discover the spooky tales of San Francisco's past and pass by places that are said to be haunted when you embark on this ghost tour in the Pacific Heights district. Walk about one mile at a moderate pace with your guide who shares stories of the ghosts, unsolved crimes, and hauntings that linger in the supernatural world of Pacific Heights. You’ll take scenic streets lined with Victorian architecture, and get great views along the way.

This convenient package gives you access to two separate essential San Francisco experiences—a visit to Alcatraz Island, and a sightseeing cruise. Instead of waiting in long ticket lines, this time-saving option helps you explore San Francisco more efficiently. Take a ferry to Alcatraz Island where you can go inside the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary and enjoy an audio guide. A San Francisco Bay cruise is also included with views of Pier 39's sea lions, the waterfront area, and the city's skyline. Please note, children 4 years old and younger do not need purchased tickets.

Delight your taste buds on a small-group walking food tour of North Beach, known as San Francisco's Little Italy. The abundance of cafés and bakeries can make it difficult to decide, but your guide will take you to some of the best eateries loved by locals for authentic Italian pastries, coffee, garlic-infused dishes, pizza, and cocktails. Along the way, learn about the history of this vibrant neighborhood, from its Italian roots to Beat poetry legends.

Stroll the narrow streets and back alleys of San Francisco's Chinatown on this small-group walking tour. Explore local markets and savor tastings that add up to a full lunch, including tea, fortune cookies, dim sum, crispy Peking duck, and other specialties. Listen to guided commentary and ask questions as you discover the neighborhood's rich culture and flavors.

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.

Enjoy a scenic drive from San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge before you explore the natural beauty at Muir Woods National Monument. The picturesque views don’t stop there, as your tour will continue on to Sausalito's waterfront. Explore the charming city with some leisure time as you see stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and downtown San Francisco.

Visit San Francisco’s historic Presidio District, and learn about the man behind the Disney classics, when you prebook admission tickets to The Walt Disney Family Museum. Benefit from seamless admission, and then admire Walt’s early cartoons and films, hearing about his life through videos and narration from the animator himself. Don’t forget to check out views of the Bay from the museum’s glass wall before you go.

Experience the perfect way to discover and explore the vibrant City by the Bay with a convenient hop-on hop-off bus tour. This flexible sightseeing option allows you to travel at your own pace, stopping at all of San Francisco’s must-see landmarks and attractions. The bus route covers all major points of interest, including the breathtaking Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Union Square, Lombard Street, and the historic cable car lines. With frequent stops at these popular destinations, you have the freedom to hop off wherever you want to explore further, take photos, shop, or enjoy local dining. When you’re ready, simply hop back on the next bus to continue your adventure. Each bus is equipped with informative commentary, sharing fascinating stories and history about San Francisco’s landmarks, neighborhoods, and culture—enhancing your sightseeing experience. The tour offers the convenience of a single ticket that grants you unlimited rides for a full day..