Top San Francisco Sightseeing Tours

With its iconic hills, architecture, bridge and bay, it’s no wonder so many movies have been filmed in San Francisco. See filming locations from numerous productions on this movie sites tour from Fisherman’s Wharf. Watch clips on the tour bus as you pass by the real locations with an informative actor-turned-guide who shares stories about the city and cinema history.

Combine three of the Bay Area's top attractions—Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods, and Sausalito—in a single tour from San Francisco. Enjoy comfortable transportation in a luxury small-group tour van, including a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge, so you can focus on the scenery instead of driving. Your Alcatraz admission includes the ferry ride and audio tour, with free time to explore Muir Woods and Sausalito at your own pace.

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.

See the best of San Francisco in one day on this guided tour that includes all transportation and admission to Alcatraz. Visit multiple locations in the city, including Chinatown, Presidio, Fisherman's Wharf, and Haight-Ashbury, with plenty of stops for photo ops. Cross the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy a hike through the beautiful redwood trees in Muir Woods. If you've upgraded, take the ferry to Alcatraz Island, where you can explore with an award-winning audio-guided tour of the former federal prison.

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.

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..

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.

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.

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.

From the spectacular rocky ocean waves to the iconic towns, Highway 1 from San Francisco provides an experience you rarely find. This tour combines the best of California in one day. We begin in Monterey Bay, that has unparalleled sea life. You may even spot a whale! You will have time for coffee at Cannery Row. Next is the famous 17-Mile Scenic Drive (including a stop at golf resort Pebble Beach). There will be photo stops at the Lone Cypress, Bird Rock, Lovers Point or Point Pinos. We visit the beach town of Carmel, home to celebrities such as Clint Eastwood, where you can visit quaint shops, artisinal bakeries and coffee shops. Lastly, we will see the Bixby Bridge and Hurricane Point, the iconic highlights of Big Sur. Depending on the time of the year, there may be a spectacular Northern California sunset over the ocean as we make our way back to San Francisco.

See all of San Francisco's top sights and attractions in one hassle-free way with this combination sightseeing package. With a 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass, you have the flexibility to explore the city at your own pace, including highlights such as Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, the Golden Gate Bridge, and more. This package also includes ferry admission tickets to Alcatraz Island, the Aquarium by the Bay, and a panoramic sunset tour.

Ride a GoCar all over San Francisco as it navigates for you and provides a guided tour. Take as long as you like to explore the city with a storytelling car as your guide. Learn all about the city as you visit spots such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Warf, Golden Gate Park, and much more.

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.

Discover the highlights of Yosemite Park in just one day with this hassle-free private tour from San Francisco. Travel by SUV or minivan and soak up the scenery on the drive to the park. At the park, see the top highlights such as the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Glacier Point, Tunnel View, Bridalveil Falls, Valley View, and more.

Immerse yourself in the majestic beauty of Yosemite National Park on this 2-day overnight adventure from San Francisco. Explore highlights of Yosemite Valley, hike among Giant Sequoias, photograph the spectacular views from Glacier Point, and swim or bike around the base of Yosemite Falls. Enjoy a mix of guided activities and free time to explore the famous park on your own, and stay overnight either in the heart of Yosemite Valley or at a nearby lodge.

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.

Embark on an exhilarating journey through history with our Alcatraz Highlights Tour! Step foot on the infamous island that once contained America's most notorious criminals and immerse yourself in the captivating tales of Alcatraz. Witness the chilling cells that housed Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly, as you explore the imposing cell blocks. Be captivated by the echoes of the past as you wander through the eerie corridors, and soak in the stunning panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline. Don't miss your chance to uncover the mysteries and legends of America's most infamous prison on our Alcatraz Highlights Tour - a thrilling adventure you won't ever forget! Don't worry about other people, this tour is completely tailored to you with the App! With our app, you can pause the tour, and check out the locations as long as you want! You can skip a stop you don't like, and you have all the best information about each stop at your fingertips.

Give yourself the best chance of spotting whales off San Francisco’s coast with a whale-watching cruise from Fisherman’s Wharf. Benefit from your naturalist guide's insights into marine wildlife while the crew members make use of their local knowledge to lead you toward gray, humpback, and blue whales, as well as seals, sea lions, and seabirds.

Getting from San Francisco to Muir Woods can be a real challenge without a car. Instead, enjoy a hassle-free way to travel with this round-trip shuttle service. Following morning or afternoon pickup at Fisherman’s Wharf, cross the Golden Gate Bridge and head to the woods, all while your driver shares insider facts and tips. Upon arrival (admission tickets own expense), enjoy free time to explore independently before returning to the city.

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.

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.

Get an overview of San Francisco's city sights and its nearby nature in one convenient tour. Learn about the city's neighborhoods from a Bay Area local, discovering spots you might otherwise miss. See the stunning redwood trees in Muir Woods National Monument, snap photos at Golden Gate Bridge, and enjoy free time to explore the waterfront at Sausalito.

See San Francisco with your own personal guide and customize the itinerary to suit your preferences. Explore one of California’s most exciting cities, known for its gorgeous location, Victorian architecture and diverse neighborhoods. Take a drive through Golden Gate Park to Ocean Beach and the cliffs at Lands End; stroll around Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39; check out the shops at Union Square or Embarcadero; and myriad other possibilities.