Top San Francisco Outdoor Activities

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.

Guarantee your entry to the Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco, so you spend less time waiting and more time enjoying its aquatic attractions. Get direct access to all of the aquarium’s main exhibit areas, including interactive exhibits, as well as walk-through glass tunnels where schools of anchovies and fluorescent jellyfish swim overhead and around you.

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.

Guarantee your seat aboard the Privateer, your sailboat, when you prebook a scenic cruise along the San Francisco Bay. As you set off on the water, you'll enjoy sightseeing at the most beautiful time of day—sunset. Coast along and look out for local landmarks like Alcatraz, the Sausalito shoreline, and the Golden Gate Bridge, all with two drinks of your choice in your hand.

Glide across San Francisco Bay with unlimited mimosas and Champagne on this weekend brunch cruise. Perfect for both locals and visitors, this boat trip offers a new perspective on the city. Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, pass Alcatraz Island, and see the city skyline from the deck. As you float along, enjoy a generous, fresh buffet and onboard music to keep the mood festive.

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.

Check off several towns and landmarks along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, all without the stress of driving or having to hire a car, with this full-day small-group tour from San Francisco. Take in the coastal views, and enjoy free time in Monterey and Carmel-by-the Sea, along with scenic stops at 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, Bird Rock Vista Point, and more.

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.

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 Sonoma Valley wine on a small-group tasting tour from San Francisco to boutique wineries, making sightseeing stops along the way. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge, enter Sonoma's rolling landscape of golden hills and vineyards, and enjoy a series of guided tastings, learning about Sonoma wine varietals and terroir as you sip. After your time in Sonoma, pause in the artists' colony of Sausalito, with the option to return to San Francisco by ferry for great views across the San Francisco Bay.

See San Francisco’s top attractions from the water on this 1.5-hour tour by rigid inflatable boat. Your guide will provide gear to keep you dry and warm as you take off from Pier 39. Pass the infamous prison of Alcatraz, Coit Tower, the Presidio and glide under the Golden Gate Bridge while your captain provides insightful narration. Numbers are limited to 12 people to keep this small-group tour as intimate as possible.

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.

Experience the majesty of Northern California’s coastal Sequoia trees, and enjoy a hassle-free way to explore, on this half-day tour from San Francisco. After boarding your vehicle, drive across the Golden Gate Bridge and straight to Muir Woods. Benefit from included admission tickets and free time to explore some of the tallest redwood trees at your own pace. Then stop for lunch in Sausalito (own expense) before returning to the city via bus.

Combine an Alcatraz visit with your choice of a bike rental, sightseeing bus pass, or Bay with this convenient combo. Head out to Alcatraz on the ferry with your prepaid ticket; buying in advance avoids sold-out days or times, which are frequent. Explore the island with an included audio tour, then head back to San Francisco to explore further on your own with a bike rental, bus tour, or cruise.

California’s Muir Woods National Monument and its towering old-growth redwood trees sit just north of San Francisco. With this tour, save an estimated two hours searching for parking or waiting at the visitor center’s long lines, and explore the protected area at your own pace. This leaves enough time for your quick stop at the Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point, plus free time in Sausalito.

This small-group tour is an easy way to tick off some of San Francisco’s dispersed highlights. See Muir Woods, Sausalito, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Battery Spencer in a day—without having to figure out bus timetables or plan logistics. Instead, head off in a spacious van, and enjoy a tour that combines guided segments with free time for independent exploring.

Experience Yosemite National Park without the challenge of a long drive from San Francisco or the hassle of planning a day’s sightseeing on your own. Travel by coach to some of the park’s most iconic viewpoints, including Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Valley, with time to explore independently. It’s an easy way to combine guided sightseeing with the freedom to experience Yosemite at your own pace.

Experience some of the Bay Area’s top attractions all in one day on this combo Alcatraz and Muir Woods tour with a stop in Sausalito. At Muir Woods National Monument, stare in wonder at the coastal redwoods, some of the tallest trees on Earth. Soak up the charm of seaside Sausalito, and experience Alcatraz with a ferry ride to the former island prison and a cell house audio tour.

An electric bike is a perfect way to explore San Francisco, with a battery-powered boost to take you up and down the city's famous hills without breaking a sweat. Go further than on a walking tour to explore diverse neighborhoods like the Mission, Haight-Ashbury, Fisherman's Wharf, and Golden Gate Park. A tour guide handles the navigation and shares SF trivia along the way.

Experience Alcatraz from the water while uncovering the stories that made “The Rock” one of America’s most infamous prisons. Rather than simply viewing the island from afar, hear firsthand accounts from former guards and inmates through a smartphone audio guide as you cruise around Alcatraz. Along the way, enjoy views of San Francisco Bay landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, with skip-the-line boarding for a seamless experience.

Discover three of Northern California's top attractions in one day, without worrying about logistics, on this combo tour from San Francisco. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge, see the towering coastal redwoods at Muir Woods that reach up to 260 feet (80 meters) tall, then enjoy free time to explore the charming bayside town of Sausalito. Cap off the day with a visit to vineyards in Napa or Sonoma to sample a variety of wines, including sparkling wine.

On this San Francisco bridge cruise, get an up-close look at the city’s two engineering marvels—the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge—as you travel across San Francisco Bay. See major city sights such as Alcatraz, Coit Tower, and the Ferry Building, and listen to recorded commentary about the city's legendary architecture while you glide under both bridges.

Napa and Sonoma are two key wine-growing regions in California, but deciding exactly which wineries to visit can be overwhelming, especially for first-timers. Take the guesswork out of this small-group guided tour from San Francisco. Enjoy hotel pickup and transfers as you visit two wineries for included tastings, with free time in Sonoma Plaza and photo stops along the way.

Experience more of Yosemite National Park without the hassle of planning transportation, lodging, or park logistics. This fully guided overnight tour from San Francisco combines iconic sights, free time to explore, and expert insights into one seamless experience. Travel in eco-friendly transportation while making the most of your time in one of California’s most celebrated national parks.