Top San Francisco Outdoor Activities

Visit charming Sausalito, cruise across San Francisco Bay, and stare up in wonder at the redwood trees of Muir Woods on this combo tour from San Francisco—the perfect day out in the Bay Area. Experience the Golden Gate Bridge from both above and below, and learn about some of California’s oldest and tallest natural wonders, the coastal redwoods. In Sausalito, you can stroll along the waterfront or shop in the galleries and boutiques.

Combine two of San Francisco’s most popular experiences in a single outing with a small-group city tour and a visit to Alcatraz. Explore the city in an open-air safari jeep, taking in landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks, and distinctive neighborhoods along the way. Then continue to Alcatraz for a self-guided audio tour that brings the island’s fascinating prison history to life.

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.

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.

Avoid the hassle of coordinating city sights and nearby nature trips from San Francisco with a small-group tour that combines urban highlights and redwood scenery in one seamless day. Instead of planning multiple outings, explore Woods National Monument and the waterfront charm of Sausalito before heading back for a city tour of key neighborhoods and landmarks (or vice versa, depending on bookings). It’s an efficient way to experience the region’s diversity without juggling logistics.

Bike tours cover more ground than walking tours can and give you a more intimate experience of local life than bus tours. Visit many of San Francisco's highlights while getting some exercise on this fun small-group tour by bicycle. Starting at Ghirardelli Square you'll cycle for about three hours, visiting the Marina District, Chrissy Fields, Sausalito, the Golden Gate Bridge, and more.

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.

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.

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.

Escape the typical port-city experience and venture beyond urban sights with ease. This half-day tour takes you across the Golden Gate Bridge and into Muir Woods, where you can wander among towering, centuries-old redwoods. Enjoy a refreshing change of scenery with seamless transport and stunning coastal views along the way.

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.

Guarantee your visit to Alcatraz when you book in advance. Relax aboard your ferry transportation and return at a time of your choosing. Afterward, use your food voucher at a preselected restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf.

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.

Don't just explore San Francisco—travel beyond city limits to discover the picturesque town of Sausalito and the mighty redwoods of Muir Woods on this half-day small-group tour. This guided and narrated excursion begins with a quick trip past several iconic San Francisco landmarks, including a photo stop at the Golden Gate Bridge. Then, venture across the bridge to immerse yourself in the region's spectacular natural scenery with included hotel pickup and drop-off.

Escape San Francisco and head to Yosemite on this hassle-free, 2-day semi-guided tour. After easy pickup from the city, your driver will take you straight to the park’s best sites: Yosemite Valley, the Tuolumne Grove of giant sequoias, Bridalveil Falls, Half Dome, and more. Explore at your own pace with time for photos, hikes, and meals. Park entry fee included for U.S. residents; non-U.S. residents pay an additional $100. Accommodations not included.

Enjoy a fully flexible and independent way to explore San Francisco with this private bike rental service, available for shorter durations or up to a full day. After departing from Fisherman’s Wharf, choose to pedal your way across the Golden Gate Bridge, to iconic attractions such as the Painted Ladies of Alamo Square, and much more. A provided map and suggested bike routes help you navigate with ease.

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.

Cover more ground in less time on a e-bike tour of San Francisco, and experience the city like a real local. Pedal through back alleys, neighborhoods rich in culture, and along the city's waterfront. Stop to snap photos of Downtown, North Beach, the Mission District, Fisherman's Wharf, and more—all while learning about the areas you visit from your guide's handy commentary. Better still, keep exploring with inclusive post-tour bike rental—perfect for independently visiting the Golden Gate Bridge.

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.

Save time and money and combine a walking tour of North Beach with Alcatraz on this combo tour in San Francisco. Explore Washington Square Park, Saints Peter and Paul Church, and admire views of Lombard Street and the Golden Gate Bridge, then visit Pier 39 to view sea lions before boarding your Alcatraz cruise with an audio guide. Upgrade to include a bay cruise or SkyStar Wheel ride for panoramic city views.

Escape the city and explore San Francisco’s North Bay, on this guided tour. See massive redwood trees that are over 1,400 years old in a magical redwood forest. Cruise up the coast for a walk on Stinson beach and lunch in the town of Stinson. Enjoy views of the city from the Marin Headlands before stopping in Sausalito where you have the option to take the ferry back.

Biking across the Golden Gate Bridge is a classic San Francisco experience not to be missed, so reserve a full-day bike rental to explore the city's icon span and many other attractions at your own pace. A high-quality electric Cannondale bike is ideal for cruising up and down San Francisco's famous hills without breaking a sweat. Plus, an easy-to-follow illustrated map helps you cross the bridge and navigate to other landmarks.

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.

Go whale watching in San Francisco on this 2.5-hour cruise that departs from Pier 39. On an eco-friendly catamaran, glide through San Francisco Bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge to reach the open Pacific, where you’ll keep your eyes peeled for humpback and gray whales, as well as marine life like dolphins and seals. Learn about the history and geology of the area from an onboard naturalist, and admire the rugged California coast.