Top San Francisco Pop Culture in 2026

Embark on an exhilarating journey through history with the 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 the 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 the 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Uncover a fascinating side to San Francisco that many miss out on with a walking tour of the city that covers both true crime and the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. Discover what made the area so dangerous in the 1960s and 70s, and hear tales of former residents, including Charles Manson, Jim Jones, and Janis Joplin. Designed by a sixth-generation San Franciscan, the tour is full of anecdotes you won't hear elsewhere, plus, insider knowledge you'd otherwise miss.

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.

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.

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.

To make your stay complete in San Francisco, this package includes two essential activities in a single pack. A visit of the most famous prison in the world, discovering its history and walking into the footsteps of Al Capone. Don’t miss the 45-minute audio tour that will immerse you in the atmosphere of the federal penitentiary which brought together the most dangerous criminals of the time. You can then enjoy a one-hour boat cruise in San Francisco Bay which will offer you an exceptional view of the city and its hills, but also other sightseeings such as going underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Please note, free for children 4 years old and younger and don't need to have a ticket.

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.

Combine a haunted ghost tour with a pub crawl with this unique Spirits of Barbary Coast haunted pub crawl in San Francisco. Follow your guide around to some of the city’s most infamous paranormal spots, with stops in between to grab drinks (own expense), while hearing about documented accounts and stories of hauntings.

Venture into the heart of San Francisco’s North Beach—lovingly dubbed ‘Little Italy.’ On this food and ghost tour, you’ll weave through a rich culinary landscape while delving into the spine-tingling tales that haunt this iconic district. HIGHLIGHTS: + Full meal included + Unearth the chilling tales of the Gold Rush Era + See the cinematic history of the oldest restaurant in SF + Dive into the captivating history of pizza + Taste famed focaccia bread sandwiches at a bohemian gem + Hear stories of the Beatnik poets + Take a quick sojourn into Haunted Chinatown + Feel history come alive outside North Beach’s oldest bar + See where The Godfather was written + End on a sweet note with a renowned Italian dessert We’ll walk through the neighborhood's hidden corners and explore North Beach's sinister past, local gems, and time-honored establishments. Please note that this tour used to be all pizza, so some reviews might mention that, but we have diversified the menu since then.

Explore the Northern California redwoods on this half-day tour of Muir Woods. Departing from Fisherman’s Wharf, your guide drives you over the Golden Gate Bridge in a comfortable luxury mini-bus to Muir Woods National Monument. Crane your neck to admire these trees standing 260 feet (80 meters) tall. Enjoy free time to hike among the coastal redwoods. Upgrade to take the ferry from Sausalito, or add a Big Bus combo for a 24-hour hop-on hop-off city tour with a digital Chinatown walking tour.

See a side of San Francisco that many visitors overlook—and soak up the city’s local feel—on this small-group walking tour. Pick between morning and afternoon start times, and meet your guide in the Inner Sunset neighborhood. Over the course of 2 miles (3 kilometers), you’ll enjoy a leisurely stroll as you ascend hidden staircases, explore secret gardens, and soak up the city’s picturesque views well off the tourist track.

Go beyond the guidebooks and uncover a side of San Francisco that many visitors miss on this ghost-themed walking tour of Pacific Heights. Rather than simply admiring the neighborhood’s grand Victorian homes, hear stories of alleged hauntings, unsolved crimes, and local legends that add a new perspective to its historic streets. Along the way, enjoy scenic views and insights from a guide who brings the area’s mysterious past to life.

Get to know San Francisco’s dark and seedy history on this small group tour of crime and scandal. In the company of a guide, stroll through the city’s neighborhoods and hear stories about scandals of the past. Visit China Town, Maiden Lane, and more and stop in the oldest bar in San Francisco.

Most people see the Palace of Fine Arts in daylight. After dark, with the rotunda lit up over the lagoon, it's where this ghost hunt begins. From there the Questo app leads you through the Marina District, along Lombard and Chestnut and down to the water by the Marina Green. On the way you'll catch ten ghosts, each one by solving the puzzle it left behind: a hidden word in a bride's last note, a year buried in a senator's evidence, a closet key tucked inside one of a librarian's books. One of the ten has been feeding you a false clue, and the final puzzle is spotting who. None of these ghosts are historical. They were written for the game, so nobody in your group can know the ending in advance. Allow about 90 minutes for 1.7 miles of flat, easy walking. You can start at any hour, play solo or in a group, and lean on hints or 24/7 chat support whenever you need to.

Visit Northern California wine country and Muir Woods for a truly fabulous day out. This popular tour takes you to Muir Woods National Monument, then to multiple wineries in Napa and Sonoma Valleys, with tastings included. Opt to include a gourmet lunch in historic Sonoma (choose option at checkout) and cross the Golden Gate Bridge on the return to San Francisco, with a stop for a photo opportunity.

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

See all of San Francisco's top sights and attractions in one hassle-free way with this combination sightseeing package. With a 72-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 and admission tickets to Alcatraz Island, 60-minute San Francisco Bay cruise and a panoramic sunset tour.

If you want to hear all about the ghosts that haunt San Francisco, then join this small group tour and try not to get too scared. Your guide will tell you tales about the Goldrush era and more while you walk by historic places like Jackson Square, The Old Ship Saloon, and more. This isn’t just your average pub tour-this one is haunted.