SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
San Francisco, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
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.
- Flexible, fun, and family-friendly way of exploring San Francisco
- Learn more about the city via recorded commentary, earbuds included
- Enjoy the fresh air from the open top deck, if you like
- Use the downloadable app for live bus tracking and route info
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
See San Francisco your way with a flexible 24-, 48-, or 72-hour hop-on hop-off ticket.
What's Included
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour, 24, 48 or 72-hour ticket
- 1-hour Panoramic Sunset Tour (if option selected)
- Blazing Saddles Bike Rental Perk - Buy 1 hour, Get 1 hour free with selected tickets
- 1-hour Digital Chinatown Walking Tour (if option selected)
- 1-hour Bay Cruise (if option selected)
- Digital audio commentary with souvenir earbuds provided
- Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Departure Point
- You may start this tour at any of the stops listed.
Itinerary
Embark on a seamless San Francisco adventure with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, eliminating the need for a car rental. Choose from a 24-, 48-, or 72-hour pass and start from any of the conveniently located bus stops on the route.
The double-decker sightseeing bus follows the Red or Yellow Route, offering multiple stops at significant points of interest. Highlights include Pier 39, the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Chinatown, and Golden Gate Park, along with attractions such as Madame Tussauds and Aquarium of the Bay. Choose to hop off to explore these sites at your leisure and then hop back on, or simply enjoy the full routes from the comfort of the bus.
Conclude your hop-on hop-off experience with the freedom to further explore San Francisco independently.
Upgrade to the 48-hour tour to include a digital Chinatown and panoramic sunset tour, or the 72-hour tour which also includes a bay cruise. Both of these upgrade options also include a free 1-hour bike rental.
The double-decker sightseeing bus follows the Red or Yellow Route, offering multiple stops at significant points of interest. Highlights include Pier 39, the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Chinatown, and Golden Gate Park, along with attractions such as Madame Tussauds and Aquarium of the Bay. Choose to hop off to explore these sites at your leisure and then hop back on, or simply enjoy the full routes from the comfort of the bus.
Conclude your hop-on hop-off experience with the freedom to further explore San Francisco independently.
Upgrade to the 48-hour tour to include a digital Chinatown and panoramic sunset tour, or the 72-hour tour which also includes a bay cruise. Both of these upgrade options also include a free 1-hour bike rental.
Day Tour - Red Route
18 Stops
28 Points of Interest
Duration: 2 hours
Operating Schedule: Operating Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tour Duration: 2.5 hours to complete the full route without exiting Bus Frequency: Every 15 Minutes. Download the Big Bus Tours app to track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
1
Big Bus Tours San Francisco
2
Ghirardelli Square
3
329 Columbus Ave
4
Embarcadero
5
Ferry Building
6
Union Square
7
Hilton San Francisco Union Square
8
Civic Center
9
Alamo Square
10
Haight-Ashbury
11
Golden Gate Park
12
Golden Gate Park
13
Golden Gate Bridge
14
Palace of Fine Arts
15
Cow Hollow
16
Lombard Street
17
Pier 35 (1914)
18
PIER 39
Points of interest passed by on this route
Pier 39
The Embarcadero
Haight-Ashbury
Union Square
Civic Center
SS Jeremiah O'Brien
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
Golden Gate Bridge
Washington Square
Lombard Street
Chinatown
Alamo Square
Golden Gate Park
Big Bus Tours
California Academy of Sciences
Madame Tussauds
Aquarium of the Bay
Ferry Building Marketplace
San Francisco City Hall
USS Pampanito
Ripley s Believe It or Not! San Francisco
Cartoon Art Museum
SkyStar Wheel Fisherman’s Wharf
Coit Tower
San Francisco Railway Museum
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Asian Art Museum
Painted Ladies
Painted Ladies and Haight Ashbury Tour (Yellow Route)
5 Stops
5 Points of Interest
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Operating Schedule: Operating Hours: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tour Duration: 75mins to complete the full route without exiting Bus Frequency: Every 2 hours. Download the Big Bus Tours app to track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
1
280 Geary St
2
944 Fell St
3
1816 Haight St
4
Martin Luther King Junior Drive & 7th Avenue
5
342 Grant Ave
Points of interest passed by on this route
Golden Gate Park
Dragon's Gate
Painted Ladies
Haight-Ashbury
California Academy of Sciences
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Blazing Saddles Offer: Big Bus Tours customers get 1 free hour with a 1-hour bike rental from Blazing Saddles, including gear and route tips for exploring San Francisco and cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
- Half-Day Wine Tour visits 2 wineries and the town of Sausalito; transportation by comfortable, a/c motorcoach
- Hop-on Hop-off tour ticket is valid for use during operating hours for 24, 48 or 72 hours after first use.
- Wheelchair accessible, please call ahead for arrangements
- Download the Big Bus Tours app to access and activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
- Bay Cruise -Ticket Redemption: Present your ticket at the Blue & Gold Fleet Box Office at Pier 39 to redeem your ticket. Please arrive 30mins prior to your desired departure time.
Supplied by
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q:Do I have to go to a central location to redeem my ticket for the Big Bus San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Tour?
A:For the day tour, you can simply show a printed or electronic version of your ticket at any of the stops to board the bus. For the night tour, you must redeem your ticket at 99 Jefferson Street, San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf.
Mar 2021
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.1
based on 4,735 reviews
Sort by: Most recent
PacitaEdna_d, Aug 2026
Easy to rooming arround and experience to see golden gate . I recommend for those first time like me to use hip hop bus❤️❤️👍👏
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi! Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re thrilled to hear that you found it easy to get around and enjoyed experiencing the Golden Gate Bridge with us.
We really appreciate your recommendation, especially for first-time visitors to San Francisco! We hope to see you again on board for your next adventure.
Best regards,
Mihai @BigBusToursTeam
Terry_D, Aug 2026
Outstanding experience, loved how you can hop off and walk about the the different parts of the city and hop back on and continue your day.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We are thrilled to hear that you had an outstanding experience and loved the freedom to hop off, explore different parts of the city at your own pace, and hop back on whenever you were ready to continue your adventure. That flexibility is what makes sightseeing with us so much fun! We hope to welcome you back on board again soon. Best regards, Denis @BigBusToursTeam
Gwen_L, Aug 2026
Disappointed. Did not include 2 major stops that they did a couple years ago. The Lombard Street stop is blocks away & all uphill ( seems they could get closer.) I don't mind walking, but wouldn't be good for a lot of people.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We are sorry to hear that you were disappointed with the changes to the tour route and stops compared with your previous experience. We completely understand your concerns about the Lombard Street stop being several blocks away and uphill, particularly as this may make the attraction less accessible for some guests. We truly appreciate you sharing this feedback, as it is valuable in helping us understand where the experience may not be meeting expectations. Best regards, Denis @BigBusToursTeam
Shannon_Q, Aug 2026
It’s a great way to see a lot of San Francisco in a short amount of time. We used it as a sight seeing trip and didn’t get off the bus until we arrived at the stop we got on the bus at. It took about two hours or so to do that.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your wonderful feedback!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it to be a great way to see so much of San Francisco in a relatively short amount of time. It's fantastic that you were able to sit back, enjoy the sights, and complete the full loop while taking in the city from the comfort of the bus.
BigBusTours@VladL
SRINIVASAN_P, Aug 2026
Was a very pleasant experience
Friendly staff, excellent drivers / guides
Buses keep coming regularly at intervals assured
Well maintained buses
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi there!
Thank you for taking the time to share your 5-star review on Viator. We are delighted to hear that you had a pleasant experience on our San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Tour! It is fantastic to know that you appreciated our friendly staff, excellent drivers and guides, clean buses, and reliable schedules.
We truly value your feedback and hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Madalina@BigBusTours
Kristin_F, Aug 2026
Bus was convenient and came by often. Get headphones when you enter the bus (no one told us so we didn't have audio until the way back). A little pricey for a prerecorded tour. Also dress warm for the bridge!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello, Kristin!
Thank you for the feedback!
We're glad you found the bus frequency convenient.
We apologize that our team didn't remind you to grab headphones at boarding—we'll address this with our staff to ensure every guest gets their audio commentary right away.
Pro tip on dressing warm for the Golden Gate Bridge winds, too!
We hope you still enjoyed the SF views!
MariaS@BigBusToursCustomercare
Jane_C, Aug 2026
I enjoyed hoping off to explore the areas I wanted to see without feeling rushed. Well worth the money.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the flexibility of hopping off to explore the areas that interested you most at your own pace. That's exactly what the hop-on, hop-off experience is designed for.
It's also wonderful to know that you found the tour well worth the money. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you on board again soon! 😊🚌✨ Alex@BigBusTours
Evrim_B, Aug 2026
Really nice path with some history but not overdone, calming relaxing experience. Saw some great landmarks. On time and app was easy to use.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your review!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the route and found it to be a relaxing experience. It's great to know that the historical commentary struck the right balance and that you were able to see some fantastic landmarks along the way.
We're also pleased that the service ran on time and that you found the app easy to use.
Thank you for traveling with us, and we hope to welcome you on board again soon! 😊 Alex@BigBusTours
Melantha_P, Aug 2026
The tour was very interesting. The staff at the ticket office was very friendly and gave us advice on things to do in the area. My only feedback is that someone from the staff should explain the headphone set up. A few of us had no idea how it worked and the connection process was different on each bus. I would also suggest a wind advisory for anyone choosing to sit on the top level. A heavy jacket and hood is recommended. Also ladies be careful with jewelry and wigs or hair extensions. They might fly away!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi there,
Thank you for your detailed feedback!
We’re delighted you enjoyed the tour and found our ticket office team friendly and helpful. We also appreciate your suggestions regarding the headphones and windy conditions on the top deck. We’ll be sure to share your feedback with our team. We hope to welcome you back on board again soon! Alexandra@BigBusTours
Erica_T, Aug 2026
The stops that are listed on viator are different from what they actually do. Website needs updated.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that the stops shown on Viator did not match the actual route and understand how confusing that can be when planning your day. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention, and we’ll share your comments with the relevant team so the information can be reviewed and updated for future guests.
Florin @ BigBusTours
alisa_h, Aug 2026
The experience was well worth the money for all we were able to see. We got on and off four times, and had different drivers each time. Some drivers were certainly better than others with giving the information .
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi alisa_h. Thank you for your valuable feedback! We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed our bus tour, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to welcome you back on board in the future. Best regards, Razvan @BigBusTours
ManfreyaSarah_G, Aug 2026
I enjoyed San Francisco, especially the stunning views at the Golden Gate! It was chilly but pleasant. The bus was affordable and clean.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for your kind review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed San Francisco, especially the stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Even with the city's famous cool weather, there's something special about taking in those breathtaking sights. It's also wonderful to know that you found the bus clean, comfortable, and good value for money. Thank you for traveling with us, and we hope to welcome you back on board during your next visit to San Francisco! 🌉🚌 Alex@BigBusTours
Ariana_C, Aug 2026
Wait times were much longer than 15 mins for buses at all the stops. This was on a weekday not even a weekend.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
We are sorry that we were not running up to speed that day and thank you for letting us know. We will let our operations team address the issue, as we are always looking to improve. Thank you for joining us, and we hope you will give Big Bus Tours another chance!
Jessica_C, Aug 2026
Fun tour and I'm glad I did it but a few things- I thought it would take us closer to some of the sights- like you could stay on the bus and see everything, but you have to get off and walk to see most of the landmarks, which is fine but I booked with someone who has mobility issues and it was not exactly what we expected. Also had to wait at times for a bus because the one that came was full. But overall it's an inexpensive way to get around the city.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi Jessica! thank you for sharing your feedback with us! We appreciate your honest review and are glad you found the tour to be a great value, though we deeply apologize for the inconvenience regarding walking distances for your companion and the wait times due to full buses. We will share your notes with our team to help us improve, and we hope to welcome you both back again in the future! Alina@BigBusTours
Angela_S, Jul 2026
Start early, get off at stop 11 - walk the bridge then get stop 12 to come back. Lombard stop takes you two blocks away from the crooked street - be ready to walk up hills!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience and helpful tips!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring the city with us. Riding the full route first is a great way to get oriented and decide which attractions you'd like to visit in more detail afterward.
We also appreciate your recommendations for fellow travelers. The walk across the bridge is well worth it, and you're absolutely right—those visiting Lombard Street should be prepared for a bit of a hill climb, but the views are worth the effort!
Thank you again for your feedback, and we hope to welcome you on board again soon. 😊🚌✨Alex@BigBusTours
Jasmine_P, Jul 2026
This was a 2.5 to 3 star experience.
The recordings do not match with the location and you keep looking for the bldg or the street or the monument that the recording is mentioning.
The upcoming stop is not announced so you have no idea till the stop if you should get down there.
The recording shares good history of SF but barely anything else about the areas or the stops or what one can explore in that area.
Some other tours have more stops than Big Bus.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
We appreciate your feedback as we are always looking for ways to improve. We will continue to work on the audio timing until it is 100 % accurate. We hope to see you again with Big Bus Tours and that you will experience an informative narration with plenty of stops!
Brian_J, Jul 2026
Very friendly staff. The driver was very informative with great information about the city I would highly recommend
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello, Brian!
Thank you so much for the glowing review!
We are thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful time on our San Francisco tour.
Our team takes great pride in delivering friendly service, and our drivers love sharing fascinating stories and insider tips about the city. It means the world to us that you had a great experience and would highly recommend us!
We hope to welcome you back on board the next time you're in San Francisco!
Maria@BigBusToursCustomerCare
Kreem_C, Jul 2026
It was the best. Lot of history in this city. I would love to come back and do it again. Thank you all and Viator
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed learning about the city's rich history and had such a great experience. We’d love to welcome you back for another tour in the future. Thank you for choosing us and Viator!
Raul@BigBusTours
Usha_A, Jul 2026
Dana was the bus driver and guide. He was very friendly, knowledgeable, and polite. The tour was amazing. Definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi,
Thank you for your wonderful review!
We're delighted to hear that you had an amazing tour and that Dana helped make your experience so memorable.
Thank you for your recommendation. We hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Alexandra@BigBusTours
Michael_C, Jul 2026
What experience? I’m on a hop on and off tour and I can’t find a list of stops anywhere. It says go to any of the listed stops…. There are NO listed stops!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi, Michael! Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear about the difficulty you experienced finding the tour stops. For future reference, all stop locations can be found on our website and in the Big Bus app, where you'll also find route maps and live bus tracking information.
If you'd like us to look into your specific experience in more detail, please contact our Customer Service team via Live Chat or email through our https://www.bigbustours.com/contact-us. We'd be happy to review the situation further.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Daniel@BigBusTours
KERRIE_D, Jul 2026
We found the hop on hop off bus around San Francisco to be very informative and good. Make sure you have a jacket if you sit up on the top deck as it can get quite cold.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi, Kerrie,
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our tour and found it informative.
And thank you for sharing that great tip with future travelers—the San Francisco breeze on the top deck can definitely be chilly, so bringing a jacket is always wise!
We hope to welcome you aboard again on your next adventure!
Best regards, Mihaela@BigBusToursTeam
Magdalene_H, Jul 2026
Great experience and especially the palace of fine arts. Spending time in fisherman wraf and checking different stores.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Magdalene_H. We wish to thank you for your feedback. We are happy to learn that your experience with us in San Francisco was great. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again soon. Best regards, Vlad @BigBusTours
Sabrina_A, Jul 2026
July is not the time of year to go. September would be better weather for sitting on top of the bus dress well
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Sabrina,
Thank you for your review! We're glad you enjoyed the tour and appreciate your helpful tip for future visitors. Weather can certainly make a big difference to the sightseeing experience, and we're happy to hear you made the most of it.
We hope to welcome you onboard again soon!
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours Team
Sharon_W, Jul 2026
Be prepared to hear about multiple types of alternative life choices. This is totally not necessary on this tour to go into. Also, some things we were told we would see and didn’t see, they just said oh here is where this is, but you couldn’t see it and it wasn’t close to a stop.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Sharon!
Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear that parts of the commentary did not match your expectations and that some of the landmarks mentioned were difficult to see from the route.
We appreciate you sharing your experience, as guest feedback helps us improve both our commentary and tour experience. Your comments will be passed on to the local team for review.
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours Team
Janesse_V, Jul 2026
It worked perfect!!!! Hop off at the places we wanted to see. Stay on for the places we had no interest. Always a bus to catch within minutes. Worked perfect!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Janesse_V,
Thank you for the fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear the hop-on, hop-off service worked perfectly for your plans and gave you the flexibility to explore at your own pace.
It's great to know the frequent buses made getting around easy. We hope to welcome you onboard again soon!
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours Team
Nancy_M, Jul 2026
It was very enjoyable and interesting we liked everything about it. Really liked the hop off hop on part
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi Nancy_M,
Thank you for your lovely review! We're delighted to hear you found the tour enjoyable and interesting, and that you especially liked the flexibility of our hop-on, hop-off service.
We hope to welcome you onboard again for another adventure soon!
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours Team
Gerardo_R, Jul 2026
That there are several stops where they could get offf and explorer. That there will be another hopper to go to another place to explore.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello, Gerard! Thank you for your feedback. We're glad to hear you enjoyed the flexibility of the hop-on hop-off service and the opportunity to explore different stops at your own pace. We appreciate you choosing to travel with us.
Daniel@BigBusTours
Gregory_C, Jul 2026
This is well worth the time and price. The recorded tour guide was nicely informational and the bus personnel were great.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback. We're glad to hear you found the tour informative and enjoyed the service provided by our team. We appreciate you choosing to travel with us. Daniel@BigBusTours
Natasha_J, Jul 2026
Well good weather is always a plus for this escursion to enjoy the top of bus . It was cold and windy on 7/8. I have been on this type of bus in Miami much better because you have a live person guiding you and not audio. The audio does not align with where you are in the city sometimes and its informal and pre recorded. I did not like that at all.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for the feedback about our audio narration. We will address the timing so that it is accurate, and we apologize for the inconvenience. We appreciate you joining us, and hope to see you again!
Linda_H, Jul 2026
This is a great way to see the entire hot spots in San Francisco. The drive over the Golden Gate bridge is spectacular. Wherher you spend a day or several days, it is well worth it.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hi, Linda! Thank you for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed discovering San Francisco’s top sights and the spectacular views from the Golden Gate Bridge. We are thrilled that our tour helped you make the most of your visit. We hope to welcome you on board again soon! Alexandra@BigBusTours
From $56.10
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
4,735
2 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$56.10
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in San Francisco, USA
- Marin Headlands Tours & Tickets
- San Francisco Treasure Island Tours & Tickets
- Embarcadero Tours & Tickets
- Angel Island State Park Tours & Tickets
- Market Street Tours & Tickets
- San Francisco Bay Tours & Tickets
- Sausalito Vista Point Tours & Tickets
- San Francisco Chinatown Tours & Tickets
- Japanese Tea Garden Tours & Tickets
- Mission Dolores Park Tours & Tickets
- Hyde Street Pier Tours & Tickets
- Fort Point National Historic Site Tours & Tickets