SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour with Optional Sunset Tour
San Francisco, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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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 or 48 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 17 stops. Add-on options include Aquarium by the Bay admission, a digital Chinatown walking tour, a panoramic sunset tour, and a half-day wine tour
- 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- or 48-hour hop-on hop-off ticket.
What's Included
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour, 24 or 48-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)
- Digital audio commentary with souvenir earbuds provided
- Open-top double decker bus
- Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
- No additional fees
- 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 car rental. Choose from a 24-hour or 48-hour pass and start from any of the 17 conveniently located bus stops on the route.
The double-decker sightseeing bus follows the Red Route, offering 17 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 route from the comfort of the bus.
Conclude your hop-on hop-off experience with the freedom to further explore San Francisco independently.
Upgrade to include a digital Chinatown and panoramic sunset tour or half-day wine tour with the 24-hour pass or admission to Aquarium of the Bay and a panoramic sunset tour with the 48-hour pass.
The double-decker sightseeing bus follows the Red Route, offering 17 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 route from the comfort of the bus.
Conclude your hop-on hop-off experience with the freedom to further explore San Francisco independently.
Upgrade to include a digital Chinatown and panoramic sunset tour or half-day wine tour with the 24-hour pass or admission to Aquarium of the Bay and a panoramic sunset tour with the 48-hour pass.
Day Tour - Red Route
18 Stops
28 Points of Interest
Duration: 2 hours
Operating Schedule: Operating Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 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
1454 The Embarcadero
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
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 or 48 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.
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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 4,673 reviews
Valerie_W, Jun 2026
Enjoyed sitting on top of the Big Bus touring San Francisco. Preferred sitting on the inside bottom of Big Bus going across the windy Golden Gate Bridge.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi Valerie,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We're so pleased to hear you enjoyed touring San Francisco with us. The views from the top deck are certainly hard to beat, and we completely understand choosing a seat inside on the lower deck while crossing the windy Golden Gate Bridge!
We hope to welcome you back for another Big Bus adventure the next time you're in the city.
Madalina@BigBusTours
BETTY_H, Jun 2026
We got to the bus pick-up location 5 minutes early and had to wait 20 minutes for a bus to come.
They don’t do all the stops the brochure shows and they don’t announce the stops. We wanted to get off at a certain spot, the bus stopped at a red light, not next to the curb, and counted that as the stop. Then told us it would be about 2 hours before it got there again. We got off and had to walk. We are senior citizens, we were not happy at all.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hello, Betty!
We are sincerely sorry for this experience, especially as senior citizens. This is definitely not the standard of service we provide.
We apologize for the delay, the lack of announcements, and the unacceptable way the driver handled your stop. For safety, our buses must always pull up to the designated curb. We have passed your comments to our local management team to address this immediately.
Thank you for your honesty, and we hope to give you a much better experience in the future.
Best regards,
Mihaela@BigBusToursTeam
David_L, Jun 2026
Great sized group and ideal vehicle. Blankets were a nice touch.
10am departure with a 12:30pm Alcatraz ferry doesn't really allow time for food. Plan ahead; maybe a large breakfast or take a snack.
Trevor was a great guide!! Very knowledgeable, polite and a good driver! Great stop for an iconic Golden Gate Bridge picture.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Great sized group and ideal vehicle. Blankets were a nice touch. 10am departure with a 12:30pm Alcatraz ferry doesn't really allow time for food. Plan ahead; maybe a large breakfast or take a snack. Trevor was a great guide!! Very knowledgeable, polite and a good driver! Great stop for an iconic Golden Gate Bridge picture.
Cara_C, Jun 2026
This tour gives you historical and cultural information. It also allows you to get off and on at places of interest to you.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hello!
Thank you for the great review! We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the historical and cultural insights, as well as the flexibility of our hop-on, hop-off service.
Best regards,
Melisa@BigBusToursTeam
Kathy_N, Jun 2026
Awesome trip..no parking near. Must wear warm hats that stay on.Bring camera drink plenty before going.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi Kathy_N. Thank you for sharing your feedback with us! We are thrilled to learn that you had a wonderful experience on our bus tour, and we hope to see you on board again soon. Best regards, Razvan @BigBusTours
Tinley_D, Jun 2026
Great experience! I'd recommend taking a ride around on the bus first to check out all the sights the bus stops at. We did that then rode it back around to one location we wanted to hang out in.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hello Tinley_D. Thank you for taking the time to provide your insights! We are pleased to know that you enjoyed our bus tour, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again in the future. Best regards, Razvan @BigBusTours
Wilfredo_A, Jun 2026
Great views and stops, golden gate was the best spot. The driver was a bit rude barking orders at the guests.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hello Wilfredo_A. We appreciate you taking the time to provide your feedback! It brings us great joy to know that you enjoyed our bus tour, and we look forward to welcoming you aboard again in the future. Best regards, Razvan @BigBusTours
Desma_J, Jun 2026
I chose this tour for some friends who were visiting because I didn’t want to drive around the city. The bus stops at all the hot spots and it is very easy to hop back on. They drive you across the Golden Gate Bridge for a great vantage point and photo op.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hello Desma_J. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you have enjoyed our bus tour and we hope to welcome you on board again in the future. Best regards, Razvan @BigBusTours
Theil_J, Jun 2026
The buses didn’t all follow the order of stops and we missed several stops because the next stop was skipped. There were 2 stops closed and we were notified of those because of parades and celebrations. Those were fine, but several stops were skipped that were not on the closed stops that we really wanted to visit.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am sorry to hear that several stops were skipped unexpectedly during your tour. While planned closures are communicated in advance, unplanned stop changes can be frustrating, especially when they affect places you were looking forward to visiting. Your feedback helps us review how we manage route adjustments and how we keep guests informed along the way.
Alexandra@BigBusTours
Salma_G, Jun 2026
It was very fun. We got on the bus and traveled to the places we wanted to explore, and we learned more about the historic sites we passed. Overall, it was a great experience, and the tickets plus the map đź“Ť were very spot on about where to wait for the bus. Also, the pricing was great, so I would definitely would recommend.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi Salma! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We're thrilled to hear that you had a great time and learned about the historic sites. We can't wait to welcome you back soon! Ana from Big Bus Tours.
jtimothythurston, Jun 2026
Good way to see San Francisco. Given SF’s weather, wear a sweater/sweat shirt if riding on top especially when you go across the Golden Gate Bridge.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback!
We’re glad to hear you found the tour a good way to experience San Francisco. You’ve made a great point about the weather. Conditions can change quickly, especially when crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, and bringing an extra layer definitely helps make the ride more comfortable.
We appreciate you sharing this helpful tip for future guests and hope to welcome you back again soon! Alex@BigBusTours
Tammi_R, Jun 2026
This was the was the easiest and great guide to all the best landmarks and spots to see. The bus trip was worth every penny to see the beautiful city of San Francisco. Our family made great memories and our time in SF was heart filling. The Hop On Off bus made it less stressful and more informative about the history if a great city.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re thrilled to hear that you found the tour to be an easy and enjoyable way to explore San Francisco’s top landmarks. It’s fantastic to know that the experience was worth every penny and helped your family create such meaningful memories in the city.
We’re especially glad the Hop-On Hop-Off service made your visit less stressful while also giving you a deeper understanding of the city’s rich history. That’s exactly what we aim to provide.
Thank you again for your kind words, and we hope to welcome you and your family on another adventure in the future! Alex@BigBusTours
Mpande_M, Jun 2026
The wineries were beautiful. Great tastings! Loved the history and lessons I feel like a mini somelier lol
Danilo was an excellent driver and guide. He made the tour so enjoyable and colorful!
Worth every penny
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re delighted you enjoyed the beautiful wineries, tastings, and the history shared along the way. It’s wonderful to hear Danilo made the experience so enjoyable and memorable—he’ll be thrilled with your kind words!
Raul@BigBusTours
Theresa_M, Jun 2026
Great experience, we really enjoyed it! Great way to get around the city and able to stop at different areas and then get back on and stop elsewhere.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hello! Thank you so much for your lovely review. We're delighted to hear you had such a great experience and enjoyed the flexibility of exploring the city at your own pace. It’s wonderful that you made the most of hopping on and off at different stops to see more along the way. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another fantastic journey!
Denis @Big Bus Tours
Daniel_R, Jun 2026
Convenient Hop-on/Hop-Off locations to San Francisco major tourist attractions. Great audio explanations of the area & local History.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi Daniel_R. We sincerely appreciate your generous feedback! It brings us great joy to know that you had a wonderful experience on your tour with us. We look forward to welcoming you back soon! Best regards, Razvan B @Big Bus Tours
Patricia_G, Jun 2026
It was very exciting and fun and will be back with my family to give them the experience me and my husband had
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi Patricia! Thank you so much for your review. We’re thrilled to hear that you had a great time with us and that you’ll be bringing your family along to share in the fun. Can’t wait to see you again soon. Cheers, Ana from Big Bus Tours.
Claudia_V, Jun 2026
Tour says is an all day and you can only access the coach from 10am to 6 pm the same day, only a few buses were running so we had to wait over an hour to hop on the bus. We were only able to visit 2 sites and wasted the whole day and money
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi, Claudia!
I'm sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. We understand how disappointing it must have been to spend so much time waiting for buses and feel that you were unable to make the most of your ticket.
Your comments regarding the operating hours and service frequency are important to us, and we will ensure they are shared with the local team for review.
If there is anything we can do to assist further, please don't hesitate to contact us directly.
Madalina@BigBusTours
Beatrice_F, Jun 2026
The bus driver was really nice, the stops were too far away from the attractions. I was upset they did not include the pink ladies. It was not worth the money.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We’re pleased to hear that you found the bus driver friendly and welcoming. At the same time, we’re very sorry to learn that the stop locations did not meet your expectations and felt too far from the main attractions. We understand how important convenience is when planning your sightseeing, and we regret that this aspect impacted your experience.
We’re also sorry to hear about your disappointment regarding the inclusions you were expecting, as well as your overall impression of the value of the tour. Your feedback is very important to us and will be shared with our team as we continue reviewing route planning, communication, and overall experience.
Thank you again for your honest comments and for bringing this to our attention.
Flavius@BigBusTours
Debora_S, Jun 2026
This is a wonderful way to see the city and get an overview. We enjoyed being able to circle back around to places we wanted to spend more time at.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hello! Thank you for your amazing feedback! We are very glad to hear that you have had a wonderful experience with us being able to see so many places you always wanted. We are looking forward to welcoming you back! Razvan@BigBusTours
Seshaiah_K, Jun 2026
They close at 5:30pm. Anything after is extra charge in the name of sunset package. Hardly travelled in the bus. Since when is sunset time 5:30pm in sfo in mid-june. They did not mention timings anywhere. Not worth it. Got fleeced by these tricksters.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hello! Thank you for your feedback. We are very sorry to hear about your experience and we want to make things right. Please accept our sincere apologies and feel free to contact us via email or chat to discuss the issue further and find suitable solutions right away. Razvan@BigBusTours
TINA_P, Jun 2026
A hop on hop off bus tour is a great way to see the city and figure out where you want to go next. Just make sure you sit close to the front if you’re upstairs to avoid the cold San Francisco breeze!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your great tip! We’re glad you enjoyed the tour and found it a helpful way to explore the city. Sitting at the front upstairs is definitely a smart choice to make the most of the views while staying comfortable—especially with that famous San Francisco breeze!
Florin @ BigBusTours
Susan_A, Jun 2026
Windows were clean inside and outside, Good for taking pictures! Driver was very safety. Good for touring .
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear you appreciated the clean windows, making it great for photos, and that you felt safe with the driver. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed the tour experience!
Florin @ BigBusTours
michael_z, Jun 2026
The route taken by the bus was not the same as posted on their website. In addition, the audio tour was not accessible on many seats on the bus. Aside from that, the tour was very enjoyable.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that the route did not match the one shown online and that some audio points were not working properly, as we understand how important these are to the experience. We’re glad you still found the tour enjoyable overall, and your comments will be shared with our team to help improve accuracy and onboard functionality.
Florin @ BigBusTours
Helen_G, Jun 2026
Great tour, frequent service, mostly friendly and helpful staff, easy to follow commentary, comfortable bus
Leanne_S, Jun 2026
The Hop On Hop Off is a good way to get a quick view of the city area including the Golden Gate Bridge. The stop for Lombard Street was 4 very steep blocks away from the actual part of the street everyone wants to see. Not really suitable for those with mobility issues. So be prepared to walk some distances from the bus stops to the attractions themselves. The bus was clean, the commentary was good and driver experienced.
However, if you want to see more of the city including The Painted Ladies, Golden Gate Park and specific areas like the Castro, then I would recommend during a half day bus/private tour that includes those areas.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback!
We’re glad you enjoyed the overall tour, commentary, and experienced driver. We appreciate you highlighting the walking distance to certain stops, as this can be useful for guests planning their visit. We’re also pleased you mentioned exploring more of the city, and we’d like to add that we do offer shorter buses and private tour options. Adrian @BigBusTours
Ayman_I, Jun 2026
We had a fantastic experience with Big Bus Tours San Francisco! The hop-on, hop-off service made it easy to explore the city's top attractions at our own pace. The views from the open-top bus were amazing, especially crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. The staff was friendly, the buses were clean, and the audio commentary was informative and entertaining. A great way to see San Francisco for both first-time visitors and returning travelers!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We’re delighted you enjoyed the flexibility of the hop-on hop-off service and the chance to explore at your own pace. It’s great to hear you loved the views from the open-top bus, especially crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. We truly appreciate your kind words about our staff, buses, and audio commentary, and your recommendation means a lot to us. Adrian @BigBusTours
David_T, May 2026
This was our second time using Big Bus Tours to see SF and we enjoyed it both times. The hop on hop off option and audio descriptions provided are great and most important sites are on the routes covered. I'd recommend this option to take in the sites of this beautiful city.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed your experience with us again and made great use of the hop-on hop-off flexibility and audio commentary. It’s wonderful to know you were able to see the main highlights of San Francisco, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. Adrian @BigBusTours
Tracy_r, May 2026
I lived here 40 years ago and the tour was great to be able to everything without driving great for first timers also bring a jacket and hood if you plan to ride on the top visited end of May from Texas very chilly
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted you enjoyed revisiting the city and found the tour a great way to see everything without driving. It’s great to hear you’d recommend it for first-time visitors, and we appreciate your helpful tip about bringing a jacket for the top deck. Adrian @BigBusTours
Ayman_A, May 2026
My visit to Filoli was truly unforgettable. The tour was wonderful, and the breathtaking landscapes made every moment special. The beautifully maintained gardens, vibrant flowers, and stunning estate grounds created a peaceful and elegant atmosphere. Every turn offered a picture-perfect view, making it a paradise for nature lovers and photographers alike. I highly recommend visiting Filoli for anyone looking to enjoy spectacular scenery, rich history, and a relaxing escape from the everyday hustle, an a perfect location for taking photos
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We’re delighted you enjoyed the beautiful gardens, breathtaking scenery, and peaceful atmosphere at Filoli. It’s great to hear you appreciated the photo opportunities and the overall tour experience. We truly value your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another memorable visit. Adrian @BigBusTours
Luis_S, May 2026
Easy to Hop on and Hop off while tracking where the buses were going to be through the app. The headphones they provided for listening to the people speaking on where you were was nice, it seems that is the only true guidance you get on the tour so if you are expecting a human tour guide talking, this is not for you. We did hit majority of the best spots San Francisco had to offer.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi Luis! We are glad to hear you found it easy to hop on and hop off, and that the app helped you track the buses. The audio commentary is a key part of the experience, and we appreciate your feedback. It’s great that you were able to enjoy your tour in San Francisco with us. Adrian @BigBusTours
From $59.40
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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