Big Bus SF: Hop-on Hop-off Tour with 17 Stops and Sunset Option
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)
- Aquarium of the Bay admission (if option selected)
- 1-hour Digital Chinatown Walking Tour (if option selected)
- Digital audio commentary with souvenir earbuds provided
- Open-top double decker bus
- Downloadable app with route information and live bus tracking
- No additional fees
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Operating hours.12:30 pm
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 free Big Bus app for city information and live bus tracking.
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
- Aquarium by the Bay is located on the San Francisco waterfront on PIER 39
- 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
- Two ways to activate tickets: 1. Download and open the Big Bus app. Tap "Add Booking" and enter your booking reference. On the day of travel, open your ticket and press "Activate" then show your activated ticket to the driver at any stop along the route. Plus, use the app for route information and live bus tracking. 2. Redeem voucher and activate with Big Bus staff at Stop #1 - Big Bus Tours Visitors Center at 99 Jefferson St (corner of Jefferson and Mason Streets, or with any driver at any stop along the route.
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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 4,598 reviews
Nigel_S, Apr 2026
The bus company cancelled the activity on the morning that it was due to start. We weren’t given any explanation.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello Nigel,
If you are able to provide any details regarding which activity or attraction, please email us at sfreservations@bigbustours.com. If you had an Alcatraz package and are referring to the Alcatraz Tour, they did close the island for April 20th through the 24th with very short notice to perform maintenance on the dock. Sincerely, Big Bus Tours SF
Gwendolyn_F, Apr 2026
Money well spent. It was historical and insightful. Loved riding on the double decker bus, seeing the history of the city.
Caroline_B, Apr 2026
All buses were all full from our locations… after 4 th bus, we decided to take a uber( 30 dollars with tips) and go to 1 base!
The tours was mostly filled with commercials about restaurant and places around.
At the end.. 20” dollars kind of wasted and they are DONE by 5!.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We are very sorry to hear about your experience. We appreciate the feedback about the audio narration and we apologize for the inconvenience of the full buses, as we are always looking for ways to improve. Thank you for giving us the opportunity - Sincerely, Big Bus Tours SF
Lynn_S, Apr 2026
Great way to see the sights. Very affordable. The experienced staff was very approachable and fun to visit with.
jane_c, Apr 2026
Great tour of San Francisco taking you to places of interest.
Found some of the places of interest were a long walk though from the bus stop such as Mrs doubtfires house and the painted lady houses were not easy to find
Some of the drivers could be rude and shouting
Since the weather is unpredictable would suggest a cover for the top deck - we got soaked a few times and the water was like a water fall coming down the stairs which made them dangerous and wet everyone by them
Tom_O, Apr 2026
Good tour lots of interesting things to see. The audio system needs to be upgraded, should explain the plugs, the timing was off on the place passing by and it completely quit working at one point.
Ursula_B, Apr 2026
The amount of time you spend waiting for the bus, waiting for people to load and unload, you are better off with an Uber. The stops the bus makes are little to no interest. Also on my bus, people were standing which blocked the view of the points of interest that the audio guide was pointing out. Between traffic, stop lights, wait times, I wish we had just ordered a uber to take us directly to what we wanted to see.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We are sorry to hear that you did not enjoy our tour and will advise our management team of the issues that you encountered. Thank you for giving us a chance, and we appreciate your feedback, as we are always looking for ways to improve.
Sincerely,
Big Bus Tours SF
Kaye_P, Apr 2026
The route does take you around the city and it’s relatively comfortable. Wait times, though, are unpredictable and often more than the advertised “every 15 minutes.”
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your feedback. Traffic can get congested at times, which is a challenge, but we will continue to look for ways to improve and meet our goal. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to see you again!
Pam_W, Apr 2026
A couple of the bus drivers were outstanding (Rafael and the guy that lives near Daly City). Wish the stops were closer to some of the destinations like Coit Tower or Lombard Street. Overall worthwhile for me to get around city. App was not updating as expected as to where buses were and arrival times.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi Pam_W. We wish to thank you for your feedback. We are happy to learn that you enjoyed your time with us. We are sorry to learn that some stops were not as close as preferred, and that the app wasn't updating well. We are actively working on enhancing the app, and new updates are released regularly. We hope to have you back soon. Best, Vlad from Big Bus Tours.
ALEX_C, Apr 2026
10/10 could not recommend this enough. Don’t miss the sunset tour! I never thought much of double decker bus tours but WOW seeing San Francisco from a bit higher up really makes such a difference. I did the day tour and later added the sunset tour for only $20 more which was A REALLY GOOD DEAL!! (do not book them separately on the app! The Big Bus Tour office people will give you the $20 offer) and $20 for THIS sunset experience was insane… I have never seen such breathtaking views before on a tour like this
Amber_M, Apr 2026
Wonderful and got a complete tour of San Francisco. We were delayed a day due to travel illness and the operator approved us to go the next day. We arrived at the main #1 stop on Fisherman’s Warf and all the changes to our tickets was resolution ed and we had an amazing ride and tour. The audio gave us the complete tour info too. Awesome and we did in London too. Always do on your first day for a great overview of the city you’re at. Perfect for tourists new in a city.
adriana_v, Apr 2026
Really easy way to see the whole city. Has a recording to tell you about the significance of neighborhoods or buildings you were passing. Really picks up every 20-30 mins, but the app makes it easy to see where you should be standing. I do this in all big cities I’m visiting. 10/10 way to get around- don’t have to pay for parking, no tolls, can actually see the city and not fight traffic, no getting lost. Will be booking again.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi Adriana! We truly appreciate your feedback. It's fantastic to hear that you had an amazing time with us and enjoyed our tours. We can't wait to welcome you back soon! Cheers, Ana from Big Bus Tours.
Blake_H, Mar 2026
The tour guide Brian was very friendly and had interesting facts about each area that we stopped at. We really enjoyed the tour and it has us planning for another trip to SFO
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Blake_H. We wish to thank you for your feedback. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your time with us in San Francisco, and that Brian enhanced your experience. We hope to have you back soon. Best, Vlad from Big Bus Tours.
Barb_B, Mar 2026
Overall it was a great experience. Lots of great information provided and the ability to tour SF without having to drive in the city was A+. The ability to hop off and on is a definite plus. The only negative was that we waited almost 45 mins at Pier 39 for the next bus. So just as a caution make sure you don't have a tight schedule.
Nathaniel_M, Mar 2026
Good overview of the city. Be prepared to be in the sun if you are going to ride on the upper level.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Nathaniel_M. We wish to thank you for your feedback. We are glad to hear that the tour provided a good overview over San Francisco. We hope to have you back soon. Best, Vlad from Big Bus Tours.
Lauren_W, Mar 2026
A great way to see all the sights. The tour guide was helpful, difficult to hear at time's but the commentary was good.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Lauren_W. We wish to thank you for your feedback. We are glad to hear that the tour was a great way to check San Francisco. We are sorry the guides could not be clearly heard all the time, and we will work on enhancing our systems to ensure your experience is only perfect. We hope to have you back soon. Best, Vlad from Big Bus Tours.
Laura_G, Mar 2026
Your drivers are so rude, yelling at customers. Busses inside like a sauna, no air not even able to open the window.. top was full. Drivers don’t stop at all stops!!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Laura. We regret to hear that your experience was below our usual standards, but appreciate the honest review. We pride ourselves on our 5* service and regularly refresh our staff training across all cities. Please reach out to our customer service team so we can better understand what went wrong for you this time, and we hope to welcome you back onboard an improved experience next time you're travelling in a Big Bus city. All the best, Ana from Big Bus Tours.
Shirley_L, Mar 2026
That you can hop on hop off. We were never sure how long it would take till another bus came to pick us up.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Shirley_L,
Thank you for your feedback! It's great to know that you had the chance to explore the city! We recommend using the Live Tracking feature on our app to help plan your route on the day. We hope to see you on a Big Bus Tour again soon! Best wishes. Cristian T, Big Bus Tours
thementers, Mar 2026
Best way to spend a few hours or a full day. Good value. No better way to see the sights , than with a full view of an indoor/outdoor bus ride. Consider bringing long sleeves, regardless of weather. The only negative was the bus driver asking for tips at each stop for those leaving. Real turnoff.
LINDA_M, Mar 2026
Absolutely the best big bus experience we’ve had and we’ve traveled all over the world the views in San Francisco and the calmness of the driver were absolutely excellent. I recommend this tour to anyone.
Yolanda_N, Feb 2026
It's alot of fun, and I learned things that I didn't know about San Francisco. I wouldn't mind having this experience all over again.
Evelyn_R, Feb 2026
A bit disappointed to heard a significant lag with the recorded narration vs scenic points. Otherwise, a great way to view the city.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for providing your feedback regarding our audio narration. We will make sure that all buses have the correctly timed recording. We are glad to hear that the tour was great, otherwise. We hope to see you again with Big Bus Tours!
Joanne_C, Feb 2026
Great way to see the city at your own leisure. Good value for money, and the sunset tour was well worth the money too
Akshata_H, Feb 2026
The worst experience ever
I have taken a lot of hop in hop off but this one was the ever
1. Viator has it labeled wrong - says you have booked for tour + sunset + aquarium but when you go there you don’t really have the tickets
2. The big bus have written everywhere on their banner, vouchers that buses are every 15mins but in reality 35mins
3. Big bus does not announce and stop at every stop
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hi Akshata_H,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us! It really helps us to improve our services. We are very sorry for the mix up and we apologize that the wait time caused frustration! The frequency of our buses may be affected by traffic conditions, leading to possible delays. We really hope that you will consider giving us another try in the future, as we are sure you would have a better time! Best wishes. Cristian T, Big Bus Tours
Steve_F, Feb 2026
I usually do these hop on hop off tours in every big city. This is one of the best organized ones I've experienced. The drivers were very friendly and helpful. The information received over the audio was very good. This is a great way to get around the city. If you have time I would do a two day tour and you could use it to get across all the parts of the city. I was really surprised they even took you all the way across the Golden Gate Bridge to the other side to get a great picture.
Margarita_P, Feb 2026
It is a good experience if you want to see San Francisco and don’t have much time. We decided to do the whole route and then go back to the Golden Gate Park, but we ran out of time. Next time, we will decide ahead of time where we want to hop off .
If you can, stay in San Francisco at least two days.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hi Margarita_P! Thank you for the review! We are glad to hear you enjoyed the tour. We hope to see you soon, maybe in another city. Best Wishes, Robert from Big Bus Tours
John_A, Feb 2026
Always enjoy the Big Bus. It’s the service we use when they have it in a city. Takes you to the places you want to go. Drivers are friendly (as they do take tips). Did a great job of navigating the San Francisco streets during Super Bowl weekend.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hi John! Thank you for your review. We are glad to hear that you use our services where we operate. We hope to see you soon! Ana from Big Bus Tours.
Alena_M, Feb 2026
There is a lot to see and explore. Make sure to have a coat ready when passing over the Golden Gate if you want to sit on the open deck!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hi Alena! Thank you for your review. We are happy to hear that you had a wonderful time in San Francisco. We hope to see you soon! Ana from Big Bus Tours.
James_S, Feb 2026
Great way to explore and get your bearings
Highlights all the main attractions so you can revisit the ones you want
Best bit for me was sitting on top of open top bus traveling across the Goldengate Bridge
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hi James! Thank you for your kind words, we're more than happy to learn that you have enjoyed the tour and that you were able to get a seat on the upper deck. We can't wait for your next visit! Eugen, Big Bus Tours
Sonia_P, Feb 2026
We got on the bus at Palace of Fine Arts, the bus driver would not take our voucher that was in my wallet from Viator and said to stay in the bus until we got to fishermans warf to get a new voucher, we lost lots of time and wanted to go across GG Bridge, and couldn't because traffic was building up and we lost the window of opportunity ...... We went to the bus office and we put in a complaint about the driver and asked for our money back. She was rude and unfriendly, never giving us any info or support, and we will never use this service again.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hi Sonia_P. Thank you for your valuable feedback as this helps us improve our service and provide our customer with the best service. The vouchers purchased from our partners have to be scanned with our on-street colleagues at the bus stops to receive the physical tickets. We are sorry for the inconvenience and we do hope to see you again soon! Have a lovely day! Razvan @ Big Bus Tours
From $56.10
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