Whether by air, by bike, by boat, by bus or even by vintage Volkswagen, there are so many different ways to take in the beauty of San Francisco and experience its top attractions.
To help you decide which method is right for you, NatureGuide compiled the city’s top tours, considering traveler sentiment and expert opinion. Foodies, history buffs, adventurers and everyone in between will find a tour on this list.
Price: Adults from $99; kids from $69
Duration: 4 hours
NatureGuide independently paid to send Lili Weigert, an arts and travel writer based in Marin County, on this tour to provide readers with an unbiased, first-hand perspective of what to expect. Dylan’s Famous Tour was selected by our team as the Best Overall thanks to its popularity and favorable user reviews.
This half-day minibus excursion takes you from Fisherman’s Wharf to Muir Woods and back, and includes a lively tour of some of San Francisco’s most iconic neighborhoods and landmarks. Throughout the ride, our guide – a passionate San Francisco native – shared fun and surprising facts and pointed out interesting sights as we wound through North Beach, Pacific Heights, Chinatown and Alamo Square. After a dramatic photo-op at Fort Point (the waves can make a big spray!), we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and drove to Muir Woods, where we spent almost 90 minutes strolling through the trees. After a lunch break in the town of Sausalito, we headed back over the bridge, making a quick stop to admire the Palace of Fine Arts before ending back at Fisherman’s Wharf.
Tours operate daily at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Know that if you choose the 8 or 10 a.m. departure, you’ll have a slightly higher fee because of the extra stop in Sausalito (the 8 a.m. tour) or the Ferry Building Marketplace (the 10 a.m. tour). Dylan’s Tours offers a variety of minibus tours, including a foodie tour and a daylong Sonoma and Napa wine tour.
Why we love it:
- Our guide kept us entertained with fascinating historical anecdotes about the Bay Area; he even used visual aids and played music to bring the stories to life.
- In Muir Woods, our guide explained the different paths we could explore, then left us on our own so everyone could go at their own pace and as far as they wanted.
- The organization and timing of the entire tour was flawless – there were plenty of stops for photo-ops and our guide was very clear and respectful of everyone’s questions and needs. He even had water and energy bars for us.
- Sausalito is a lovely spot for lunch and there’s enough time for a snack and stroll through town or a waterfront meal at The Spinnaker – just ask for your check when you order!
Price: Adults from $48; kids from $36
Duration: 1.5 hours
Take in San Francisco’s two most famous bridges on this boat trip through San Francisco Bay. In addition to sailing beneath both the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge, tourgoers will see Alcatraz Island, Palace of Fine Arts and the city skyline, among other landmarks. Red and White Fleet provides an audio guide available in 16 different languages that details the city’s history. Reviewers say this is a must-do if you’re a first-time visitor and that they enjoy the views, the helpful commentary, and the clean and comfortable boats. They recommend wearing layers – especially on evening tours – because it gets chilly on the water.
Tours run daily, year-round. You can hop on a boat in the morning and the afternoon, but exact times vary by day and time of year. Cruises depart from Fisherman’s Wharf. Short on time? Red and White Fleet also offers an hourlong Golden Gate Bay Cruise, among other tours.
Price: Adults from $79; kids from $69
Duration: 3.5 hours
Weave your way through the epicenter of San Francisco’s Latino culture on this tasty food tour of the Mission District. The tour starts with a Mission-style burrito and ends with a visit to a craft chocolate maker for a total of five stops, including the company’s “secret” dish that’s not revealed until the day of the tour. Along the way, your guide will share stories about how immigrants continue to shape the district’s culture and food scene and its many murals. Travelers applaud the authentic food featured on the tour and are particularly impressed with the insightful guides, who share a bounty of historical information about the district and the dishes.
This tour is offered daily at 11 a.m. and it’s capped at 12 participants. If you’re hungry for more, the company also runs a combo food tour of North Beach and Chinatown.
Price: From $85
Duration: 2 hours
Drive through the city in a classic Volkswagen hippie bus during this sightseeing tour. As you drive around to sites like Lombard Street and Golden Gate Park, you’ll hear all about San Francisco history and listen to music. You’ll also make two stops for photos to capture the Golden Gate Bridge and the city skyline. Reviewers rave about the knowledgeable guides and the nostalgic music choices and say this is a great way to spend a couple hours in San Francisco, especially on the first day of your trip.
Tours, which start and end near Fisherman’s Wharf, are generally available daily at 8:30 and 11 a.m. as well as 2 and 5 p.m. The van can accommodate up to seven passengers. Hoping to admire the city lights after the sun goes down? The company also runs a night tour.
Price: Adults from $79; kids from $25
Duration: 3 hours
According to reviewers, this tour is a must for food and history lovers thanks to experienced guides who are engaging storytellers. Along the walking tour, you’ll explore up to 10 blocks of North Beach (or “Little Italy”). Samples of the neighborhood’s best pizza, pastries, coffee, chocolates and more are all included in the cost of the tour. Travelers say the portions are generous and recommend arriving to the tour hungry.
Tours are generally offered daily at 10:30 a.m. with an additional 2:30 p.m. tour available on select days. Still hungry? Consider the company’s Chinatown tours.
Price: Adults from $63; kids from $53
Duration: 2 hours
If you’re looking for a convenient way to visit the city’s top attractions in one day, this hop-on, hop-off tour may be just the ticket. Big Bus lets riders disembark at any of its stops, explore the area and catch another bus when they’re ready. Buses frequent stops every 15 minutes and visit more than 15 locations, including Presidio Park, Chinatown, the Embarcadero and even includes a ride over the Golden Gate Bridge.
The entire tour lasts a little more than two hours, if you don’t choose to disembark. All buses have open tops and prerecorded commentary available in six languages. Reviewers enjoy the educational commentary and the opportunity to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge in the open-top bus, but many warn that buses get crowded quickly. For access to maps and live bus tracking, heed the advice of past riders and download the Big Bus Tours smartphone app.
Big Bus San Francisco also offers night tours of the city, as well as upgraded tickets that include free bike rentals and a guided walking tour.
Price: Adults from $96; kids from $75
Duration: 5 hours
This half-day excursion from Gray Line San Francisco takes you to Muir Woods National Monument to see its beautiful redwood trees up close. After exploring the forest on your own for about 90 minutes, the tour continues to Sausalito, a charming town across the bay full of waterfront dining, shopping and art galleries. You’ll have about an hour to explore on your own before boarding the bus back to San Francisco.
For even more time in Sausalito, you can skip the bus and instead return to the city by ferry for an additional cost. Reviewers say the tour bus is comfortable and describe the driver as engaging and knowledgeable. Many recommend this tour if you do not want to navigate the traffic and parking headaches at Muir Woods.
Gray Line offers a variety of day trips from San Francisco, including trips to Sonoma, Napa Valley and Monterey.
Price: Adults from $75; kids from $55
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
See San Francisco by bike on this guided cycling tour that takes you from Fisherman’s Wharf to Sausalito. The trip lasts two to three hours and covers 8 miles. After making your way along the waterfront, you’ll pedal across the Golden Gate Bridge, stopping for photo-ops along the way. At the conclusion of the tour, you can either bike your way back to the city or opt to take the ferry from Sausalito to San Francisco for an additional fee. Tourgoers say guides are friendly and informative and the sights are beautiful.
Tours are open to all ages. From March through September, tours are available daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; tours are available daily at 10 a.m. the rest of the year. The company also offers a Streets of San Francisco Electric Bike Tour, among other options.
Price: Adults from $120; kids from $90
Duration: 2.5 hours
Head into San Francisco Bay to catch sight of some of the many whales that pass through its waters with San Francisco Whale Tours. On the cruise, you may see humpback or gray whales, harbor seals, dolphins, porpoises and seabirds, depending on the time of year. You’ll also get a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The tour does not include food, though you can bring your own, and you should bring warm clothes, including jackets, hats and gloves. Many tourists report seeing both gray and humpback whales and describe the crew as very friendly and respectful of the marine life.
Golden Gate Whale Watch tours are offered from late March to the end of August Thursday through Monday at 9 a.m. The company also operates specialty cruises for popular seasonal events in San Francisco, such as Fleet Week and July Fourth fireworks.
Price: Adults from $209; kids from $187
Duration: 15 hours
Once you’ve gotten your fill of the city, trek to one of California’s incomparable natural wonders with a day trip to Yosemite National Park. During this daylong tour, you’ll stop at Tuolumne Meadows to see the 2,000-year-old giant sequoia trees, then hit top stops like El Capitan, Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall. You’ll also enjoy about two hours to explore on your own in Yosemite Valley, spending about five hours total in Yosemite National Park. Buses, which pick up from most San Francisco hotels, are equipped with expert park guides who provide commentary along the way.
Tourgoers appreciate the information provided by the guides and compliment the drivers for their attention to safety. Reviewers also rave about the scenery and say this is a great option if you don’t have time for a multiday trip to Yosemite.
The trip departs every day of the year. Tickets do not include meals, but do cover the park entrance fee. Extranomical Tours offers a variety of city tours, as well as excursions to wine country and Monterey.
Price: Adults from $67; kids from $44
Duration: 3 hours
Countless movies and TV shows have been filmed in San Francisco, and this bus tour highlights all the top filming locations. Knowledgeable actors-turned-guides lead the interactive tour, which takes you to filming locations for productions such as “The Princess Diaries,” “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Full House.” Throughout the trip, you’ll see clips on big screens with surround sound of each movie or show as you arrive. Along the way, you’ll pass through several of the city’s most popular neighborhoods, including North Beach, Nob Hill, Golden Gate Park and Pacific Heights.
Reviewers describe the tour as a fun way to see the city and say guides are entertaining. They also appreciate the small size of the group, which is capped at 12 participants. Tours are generally offered daily at 10 a.m.
Price: From $55
Duration: 1.5 hours
According to reviewers, The Haunt Ghost Tours’ outing is full of intriguing and spooky information told by engaging guides. The nighttime walking tour unveils the darker side of San Francisco history, including documented hauntings and true crimes. As you walk through some of the oldest and most haunted streets of Chinatown and stroll past the Victorian architecture of the Jackson Square Historic District, you’ll hunt for spirits with EMF meters – devices used to measure electromagnetic fields.
Tours meet nightly (exact times depend on the season) in the Jackson Square Historic District. Trips traverse less than a mile of downtown. Though the tour covers topics like hauntings and ghosts, the company says it is family-friendly and kids 4 and older require a ticket.
Price: From $80
Duration: 1.5 hours
If you’re on the hunt for a romantic evening tour, consider this sunset cruise operated by Adventure Cat Sailing Charters. You’ll set sail just before sunset, taking in the sights of San Francisco Bay from inside the protected cabin or outside on a netted deck trampoline where you can feel the waves crashing beneath your feet. Outside food and drinks are not allowed on board, but one complimentary drink is included with each ticket. Reviewers describe the cruise as fantastic, with many lauding the tour as their top experience in San Francisco. Others appreciate the excellent service provided by the crew.
The catamaran cruise departs from Pier 39 every evening, but exact departure times vary according to the timing of the sunset (know that ticket fees for Thursday to Sunday sails are slightly higher). If you’re looking for a more traditional sightseeing cruise with narration about San Francisco landmarks, consider the company’s day cruise, which includes an audio tour available in seven languages.
