More about: 7 Best Tours and Day Trips from San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the most interesting cities in the United States and undoubtedly my favourite on the West Coast. The image of its iconic bridge shrouded in fog, its steep streets that you can explore by tram, its diversity, its food (being hungry in San Francisco is one of the best things that can happen to you), and its relative variety of things to do make a holiday in the city a perfect plan. Here are my must-sees in the city:
1. Excursions to Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and Sausalito
Three of San Francisco's most powerful attractions, combined into one activity. For almost an entire day, you'll go in a small group to Alcatraz (the tour includes ferry tickets, tickets to the iconic prison, and an audio guide), and explore Muir Woods and Sausalito, both with a professional guide and on your own during part of the experience.
I would say that the best thing about this Alcatraz, Muir Woods and Sausalito tour is that it is an all-in-one package that saves you the hassle of travelling between the different stops on the tour, but the fact that it includes a guide to learn about the history of these places is also another of its strong points.
- Duration: 7 hours
- Recommended: If you have limited time in San Francisco or have just arrived in the city and want to see the most iconic sights first
2. Tours of San Francisco's financial district
On this small group tour of San Francisco's Financial District, you'll pass by the headquarters of many world-renowned technology companies: Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You'll also visit SalesForce Park, a floating park built in the heart of the city where companies such as Slack and Yelp have their offices.
This is a very specific tour where you can experience first-hand the atmosphere of one of the most vibrant areas of San Francisco, accompanied by a guide who will tell you interesting anecdotes about this cradle of entrepreneurship.
- Duration: 2 hours
- Recommended: If you are passionate about the history of the technology companies that dominate the world today
3. Tours with cruise to Golden Gate and Alcatraz
If you want to take a boat trip around San Francisco Bay, this is the experience for you. You won't enter Alcatraz, but you will tour the island and pass under the Golden Gate Bridge.
The cruise departs from Fisherman's Wharf and you will have the option of taking an audio guide with you at all times to learn more about everything you see. In addition, the boat has WiFi and you can order drinks to enjoy during the trip. You can book your tickets for the Golden Gate and Alcatraz cruise online, which I recommend to ensure you enjoy this experience on your trip to San Francisco.
- Duration: 1 hour
- Recommended: If the weather is good in San Francisco and you don't want to visit Alcatraz inside (in this case, I recommend a cruise with admission to the famous prison)
4. Day trip to Napa with wine tasting and gourmet food on the Wine Train
This is the premium experience you have to try on your trip to San Francisco if you are a wine lover. It is an excursion to Napa Valley, known worldwide for its vineyards, which you will reach on a historic restored train, the Wine Train.
From the train, you can admire the beauty of the Napa region, enjoy a gourmet lunch and coffee in the dining car, and get off at a winery of your choice for wine tasting and sampling local products.
Everything is included in the day trip to Napa with wine tasting and gourmet food on the Wine Train: round trip from San Francisco to Napa by train, lunch and tasting. So, if you are a fan of complete experiences, this is a perfect option for spending part of the day in one of the most sought-after places on the West Coast.
- Recommended: If you are travelling to San Francisco on a high budget and love wine or premium experiences.
5. San Francisco Tours in a GoCar (Early Bird)
If you like to get up early to start exploring the city before anyone else, the San Francisco tour in a GoCar allows you to rent an electric car with a GPS that will guide you around San Francisco and its main points of interest.
After an orientation on how to drive the GoCar, you can travel freely around the city or follow the route suggested by the GPS. Something you should know is that the electric car has two seats and the price of the experience is per car, not per person.
Logically, this experience has its requirements: the driver must be 21 years of age or older and have a valid driving licence. The passenger must be at least 4 years old. In addition, it is important to note that you have to leave a deposit of £500 to rent the car or £150 if you take out insurance.
- Duration: 3 hours
- Recommended: If you prefer to visit cities on your own and want to take an alternative tour of San Francisco
6. Hop On Hop Off bus tour of San Francisco
Two different routes, freedom to explore San Francisco, and optional extras: this is what the Hop On Hop Off bus tour of San Francisco offers. You can purchase a day pass and comfortably visit all the must-see attractions.
With the premium options, you can take a night tour of San Francisco by bus or a tram tour to Sausalito. All options include a walking tour of Chinatown, so it's a very complete experience whichever itinerary you choose.
When you book your Hop On Hop Off bus, you will receive a confirmation email which you will need to show on the bus when you board.
Daytime route stops
- San Francisco Visitor Centre
- Washington Square - North Beach
- Clay Street
- Market Street
- Union Square
- Hilton Hotel
- Civil Centre
- Alamo Square
- Haight Ashbury
- Golden Gate Park
- Palace of Fine Arts
- Marina - Vaca Hueca
- Lombard Street
- Pier 39
Night route stops
- SS Jeremiah O'Brien
- Madame Tussauds
- The San Francisco Dungeon
- Ferry Building Marketplace
- Pier 39
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Recommended: If you have just arrived in San Francisco and don't know where to start visiting the city, or as a final tour before ending your holiday
7. Private and customisable tour of San Francisco
If you want to discover the real San Francisco and go beyond the tourist spots, this private and customisable tour of San Francisco includes a local guide who will take you to alternative sites on a customisable tour.
In addition to visiting the city's main attractions, you will discover its neighbourhoods from a different perspective, which is perfect as a starting point for your trip, as from there you can explore the city with peace of mind and confidence.
Duration: 2 to 6 hours
Recommended: If you don't like traditional group tours and prefer an experience with a host rather than a tour guide.
And to save money on your trip: San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass
The Go San Francisco tourist card is a multi-day pass: you choose the number of days the card is valid for and within that period you can visit all the attractions included in the pass.
I recommend purchasing the San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass online, but first take a look below to see what it includes and whether it is worth it for your trip. Choose a 1-, 2-, 3- or 5-day pass, which will give you free access to San Francisco's main attractions (among others):
What's included
- San Francisco sightseeing bus
- Madame Tussauds Museum
- California Academy of Sciences
- Golden Gate to Bay Bridge cruise
- San Francisco Dungeon
- Aquarium of the Bay
- Ripley's Believe It or Not!
- San Francisco Bay Cruise
- Exploratorium Museum
- Oracle Park
- Bicycle Rental
- San Francisco Zoo
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMoMA)
- USS Pampanito
- Young Museum
- Walt Disney Family Museum
- K1 Karting San Francisco
- GoCar Tour
- Asian Art Museum
- Contemporary Jewish Museum
- Berkeley Botanical Garden
- Beat Museum
- Duration: depends on the validity you purchase
- Recommended: If you are someone who travels at full speed, wanting to see as many things as possible each day to make the most of your holiday
Before booking a tour or excursion
- Think about how many days you're going to spend in San Francisco. If you're going to be there for less than five days, it might be worth taking a more general tour to make sure you see all the important sights.
- If, on the other hand, you are staying for more than a week, it is best to take a more specific tour or one focused on a particular area, as you will surely have time to see the key points of interest on your own.
- When you make your booking, you will receive a confirmation email. Unless otherwise indicated, simply show this email to the guide to access the tour.
- All tours have a meeting point and a return point. My advice is to plan what you want to do after the tour, and the best idea is to see what's around the return point. You can probably ask your guide for advice on what to do next, but it's always good to have a couple of options!
Tips for visiting San Francisco on a tour or excursion
- Wear comfortable shoes! San Francisco is a hilly city, and not dressing appropriately will make itself felt. The weather is somewhat changeable and quite windy, so it's a good idea to wear several layers that you can store in a rucksack if it gets hot.
- San Francisco is a city where fog is very common. At first, you'll love it and find it very magical, but after a few days it can become a bit tiresome. Although it's unpredictable, make the most of a clear day as it will allow you to see the city clearly and without any haze.
- To see the sunset and the best views of San Francisco, Twin Peaks is a must for visitors to the city, especially if it's your first time there. This place has nothing to do with the eerie town in the TV series; it's a place full of peace and light where you're sure to have a very pleasant time.
- How to get to Twin Peaks: the best way is to take the underground (lines K, L or M) to Forest Hill station and then take the 52-Excelsior bus to the junction of Marview View and Skyview Way. From there, it is an easy walk to the viewpoint.
Other activities that may interest you
Only one of the tours I mentioned above includes admission to Alcatraz, but if you want to do another activity and visit this iconic prison on another tour or on your own, here are the best tours and tickets to Alcatraz.