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San Francisco Bus Tours: Discover the Five Best City Tours
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: March 13, 2024 • Published: October 12, 2012
One of the easiest ways to see the city is on one of these San Francisco bus tours.
Discover everything you need to know about each one including the SF attractions you'll see, how long each one lasts, and the estimated price per person.
In addition, find my tips so you know which tour is right for you!
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1. Hop On/Hop Off
Check Ticket Availability: Hop On/Hop Off Bus
The Hop On/Hop Off Bus is one of my favorite San Francisco bus tours. It takes you directly to all of the attractions, but then allows you to visit them at your own pace.
As you ride from attraction to attraction, you will also learn about the history and key facts of each one.
This one has 20+ stops including Chinatown, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Haight Ashbury. Other stops include Golden Gate Park, The California Academy of Sciences, and Fisherman's Wharf.
If you decide not to stop at all, the entire round-trip journey takes about two hours.
On this double-decker, open-air bus, you will also have amazing views of the city with plenty of picture-perfect moments. It's one of the best ways to see SF on your own without the hassles of trying to figure out how to get from one attraction to the next.
Details: Runs daily, choose from a one or two day pass
Additional Options: Find more details on these and other top Hop On/Hop Off Tours
2. Movie Sights Tour
Find Tickets: Find out more and check for ticket availability
If you love movies, this tour is a must! It will take you past more than 50 filming locations all around San Francisco.
Sit back, relax, and soak in famous scenes from around SF on the buses large screens.
My favorite part of this tour is being able to see and actual location live after seeing them on the big screens in the bus.
After they play the scene, the screens will go up and that's when you will get to see the live location you just saw in the movie!
Drive past filming locations for movies such as Mrs. Doubtfire, Dirty Harry, and Vertigo. See where scenes from Bullitt, Full House, and Interview with the Vampire filmed.
It's a fun 3 hour bus tour!
>> Read more about my experience on this tour
>> Find a list of movies filmed in SF, so you can watch them before you arrive!
3. San Francisco Grand City Tour
Find Tickets: Check availability for the San Francisco Grand City Tour
One of the best ways to see and learn more about San Francisco is on a half-day bus tour. If that is what you are looking for, then I know you will love this tour.
What I like most about this small group tour is that it's more personalized and there are several photo stops that allow you to see so much more of San Francisco than what you would be able to on your own.
This small group tour usually starts around 9 am.
During your tour, you'll see a number of San Francisco's famous attractions including Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, and several historic Victorian homes. You'll also drive past the Palace of Fine Arts, through North Beach, and even the Presidio National Park.
Your tour makes five photo stops. Here is where you get to stop for photos.
It's a half day of sightseeing, but one of the best ways to see all that San Francisco has to offer.
This tour lasts approximately 5 hours.
More: Additional top city tours in SF
4. City Lights Evening Bus Tour
Tickets: Night Tour
San Francisco is gorgeous during the day, but it shines even more at night. On this evening bus tour, you get the chance to admire SF at dusk.
You will ride around on a double decker coach with open top (or glass top). From the bus, you will see the Chinatown Dragon Gate, Union Square, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
It also includes two short walking tours for some great photo ops.
Your knowledgeable guide offers live commentary, so you know the information is current.
Details: It departs from Fisherman's Wharf at Leavenworth and Jefferson at 6:30pm nightly
>> Find additional night tours all around SF.
5. San Francisco Fire Engine Tour
Tickets: San Francisco Fire Engine Tour
Have you ever wanted to ride around in a fire truck? If so, then here's your chance.
This San Francisco tour is not really in a bus, but instead a Big Red Shiny Mac Fire Engine. It's a truly unique way to see some the top sites of San Francisco.
This two-hour tour starts in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. From here you travel through the Presidio and Fort Point. Your open-air tour then takes you over the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge.
Your next stop is Sausalito - a beautiful small town that sits right on the San Francisco Bay. After your visit to Sausalito, you head back for a stop at Fort Baker. Here you can get some amazing photos of the gorgeous Golden Gate Bridge.
You'll then hop back in your shiny red fire engine for another drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. Your tour ends with a cruise along Union Street in San Francisco's Marina District and a return drive to the Cannery in Fisherman's Wharf.
Details: This tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and begins and ends in Fisherman's Wharf at the Cannery.
>> Find additional fun things to do with children in San Francisco
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Hi, I'm Jill!
Dreaming of a San Francisco vacation? As a proud local, I'm here to share my insider tips and personal experiences to help you make the most of this iconic city!
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