San Francisco Tourist Attractions

Save Money on Top SF Attractions with the CityPass Discount Card

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Are you looking for ways to save money on San Francisco tourist attractions? The San Francisco CityPass is one of three great San Francisco tourism passes that will save you a lot of money—about 42% in savings! It also includes 'skip the line' benefits for most of its attractions, so you can just walk right up to the entrance without waiting in line to get in.

With this pass, you have options to visit the museums and attractions that most interest you.

You can choose to visit either the Exploratorium, or the SF Museum of Modern Art. One is great for kids and the other is perfect for lovers of modern art.

All passes include entrance to the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park and the Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39.

All tickets also include a one-hour cruise on the San Francisco Bay.

Another reason I love this San Francisco discount card is that it includes a multi-day Muni pass. Muni is the San Francisco public transportation system, which includes the cable cars, street cars, buses, and light rail train.

The ease of this Muni pass alone is worth the money. You won't have to worry about digging around for change every time you want to jump on a bus or cable car.

Below are more details about the San Francisco tourist attractions and the savings included with this pass:

San Francisco Tourist Attractions		Full Adult Ticket Prices*
Multi-Day Muni Pass		$32
Golden Gate Bay Cruise (Blue & Gold Fleet)		$31
California Academy of Sciences		$34.95
Aquarium of the Bay		$24.95
Select One of These Two Options	SF Museum of Modern Art	$25.00
	Exploratorium	$29.95
Total Value		$152.85
Price for San Francisco CityPass		$94
Your Savings		42% or More Off Retail Price

*All prices, estimates, and attractions are subject to change without prior notification.

'Skip the line' benefits are available for all of the San Francisco tourist attractions with this pass except for the Golden Gate Bay Cruise. When you arrive at each attraction, just look for the CityPass 'Skip the Line' sign and head on in!

Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

Are you ready to save? Save at least 42% on San Francisco's Muni transit and 4 other attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Ideas to Help You Maximize Your Pass

You only have a few days to use the tickets for the San Francisco tourist attractions that come with the CityPass, but that is plenty of time. The starting date is based on the day you first use the card.

Here are some suggestions on using the card, so you can make the most of your time.

California Academy of Sciences: What Else to See Nearby

The California Academy of Sciences is one of the most visited San Francisco tourist attractions and is a must-see during your visit.

The reason it's so popular is that it's really four museums in one. Here you can visit the Steinhart Aquarium, the natural history museum, the planetarium and the four-story rainforest.

You should leave at least three to four hours to fully enjoy this attraction.

I recommend arriving 10 or so minutes before the museum opens so you can enjoy the exhibits before they get too crowded. There is almost always a line to get in, but of course with the CityPass discount card, you'll get in right away.

You will also want to note that the planetarium shows are on a first come, first served basis. The shows are free, but you do need to head over and pick up a ticket. Do this immediately when you arrive so you can get a seat for one of the earlier shows that day.

Once you are done at the museum, I recommend exploring Golden Gate Park. It is a large, beautiful park with many other things to do.

Some of the other great San Francisco tourist attractions to visit in Golden Gate Park include:

• Conservatory of Flowers: This is a living museum with a unique collection of plants and flowers from different countries, including many that you probably have never seen before. The entrance fee is not included in the CityPass, but it's worth a stop while you are in the area.


• de Young Museum: The de Young Museum is right across the street. It's home to thousands of fine arts pieces from the Americas, Africa and beyond.


• Japanese Tea Garden: This is a beautiful, expansive Japanese landscape complete with a pagoda, teahouse, zen rock garden, and much more. There is also a small entrance fee that is not included with the card.


• Stow Lake: This is a man-made lake in the middle of Golden Gate Park. You can spend a little time hiking the trails around the lake or rent a pedal boat for a quick ride around.

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Aquarium of the Bay

I love this aquarium! It gives you an educational view of all of the plants and animals that live in the San Francisco Bay. It's really well organized and such a fun visit for kids and adults of all ages.

A visit to the aquarium will take an hour to an hour and a half. That gives you plenty of time to explore the rest of the neighborhood, including:

• Golden Gate Bay Cruise: The ticket to this bay cruise is included with the CityPass. Before or after your visit to the aquarium, you should head over for your cruise. It will last an hour with some additional time waiting in line for your cruise.


• Alcatraz Prison Tours: A ticket to Alcatraz is not included with the CityPass card, but this is definitely a must-see attraction. You pick up the ferry on the eastern side of Fisherman's Wharf at Pier 33. You could easily combine all three of these attractions in one day.


• Pier 39: Grab some lunch or pick up some gifts while you are here. Don't forget to use the Fun Pack coupons that you get with your pass to save you some additional money.

Find more top activities in Fisherman's Wharf San Francisco.

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Choice Ticket: SF Museum of Modern Art OR the Exploratorium

If you love modern art, then I recommend selecting the SF Musem of Modern Art ticket. If you are traveling with children, love science, or prefer hands-on exhibits, then I recommend selecting the Exploratorium ticket.

Here are some things to think about when selecting each one.

SF Museum of Modern Art

This is one of our top art museums. They feature modern art from a variety of well known artists. Inside, you will find photography, paintings, and statues. A large amount of their space is also dedicated to traveling exhibits.

The museum recently opened after a large renovation. Their space is now three times the size it used to be. You could spend all day just at this one museum.

If you need a break, head up to their outdoor cafe for a coffee or a small treat. On a sunny day in SF, there is no better place to sit back and unwind.

Exploratorium: Science Museum

The recently relocated Exploratorium is now right in the heart of the action, at Pier 15 along the Embarcadero. It offers dozens of hands-on science and human perception exhibits that are fun for everyone.

A visit here can take anywhere from two to three hours. If you are traveling with kids who love science and interactive displays, you may want to stay even longer.

After your visit, you can either head north about a half mile to Fisherman's Wharf or south about a half mile to the Ferry Building.

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The San Francisco CityPass card has so many great benefits. Not only will you save money, but you also get the chance to see several of the top San Francisco tourist attractions at a fraction of the cost.

Are you ready to take advantage of the savings available with this card? Save 42% on San Francisco's Muni rides and 4 other attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!.

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