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how do you tour san francisco

by Sophia Goodwin MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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San Francisco Tours

  • Big Bus San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Tour. ...
  • Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise. ...
  • GoCar San Francisco Tour. ...
  • Small-Group Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco. ...
  • Straight to the Gate Access: Golden Gate Bay Cruise. ...
  • San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise. ...
  • The One Day in San Francisco Tour with Alcatraz. ...
  • Alcatraz with Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour. ...

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A Hop On Hop Off bus tour is the most popular way to see the sights, but also don't miss San Francisco Bay, with various options for boat tours. Other options include bike rentals, segway tours, and many museums and attractions.

Full Answer

What are the best tourist attractions in San Francisco?

Top 35 Tourist Attractions in San Francisco

  1. Golden Gate Bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge is the crown of San Francisco, famous across the globe for its iconic orange arches.
  2. Fisherman's Wharf. Fisherman's Wharf is an iconic tourist spot and is one of the most popular San Francisco attractions.
  3. Alcatraz Island. ...
  4. San Francisco Cable Cars. ...
  5. Golden Gate Park. ...
  6. San Francisco's Chinatown. ...

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Which is the best San Francisco tourist pass?

  • Madame Tussauds® San Francisco
  • California Academy of Sciences
  • Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise
  • The San Francisco Dungeon
  • Aquarium of the Bay
  • Ripley’s Believe it or Not!® San Francisco
  • California’s Great America
  • Escape from the Rock®
  • Exploratorium
  • AT&T® Park Tour

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What are the best driving roads near San Francisco?

  • Marin to Point Reyes Lighthouse (Sir Francis Drake Blvd)
  • Berkeley Hills (Wildcat Canyon Rd)
  • 49 Mile Scenic Drive through San Francisco

What is the best way to get around in San Francisco?

Additional Ways for Getting Around San Francisco

  • Walking. If you really love to explore, then getting around San Francisco by walking is the best. ...
  • Biking. You can also head out on a bike ride and see even more. ...
  • Ferry Systems. With so much water around the city, sometimes taking a ferry will save you some time. ...
  • Hop On Hop Off Buses. ...
  • Taxis, Uber & Lyft. ...
  • Pedicab. ...
  • Rental Cars. ...
  • San Francisco Parking & Garages. ...

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What is the best way to tour San Francisco?

The 19 Best San Francisco ToursRed and White Fleet – Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise.Vantigo – San Francisco City Tours.Seaplane Adventures – SF City Sites Tour.Avital Food Tours – Mission District Food Tour.San Francisco Love Tours – The Love Tour.Local Tastes of the City Tours – North Beach/Little Italy Walking Food Tour.More items...

How many days do you need to see San Francisco?

If you are wondering what is the adequate amount of time needed to properly visit this extravagant city, I would say that probably the most reasonable answer is to visit San Francisco in 3 days, not so much because in this time frame you will be able to see everything (forget it!), but because spending 3 days is a good ...

Is San Francisco easy to walk around?

San Francisco is rated the second most walkable city in the US. This is because most of the San Francisco's highlights are clustered in a relatively small part of what is relatively small-sized city. I love when I explain to visitors that they can walk most of the city without climbing more than a small incline.

How do people explore San Francisco in one day?

One Day in San Francisco: 10 Fun Things to Do on a Short 24 Hour VisitVisit the Golden Gate Bridge. ... Explore Alcatraz Island. ... Stroll Around the California Academy of Sciences. ... Enjoy the Museum of Modern Art. ... Sample Some of Our Amazing Cuisines. ... Admire Our Street Art & Murals. ... Cruise the SF Bay. ... Take a City Tour.More items...•

What should I not miss in San Francisco?

155721288View of Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach.Visit the Musee Mecanique.Eat at Spark Social Food Trucks.Have Tea at the Japanese Tea Garden.Soak Up the sun at Dolores Park.See the Mission Murals.Visit Haight Ashbury.Eat Italian at North Beach.More items...

Is Alcatraz worth visiting?

Overall, Alcatraz is absolutely worth seeing - once. I expected it to be better preserved rather than just a collection of abandoned, crumbling buildings and ruins. The cell house was the best preserved building but most of the outer building are little more than ruins and bird perches.

Is San Francisco expensive for tourists?

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco boasts some of the highest rents and home prices but it's not America's most expensive tourist destination. Trip Advisor ranked San Francisco fourth when it comes to the cost of a three-night stay, meals and daily activities. The average cost is just over $1,900.

Is the Golden Gate Bridge walkable?

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge... It's free to walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. The pedestrian walkway is the east sidewalk that runs along the east (bay) side of the bridge. Bikes ride on either side, according to the daily schedule.

Do you need a car in San Francisco to visit?

While most major cities in the United States offer some kind of public transit system, San Francisco has hands down one of the best! An intricate network of trains, buses, street cars, bikes and those world-famous cable cars will get you almost anywhere you want to go in the Bay Area.

Is San Francisco walkable?

Known for the Golden Gate Bridge, its iconic hills, Chinatown, and more, San Francisco is also becoming increasingly known as a highly walkable city.

How much is a cable car ride in San Francisco?

Cable Car Fares One ride on the San Francisco cable car now costs $8: same price for everyone. Only exceptions: seniors 65+ pay $4 before 7 am or after 9 pm. Note: you pay $8 every time you get on. They don't give transfers.

What to do in San Francisco if you only have a few hours?

10 Things to do with Your Extra Hour in San FranciscoStroll in the San Francisco Botanical Garden. ... Circuit through one of San Francisco's several labyrinths. ... Visit one of San Francisco's park areas. ... Board a ferry boat. ... Get culture at one of our museums. ... Take me out to the ballgame. ... Something's a-brewin' ... Run your tail off.

Is 2 days enough for San Francisco?

Like I said, you'll be fine dedicating two days to a San Francisco vacation. You won't frantically rush and feel like you missed everything. Sure, while having more time in San Francisco would be ideal, you'll still have a solid experience taking a two day trip to this Californian city.

Is 4 days in San Francisco enough?

With four days, we think you should spend three days in the city itself, exploring vibrant neighborhoods, experiencing San Francisco's amazing food scene, and doing some exploring on foot. On the last day, get out of the city on a day trip to explore one of the many cool areas within an hour of the center of the city.

Is 5 days in San Francisco enough?

Most tourists find that 5 days in San Francisco is the perfect amount of time to get a true feel of the city. In 5 days in San Francisco you can explore all of the downtown neighborhoods like Haight-Ashbury, Castro and North Beach as well as visit Alcatraz and Sausalito.

Is one day enough for San Francisco?

Spending one day in San Francisco will give you just enough time to see all of the city's major tourist attractions, and get a little taste of what makes it special. Given that the city is only seven miles long and seven miles wide, it's definitely still possible to see San Francisco's highlights in one day!

What are the best tours in San Francisco?

The best tours in San Francisco according to Viator travelers are: Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour (Return by Bus or Ferry from Sausalito)Napa...

What tours in San Francisco are 1 hour or less?

Tours in San Francisco that are 1 hour or less are: Straight to the Gate Access: Golden Gate Bay CruiseSan Francisco Vista Grande Helicopter TourSt...

What tours in San Francisco are taking additional safety precautions?

These San Francisco experiences are providing additional COVID-19 safety measures: Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour (Return by Bus or Ferry fro...

What tours in San Francisco are good for avoiding crowds?

These hidden gems in San Francisco may have limited interaction with crowds: Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San FranciscoSan Franc...

Things to Know

If you want to visit Alcatraz, it will take almost half a day, by the time you take the ferry out there, look around and get back. In that same amount of time, you could see several other sights instead. If you think you must go to Alcatraz, reserve ahead (to avoid standing in a long line or finding the tour sold out).

San Francisco in a Day by Cable Car and Walking

If you like to walk (most of it on reasonably flat streets), this itinerary will let you take in as much of the San Francisco experience as can be managed in a single day.

San Francisco in a Day using a Motorized Trolley

Hornblower Classic Cable Cars take you around town in motorized vehicles that look like the San Francisco cable cars. While the body looks like a cable car, it doesn't provide the same fun, exciting ride as a real cable car does.

San Francisco in a Day With a Tour Company

If you want someone else to show you around, many companies offer day tours in San Francisco. They promise to take you to more than a dozen places in just a few hours. That works out to only about 15 minutes in any one place. And you have no hope of lingering at a particularly appealing spot and no way to avoid the ones you aren't interested in.

What to do on a San Francisco Bay cruise?

Spend an evening on the San Francisco Bay during this dinner cruise, including a 3-course gourmet meal of fresh, local ingredients prepared on board. After dinner, dance to the DJ's music or enjoy the nighttime views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the city skyline from the exterior deck.

What are the best places to visit in San Francisco?

Combine three of the Bay Area's top attractions—Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods, and Sausalito —in a single tour from San Francisco. Enjoy comfortable transportation in a luxury tour van, which includes a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge, allowing you to focus on the scenery instead of driving and directions. Your Alcatraz admission includes the ferry ride and the audio tour, and independent travelers will love the free time to explore both Muir Woods and Sausalito.

How to visit Alcatraz Island?

You have to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time at Pier 33. Walk, bike, take public transportation, or drive (as a last resort as it can be challenging to find parking), with easy access from anywhere around the Bay! On the island follow the Cellhouse audio tour “Doing Time” 45 minutes available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Also included is an amazing 1 hour SF Bay Cruise. Sail past the famous PIER 39 sea lions and along San Francisco’s historic waterfront, revealing the city’s fascinating skyline.You have the flexibility to go on your cruise on any day at any available departure. You will receive the schedule. Those are 2 separates tours. Free for 4 years old and younger no need tickets.

What is the sunset cruise in San Francisco?

Bypass the line and head directly to the gate with your prebooked tickets. This sunset cruise takes you across San Francisco Bay with outstanding views of the city skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz Island. Relax while background music sets the tone.

What is Yosemite National Park known for?

Known for its steep granite cliffs, waterfalls, towering sequoia groves, and diversity of wildlife, Yosemite National Park is something you don’t want to miss. On this small group day trip, you can leave the logistics to a tour guide so all you have to do is enjoy the great outdoors. You have both guided sightseeing and free time, ensuring you see the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s major attractions, like Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Yosemite Valley, with the chance to explore more of the park however you wish.

Where to go in San Francisco for half day?

Wander through an ancient coastal redwood forest and explore the artistic bayside enclave of Sausalito on this half-day tour from San Francisco. Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge to visit Muir Woods, home to some of the oldest and tallest trees on Earth. Then, soak up stellar views of the San Francisco skyline and browse art galleries along the Sausalito waterfront. At the end of your tour choose between getting dropped off at Union Square in San Francisco or taking the Sausalito ferry back to San Francisco.

What to do in San Francisco for ghost hunting?

Brave San Francisco’s dark and ghostly past on a real ghost hunt down historic alleys. You’ll use modern ghost hunting gear, including your own EMF detector during the tour. After meeting near the Transamerica Pyramid, your ghost hunter guide escorts you down haunted alleys, through mysterious neighborhoods, and around historic street corners. Stand atop old Gold Rush cemeteries, learn of paranormal activity following mysterious deaths, visit the site of infamous brothels, hear about Gold Rush–era hauntings, and how Chinatown’s gang wars changed the city. But it's not “just a ghost tour” -- this tour includes tales of unexplained deaths, scandalous murders, the old red light district and more... Children are welcome at your discretion — the tour does include some talk of violence and the macabre, but is generally considered family-friendly. This tour can accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, but there will be two moderate hills -- please inquire if you have concerns.

Where is the Ferry Building in San Francisco?

The Ferry Building sits on the edge of San Francisco’s Financial District.

Where is the Dragon's Gate in San Francisco?

When you reach Grant and Bush, you can see the famous Dragon’s Gate. This is how most people enter Chinatown , but it’s how you’ll re-enter the Financial District! The Dragon’s Gate is the entrance (or in your case, exit) to San Francisco’s Chinatown, which is home to the largest Chinese population outside of China!

Where to stop on the Pacific Coast Highway?

The 32 Best Pacific Coast Highway Stops: California Towns, Landmarks, and Restaurants. North Beach: The North Beach neighborhood is nestled between Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Embarcadero. You’ll pass right through it on this walking tour, and it’s one of the best places to base yourself during your trip.

Catalina

I was born and raised in sunny Los Angeles, right here in California. I was lucky, from an early age I traveled the world with my parents, visiting Europe (many times), Australia and the U.S. In many of those places I’ve done walking tours and I’ve become a huge fan of them. History is a big passion of mine and I always love learning new things.

Kevin

I’m that rare breed – someone living in San Francisco who was born and raised here. I was a History Major at UC Berkeley and since leaving I’ve been lucky enough to travel extensively. Ironically, one thing those vacations made me realize is that my hometown is a great place to visit too.

Damien

I’m from the UK and I majored in History at the University of London. Travel is one of my main passions and I lived in Germany, Spain and Australia, before moving to California. Since then it’s become home and I love it.

What to do in San Francisco with a Go San Francisco pass?

A visit to Madame Tussauds is the best way to 'meet' famous figures of the past and present and is one of the most fun things to do in San Francisco. Visit Madame Tussauds with your Go San Francisco pass. Pay nothing at the gate - simply scan your digital pass.

What holidays are closed in San Francisco?

Closings & Holidays. <p>Mondays and Tuesdays (except for select holidays), Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. All holiday hours are subject to change without notice.</p>. If you’re looking to engage little or big minds, the Exploratorium should be top of your things to do in San Francisco with kids.

Do you have to hang around Hollywood to see the stars?

Your pass gives you access to many more attractions in San Francisco, so don't forget to check them out. You don’t have to hang around Hollywood to encounter the stars. And it’s not just standing back and getting a good look, you can get up close and take pictures with your favorite stars.

How long is a city guide walk?

Each walk is around 90 to 120 minutes. When arriving at your starting point, look for the person wearing a City Guides ID badge (who also may be wearing a red jacket with our logo.

Do walk ups welcome in San Francisco?

Walk ups are always welcome! If you liked your walk and your Guide – share your experience on social media so other walkers can hear about us. Most important, THANK YOU for supporting San Francisco City Guides.

Is San Francisco City Guides a non profit organization?

Absolutely!! San Francisco City Guides is a non-profit organization with roots in the San Francisco Public Library. We welcome all walkers, free of charge. All our tours are led by volunteers who love to share their knowledge and passion for our city with walkers like you, and who do not accept tips. At the same time, we depend on the generosity of our walkers to keep City Guides running — more than 80% of our budget comes from your donations! So if you like your walk with us, please consider supporting us with a donation of $15 (or whatever amount you choose). Every donation will help keep our tours going for another 40 years!

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1.How to Get Around San Francisco Without a Car | Visit …

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5 hours ago Web · Tours range from 20 minutes to a full hour, prices will vary. By Bus. For those on a budget and only have time for a quick tour, hop on and hop off the City Sightseeing bus tour. For a one-day bus pass, visitors can tour all the top places to see in San Francisco like Union Square, Chinatown, and many more in between.

2.How to See the Top San Francisco Sights in One Day

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31 hours ago WebGuided Tours. Guided tours are another fun way to explore without having to drive. Some tours use traditional vans or buses, while others employ more unusual modes of …

3.THE TOP 10 San Francisco Tours & Excursions in 2022

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4.The Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of San …

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5.San Francisco Tours | Home | Real San Francisco Tours

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5 hours ago WebBus Tours in San Francisco. One of the best ways to see any new city is via bus tour: not only will you get to see all the major attractions and hot spots, you’ll get to meet fellow out …

6.Go City® | San Francisco passes | Save up to 55%

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20 hours ago Web · The Embarcadero. 1. Start your tour at the iconic Ferry Building on the Embarcadero, San Francisco’s eastern coastline looking out over the Bay Bridge …

7.How It Works - Free Walking Tours - San Francisco City …

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21 hours ago Web · We guarantee our San Francisco tours are an experience you’ll never forget. This is what we do: SF in a Day Tour: We take you places that no one else does, …

8.Videos of How Do You Tour San Francisco

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8 hours ago WebThere are tours for every type of traveler in San Francisco, whether you're short on time and want to see as much as possible or you have the desire to delve deep into the city …

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