San Francisco · SAN FRANCISCO NIGHT TOURS
The fog usually clears after dark and the hills light up, which is why the evening loops sell. These 15 compare the night bus routes, the bay sailings and the ghost walks, with prices and finish times.
Start at Pier 33 for a ferry to Alcatraz, where a 45-minute audio tour brings former inmates and guards into the story. Explore at your own pace, then take a separate 60-minute cruise from Pier 39 past the sea lions and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Choose day or night Alcatraz access.
“It was a very interesting experience and I enjoyed the harbor views and learning the history of Alcatraz”
Take the official ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz, then explore the cellhouse, gardens, ruins, and protest sites with two audio experiences. Your phone guide covers the full journey, while the official cellhouse tour adds inmate voices and prison history. A night option includes ranger introductions and special access.
“I enjoyed the experience on Alcatraz - I think I had thought I may learn more about the inmates on the Audio. The extra talk we listened to about the escapes was really good and worth stay for. The boat trip over was easy and the views were fabulous”
Take a round-trip ferry from Pier 33, explore Alcatraz Island at your own pace, and follow the official Cellhouse audio tour. The package also includes an audio guide from the ferry ride through your return. Night departures offer darker views, fewer visitors at some times, and special programming, but not a private visit.
“The experience was fun but be prepared for walking up hill. Very interesting audio and informative. The loading to start was a little unorganized and confusing but still all and worth some of your day.”
Visit Alcatraz on an official night ticket, ride the ferry from Pier 33, and explore the former prison with a Pintours app guide. See cells linked to Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly, hear secret stories and music, and take in San Francisco Bay views during this three-hour visit.
“would be good to have a coffee shop on the Island”
Take the evening ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz, follow a self-guided audio tour voiced by former guards and inmates, and see the island after dark. Your package also includes a separate one-hour Bay Cruise from Pier 39, usable before or after the Alcatraz visit.
“activité superbe et très intéressante....à faire absolument !!!!”
Depart Fisherman’s Wharf at 6:30 PM for a 60 to 90-minute open-top bus ride through Chinatown, Nob Hill, the Embarcadero, and the Financial District. Cross the Bay Bridge to Treasure Island for skyline photos, with audio in several languages and an English-speaking driver.
“The driver was excellent and so was the audio. I couldn't fault either. the driver gave us excellent opportunities to see sights and take photos. I would highly recommend this trip. An amazing way to see San Francisco at night.”
Use unlimited hop-on hop-off buses for one or two days, stopping at Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Park, Haight-Ashbury, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Add the 60 to 90-minute evening tour for city lights, Bay Bridge views, and Treasure Island when weather and traffic allow.
“Die Nachtfahrt findet um 18.00 Uhr abends statt und endet 22.00 Uhr , da ist es alles andere aber keine Nacht!!!Auch noch kein Sonnenuntergang ,dies Tour kann man sich sparen . R-R Hardt”
Use a 48-hour San Francisco bus pass to reach Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Lombard Street, Golden Gate Park, and more. Add a live-guided night tour, a Chinatown walking tour, and a two-hour bike rental. English commentary is available, with multilingual audio on the city routes.
“Everything was great. Staff very friendly. In the sum better than expected. Good value for money. The only downside is that they run only one circuit so you cannot really make changes to the order you visit the city. The last bus ran at 17:30, later than advertised. That saved our day, thank you.”
Start at Fisherman’s Wharf with a one-hour San Francisco Bay cruise, then take a 60 to 90-minute double-decker night tour. Audio commentary comes in several languages, and guides such as Don, Maria, Faith, and Sparkle have earned warm praise for their city knowledge and humor.
“the frequency of bus is not enough they come every hour to the stops you spend most of your time waiting...”
Visit the Exploratorium from 6 to 10pm on Thursday for an adults-only evening of hands-on science, art, light, mirrors, bubbles, wind, tides, music, drinks, and San Francisco Bay views. Admission is for ages 18 and older; alcohol is available only to those 21 and up with valid ID.
“So fun! Lots to see and do. Best part....no kids!! It wasn’t overly crowded, we were able to experience everything in the building (and outside as well!)”
Start with a guided minibus ride to Muir Woods, enjoy free time in Sausalito and a ferry across the bay, then visit Alcatraz at night. Your package also includes Aquarium of the Bay admission, making this a strong choice if you want several major San Francisco sights in one day.
“We had a busy fun filled day touring several stops. Ample time was allotted at each stop and the driver was knowledgeable and friendly.”
Use a two-day bus pass to see San Francisco at your own pace, with stops near Pier 39, Chinatown, Lombard Street, Golden Gate Park, and the Golden Gate Bridge. A bonus night tour adds city views and a memorable Treasure Island stop. Commentary is in English.
“Overcrowded, the air conditioning did not work. (And they knew that) No accommodation for hearing impaired. Recorded message largely about where movies were made, little history. On and offs were difficult due to lack of seats and uncertain times. Wasted money.”
Meet your English-speaking pilot at Hayward Executive Airport for a private 40-minute night flight over San Francisco Bay. See the Bay Bridge light installation, Golden Gate Bridge, downtown, Fisherman's Wharf, and Pier 39 from the air. Richard is one pilot praised by name for friendly service.
Visit Alcatraz Island at night for the award-winning cellhouse audio tour, prison exhibits, and a look at the recreation yard. Then take a separate one-hour San Francisco Bay cruise beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. The experience is in English, with multilingual audio options.
“Enjoyed the night tour. They demonstrated opening and closing jail cell doors. Audio tour is cool, but suggest letting most people go ahead so not all trying to crowd around the same area.”
Start at Pier 33 at 12:50 pm for a seven-hour outing by Mercedes Sprinter. Visit Muir Woods and Sausalito, pause at the Golden Gate Bridge, then return for Alcatraz’s limited-entry night tour. Guides such as Dustin, Robert, Roman, and Ben lead the daytime portion.
“Bring good walking shoes as you'll be getting your steps in. Dustin was great tour guide. Very informative and took us to an alternate spot to view the Golden Gate Bridge. Pablo was a little sus though. May need to take more meds.”
Pick a shoreline, a neighbourhood or a road out of town.
