San Francisco · TOURS

The 15 Best Tours & Day Trips in San Francisco

353 tours  ·  from $14

Everything with a guide, a ferry or a coach attached, in one list. The 15 below are the ones worth a whole day, priced and timed, with the rest of the catalogue underneath.

Big Bus SF: Hop-on Hop-off Tour with 17 Stops and Sunset Option - Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, and the waterfront
Evening Experiences, San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, San Francisco Sunset Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Big Bus SF: Hop-on Hop-off Tour with 17 Stops and Sunset Option

1.Big Bus SF: Hop-on Hop-off Tour with 17 Stops and Sunset Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4,539 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $56Our pick

Ride San Francisco’s open-top Big Bus along a 17-stop route linking Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Union Square, Golden Gate Park, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Use the 24 or 48-hour pass to hop off, then add a sunset tour, digital Chinatown walk, aquarium visit, or half-day wine trip.

“These buses are always great in major cities throughout the U.S. I use them o get around when I first get to city to get the lay of the land. They are perfect.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco - Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge
California Wine Country Tours, Full-Day, Napa Valley Wine Tours, Sonoma Wine Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wine Tours

Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco

2.Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,455 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $165

Ride from San Francisco to Napa and Sonoma in an air-conditioned coach, stopping at three wineries such as Roche, Artesa, Madonna, Jacuzzi, or BR Cohn. You get tastings, a Sonoma Plaza lunch break, guide commentary, and Golden Gate photo stops.

“Loved this wine tour Debi was a great tour guide and the wineries were excellent. The tours at each winery were very informative.”

Check availability →Read our full review

San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with 17 Stops - Starting at Jefferson Street near Fisherman’s Wharf
San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with 17 Stops

3.Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with 17 Stops

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,600 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $56

Use a 24 or 48-hour Big Bus ticket to tour San Francisco by open-top bus, with stops near Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Alamo Square, Haight-Ashbury, Golden Gate Park, the bridge, and Lombard Street. Digital commentary is offered in seven languages, with optional sunset, Chinatown, aquarium, and wine-tour extras.

“The night tour was awesome! Our driver was very knowledgeable and helpful! He even gave us candy! We have always been happy with the Big Bus tours and you did not disappoint!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Yosemite Highlights & Giant Sequoias Day Tour from San Francisco - Leaving San Francisco before sunrise
Tour Reviews, Tours, Yosemite National Park Tours

Yosemite Highlights & Giant Sequoias Day Tour from San Francisco

4.Yosemite Highlights & Giant Sequoias Day Tour from San Francisco

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,455 reviews · 14 to 15 hours (approx.) · from $219

Leave San Francisco before sunrise for Yosemite with an English-speaking guide such as Glenda, Gino, or Andy. You’ll see Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, and Tuolumne Grove, with about five hours in the park and hotel pickup included.

“Overall this was a fantastic experience, although it is a long one. We got to see plenty of views of the valley. I would note that if you are looking to see a lot of big trees - you would be disappointed with this one, I suggest looking at others. Glenda - our tour guide was excellent. She made for a very enjoyable experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

San Francisco Love Tour - Haight-Ashbury and the city’s musical past
Tour Reviews, Tours

San Francisco Love Tour

5.San Francisco Love Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,830 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $85Top rated

Ride a 1970s VW bus from Fisherman’s Wharf through Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown, North Beach, the Castro, Mission District, and Golden Gate Park. Guides such as Cyrus, Ky, and Tara mix city history, music, jokes, and photo stops at the Golden Gate Bridge. Expect a small group and a lively two-hour tour.

“This was a fabulous tour filled with history, architecture, information about various neighborhoods woven with a generous amount of humor while riding in the VW bus! Cyrus was probably the best tour guide I’ve ever met! His love and understanding of the city were evident.”

Check availability →Read our full review

San Francisco: Alcatraz Island & 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour - What the Big Bus route shows you
Alcatraz Tours, San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

San Francisco: Alcatraz Island & 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

6.Alcatraz Island & 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,245 reviews · 2 days · from $120

Visit Alcatraz with its excellent Cell House audio guide, then use a 48-hour Big Bus pass to explore San Francisco. You’ll also get Aquarium by the Bay, a Chinatown walking tour, and a panoramic sunset ride covering the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, and more.

“What an incredible day! Alcatraz was fascinating, eery, bleak but well worth a visit! The ferry there and back was very well organised with regular boats back and forth. Really worth the money including the 2 day hop on and off bus instead of Ubers and has earphones to learn about all the landmarks. Glad I booked this and even better that the weather was incredible!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Combo Tour: Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Grand City Tour - A broad city tour before the ferry
Alcatraz Tours, City Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Combo Tour: Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Grand City Tour

7.Combo Tour: Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Grand City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,228 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $149

Begin with a guided San Francisco coach tour covering the Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks, Lands End, Chinatown, North Beach, and more. Afterward, take the ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz for the Cellhouse audio tour. Guides such as Michelle may lead the city portion, but assignments vary.

“Everything about Alkatraz was good n the Golden Gate though the rain.Also the tour guide did a great job n was very friendly n accommodative.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive: Full Day Tour from SF - Pigeon Point Lighthouse: a quick coastal opener
Full-Day, Monterey Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours

Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive: Full Day Tour from SF

8.Monterey, Carmel and 17-Mile Drive: Full Day Tour from SF

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,187 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $125

Ride from central San Francisco to Pigeon Point, Monterey, Pebble Beach, 17-Mile Drive, and Carmel-by-the-Sea. You get a professional guide, several photo stops, two hours in Monterey, and one hour in Carmel. Guides such as George, Thomas, Don, and Tom are known for lively local commentary.

“Our tour guide went out of their way to take us to additional stops or spent a little more time at the stops that were planned. We really got our money’s worth. It was absolutely beautiful. We chose to go to the aquarium in Monterey which was great. The food and shopping were also top notch. We loved everything about this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour - Palace of Fine Arts: five minutes beneath the dome
City Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour

9.Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,081 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $82

Ride through San Francisco in a vintage Volkswagen bus with a local guide such as Jim, Jack, or Caio. In two hours, you’ll see Chinatown, Haight-Ashbury, Pacific Heights, the Marina, and more, with photo stops at the Palace of Fine Arts, Painted Ladies, and Golden Gate Bridge.

“Caio had a wealth of knowledge of a wide range of San Francisco information and was able to personalize the tour for everyone in the group, from children to people in their 70s. His personable nature absolutely made the tour...would absolutely recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise - Inside the Cellhouse with Doing Time
Alcatraz Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, San Francisco Bay Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

San Francisco: Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise

10.Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,577 reviews · 4 hours · from $135

Visit Alcatraz by ferry, follow the 45-minute Doing Time cellhouse audio tour in your language, and take a separate Blue and Gold Fleet cruise past Pier 39, the waterfront, and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Plan extra time, dress warmly, and arrive at Pier 33 30 minutes early.

“The Alcatraz tour was excellent. The boat ride was enjoyable and short, capturing great views of the city. I loved the audio guided tour of Alcatraz and we even got to enjoy some live informative talks from the national park guides at Alcatraz! Please allow yourself more time though for both tours. 4 hours is not necessarily an accurate estimate of the time it takes to do both tours. I would allow yourself at least 6 hours to enjoy both tours without rushing and with time to grab a bite to eat in between. Also really valued that the boat to and from Alcatraz was both solar and wind powered.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Small-Group Wine Country Tour from San Francisco with Tastings - The Golden Gate Bridge sets the tone
California Wine Country Tours, San Francisco Food Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wine Tours

Small-Group Wine Country Tour from San Francisco with Tastings

11.Small-Group Wine Country Tour from San Francisco with Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,543 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $179

Ride from San Francisco in a minivan limited to 13 people, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, taste at three boutique Sonoma wineries, and stop in Sonoma Plaza for lunch. Guides such as Anthony, Marc, Paul, and Nino add local history, wine insight, and plenty of humor. Sausalito is the final scenic stop.

“This is a great way to go to a few wineries safely while enjoying a day with others! The tour guide was fun and informative. The itinerary was perfect with a good variety of winery types. We even purchased a case. We would definitely recommend this as well as do it again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

One Day in San Francisco: Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and SF City Tour - Pacific Heights, the Presidio, and the best photo stops
1-Day Tours, Alcatraz Tours, City Tours, Muir Woods Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

One Day in San Francisco: Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and SF City Tour

12.One Day in San Francisco: Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and SF City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,445 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $129

Start in North Beach for a guided San Francisco drive, then cross the Golden Gate Bridge, walk among the redwoods at Muir Woods, and stop in Sausalito for lunch. Finish at Pier 33 with the official Alcatraz ferry and prison tour. Guides such as Patrick, Roger, Per, and Barry add local stories and humor.

“Nice itinerary! Our driver is very knowledgeable of the area. He was able to accommodate a change in pick up location for me and my friend due to a minor accident.”

Check availability →Read our full review

San Francisco Movie Sights City Tour - Union Square and the downtown movie city
City Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

San Francisco Movie Sights City Tour

13.San Francisco Movie Sights City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,223 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Join Bryan, Wylie, or another actor-turned-guide for a three-hour ride through San Francisco’s movie history. Watch film clips beside real locations, stop at Fort Point, Alamo Square, and other landmarks, and see the city from a warm, small-group van.

“Must do! Absolutely fantastic! 10 stars. I had the best time. Great tour. Highly recommend. Well worth it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

San Francisco: Muir Woods, Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour - Morning pickup and the road across the Golden Gate
California Wine Country Tours, Muir Woods Tours, Napa Valley Wine Tours, Sonoma Wine Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wine Tours

San Francisco: Muir Woods, Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour

14.Muir Woods, Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,205 reviews · 11 hours · from $166

Spend a full day with a live English-speaking guide such as Alberto, Ben, or Dustin, combining Muir Woods, three winery visits, Sonoma Plaza, and a Golden Gate Bridge photo stop. You get hotel pickup, transport, tastings, and optional wine-paired lunch, but only about 75 minutes in the redwoods.

“A must do if you have the time and a great way to see what Sonoma and Napa Valley have to offer. First stop was Muir Woods, a whistle stop tour but you get there early and have the woods to yourself. We visited a good selection of small family run vineyards which were all different in their own right. Ru Vango was something else, the owners collection of art including their Salvador Dali collection was amazing. We also had the opportunity to walk amongst the vines whilst enjoying the wine and sampling some of the grapes. The lunch stop in Sonoma really good, a huge selection of restaurants, cafes…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Alcatraz Tour Plus Muir Woods and Sausalito Day Trip - Golden Gate Bridge views at North Vista Point
1-Day Tours, Alcatraz Tours, Muir Woods Tours, Sausalito Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Alcatraz Tour Plus Muir Woods and Sausalito Day Trip

15.Alcatraz Tour Plus Muir Woods and Sausalito Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,194 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $159

Start early with a narrated coach trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods and Sausalito, then visit Alcatraz from Pier 33. You get a 45-minute cellhouse audio tour, free time in the redwoods, and a short Sausalito stop. The bus portion ends before Alcatraz.

“Really enjoyed Alcatraz. Recommend any to do this tour. Muir Woods was lovely if you are a nature lover. I rate the woods tour 6/10 with Alcatraz 9/10. We also went to the town Sausalito which was lovely but it was a fill in tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Scroll to Top

Explore San Francisco

Pick a shoreline, a neighbourhood or a road out of town.