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SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

4,106 Reviews 4.33 out of 5 stars Based on 4,106 reviews collected by Cool San Francisco and TripAdvisor | San Francisco, USA
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 16 (6.69) days in advance.

75 to 120 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 7 more
French, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Portuguese, Korean
Instant confirmation

Overview

See San Francisco’s top sights the easy way with Big Bus Tours. We offer the most comprehensive tour with over 17 hop-on hop-off locations spanning from the Golden Gate Bridge for panoramic views of the Bay, to Fisherman’s Wharf to enjoy fresh clam chowder and watch sea lions at Pier 39.

Explore Chinatown’s bustling streets, admire the Painted Ladies’ Victorian charm, and stop at Union Square for shopping and dining.

With one full route covering all major attractions, you won’t need to change buses or worry about directions. Hop on and off at your own pace, while onboard commentary in 8 languages provides stories and tips to bring the city to life.

Highlights:

Unlimited hop-on hop-off access at 17 stops across San Francisco
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge on an open-top bus for unbeatable views
Learn about the city with engaging onboard commentary in 8 languages
Flexible tickets that let you explore at your own pace

What's Included

  • 1-hour Bay Cruise (if option selected)
  • Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour, 24 or 48-hour ticket
  • Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
See 4 moreSee 3 more

What To Expect

Day Tour - Red Route

18 Stops | 28 Points of Interest


Duration: 2 hours


Operating Schedule: Operating Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tour Duration: 2.5 hours to complete the full route without exiting Bus Frequency: Every 15 Minutes. Download the Big Bus Tours app to track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.

Big Bus Tours San Francisco

Stop 1 - Big Bus Tours Visitors Center

Ghirardelli Square

Stop 2 - Columbus/Ghirardelli Square (North Point between Jones and Columbus)

329 Columbus Ave

Stop 3 - North Beach / Chinatown

Embarcadero

Stop 4 - Embarcadero Center - Clay St (between Battery & Front Streets)

Ferry Building

Stop 5 - Ferry Building - 30 Steuart St (Between Steuart & Market Streets)

Union Square

Stop 6 - 280 Geary St (opposite Macy's entrance, next to steps)

Hilton San Francisco Union Square

Stop 7 - Hilton Hotel - Mason Street, between O'Farrell and Ellis Streets (outside Hilton Hotel entrance)

Civic Center

Stop 8 - Civic Center - 350 McCallister Street (White Zone outside Earl Warren Building)

Alamo Square

Stop 9 - Alamo Square - 944 Fell Street (next to Mosaic wall near corner with Pierce St)

Haight-Ashbury

Stop 10 - Haight Ashbury - 1816 Haight Street (opposite Cha Cha Cha restaurant)

55 Music Concourse Dr

Stop 11 - Golden Gate Park - (Monday-Saturday only) outside California Academy of Sciences

Golden Gate Park

Sundays and Public Holidays - Bus stop on Lincoln Way at 9th Avenue

Golden Gate Bridge

Stop 12 - North Vista Point / Golden Gate Bridge - North Vista Point (lookout parking area off highway)

Palace of Fine Arts

Stop 13 - Palace of Fine Arts - 1105 Gorgas Avenue (Corner of Gorgas Ave and Richardson Ave)

Cow Hollow

Stop 14 - Lombard Street - 2101 Lombard Street (SW corner of Lombard and Fillmore Sts)

Lombard Street

Stop 15 - Lombard Street - 1599 Lombard St (outside Buena Vista Motor Inn near corner with Gough St)

Pier 35

Stop 16 - Pier 35 / Cruise Terminal - 1454 The Embarcadero (outside Pier 35 cruise terminal entrance)

PIER 39

Stop 17 - Pier 39 - The Embarcadero, bus stop outside the entrance to Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf
Painted Ladies and Haight Ashbury Tour (Yellow Route)

5 Stops | 5 Points of Interest


Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes


Operating Schedule: Operating Hours: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tour Duration: 75mins to complete the full route without exiting Bus Frequency: Every 2 hours. Download the Big Bus Tours app to track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.

280 Geary St

Stop 1: Union Square South (at Corner of Powell Street)

944 Fell St

Stop 2: Painted Ladies (at the Corner of Pierce Street)

1816 Haight St

Stop 3: Haight Ashbury (at Corner of Shrader Street)

Martin Luther King Junior Drive & 7th Avenue

Stop 4: Golden Gate Park

342 Grant Ave

Stop 5: Chinatown Gate (at Corner of Bush Street)

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Blazing Saddles Offer: Big Bus Tours customers get 1 free hour with a 1-hour bike rental from Blazing Saddles, including gear and route tips for exploring San Francisco and cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
  • Hop-on Hop-off tour ticket is valid for use during operating hours for 24 or 48 hours after first use.

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-5096SFOHOHO

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.33
4,106 reviews

Average 4.33 out of 5 stars based on 4,106 traveler reviews collected by Cool San Francisco and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
2,612
4 stars
796
3 stars
336
2 stars
167
1 star
195
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 16 (6.69) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • 1-hour Bay Cruise (if option selected)
  • Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour, 24 or 48-hour ticket
  • Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
  • Blazing Saddles Bike Rental Perk - Buy 1 hour, Get 1 hour free with selected tickets
  • 1-hour Panoramic Sunset Tour (if option selected)
  • 1-hour Digital Chinatown Walking Tour (if option selected)
  • Digital audio commentary with souvenir earbuds provided
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Blazing Saddles Offer: Big Bus Tours customers get 1 free hour with a 1-hour bike rental from Blazing Saddles, including gear and route tips for exploring San Francisco and cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
  • Hop-on Hop-off tour ticket is valid for use during operating hours for 24 or 48 hours after first use.
  • Wheelchair accessible, please call ahead for arrangements
  • Download the Big Bus Tours app to access and activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
  • Bay Cruise -Ticket Redemption: Present your ticket at the Blue & Gold Fleet Box Office at Pier 39 to redeem your ticket. Please arrive 30mins prior to your desired departure time.

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