San Francisco Half-Day Tour by Cable Car & Foot

4.4 (22 reviews) 4 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

22 reviews

4.4

All travel on tour is included — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Visit the Cable Car Museum — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Spend a morning getting to know the real SF. We meet you near the Embarcadero, in downtown, before taking the cable car to Nob Hill, with its Gold Rush era mansions.

From there we take another cable car to San Francisco City Hall (or, on the weekend, the Cable Car Museum). After going inside this magnificent building, we take the historic streetcar to Castro, which is famous for its place in LGBTQ+ history. From there it's only a short walk to Mission Dolores Park, one of the nicest open spaces in San Francisco.

The Mission is really the birthplace of SF - and you'll learn about it all, as well as experiencing a lovely corner of the city. Next we take the bus to Haight-Ashbury, a name that's forever associated with the hippie generation and the Summer of Love.

We'll give you a tour of the neighborhood, with its beautiful murals, before your tour ends at the perfect time, and in the perfect place, for lunch.

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At a glance

Duration: 4 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 15 people
People per booking: 1–10
Guide: English
Operated by: Real San Francisco Tours

Ages: Adults (15–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: All Metro travel is included ($20 value).
Included: Tour Guide
Included: 2 cable car rides and 1 journey on the historic streetcar included (if possible).

Not included

Not included: Gratuities not included, because voluntary. If you enjoy tour please allow 15-20%.
Not included: Lunch/Snacks are not included.

Itinerary

Ferry Building Marketplace

10 min

Your guide will help you orient yourselves, by telling you the history and background of the Ferry Building and downtown San Francisco.
Nob Hill

20 min

Take the cable car up steep Nob Hill to see the grand mansions of the San Francisco's first millionaires.
Cable Car Museum

20 min

Learn the history of the San Francisco's cable cars and see how they operate (note we usually only visit on weekends).
San Francisco City Hall

20 min

Go inside our beautiful City Hall and learn about the important events which took place there (weekdays).
Hayes Valley

20 min

See this picturesque new area, near the San Francisco Civic Center, with it's collection of great street art and small coffee shops.
The Castro

20 min

Experience this historic neighborhood, hugely important in the LGBTQ movement, of which San Francisco is a world-wide symbol.
Mission Dolores Park

20 min

One of the loveliest parks in SF and possessing great views of downtown.
Haight-Ashbury

20 min

This is where the hippie, anti-Vietnam War, movement really started in the 1960's. The neighborhood still maintains much of that same aesthetic (as well as being a great place to have lunch).

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

The guide will be checking in guests at the cable car station on the corner of Market and Drumm Street (by the Robert Frost marker), from 15 minutes before the tour is due to begin.

Be sure to allow extra time for traffic and finding parking. We CANNOT wait for latecomers, there are other guests.

End point

Tour ends in the historic neighborhood of Haight-Ashbury, which is a great place to get lunch and only a few stops on a MUNI bus from the start point. Our guide can direct you to where you need to go after the tour.

Using your ticket

Thanks for making a booking with REAL SAN FRANCISCO TOURS.

This ticket has ALL the information that you'll need - PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY!

PREPARATION

Allow PLENTY of time to get to the meeting point. Remember that YOU'RE responsible for getting to the meeting point on time - not us. We do NOT have a phone/email help center. There's no point. You have ALL the information you need right here.

Be sure to wear layered clothing, we can get 4 seasons in a day in SF..

TRANSPORT / PARKING

There is parking in the area, but it can be hard-to-find and expensive, so please consider taking public transport, it will probably be faster than driving. The tour starts right next to Embarcadero Station.

WHERE TO MEET

The guide will be checking-in guests from 15 minutes before the tour the CALIFORNIA LINE CABLE CAR STATION on Market Street (by the Robert Frost plaque).. Please bring either a paper or electronic copy of this ticket for the guide.

We normally take the first cable car after 10 am, to start the tour. We have an average of 10 guests per guide, so it's very likely there will be other people on this tour. We CANNOT hold for latecomers - it's not fair or professional. There are NO refunds if you miss the tour.

TIPS / GRATUITIES

It's customary, if guests enjoy the tour, to tip the guide (this is a service industry). Obviously it’s up to you, but please bear in mind that our guides work very hard to make your experience enjoyable and a gratuity is a sign of appreciation. Guides are able to accept cashless tips via an app.

FINALLY!

Thank you again and see you on the tour.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Aim to get to the meeting point 10-15 minutes early. If you’re late you will miss the tour.
This tour is not recommended for children under 12 y.o.
By making a booking for this tour you agree to be bound by Real San Francisco Tours terms of service.
Please note cable car and streetcar operations can be affected by events and technical issues beyond our control
Please check dates/times carefully BEFORE making a booking.
This is a walking tour and we move at a reasonable pace, climbing several hills and sets of steps. It’s not suitable for people with mobility issues.