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

4.1 (4,775 reviews) 1 h 15 min – 2 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

4,775 reviews

4.1

SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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

Kid-Friendly Bus Tours Private and Luxury Audio Guides Hop on Hop Off Buses City Tours Top Product Low Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration: 1 h 15 min – 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
People per booking: 1–30
Audio guide: German, Korean, Portuguese, Chinese, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Operated by: Big Bus Tours - USA

Ages: Children (3–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

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

Not included

Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off

Itinerary

Day Tour - Red Route

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.

Stop 1

Stop 1 - Big Bus Tours Visitors Center
Stop 2

Stop 2 - Columbus/Ghirardelli Square (North Point between Jones and Columbus)
Stop 3

Stop 3 - North Beach / Chinatown
Stop 4

Stop 4 - Embarcadero Center - Clay St (between Battery & Front Streets)
Stop 5

Stop 5 - Ferry Building - 30 Steuart St (Between Steuart & Market Streets)
Stop 6

Stop 6 - 280 Geary St (opposite Macy's entrance, next to steps)
Stop 7

Stop 7 - Hilton Hotel - Mason Street, between O'Farrell and Ellis Streets (outside Hilton Hotel entrance)
Stop 8

Stop 8 - Civic Center - 350 McCallister Street (White Zone outside Earl Warren Building)
Stop 9

Stop 9 - Alamo Square - 944 Fell Street (next to Mosaic wall near corner with Pierce St)
Stop 10

Stop 10 - Haight Ashbury - 1816 Haight Street (opposite Cha Cha Cha restaurant)
Stop 11

Stop 11 - Golden Gate Park - (Monday-Saturday only) outside California Academy of Sciences
Stop 12

Sundays and Public Holidays - Bus stop on Lincoln Way at 9th Avenue
Stop 13

Stop 12 - North Vista Point / Golden Gate Bridge - North Vista Point (lookout parking area off highway)
Stop 14

Stop 13 - Palace of Fine Arts - 1105 Gorgas Avenue (Corner of Gorgas Ave and Richardson Ave)
Stop 15

Stop 14 - Lombard Street - 2101 Lombard Street (SW corner of Lombard and Fillmore Sts)
Stop 16

Stop 15 - Lombard Street - 1599 Lombard St (outside Buena Vista Motor Inn near corner with Gough St)
Stop 17

Stop 16 - Pier 35 / Cruise Terminal - 1454 The Embarcadero (outside Pier 35 cruise terminal entrance)
Stop 18

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)

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.

Stop 1

Stop 1: Union Square South (at Corner of Powell Street)
Stop 2

Stop 2: Painted Ladies (at the Corner of Pierce Street)
Stop 3

Stop 3: Haight Ashbury (at Corner of Shrader Street)
Stop 4

Stop 4: Golden Gate Park
Stop 5

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

Meeting point and pickup

Using your ticket

Two ways to activate tickets:

1. Download and open the Big Bus app. Tap "Add Booking" and enter your booking reference. On the day of travel, open your ticket and press "Activate" then show your activated ticket to the driver at any stop along the route. Plus, use the app for route information and live bus tracking.

2. Redeem voucher and activate with Big Bus staff at Stop #1 - Big Bus Tours Visitors Center at 99 Jefferson St (corner of Jefferson and Mason Streets), or with any driver at any stop along the route.

Sunset Tour:

Tour departs at Stop 1 - Big Bus Tours Visitors Center (99 Jefferson St). No tours on July 4th, Thanksgiving, Dec 24th and Dec 31st.

For wheelchair accessibility needs, contact the Visitor Center 24 hours in advance for schedule, +1 855 854 8687

Bay Cruise -Ticket Redemption: Present your ticket at the Blue & Gold Fleet Box Office at Pier 39 to redeem your ticket.

Download the Big Bus app for city information and live bus tracking.

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%

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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.

Options

48hr, Chinatown, & Sunset Tour

48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Hop on and off at stops along the Red and Yellow Routes and enjoy digital audio commentary while aboard.

Panoramic Sunset Tour: 1-hour Sunset Tour of SF aboard an open-top bus

Duration: 2 days

Digital Chinatown Walking Tour: 1-Hour walking tour of historic Chinatown

Free Bike Rental: Get 1 free hour with a 1-hour bike rental from Blazing Saddles, including gear and route tips
48hr, Bay Cruise & Sunset Tour

48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Hop on and off along the Red and Yellow Routes

Free Bike Rental: Get 1 free hour with a 1-hour bike rental from Blazing Saddles, including gear and route tips

1-Hour Panoramic Sunset Tour

Duration: 2 days

1-hour Bay Cruise: 60mins Bay Cruise (Operator: Blue and Gold)

Digital Chinatown Walking Tour: 1-hour self-guided audio tour of historic Chinatown
24-Hour Ticket Only

24-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Hop on and off at 16 convenient stops around San Francisco and enjoy digital audio commentary while aboard.

Duration: 1 day: Unlimited use valid for 24 hours from first scan

Digital Audio Commentary