English
English
A world-renowned science and art museum with over 600 interactive exhibits blending science, technology, and art in innovative ways.
Hop-on Hop-off San Francisco Bus Tours
Routes
Timeline
Map
1
Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center
Powell Street Cable Car Turnaround
16 min walk
2
North Beach / Chinatown
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
North Beach / Chinatown
1 min walk
City Lights Bookstore
3
Embarcadero Center
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Embarcadero Center
Rincon Park
7 min walk
4
Ferry Building
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Ferry Building
3 min walk
Alcatraz Ferry Landing
15 min walk
5
Union Square South
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Union Square South
2 min walk
Maiden Lane
2 min walk
6
Hilton Hotel
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Hilton Hotel
10 min walk
Glide Memorial Church
1 min walk
7
Civic Center
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Civic Center
1 min walk
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
2 min walk
8
Alamo Square
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Alamo Square
1 min walk
Painted Ladies
2 min walk
10
Golden Gate Park
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Golden Gate Park
3 min walk
Conservatory of Flowers
10 min walk
11
Golden Gate Park 2
12
North Vista Point / Golden Gate Bridge
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Golden Gate Bridge
4 min walk
Battery Spencer
4 min walk
13
Palace of Fine Arts
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Palace of Fine Arts
2 min walk
Fort Mason Center
8 min walk
14
Marina / Cow Hollow
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Marina / Cow Hollow
3 min walk
Lyon Street Steps
6 min walk
15
Lombard Street
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Lombard Street
3 min walk
Russian Hill
4 min walk
- Wanna see San Francisco like a boss? Grab a hop-on hop-off ticket and get ready to explore the city for 1 or 2 days.
- With buses swooping in every 15 mins, you can explore the 16 stops along the Red Route
- Upgrade for a 2-day pass, go on a sunset or Chinatown tour, and get a ticket to The Flyer or 7D Experience – take a simulated flight or dive into interactive video games.
- As you roll through the city on the open-top buses, let the audio guide available in seven languages whisper sweet nothings about San Fran's history.
- From the majestic Golden Gate to the funky Haight-Ashbury, you'll see it all. Washington Square, Alamo Square – the gang's all here.
- Wanna see San Francisco like a boss? Grab a hop-on hop-off ticket and get ready to explore the city for 1 or 2 days.
- With buses swooping in every 15 mins, you can explore the 16 stops along the Red Route
- Upgrade for a 2-day pass, go on a sunset or Chinatown tour, and get a ticket to The Flyer or 7D Experience – take a simulated flight or dive into interactive video games.
- As you roll through the city on the open-top buses, let the audio guide available in seven languages whisper sweet nothings about San Fran's history.
- From the majestic Golden Gate to the funky Haight-Ashbury, you'll see it all. Washington Square, Alamo Square – the gang's all here.
Inclusions
- 1 or 2-day unlimited hop-on hop-off tour
- Access to Red Route
- Access to The Flyer or 7D Experience (choose one, based on the option selected)
- Guided Chinatown walking tour (based on the option selected)
- 60-min sunset tour (based on the option selected)
- Bike rental offer: book 1 hour, get 1 free (based on the option selected)
- Audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese & Korean (on the bus)
- Complimentary headphones
- Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking
Please click here for the detailed route map and boarding points and here for sunset tour route.
You can join a tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Red Route
- First bus: 10am from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
- Last bus: 6pm from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
- Frequency: Every 15 mins
- Popular stops: Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Pier 39
Sunset tour
- Departure: 6:30pm from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
- Frequency: Once every evening
- Duration: 60 mins
- Keep in mind food & alcohol (except non-alcoholic drinks in screw-top bottles), and luggage are not allowed on the buses. Pack wisely!
- Not all buses are wheelchair accessible. You can contact the service operator 48 hours before your trip and they'll try to assist you.
- Your safety comes first so visitors with mobility impairments may be restricted from accessing the upper decks.
- Your guide dogs (except pets) are welcome onboard.
- Booking information, operating hours, and meeting point details for the Chinatown walking tour, The Flyer and 7D Experience, and the bike rental offer will be shared in the ticket post-booking.
- The sunset tour is closed on the 4th of July, Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Hop on this open-top bus tour & see San Francisco’s festive lights with a live guide.
- See iconic landmarks like Fisherman's Wharf & Union Square adorned in lights on this 90-minute non-stop tour with an English-speaking guide.
- Savor the season’s magic from the open-top upper deck as the tour takes you through the city’s neighborhoods brimming with festive cheer.
- Sip on a warm cup of complimentary hot chocolate at Ghirardelli Square as the tour comes to an end.
- Immerse yourself in the dazzling light installations of the ILLUMINATE SF™ Festival of Light.
Hop on this open-top bus tour & see San Francisco’s festive lights with a live guide.
- See iconic landmarks like Fisherman's Wharf & Union Square adorned in lights on this 90-minute non-stop tour with an English-speaking guide.
- Savor the season’s magic from the open-top upper deck as the tour takes you through the city’s neighborhoods brimming with festive cheer.
- Sip on a warm cup of complimentary hot chocolate at Ghirardelli Square as the tour comes to an end.
- Immerse yourself in the dazzling light installations of the ILLUMINATE SF™ Festival of Light.
Inclusions
- 90-minute non-stop San Francisco holiday lights bus tour
- English-speaking live guide
- Complimentary hot chocolate at Ghirardelli Square
Exclusions
- Hop-on hop-off service
San Francisco holiday lights bus tour
- Departure: 6:30pm from stop #5 (Union Square South, 280 Geary St, opposite Macy's entrance, next to steps)
- Frequency: Once a day
- Duration: 90 mins
- Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- Your ADA service animals are welcome on the bus.
- Due to operator restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Score big savings with this combo! Enjoy two days of San Francisco sightseeing on an unlimited hop-on hop-off tour and a scenic 1-hour bay cruise.
- On a 2-day hop-on hop-off bus tour, see 17 spots like North Beach’s bustling streets, the Palace of Fine Arts’ architecture, and more!
- Learn about sights with a 6-language audio guide and headphones, and explore the city on two wheels with a bike rental for 1 hour plus 1 hour free!
- Soak up the sea breeze on a 1-hour Red & White Bay cruise, sail beneath the Golden Gate’s orange arches, see the Alcatraz island, and spot seagulls.
- Chill on the boat with outdoor decks, cosy AC cabins, big windows for sweeping views, and 16-language audio commentary on San Francisco’s maritime past.
- Score big savings with this combo! Enjoy two days of San Francisco sightseeing on an unlimited hop-on hop-off tour and a scenic 1-hour bay cruise.
- On a 2-day hop-on hop-off bus tour, see 17 spots like North Beach’s bustling streets, the Palace of Fine Arts’ architecture, and more!
- Learn about sights with a 6-language audio guide and headphones, and explore the city on two wheels with a bike rental for 1 hour plus 1 hour free!
- Soak up the sea breeze on a 1-hour Red & White Bay cruise, sail beneath the Golden Gate’s orange arches, see the Alcatraz island, and spot seagulls.
- Chill on the boat with outdoor decks, cosy AC cabins, big windows for sweeping views, and 16-language audio commentary on San Francisco’s maritime past.
Inclusions
San Francisco HOHO
- 2-day unlimited hop-on hop-off pass
- Access to Red Route
- Pre-recorded commentary in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian & Portuguese
- Bike rental offer (rent 1 hour, get 1 hour free)
- Free headphones
Red & White Bay Cruise
- 1-hour Red & White Bay cruise
- Audio guide in English, Español, Français, Deutsch, Português, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Thai, Hindi, Italian, Hebrew, Vietnamese, Arabic & Bahasa Indonesian
- AC onboard
- Heated indoors
Exclusions
Red & White Bay Cruise
- On-cruise cafe with snacks, cold & hot drinks & alcoholic beverages (at your own expense)
San Francisco HOHO
Please click here for the detailed route map and boarding points.
You can join a tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Red route
- First bus: 10am from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
- Last bus: 6pm from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
- Frequency: Every 15 mins
- Popular stops: Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Pier 39
Red & White Bay Cruise
- First cruise: 9:15am from Pier 43 1/2 (10am during winter months)
- Last cruise: 6pm from Pier 43 1/2
- Frequency: 8 to 12 daily departures
San Francisco HOHO
- Not all buses are wheelchair accessible. You can contact the service operator 48 hours before your trip and they'll try to assist you.
- Your safety comes first so visitors with mobility impairments may be restricted from accessing the upper decks.
- Your guide dogs (except pets) are welcome onboard.
- Heads up! The time slot selected is for the bay cruise and not the hop-on hop-off tour.
- Booking information about the bike rental offer and boarding information for the cruise will be shared in the ticket post-booking.
- Children under the age of 15 years must be accompanied by an adult.
Red & White Bay Cruise
- The enclosed main decks are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- Service animals and other dogs are allowed as long as they are leashed and well-behaved.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
- Tick tock, it's San Francisco o'clock! Hop aboard for a whimsical sunset tour and in just 60 mins, you'll see iconic landmarks bathed in golden light.
- Evenings are for exploring and this non-stop tour takes you on the Blue Route, dotted with bustling streets, modern museums, and more.
- Return transfers? Check! Get a free shuttle to Union Square after the tour ends for maximum convenience.
- Prepare for mind-blowing fun facts as the open-top bus is equipped with an audio guide in 6 languages.
- Nob Hill, Bay Bridge, Embarcadero – watch the sky light up like a disco ball as you zip through the city. It's like being in a real-life postcard, only way more fun.
- Tick tock, it's San Francisco o'clock! Hop aboard for a whimsical sunset tour and in just 60 mins, you'll see iconic landmarks bathed in golden light.
- Evenings are for exploring and this non-stop tour takes you on the Blue Route, dotted with bustling streets, modern museums, and more.
- Return transfers? Check! Get a free shuttle to Union Square after the tour ends for maximum convenience.
- Prepare for mind-blowing fun facts as the open-top bus is equipped with an audio guide in 6 languages.
- Nob Hill, Bay Bridge, Embarcadero – watch the sky light up like a disco ball as you zip through the city. It's like being in a real-life postcard, only way more fun.
Inclusions
- 60-min non-stop sunset tour
- Audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian & Portuguese (on the bus)
- Complimentary headphones
- Return shuttle transfer to Union Square
Exclusions
- Hop-on hop-off service
Please click here for the detailed route map and boarding points.
Blue Route (sunset tour)
- Departure: 6.30pm from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
- Duration: 60 mins
- Frequency: once every evening
- Keep in mind food & alcohol (except non-alcoholic drinks in screw-top bottles), and luggage are not allowed on the buses. Pack wisely!
- Not all buses are wheelchair accessible. You can contact the service operator 48 hours before your trip and they'll try to assist you.
- Your safety comes first so visitors with mobility impairments may be restricted from accessing the upper decks.
- Your guide dogs (except pets) are welcome onboard.
- The tour does not operate on Jul 4, Nov 23 (Thanksgiving), Dec 24 (Christmas Eve), and Dec 31 (New Year's Eve).
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Routes
Timeline
Map
1
Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center
Powell Street Cable Car Turnaround
16 min walk
2
North Beach / Chinatown
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
North Beach / Chinatown
1 min walk
City Lights Bookstore
3
Embarcadero Center
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Embarcadero Center
Rincon Park
7 min walk
4
Ferry Building
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Ferry Building
3 min walk
Alcatraz Ferry Landing
15 min walk
5
Union Square South
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Union Square South
2 min walk
Maiden Lane
2 min walk
6
Hilton Hotel
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Hilton Hotel
10 min walk
Glide Memorial Church
1 min walk
7
Civic Center
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Civic Center
1 min walk
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
2 min walk
8
Alamo Square
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Alamo Square
1 min walk
Painted Ladies
2 min walk
10
Golden Gate Park
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Golden Gate Park
3 min walk
Conservatory of Flowers
10 min walk
11
Golden Gate Park 2
12
North Vista Point / Golden Gate Bridge
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Golden Gate Bridge
4 min walk
Battery Spencer
4 min walk
13
Palace of Fine Arts
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Palace of Fine Arts
2 min walk
Fort Mason Center
8 min walk
14
Marina / Cow Hollow
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Marina / Cow Hollow
3 min walk
Lyon Street Steps
6 min walk
15
Lombard Street
Get direction
2 attractions
Nearby things to do
Lombard Street
3 min walk
Russian Hill
4 min walk
San Francisco is calling, and you're about to answer with this combo offering a 2-day unlimited hop-on hop-off bus pass and entry to Alcatraz.
- Forget picking just one spot – this HOHO pass lets you hop off at 16 popular stops like Golden Gate Park and Chinatown with buses running every 15 mins.
- Benefit from the multilingual audio guide on the open-top buses and snag perks like a Chinatown tour and an interactive experience at The Flyer or 7D Experience.
- Step into Alcatraz prison, where the most infamous criminals were imprisoned, roam notorious cellblocks, and see where Al Capone practiced his banjo.
- With the audio guide uncover escape attempts, guard secrets, and why Alcatraz's library was the most popular spot.
San Francisco is calling, and you're about to answer with this combo offering a 2-day unlimited hop-on hop-off bus pass and entry to Alcatraz.
- Forget picking just one spot – this HOHO pass lets you hop off at 16 popular stops like Golden Gate Park and Chinatown with buses running every 15 mins.
- Benefit from the multilingual audio guide on the open-top buses and snag perks like a Chinatown tour and an interactive experience at The Flyer or 7D Experience.
- Step into Alcatraz prison, where the most infamous criminals were imprisoned, roam notorious cellblocks, and see where Al Capone practiced his banjo.
- With the audio guide uncover escape attempts, guard secrets, and why Alcatraz's library was the most popular spot.
Inclusions
San Francisco HOHO pass
- 2-day unlimited hop-on hop-off tour
- Access to Red Route
- Access to The Flyer or 7D Experience (choose one)
- Chinatown guided walking tour
- Free 2-hour bike rental offer
- Audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian & Portuguese (on the bus)
- Free Headphones
- Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking
Alcatraz
- Entry to Alcatraz
- Personal audio guide
- Return ferry transfers from Pier 33
Please click here for the detailed route map and boarding points.
You can join a tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Red Route
- First bus: 10am from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
- Last bus: 6pm from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
- Frequency: Every 15 mins
- Popular stops: Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Pier 39
San Francisco HOHO pass
- Not all buses are wheelchair accessible. You can contact the service operator 48 hours before your trip and they'll try to assist you.
- Your safety comes first so guests with mobility impairments may be restricted from accessing the upper decks.
- Your guide dogs (except pets) are welcome onboard.
- Booking information, operating hours, and meeting point details for the Chinatown walking tour, The Flyer, and 7D Experience, and the bike rental offer will be shared in the ticket post-booking.
Alcatraz
- Tip: Walk the yard where inmates once exercised and plotted their next move. It's a great spot to stretch your legs and soak in the history.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
- Explore up to 6 popular attractions in San Francisco with this flex pass that offers free entry for up to 60 days (9 weekends) after activation.
- Experience the speed and convenience of hassle-free access to your favorite attractions with a single digital pass on your phone.
- Confused about what to see? Choose between 2 to 6 places from a list of 10+ attractions, including popular places like the Asian Art Museum and Madame Tussauds.
- Enjoy your San Francisco trip more when you save 35% on costs, after buying a bus pass and visiting 2 attractions like Madame Tussauds and Aquarium of the Bay.
- Get the thrill of an adrenaline rush as you zoom through the streets of San Francisco on your bike that you can rent for free for 1 hour with the flex pass.
- Explore up to 6 popular attractions in San Francisco with this flex pass that offers free entry for up to 60 days (9 weekends) after activation.
- Experience the speed and convenience of hassle-free access to your favorite attractions with a single digital pass on your phone.
- Confused about what to see? Choose between 2 to 6 places from a list of 10+ attractions, including popular places like the Asian Art Museum and Madame Tussauds.
- Enjoy your San Francisco trip more when you save 35% on costs, after buying a bus pass and visiting 2 attractions like Madame Tussauds and Aquarium of the Bay.
- Get the thrill of an adrenaline rush as you zoom through the streets of San Francisco on your bike that you can rent for free for 1 hour with the flex pass.
Inclusions
- Access to 2/4/5/6 attractions
- Hop-on hop-off tours
- Museums: Asian Art Museum, Madame Tussauds San Francisco
- Attractions: Aquarium of the Bay
- Tours: GoCar 1-Hour Tour, San Francisco Ghost Hunting Tour
- Activities: Escape Game San Francisco Downtown, Scavenger Hunts San Francisco
- Get complete details here
- You can enter any attraction only once.
- After the date of purchase but before activation, the pass remains valid for 1 year.
- The pass gets activated once you visit the 1st attraction.
- First, download the Sightseeing Pass App. Use your order confirmation number to add your pass to your phone. Once you visit your first attraction, your pass will be activated!
- Feeling old school? You can also print your pass at home using the link in your confirmation email. You can also show this version of your pass on your phone.
- Your pass is activated as soon as you visit your 1st attraction and is valid for 60 days post the activation date.
- These tickets can’t be cancelled. However, you can use them any time within the next 12 months.
- These tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
Hop on, hop off, and see what fellow travelers are saying!
Why choose Hop-on Hop-off San Francisco bus tours
- Covering the city extensively: Hop-on Hop-off bus tours in San Francisco cover over 15+ stops on the Red Route, which includes the city’s most iconic landmarks and neighborhoods, such as Union Square and Marina District.
- Seamless access to waterfront attractions: San Francisco’s Hop-on Hop-off tours pass by bustling waterfront areas like Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, or the Exploratorium.
- Easy city navigation: San Francisco’s winding streets and inclined terrain can make walking or driving difficult. Hop-on Hop-off tours provide a cost-effective way to skip dealing with the city’s traffic and parking hassles.
- Take the unmissable Sunset Tour: No trip to San Francisco is complete without basking in the golden hues of the Golden Gate Bridge, and the nonstop 60-minute sunset tour add-on ensures a memorable experience at this world-famous landmark.
- Enjoy different perks: Hop-on Hop-off San Francisco tours often include complimentary earphones, guided walking tours, bike rental offers, and live bus tracking.
Hop-on Hop-off buses are the perfect choice for
First-time visitors
If you’re new to San Francisco, Hop-on Hop-off bus tours provide a structured way to familiarize yourself with city highlights. You can opt to take one full loop and then decide what stops interest you the most.
Families
With a mix of flexibility and comfort, Hop-on Hop-off buses are designed for families, kids, and elderly visitors, as they are wheelchair accessible.
Time-savers
For those with limited time in the city, Hop-on Hop-off bus tours maximize sightseeing efficiency. Visit multiple locations in one day across cosmopolitan San Francisco.
Solo travelers
Hop-on Hop-off tours provide a safe, easy, and pre-planned way to explore for solo travelers in any new city.
Photography enthusiasts
Hop-on Hop-off tours in San Francisco provide dreamy opportunities to snap the city skyline and panoramic vistas from the open-air top-deck of the bus.
How to book tickets
Step 1
Scan the different tours and routes to make your choice.
Step 2
Purchase tickets online via PayPal, Credit or Debit card.
Step 3
Look out for the ticket voucher in your inbox.
Step 4
Display the voucher digitally with a valid photo ID.
Step 5
Hop on and off at any point along the bus routes.
Top San Francisco landmarks on the Hop-on Hop-off tour
Exploratorium
Read more
Frequently Asked Questions about Hop-on Hop-off San Francisco tours
What is the frequency of Hop-on Hop-off buses in San Francisco?
Hop-on Hop-off buses in San Francisco arrive every 15 minutes between 10am-6pm.
What languages are the audio guides available in?
Audio guides are available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese & Korean.
Is the sunset tour available throughout the year?
The sunset tour is closed on July 4, Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve.
Are Hop-on Hop-off tours child-friendly?
Yes, make sure to purchase tickets for children 3 years and above.
Is the Hop-on Hop-off bus accessible for people with mobility issues?
Yes, all Hop-on Hop-off buses are wheelchair-accessible.
What should I bring for the Hop-on Hop-off tour?
It’s recommended to bring sunscreen, a hat, a camera, and comfortable shoes for walking.