San Francisco Tours
San Francisco Grand City Tour
4.5

San Francisco Grand City Tour

By Gray Line San Francisco
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About
Even if you have just a half day to spare, you can see San Francisco’s top sights on this guided bus tour. Travel in comfort from the windmills of Golden Gate Park to the Victorian mansions of Pacific Heights to the panoramic views of Twin Peaks. Put the guidebook down and let a driver and guide do the navigating. Upgrade to include a sightseeing cruise on the San Francisco Bay, a half-day bike rental, or tickets to the Aquarium of the Bay.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • See the best of San Francisco on a half-day bus tour
  • Cover more ground than by walking and skip the stress of public transit
  • Stop for photo ops at the Golden Gate Bridge and other landmarks
  • Optional bay cruise, bike rental or aquarium tickets available for upgrade

  • Transport by air-conditioned luxury coach
  • Narrated bus tour of San Francisco + Plenty of photo stops
  • 4h Bike Rental (if option selected)
  • Bay Cruise if option selected.
  • Aquarium of the Bay Entrance Fee if option selected.
  • Choose from two departure locations in San Francisco: Fisherman's Wharf or Union Square
What's not included
  • Food and drinks.
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick-up & drop-off Not included

Start your morning by getting picked up from Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf in a comfortable bus. Head west toward Ocean Beach for a scenic drive through Golden Gate Park. See the Victorian and Queen Anne mansions that define San Francisco architecture, and travel along the historic Barbary Coast while hearing tales from California’s gold rush days. Admire the historic Palace of Fine Arts, snap panoramic photos from the top of Twin Peaks, check out one of America's original Chinatowns, and gaze at Alcatraz Island from Fisherman's Wharf. Optional upgrades include a cruise on San Francisco Bay to take in the sights from a different vantage point; a half-day bike rental to cruise around at your own pace; or admission to the Aquarium of the Bay to learn about native marine creatures.

Start:Multiple meeting point options.
  • Option 1
    478 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA
    Union Square Departure Location 478 Post St. Arrive by 8:25 AM to check-in Bus Departs at 8:40 AM Although there is no physical location, you'll find Encore Café situated right next door. For boarding the bus, simply head across the street to meet our representative and board the bus.
  • Option 2
    2805 Leavenworth St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
    Gray Line Fisherman’s Wharf Departure Location 2805 Leavenworth St. Arrive by 8:45 AM to check-in Bus Departs at 9:00 AM Although there is no physical location, you'll easily spot Pomegranate Café directly across the street. Simply wait there, and our representative will meet you.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Stroller accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Near public transportation
    • Infants must sit on laps
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 2660SFODLX1

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Please contact us 48 hours prior to tour date to confirm your exact departure location (2 options)
    • Please bring your paper or electronic voucher with you on the day of your tour to be redeemed upon pickup or check in at one of our tour offices.
    • If you choose the option that includes the Aquarium of the Bay Admission, please visit their site for Aquarium of the Bay hours.
    • If you choose the option that includes the Bay Cruise Adventure, please visit the Blue & Gold site for the seasonal schedule.
    • Most travelers can participate
    • If you choose the option that includes the 4h Bike Rental: Bike reservation is not mandatory but we always recommend a reservation in order to hold you bikes and streamline the pick up process. Contact for booking confirmation at specific time.
    • Stops with Photo opportunities at: Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Twin Peaks, Land’s End Ocean Beach (Sutro Baths) & Mission San Francisco de Asis (Mission district)
    • Information if you choose tour with 4h Bike rental: For all riders’ safety, Unlimited Biking do not recomend any riders who are 300 pounds and over as this exceeds the weight limit the manufacturer has advised for the bike’s build. We apologize for the inconvenience, but we do prioritize your safety during the ride.
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
    • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 2660SFODLX1

    From
    $69.00
    per adult
    Select date and travelers

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    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Gray Line San Francisco
      4,877
      San Francisco, California
      Joined in February 2011
    • lmittag
      0 contributions
      3.0 of 5 bubbles
      Stuck on the bus from hell
      Muir Woods was amazing. We wish we had been there longer. Our bus driver Dennis was rude and obnoxious. He talked the whole time. Mainly about himself.
      Written October 12, 2024
    • Leia_Solo2012
      0 contributions
      2.0 of 5 bubbles
      Bad experience - was hoping for better
      Contacted Gray Line directly when booking tour to ask if we could remain in Carmel with our luggage, which they agreed to. Contacted them again before the trip to ensure there was space for luggage which they confirmed there was. Morning of tour we check out from hotel, go to pick up point, and on arrival of the bus get told there isn't enough space for luggage. Luckily the bus wasn't full so our luggage was able to be stored (just about), but staff were rude and unhelpful, acting like it was our fault. Not a good start to what should be a nice relaxing day. Tour guide was impersonal and relayed information like he was reading from a script, didn't seem to care if we were listening or not. (A stark difference to the tour guide experience with Incredible Adventures San Francisco, who were brilliant.) Wouldn't use Gray Line SF again and would think twice before using elsewhere in the world.
      Written October 12, 2024
    • michelleq340
      0 contributions
      1.0 of 5 bubbles
      Tour was cancelled last minute.
      We were confirmed and then cancelled the day before. We were offered another tour but not for Chinatown, not comparable. Frustrating but we were told it was due to illness. Hopi g our refund comes through. Until then, hesitant to book with this company again.
      Written October 11, 2024
    • Boze_67
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Nice tour of three different wineries in Sonoma and Napa valleys.
      On vacation, just me and the wife in San Francisco. Nice tour of 3 different wineries, each one producing very different wines, so we were able to try some different wines we probably would not have on our own. Our bus driver, Danny did a great job of keeping us entertained and informed with tidbits about San Francisco, as our tour guide did not show up.
      Written October 8, 2024
    • sheilamarieg2019
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Day Excursion
      A full day which allowed us to experience many of the things we wanted to see and do without having to deal with driving, parking or getting admission tickets. Small bus was comfortable with great driver and interesting companions. Highly recommend
      Written October 8, 2024
    • jimwB7623EM
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Tranquility
      Awesome tour. George was a great guide/bus driver. Provided info and answered all questions without the question being asked. Beautiful at Muir Woods. Tranquil. Sausalito was very quaint. I do wish George had given more info. about which direction to go to get to the tourist area. We found it after asking Google. 😳😂 👍 The ferry ride back was cool too.
      Written October 7, 2024
    • PoppingNY
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Seamless trip from start to finish.
      Beautiful old growth Coastal Redwood forest. Driver (Jerry) was great. Professional, friendly, and very knowledgeable. Had a little narrated tour of San Fransisco on the way.
      Written October 7, 2024
    • marydC9712HN
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Driver made it fun!
      Our driver was the best! He made the trip very entertaining. We spent two weeks in the SanFrancisco area and this was one of the most memorable things we did.
      Written October 7, 2024
    • Lisaplug
      0 contributions
      3.0 of 5 bubbles
      1 day trip. Monterey. carmel by the sea. Big sur.
      I enjoyed the trip. The weather wasn't as good as expected. So I didn't get the pictures I wanted although the fog shifted by the time we got to monterey. I feel the tour is rushed. Although it was a 13 hour day. Doug our driver was a character. He had a dry sense of humour most people didn't appreciate but he did make me laugh on some of the things he said. The bus needs to have a toilet on the bus. The stops are not adequate to cater for a 52 seater bus. The stops were rushed. Didn't get time to take pictures because I spent most of the 20 minutes queuing for the toilets and he was gonna leave us if we were late back. My only moan was the toilets. The stops aren't enough fir the amount of people.
      Written October 7, 2024
    • ametriad2018
      0 contributions
      3.0 of 5 bubbles
      Birthday Celebration
      Our Trip was a Birthday Celebration for my hubby. We really couldn't hear the guide sharing info in the back of the bus. It also felt very rushed and almost like he didn't feel like doing the tour. The Muir Woods was the best part and we wished we had more time there overall.
      Written October 6, 2024
    • Zzzzzkk
      0 contributions
      1.0 of 5 bubbles
      Terrible experience !
      The bus driver was very rude and unfriendly . Besides that his incompetence could have caused a terrible tragedy . He was trying to fix a mechanical problem which he had no business doing . I was a little leary when we first got on the bus and saw an older man hobbling with a cane to open the door . Found out later he’s had triple bypass surgery . I do t think a 75 yr old man with health issues should be driving a tour bus with others lives at stake !
      Written October 5, 2024
    • 12iguasu13
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Refer to previous answers.
      Very good driver, sadly spoke far too much about himself whilst driving. Was rather boring listening to him non-stop continuously during the entire bus ride.
      Written October 5, 2024
    • 889russd
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great Value For A Limited Schedule
      Great day trip, best way to see the area on a limited time schedule. If you have only a day to spend in SF and love nature this is the way to go.
      Written October 2, 2024
    • Aimee M
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Take the tour bus. Don’t drive!
      Breathtaking views, wonderful scenery. And that’s before we even arrived! The woods are so calming and peaceful. The trees are nothing short of majestic. Safe, courteous and friendly tour bus drivers allow you to take in all there is on the way up (and down).
      Written October 1, 2024
    • Gary L
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Day trip to Yosemite
      Mother nature at her absolute finest! A very long day and a hairy drive back, but so worth it. Our driver, Jerry, was very informative and stopped at multiple locations for some great photo opportunities. The only slight downside was that the refreshment stop was a supermarket. Would have been nice to stop at a diner, but this was to do with the tight timing. Highly recommend taking a day for this trip. Good value and amongst the most spectacular views you will see in your lifetime.
      Written October 1, 2024
    See all 4,877 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

    Popular mentions

    4.5
    4.5 of 5 bubbles101 reviews
    Excellent
    68
    Very good
    17
    Average
    4
    Poor
    4
    Terrible
    8

    pegeth13
    Phoenixville, PA53 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Apr 2023
    I took this bus tour as i had one more day in San Francisco and my sister couldn't host me that day. This was fantastic. There were 5 15-minute stops and then some drive by stops. We went to places like Lands End, the Golden Gate, Twin Peaks, a beautiful mission and the Palace of Fine Arts. Afterwards I took a great boat ride on the bay. Next place I go, I will look for another tour like this!
    Written April 30, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Respond to review - Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your bus tour and that it was a fantastic way to spend your extra day in San Francisco. It sounds like you were able to visit many iconic landmarks and attractions during the tour, and the boat ride on the bay must have been a great way to cap off the day. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to having you join us again on your next trip!
    Written May 1, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Al S
    Jamestown, NC10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sep 2021
    Our guide, "Joseph,"was outstanding as was our driver Neelo. Joseph was knowledgeable and passionate in providing information, non-stop. He made the tour great and was very helpful in recommending restaurants and sites for future excursions.
    We will take another Greyline tour because of Joseph.
    Written September 10, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Dear Al S, Thank you for sharing such a lovely review on our San Francisco tour. Your comments about our driver/guide Joseph are superb! I am truly glad you were able to have an amazing experience with us and go to learn many interesting information during your tour. We hope to welcome you back soon for another delightful experience. Best regards, Manager at Gray Line of San Francisco
    Written September 12, 2021
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Nigel T
    Bromsgrove5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sep 2024 • Friends
    Very comprehensive tour of SFC, all the key sights & some we did not expect. Coach was good quality, maybe driver could have slowed when a key landmark was mentioned by guide. Well worth the time to get a good overview of the city.
    Written October 11, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Overnight_on_I-57
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Apr 2023
    We took the Grand City Tour in April, 2023. Saw lots of sights, including downtown, Golden Gate Bridge and Park, the Presidio, and more. Tour guide was knowledgeable and helpful. Tour was about 4 hours, about the right length for us.
    Written April 29, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hello Overnight_on_I, Thank you for taking the time to write a review of your recent Grand City Tour. We are delighted to hear that you saw lots of sights including downtown, Golden Gate Bridge and Park, the Presidio and more. It sounds like you had a great time exploring the city and taking in its many attractions. We are also pleased to hear that your tour guide was knowledgeable and helpful. Our team is dedicated to providing the best possible experience for our guests, and we are happy to hear that you received great service. We appreciate your feedback on the length of the tour, and we're glad that it was about the right length for you. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive tour that covers the highlights of the city without overwhelming our guests. Thank you for choosing our Grand City Tour, and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future.
    Written April 30, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Sheryl L
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2022
    We really enjoyed seeing the city through this tour. We did this on our first day so we can figure out what places we wanted to go back to and explore more on our own. It was great to have a local San Francisco resident as a tour guide! Our driver was Gordon and our tour guide was Joe! They were both fabulous!
    Written October 15, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Dear 566sheryll, It was a pleasure serving you. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback with us. We’re really glad you enjoyed our San Francisco Grand City Tour. We hope to serve you again soon.
    Written October 17, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Jolee T
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Apr 2022
    This tour was everything that we were hoping for! We were in San Francisco for a short period of time and wanted to see as much as possible. Joesph (tour guide) and Jack (driver) we AMAZING! So kind and knowledgeable, drove us places that we would not have gone on our own. We were so very impressed and pleased overall!!!
    Written April 24, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi joleetha3 Thank you for posting your opinion on our tour. Joseph is a gold mine of knowledge about California, and it is fantastic to visit the city with him. I am incredibly delighted to see you had such a great experience with us. Ignacio Gray Line San Francisco
    Written April 29, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Gretchen B
    Salisbury, MD2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jul 2024 • Family
    Came to San Fran with the main purpose of seeing the redwoods for my Dad's 75th and my 50th. Judith was very personable, knowledgeable and entertaining. She made an effort to get to know her passengers and gave excellent lunch recommendations. The early tour got us in before it got busy and we had a beautiful time in Sausalito. The ferry ride back gave us another perspective of a lot of the popular landmarks.
    Written July 18, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi Gret! Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so glad Judith made your special trip memorable and that you enjoyed the redwoods, Sausalito, and the ferry ride. Happy 75th and 50th birthdays!
    Written July 21, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Susan M
    14 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    May 2024 • Couples
    The tour was useful as we had limited time in SF. Good orientation and nice also to get to the coast for some quality air. The tour guide wasn't great though. Too many generalisations rather than facts, repetition of things as though she'd forgotten what she'd already told us, and bigging up of things that we couldn't get to see from the bus which was just frustrating. Also too rushed at the stop offs; unnecessarily so as the tour finished long before the advertised 4 hours.
    Written May 18, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    shawn v
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jul 2024 • Family
    Judith our guide was awesome and insightful! The bus very nice because it was new. The group was also friendly. Our favorite winery was Roche but they were all good. I ended purchasing wine for Madonna estates. We spent most of the tour in Sonoma and ended in Napa. I recommend this tour!
    Written July 27, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi Sha! Thank you for the wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled you enjoyed Judith’s insights, the new bus, and the friendly group. It’s great to hear you liked Roche and Madonna Estates. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you on another tour soon!
    Written July 29, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    K R
    Mumbai, India4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2023 • Family
    First time visit to SFO and it was worth every penny. Excellent tour to take for understanding the history of SFO and knowing the important places. Stoppages at all important locations and enough time given for roaming around.
    Written October 2, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Hi 763kr, We're glad to hear that you had a wonderful first-time experience in San Francisco and found the tour worthwhile. Exploring the city's history and important landmarks is a great way to experience San Francisco. It's great to hear you also enjoyed the time at the various stops along the tour. we look forward to seeing you back again soon.
    Written October 2, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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