Blue Heron Custom Tours
Blue Heron Custom Tours
5
City Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Wine Tours & Tastings
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Blue Heron Custom Tours provides step-on guide services for groups visiting the San Francisco Bay Area that have their own transportation. We provide tours of San Francisco, Muir Woods and Sausalito, Napa and Sonoma wine country, and other destinations.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
285 reviews
Excellent
278
Very good
7
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Michael H
Lake Jackson, TX2 contributions
Feb 2020
Rick picked us up from our hotel right on time and greeted me and my girlfriend. He gave us an excellent tour of San Francisco making a special unplanned stop for a photo at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater. He cautioned us at all stops to protect our valuables. I think Rick's private tour is much better for a romantic trip for couples compared to being on a crowded bus on a rigid schedule, and the price was very reasonable for the service. Highly recommend!!!
Written February 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
I am glad you enjoyed your tour. Thanks so much for taking the time to post a review. I greatly appreciate it. Come back and see us again.
Written February 17, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lyle B
9 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
My husband and I were very happy to be able to book Rick (at the last minute) for a Napa visit with our son and his wife. Rick did a wonderful job organizing our Sunday; we began with a tasting at Trefethen (Tricia was wonderful!), then Frog’s Leap, and brunch at Auberge. Timing worked really well. Reasons for a 4 instead of 5 rating: I was very thirsty (even mentioned how dehydrating traveling from the east coast had been) and finally asked, late in the day, if we could stop somewhere to buy bottles of water. Turns out Rick had an entire case of water in the back of his van—I would have loved if he’d offered one earlier, especially given what we were paying for our day ($815). Surprising, since most of my Uber drivers (even with very short drives) offer one as a matter of course. I also have to say that my husband was surprised to feel somewhat pressured to leave a tip for Rick when he reconciled our bill, as our expectation has always been that tips are not usually given to owners of businesses. Other than these blips, it was a great day.
Written March 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for taking the time to post a review. I am sorry you felt pressured to give a tip. I always feel that gratuities are at the discretion of my guest. Some folks feel like you do, that owners should not receive a tip and they do not leave one, while others feel differently. I just issued you a refund for the amount of the tip. You should see it as a credit on your credit card statement within seven business days.
I apologize for failing to mention that I carry water. I usually do so as soon as my guests get in the van.
Despite the above, I am glad you enjoyed your visit to the Napa Valley.
Written March 18, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alison
9 contributions
Aug 2019
We only had a short time in San Francisco and without Rick's personalised tour we would not have seen so many sights and learnt so much about this amazing city. Would highly recommend using Blue Heron for a friendly and fun experience. Thank you Rick.
Written August 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
I am glad you enjoyed your tour of San Francisco. Thank you very much for taking the time to post a review. I greatly appreciate it. I hope you can come back and visit again.
Written August 22, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bob
11 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
We just completed a whole day tour. Rick took us throughout the neighborhoods of SF pointing out the unique history and characteristics of each as well as an overall history of SF. We made stops for some obligatory pics. We then went to Sausalito for lunch and then on to Muir Woods to walk among the giant redwoods. A great day!
Written April 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
I am glad you enjoyed your tour of San Francisco, Sausalito and Muir Woods. Thanks so much for taking the time to post a review. It's really helpful. Enjoy the remainder of your stay in San Francisco.
Written April 12, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ellielacook
Houston, TX23 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
Rick is an excellent guide. Knows the area and will tailor the trip to meet your needs. I would recommend him for any type of trip in the Bay Area
Written September 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thanks for posting a review. I am glad you enjoyed your tour of San Francisco, Sausalito, and Muir Woods. Enjoy your next couple of days in San Francisco and have a great cruise.
Written September 21, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Collins Family
6 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
This was a brilliant, brilliant tour! Rick was waiting for us at the airport and took us on a fantastic, three-hour tour of San Francisco on a beautiful sunny day.
Rick was highly knowledgeable, friendly and funny. He took us everywhere we thought we wanted to go and to so many places we did not know about, but loved! My personal highlight was the pretty curved road at Lombard Street, and I adored the architecture of some of San Francisco's town houses.
Rick gave us some really helpful tips on our onward journey down the coast, and a couple of recommendations for places to visit, including a gorgeous restaurant we would have missed otherwise.
I thoroughly recommended this tour and the fabulous Rick! Thank you so much!
Rick was highly knowledgeable, friendly and funny. He took us everywhere we thought we wanted to go and to so many places we did not know about, but loved! My personal highlight was the pretty curved road at Lombard Street, and I adored the architecture of some of San Francisco's town houses.
Rick gave us some really helpful tips on our onward journey down the coast, and a couple of recommendations for places to visit, including a gorgeous restaurant we would have missed otherwise.
I thoroughly recommended this tour and the fabulous Rick! Thank you so much!
Written September 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thanks so much for taking the time to post a review. I am glad you enjoyed your tour of San Francisco. Come back when you have more time. There's much more to see. I hope your drive down the coast was fun.
Written September 17, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ctlsj
Paris, France9 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
We did enjoy the visit a lot We saw the whole city and could decide where to go back afterwards
Rick was a great guide
Merci!
Rick was a great guide
Merci!
Written August 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
I am glad you enjoyed your tour of San Francisco. Thanks so much for posting a review. Enjoy the remainder of your visit.
Written August 22, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
femffmedic17
Howell, MI7 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
Rick is the absolute best tour guide! We booked 2 separate half day tours and could not have been happier. Rick is very friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable not only of the highlight areas, but also some of the finer things about the City By The Bay! I would highly recommend him for a tour anywhere. I know that I would!
Written January 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for the very kind words and for taking the time to share your thoughts with other TripAdvisor members. I am glad you enjoyed your tours of San Francisco and Muir Woods & Sausalito. I hope you get to return sooner than later to see more of our beautiful sights.
Written January 4, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karen F
13 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
We spent a week in San Francisco and spent two days touring Sonoma County and Napa Valley with Rick as our guide. He was awesome. His knowledge of the area is very evident and the wineries he chose for us were great!! We did not want to do "the usual" and he gave us the best tour ever. We highly recommend Rick if you are looking for a great experience.
Written December 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you very much for taking the time to post a review. I am sure other TripAdvisor members appreciate seeing your comments.
I am glad you enjoyed your tours to northern Sonoma wine country and to the Napa Valley. You got to visit some of my favorite wineries and enjoy some of the prettiest spots in the Bay Area. Come visit us again. You made only a small dent in California's 3,500 wineries!
Written December 20, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Theresa H
Bossier City, LA6 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
My family used Rick at Blue Heron for a personal tour of San Francisco and loved it! Rick was professional, timely, accommodating and helpful! The minivan was clean and comfortable and my husband loved not having to figure out the logistics, directions, or worry about parking which allowed him to enjoy the tour with NO stress! Rick suggested that we could do all we wanted in 8 hours and he was exactly right! He knew a great place to stop for lunch and advised us ahead of time of the $10 per person fee for Muir Woods. We will definitely call Rick again when we visit again! It was a relaxing, fun tour with everything my family wanted to see accomplished!
Written June 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for posting a review and for the kind words. I am glad your family enjoyed their tour of San Francisco, Sausalito, and Muir Woods. Hopefully, you'll get here again in the not too distant future and I can show you more of our sights.
Written July 1, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
786cabrera
Cumming, GA7 contributions
I am interested in booking a Muir Woods tour on the afternoon of Friday, May 26th. We would look to be picked up at our hotel around 3:30pm. There will be 3 of us in our party. What is your availability and price?
It was good talking with you. Sorry this isn't going to work out. Come back when you have more time.
Nicki B
San Francisco, CA
Hi!
I wanted to check and see if you are available for a private Napa/Sonoma wine tour for 2 on Friday, December 11th? I have a few other questions that I was not able to get the answers to from the amazing customer comments the have been left!
-What kind of vehicle?
-What is the cost?
-We will be staying at the Le Meridian in SF (Downtown). Do you pick up/drop off from there?
-Do you have wineries that you recommend or a prefixed tour? We would want to go to at least 3.
-It would be great if there was a recommendation of lunch as well to incorporate with the tour.
-If we wanted to go to Muir Woods along with the wine tour, how many hours do you think we would need? We want to be very relaxed and not rushed at all.What would be the cost with the added trip to Muir Woods?
I look forward to your response and hope you are not already booked for the 11th!
Thank you in advance!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Nicki Barn
Nicki,
Thank you for contacting Blue Heron Custom Tours and Travel. I would be happy to take you on a tour of Muir Woods and wine country on December 11. I can pick you up at Le Meridien at the time of your choosing, take you on the tour, and drop you back at the hotel or elsewhere in San Francisco when we are done. We’ll first head to Muir Woods where you will walk among the coastal redwoods – the tallest trees in the world. Most folks spend between 60 and 90 minutes in the park. Tour guides are prohibited from leading groups in the park. Therefore, I will tell you about the trees and the park during the drive and let you walk on your own. After your walk, we’ll head to wine country. The town of Sonoma, with its Mexican-era plaza, is a good spot to stop for lunch. I would be happy to give you some lunch and winery recommendations once the tour is booked. You’ll have time to visit at least two wineries.
The cost of the 8-hour tour for 2 people is $595. If you want to tour longer, each additional hour costs $75. This fee includes all costs except entry and winetasting fees, meals, and gratuity. Muir Woods charges $7 admission for each person over the age of 15. Winetasting fees generally run between $15 and $30/person at each winery. To book a tour, please provide me with a credit card number, expiration date, security code, and billing address zip code. You are welcome to phone, fax, or e-mail me the information. I will not charge the card unless you cancel. There is a $25 fee if you cancel more than 48 hours in advance of the tour. If you cancel within 48 hours, the $595 would be nonrefundable as I am holding the time and turning down other work. At the end of the tour you may pay me with this card, another card, or cash.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions, need additional information, or wish to book a tour. I look forward to hearing from you and to showing you some of our beautiful sights.
Rick Spear
Owner
(415) 337-1874
robin3NewYork
new york35 contributions
HI! How much do you charge for private tours?
My rates vary depending on the tour you want to do and the number of people in your party. You can see full rate information on the Blue Heron website. Just click on the website link on the TripAdvisor listing and then click on rates. Please let me know if you have further questions.