New Season. New Deals. - Now up to 30% off with code SPRING
Ends in
--:--:--Sightseeing & Tours in and near San Francisco, CA
500+ deals
San Francisco Sightseeing
In San Francisco, sightseeing often tops lists of things to do in forms as eclectic as the city itself—and beautiful San Francisco weather means nearly every day is perfect for a stroll. Visitors and locals alike can zoom across the Golden Gate Bridge on a segway, eat their way through Chinatown on foot, or ferry themselves to an infamous prison island to enjoy Alcatraz tours. A huge array of themed adventures accommodates interests that range from cupcakes to American history, while just outside the city, more outdoorsy folk can explore the lush Muir Woods or take a tour on the water by boat.
Frequently Asked Questions
The easiest way to see many San Francisco highlights in one day is to use a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus, which loops between spots like Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Embarcadero. Many visitors pair this with a short bay cruise or a timed museum ticket.
Most San Francisco hop-on hop-off passes cost around $40–$55 for a 24‑hour ticket and closer to $70–$90 for 48 hours, with child fares a bit lower. Groupon often lists discounted options, such as a 20‑stop open-top route from Fisherman’s Wharf with one‑ or two‑day access.
San Francisco bay cruises are absolutely worth it if you want classic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the skyline without much walking. One‑hour and 90‑minute narrated trips typically depart from Pier 39 or Pier 43½ and run roughly $35–$60 per adult, with frequent photo opportunities.
The most efficient way to combine Alcatraz with other sightseeing is to book a bundled tour or a CityPASS-style ticket that pairs Alcatraz with several city attractions. Some full‑day excursions leave from Fisherman’s Wharf, visit Muir Woods or Sausalito, then finish with the Alcatraz ferry and audio tour.
Multi‑attraction passes can offer strong value if you plan to visit at least three or four paid sights such as Aquarium of the Bay, the Exploratorium, a bay cruise, or California Academy of Sciences. CityPASS typically includes four major venues, while Go City Explorer Pass lets you pick from a wider attraction list.
You can comfortably sightsee in San Francisco without a car by combining walking, Muni, cable cars, and organized tours. Many deals depart from central areas like Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square, and bay cruises, bus tours, and Explorer Pass attractions are all clustered near the waterfront and downtown.
Popular sightseeing day trips from San Francisco include guided tours to Muir Woods and Sausalito, full‑day excursions to Yosemite National Park, and whale‑watching cruises from Monterey Bay. Many of these trips run as small‑group bus or van tours with pickup in central San Francisco and prices that typically start under $100.
Beyond classic bus and boat tours, visitors can explore San Francisco in GPS‑guided GoCars, join wine tastings in Livermore or Napa, or take themed small‑group outings to Muir Woods and coastal towns. Locals often use Groupon to uncover these more unusual experiences at reduced rates compared with standard tourist offerings.