Vantigo - The Original San Francisco VW Bus Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Looking for an authentic San Francisco experience? Trade the tour bus for a vintage Volkswagen van that easily navigates the city’s less-traveled lanes. Vantigo’s San Francisco City Tour takes you through 14 famed districts, complete with views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and several other storied landmarks. Along the way, we will stop and take photos while we share tales of earthquakes that shaped the landscape, industrial shifts from the 1849 Gold Rush to the rise of Silicon Valley, 1960s counterculture, and surprising insights that only a local would know.
Whether this is your first San Francisco visit or you’ve lived here for years, you’ll see the city from a new perspective. Book today. Then, sit back and enjoy the ride!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Recommended tip amount: $15-20 per passenger (tips make up a large chunk of tour guide income in the U.S!)
What To Expect
Union Square
Drive through / Pick up / Drop off
Fisherman's Wharf
Drive through / pick up and drop off
Options
Vantigo SF City Tour
9:00 AM or 1:30PM Departure: 3 Hour San Francisco City tour departing at either 9:00 AM or 1:30 PM, depending on which tour you reserve.
1.30pm Departure
1.30PM Departure: 3 Hour San Francisco City tour departing at 1:30 PM
What‘s Included
Photo opportunities at major landmarks
Vintage Volkswagen bus transportation
Access to districts the large buses cannot go
Bottled water
Professional guide
Commentary on San Francisco history and culture
Children 0 to 4 require you to book a private tour
Hotel pickup and drop-off
We require a minimum of 3 guests for a tour to proceed
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
789 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing City Tour
scottrG461IH,Jun 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Vantigo was a great experience for our family! Even our two younger kids 5 and 8 were engaged. Chad was super informative and entertaining for the the 3 hour trip through the entire city! We learned about historic moments and landmarks I never knew exisited and this is my 3rd time to SF! The value of this tour is great and I would highly recommend it as a first time visitor to SF or even if it's your 10th time! Definitely will see things that only locals know. Thanks Chad and Harvey the blue VW bus!
Definitely book this VW bus tours; this one is the best
Anonymous,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Chad is amazing. Look no further than this tour company. There are other copy VW bus tours but this is the original and best.
Best in San Francisco
Jason G,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wow what a tour probably the best one I’ve been on , Josh was so into the history of the city and really knew his stuff Highly recommended you won’t be disappointed, we did it at the end of our trip, probably better at the beginning has so many great places or recommended to do and see
The best of the best.
Escape758882,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Second tour with Chad… just as informative and fun as the first… will continue to bring family & friends on this amazing venture…
The Volkswagen van holds...
Kevin O,May 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The Volkswagen van holds 5 passengers so it was a highly personalized tour. Chad did an excellent job of putting everyone at ease with his tales of the city.
Cruising San Francisco with Chad!
Lynn K,May 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely great experience! Chad zips all over SF in his 1971 VW van...telling great stories, sharing info about SF, and playing great music! Reserve your trip with Chad today!
Hands down MUST DO!!
V6793MGmariam,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was hands down the best way to see San Francisco! I cannot recommend this trip highly enough. Wow! My husband and I, first timers to San Fran from Australia, found Vantigo via an AI search which said it was the most authentic of the tour operators. Chad took us everywhere. He knew the top spots, the secret spots and took photos of us from some impressive vantage points. He gave us great history, anecdotes, commentary, and not sure I should say this but, we fluked being outside the Painted Ladies houses and the owners invited us to come inside and take a look! Unbelievable! We went on the tour expecting a typical, generic tour and it was so much more! We loved San Fran. It has stolen our hearts and this tour was a massive part of that. Thank you Chad!!
Best Tour of SF
Scenic24996473268,May 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chad was an amazing guide! He was so friendly and knowledgeable. The route was really good, it felt like we saw soooo much of San Francisco that we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. He also had great recommendations for dinner and other experiences. It’s a little more expensive than other tours but worth every penny!!
Great intro to a special city
gpsnomad,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00So much fun stuff packed into a few hours. And good quality info and energy from Chad. His music playlist was great too. So glad we booked this especially with very limited time in San Francisco!
BEST TOUR and SO MUCH FUN!
Dreamer36286554732,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow! We booked this tour based on reviews and I am so glad we did! Chad was wonderful – friendly, energetic and so knowledgeable about San Francisco and its history. Driving around in the vintage VW van was awesome, and we got our share of waves and smiles along the way. Chad did a great job of keeping us entertained, answering questions, and making a few impromptu stops along the way. He knew the best places for great pictures such as The Painted Ladies and Telegraph Hill. We had such a great time, and it was the highlight of our time in San Fran! I would highly recommend Chad and this tour – a definite “must do” if you’re in San Francisco!
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