Big Bus SF: Hop-on Hop-off Tour with 17 Stops and Sunset Option
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
See San Francisco’s top sights the easy way with Big Bus Tours. We offer the most comprehensive tour with over 17 hop-on hop-off locations spanning from the Golden Gate Bridge for panoramic views of the Bay, to Fisherman’s Wharf to enjoy fresh clam chowder and watch sea lions at Pier 39.
Explore Chinatown’s bustling streets, admire the Painted Ladies’ Victorian charm, and experience the counterculture history of Haight-Ashbury. Stop at Union Square for shopping or unwind in the green spaces of Golden Gate Park.
With one full route covering all major attractions, you won’t need to change buses or worry about directions. Hop on and off at your own pace, while onboard commentary provides stories and tips to bring the city to life.
Highlights:
Unlimited hop-on hop-off access at 17 stops across San Francisco
Cross the Golden Gate Bridge on an open-top bus for unbeatable views
Learn about the city with engaging onboard commentary
Flexible tickets that let you explore at your own pace
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Aquarium by the Bay is located on the San Francisco waterfront on PIER 39
Half-Day Wine Tour visits 2 wineries and the town of Sausalito; transportation by comfortable, a/c motorcoach
Hop-on Hop-off tour ticket is valid for use during operating hours for 24 or 48 hours after first use.
Wheelchair accessible, please call ahead for arrangements
Two ways to activate tickets: 1. Download and open the Big Bus app. Tap "Add Booking" and enter your booking reference. On the day of travel, open your ticket and press "Activate" then show your activated ticket to the driver at any stop along the route. Plus, use the app for route information and live bus tracking. 2. Redeem voucher and activate with Big Bus staff at Stop #1 - Big Bus Tours Visitors Center at 99 Jefferson St (corner of Jefferson and Mason Streets, or with any driver at any stop along the route.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Open-top double decker bus
No additional fees
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour, 24 or 48-hour ticket
Aquarium of the Bay admission (if option selected)
Downloadable app with route information and live bus tracking
1-hour Panoramic Sunset Tour (if option selected)
1-hour Digital Chinatown Walking Tour (if option selected)
Digital audio commentary with souvenir earbuds provided
Hotel pickup and drop-off
What To Expect
Duration:2 hours
Operating Schedule:Operating Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Tour Duration: 2.5 hours to complete the full route without exiting Bus Frequency: Every 15 Minutes Download the free Big Bus app for city information and live bus tracking.
Stop 1 - Big Bus Tours Visitors Center
Stop 2 - Columbus/Ghirardelli Square (North Point between Jones and Columbus)
Stop 3 - North Beach / Chinatown
Stop 4 - Embarcadero Center - Clay St (between Battery & Front Streets)
Stop 5 - Ferry Building - 30 Steuart St (Between Steuart & Market Streets)
Stop 6 - 280 Geary St (opposite Macy's entrance, next to steps)
Stop 7 - Hilton Hotel - Mason Street, between O'Farrell and Ellis Streets (outside Hilton Hotel entrance)
Stop 8 - Civic Center - 350 McCallister Street (White Zone outside Earl Warren Building)
Stop 9 - Alamo Square - 944 Fell Street (next to Mosaic wall near corner with Pierce St)
Stop 10 - Haight Ashbury - 1816 Haight Street (opposite Cha Cha Cha restaurant)
Stop 11 - Golden Gate Park - (Monday-Saturday only) outside California Academy of Sciences
Sundays and Public Holidays - Bus stop on Lincoln Way at 9th Avenue
Stop 12 - North Vista Point / Golden Gate Bridge - North Vista Point (lookout parking area off highway)
Stop 13 - Palace of Fine Arts - 1105 Gorgas Avenue (Corner of Gorgas Ave and Richardson Ave)
Stop 14 - Lombard Street - 2101 Lombard Street (SW corner of Lombard and Fillmore Sts)
Stop 15 - Lombard Street - 1599 Lombard St (outside Buena Vista Motor Inn near corner with Gough St)
Stop 16 - Pier 35 / Cruise Terminal - 1454 The Embarcadero (outside Pier 35 cruise terminal entrance)
Stop 17 - Pier 39 - The Embarcadero, bus stop outside the entrance to Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf
Options
24hr, Chinatown, & Sunset Tour
24-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Hop on and off at 17 convenient stops around San Francisco and enjoy digital audio commentary while aboard.
Duration: 1 day
Panoramic Sunset Tour: 1-hour Sunset Tour of SF in the golden light
Digital Chinatown Walking Tour: 1-Hour walking tour of historic Chinatown
24-Hour Ticket Only
24-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Hop on and off at 16 convenient stops around San Francisco and enjoy digital audio commentary while aboard.
Duration: 1 day: Unlimited use valid for 24 hours from first scan
Digital Audio Commentary
24-hour & Half-Day Wine Tour
24-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Explore SF with 17 convenient stops
Half-Day Wine Tour: Visit 2 wineries plus Sausalito. Departs at 12:30PM.
48hr, Aquarium, & Sunset Tour
48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Hop on and off at 16 convenient stops around San Francisco and enjoy digital audio commentary while aboard.
Aquarium by the Bay: Get up close and personal with marine animals
1-Hour Panoramic Sunset Tour
Duration: 2 days
Digital Chinatown Walking Tour: 1-hour guided tour of historic Chinatown
Reviews
4,487 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Brilliant
Roxana R,
Oct 26, 2025
- Viator
5.00Spectacular experience, it was very easy to get to know San Francisco with you, on time and with the help of great hearing aids
Fun. Not every 15...
Bryce C,
Oct 23, 2025
- Viator
4.00Fun. Not every 15 minutes, we waited longer at multiple stops and we didn't end up having enough time for some of the stops we wanted to make. Also some stops are several blocks away from the sights for some reason
Great tour!
Arlene W,
Oct 22, 2025
- Viator
5.00Very informative tour. Great guide on all three buses - especially on “the happy bus”! Went over the Golden Gate Bridge on top!!!
A great way to see San Francisco
Gerri G,
Oct 22, 2025
- Viator
5.00The easy access to buses along the route allowed us plenty of time to explore this beautiful city. Our plans on what to see changed throughout the route because of all the options that opened along the way.
Tour in my back yard
MARISA P,
Oct 21, 2025
- Viator
4.00Lots of fun, see much of the city. The drivers were friendly and the bus came frequently. Had a good time
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Operated by Big Bus Tours - USA