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 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
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
Options
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
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 & 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.
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
Reviews
4,596 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
San Fran for the win!
Brenda C,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nice way to get reacquainted either way the city
Enjoyable
Hei2005,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We decided on a whim to get the sunset tour and joined the queue at 6.15pm.....the website said sunset set off at 630pm and we asked and weee told the last two busses were on the way back and would be about 20minutes to wait. We finally boarded at 7pm and were told we would be setting off straight away (while watching them lock up the shop) and driver let more people on before finally leaving about 7.20pm HOWEVER saying that we enjoyed it. We sat up top initially and it got quite cold but half way through there is a stop for stunning sunset photos of SF and the golden gate bridge which definitely made it worth it. After that we stayed downstairs but this did not detract from the experience. The audio was a bit hit and miss, occasionally telling us to look right at something when actually it was on the left making us wonder if a different route had been taken given the late departure, however all in all we really enjoyed it. Would possibly do it again on another visit earlier in the day to make the most of the 'hop on hop off' part rather than just a round trip as this was. Not the cheapest at $60 each.
Excelent Support and very helpfull server at Big Bus SFO
OnAir65724972731,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My first contact with Mr. Carlos Guzmán was very helpfull and convinient to my exelent experience. Carlos took extra time to provide recomendations also gave various specific tricks in order to maximize our 12 hours trip. Thanks you Carlos hopping to see you again next time visiting SFO.
The amount of time you...
Ursula B,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00The amount of time you spend waiting for the bus, waiting for people to load and unload, you are better off with an Uber. The stops the bus makes are little to no interest. Also on my bus, people were standing which blocked the view of the points of interest that the audio guide was pointing out. Between traffic, stop lights, wait times, I wish we had just ordered a uber to take us directly to what we wanted to see.
I love it, you can visit all the nice places without worrying.
Angelica A,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Carlos Guzman was really helpful, he had the patience to help me to download the big bus app and guide me through it.
Great
H1558RAantonion,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thanks to Carlos Guzman. Great communication and saves us 15% on the food
Adequate, but wait times can be long.
Kaye P,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The route does take you around the city and it’s relatively comfortable. Wait times, though, are unpredictable and often more than the advertised “every 15 minutes.”
Great way to get an overview of the area
denisetU8749AI,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was great to get a feel for San Francisco so we could plan where we wanted to visit in more depth the rest of the week. Very informative. Do this in every new city we visit
A great time in San Francisco. Thanks, Carlos.
Meander47603247731,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great experience on the big bus. Carlos Guzman was a huge help. Very welcoming and friendly.
Worthwhile for me!
Pam W,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00A couple of the bus drivers were outstanding (Rafael and the guy that lives near Daly City). Wish the stops were closer to some of the destinations like Coit Tower or Lombard Street. Overall worthwhile for me to get around city. App was not updating as expected as to where buses were and arrival times.
From US$56.10
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Big Bus Tours - USA