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
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.
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
Reviews
4,552 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Five star Big Bus SFO
LINDA M,Mar 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely the best big bus experience we’ve had and we’ve traveled all over the world the views in San Francisco and the calmness of the driver were absolutely excellent. I recommend this tour to anyone.
Big Bus Blake is the best
patcB6073SX,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Blake is the greatest part of my trip 15 stars out of 10
Pure Joy
Yolanda N,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It's alot of fun, and I learned things that I didn't know about San Francisco. I wouldn't mind having this experience all over again.
Buyer beware
Shefcomp,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00There web sites advertises all the top attraction you'll see, however a lot of them you don't it has drop offs about a few blocks from the actual site you wanted to see, for instance Post card row you know the most photographed victorian houses well let me tell you there ARE HILLS if you want to get off and see them which we did but didn't know the inclines that you needed to climb. For my daughter and granddaughter ok I struggle with the hiking because of arthritis in my hips. Another site they talk about over the headphones in great detail to the right is a lake but you can't see it its behind the forestry. You see a lot of big city buildings that personally don't make any difference to me I can see a bank building in Houston. IU don't think it's worth the money . Rent a car if you don't have one and go see the sites you want to see.Another lady on our bus said the route she paid for and had a printed itinerary was different then the map they gave when boarding the bus. And the prices vary so m much for the same tour. I f you take the tour not getting off the bus it takes 2 1/2 hours. If you go through to see what you want to see and stay on for the hop off at what you want you have to go through the whole thing again and the bus stops running at 5pm. So in reality you may be able to spend some time at maybe 3 stops.
San Fran
Adventure67526759722,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Blake was an awesome help with purchasing my tickets as I couldn't purchase via the app. He even matched the price. Thank you from Fremont couple Hop on and hop off is a great way to the see the great city of San Fran
A bit disappointed to...
Evelyn R,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00A bit disappointed to heard a significant lag with the recorded narration vs scenic points. Otherwise, a great way to view the city.
Great value
Joanne C,Feb 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great way to see the city at your own leisure. Good value for money, and the sunset tour was well worth the money too
Would not recommend big bus
Akshata H,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00The worst experience ever I have taken a lot of hop in hop off but this one was the ever 1. Viator has it labeled wrong - says you have booked for tour + sunset + aquarium but when you go there you don’t really have the tickets 2. The big bus have written everywhere on their banner, vouchers that buses are every 15mins but in reality 35mins 3. Big bus does not announce and stop at every stop
Well organized and very informative
Steve F,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I usually do these hop on hop off tours in every big city. This is one of the best organized ones I've experienced. The drivers were very friendly and helpful. The information received over the audio was very good. This is a great way to get around the city. If you have time I would do a two day tour and you could use it to get across all the parts of the city. I was really surprised they even took you all the way across the Golden Gate Bridge to the other side to get a great picture.
Team Chestnut Street Shout Out to Blake!
jasonpM5177LC,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A shoutout to Blake, who was fantastic! Especially for a sci-fi and Star Trek nerd like myself, Blake had so many cool stories and points of interest to share. Such a friendly and helpful chap! Five stars all the way!! Many Thanks, Blake!
From US$56.10
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Operated by Big Bus Tours - USA