San Francisco Sightseeing Bus — Big Bus
Description
Discover the iconic sights of San Francisco comfortably aboard a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus. The double-decker buses provide stunning panoramic views of the city, allowing you to disembark at numerous stops and explore the attractions at your own pace.
Routes & Stops
The San Francisco Sightseeing Bus features 17 distinct stops strategically located near the city’s major landmarks, with a journey that typically lasts around 2 hours. During the ride, you will enjoy recorded audio commentary that provides insightful details about the attractions you will observe along the way.
Highlights of the tour include Fisherman's Wharf, renowned for its seafood dining options; the famously steep Lombard Street, known as “the most crooked street in the world”; Alamo Square with its array of “Painted Ladies” houses; Union Square; and, not to forget, North Vista Point, which offers the finest view of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.
For detailed information on routes and stops, please refer to the following map:
It is important to note that this ticket only grants access to the red line.
Tour Options
Select from the following ticket options to best meet your preferences:
1-Day Ticket
This option includes:
- Access to Big Bus sightseeing buses for a duration of 24 hours
- 1-hour complimentary bike rental
1-Day Ticket + Audio-Guided Tour
This package offers:
- Access to Big Bus sightseeing buses for 24 hours
- 1-hour complimentary bike rental
- A guided walking tour of the city
- A tour of Painted Ladies + Haight Ashbury via sightseeing bus, complete with an audio guide. Details of the route can be found at this link.
- A night bus tour on the open-top bus
2-Day Ticket
This option encompasses:
- Access to Big Bus tour buses for a period of 48 hours
- 1-hour complimentary bike rental
- A 1-hour walking tour of the city with an audio guide
- A tour of Painted Ladies + Haight Ashbury via sightseeing bus, with an audio guide. The route details are available at the link.
- A 1-hour Blue & Gold Bay cruise
Night Tour
This tour begins at Fisherman's Wharf and lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes, showcasing the city’s illuminated landmarks. Enjoy live commentary in English as you navigate through neighborhoods such as Union Street, Presidio Park, Nob Hill, and Grace Cathedral, all while admiring the breathtaking Golden Gate Bridge. The journey includes a crossing over the Bay Bridge to Treasure Island, where you’ll be treated to one of the most captivating views of the San Francisco skyline by night. The tour concludes at the point of departure.
How Does It Work?
The ticket remains valid for either 1 or 2 consecutive days starting from its initial use. Throughout this period, feel free to hop on and off the buses as many times as you desire.
Schedule & Frequency
Red line: Services operate daily from 10 am to 6 pm, with departures every hour. The complete tour runs for approximately 2.5 hours.
Visit Alcatraz
Additionally, you have the option to book the San Francisco Sightseeing Bus with entrance to Alcatraz.
What's included
- Unlimited use of Big Bus San Francisco during selected time
- Bus tours of San Francisco's must–see sites
- Headphones for each person
- Walking tour with audio guide (depending on selection)
- Bike rental for 1 hour (depending on selection)
- Night bus tour
Cancellation policy
Cancellazione gratuita fino a 24 ore prima (local time)
Accessibility
Varies according to the attraction included.
Important information
You can use your voucher, either printed or downloaded on your mobile device, at any Big Bus Tours stop.
See the route and all the stops on a map via the following link:
You can see all the details of the stops at the following link: https://www.bigbustours.com/en/san-francisco/red-route-san-francisco.
Seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend arriving at the stop at least 20 minutes early.
If you’ve chosen an option that includes bike rental, you’ll be given the voucher on the bus, which is valid for the bikes, and they'll explain where you can pick them up.
Local phone number for emergencies: +1 855-854-8687
Tour with Audio Guide
To take the audio-guided tour, you will need to scan a QR code at Stop 1 and then start the tour from Stop 3, using your smartphone.
Night Tour
To take the night tour, you will need to redeem this voucher at the intersection of Mason Street and Jefferson Street (Fisherman's Wharf).
Painted Ladies Tour + Haight Ashbury
To enjoy this tour, you'll need to head to stop 1 in Union Square. This tour operates between 11 am and 5 pm every 2 hours.
Blue Cruise & Gold Bay
The cruise departs from Pier 31 in Fisherman's Wharf.
Schedule & Frequency
Red line: Daily departures from 10 am to 6 pm, every 60 minutes. The full tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours.
Please keep in mind that timetables can change. We encourage customers to download the Big Bus Tours app for up-to-date information and bus tracking.
Help Our Planet!
During this tour, single-use headphones are provided to listen to the audioguides. To avoid waste and help protect the environment, we recommend bringing your own headphones to use.
INFORMATION FOR BBT CSR This product has been booked by Civitatis, please scan the QR code. If necessary, seek authorisation from your supervisor, quoting the short code on this voucher.

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