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
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
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 & 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
4,508 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The best unexpected day.
Y6997RIlindaf,
Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had the best day thanks to Blake. He told us about things I never even thought of. The Fairmont hotel to see the giant Giant gingerbread house, the light show at the church, Bobs doughnuts, pets in Macy’s window. Just the best. Thank you Blake!
Great way to begin time on San Francisco
Dennis B,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Enjoyed this excellent introduction to the city. Visited the many points of interest and let us make good decisions for our return to those areas we wished to revisit. Commentary was clear and helpful.
Big Bus San Francisco tour
Jennifer I,
Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We caught the first tour of the day and rode the entire 17 stop tour. This helped us know which stops we wanted to get off at the second time around. Take a jacket and warm cap if you plan to go over the Golden Gate Bridge because the temperature drops significantly. This is a great way to see the city, especially if you’re like my husband and me and are new to visiting San Francisco.
So so
Anonymous,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00Personally I didn’t overall care for the canned commentary. It became somewhat inane after awhile. There was some nice highlights in there about San Francisco history. My two major issues is on of the reasons we chose this was to hop on and off at Ghirardelli square which they never stopped at. My daughter was crest fallen as that was going to be one of the highlights for her. Second, they stopped at their headquarters and we all sat on the bus doing nothing for forty minutes. When asked, the reply was our drivers need breaks too! I felt a bit trapped at that point as no options were given and we needed to loop back to our hotel. Lesson learned here is don’t have any plans for after the ride that have a timeline as you are at the whim of the service. Some of the buses were old but they also had one newer nicer one as well. San Fran is beautiful but be prepared with a thicker jacket in the evening if you want to be on the upper deck.
Great tour
Yana G,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The tour was very nice and informative. It was pre-recorded and I was listening to it on headphones. Headphones were provided and every seat had a connection. I gave it 4 stars just because the seats on a bus are extremely uncomfortable, I don't think they are designed for a human body. That was the only negative. All in all, lived the experience
Perfect Solution!
Clover Keyes R,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a fabulous solution to a short stay in a big city. We hopped off at Union Square for breakfast in a great spot. Hopped back on and then hopped off at Haight Ashbury for an hour or so for shopping and a drink at a fun bat. Walked in Golden Gate Park for a bit, then back on the bus for the final stops. One leg took us across the Golden Gate Brige. The audio information all along the way was very informative! The drivers were all helpful and engaging. We'll be using Big Bus Tours in all the cities we visit!
Good communication...
Liz H,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Good communication regarding weather while travelling over Golden Gate bridge as it was a bit windy.
It’s a bus tour
John A,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Get on board early for the front row upstairs seats. A great route around town and better than the other company operating these tours.
Great Tour!
sullymom,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Friendly drivers and the buses were timely. Would recommend for anyone coming to San Francisco for the first time. It’s a great way to see the city.
Child Injured due to Reckless Driving
970brandiv,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00I took my five year old on the big bus tour of San Francisco. The driver was speeding and breaking recklessly the whole trip. After having been stopped at Jefferson Street, the driver made one last unnecessary and sudden acceleration and severe break, to scoot forward on the block. Everyone in the bus shot forward. Including my five year old who went teeth first into the hand pole at the front of the upper level. He hit his lip and teeth, cracking his front tooth. His mouth was full of blood, and another passenger gave me tissues to try and stop the bleeding. I followed up inside the Big Bus office and filled out an injury form but have not heard anything since. We went straight to the dentist where he needed composite on the cracked tooth. He also has two horizontal fractures across the tooth. We will need to monitor it continuously going forward for further abscess, infection, or root death. I have not heard back from Big Bus HR. I can provide photos of his tooth and lip lacerations if needed.
From US$56.10
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Operated by Big Bus Tours - USA