English
English
Route name: Red Route
Attraction timings: Open 24 hours
Big Bus San Francisco Bus Tours
Routes
TimelineMap
1. Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center
Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center
Powell Street Cable Car Turnaround
16 minutes walk3. North Beach / Chinatown
North Beach / Chinatown
1 minute walk
City Lights Bookstore
4. Embarcadero Center
Embarcadero Center
Rincon Park
7 minutes walk5. Ferry Building
Ferry Building
3 minutes walk
Alcatraz Ferry Landing
15 minutes walk6. Union Square South
Union Square South
2 minutes walk
Maiden Lane
2 minutes walk7. Hilton Hotel
Hilton Hotel
10 minutes walk
Glide Memorial Church
1 minute walk8. Civic Center
Civic Center
1 minute walk
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
2 minutes walk9. Alamo Square
Alamo Square
1 minute walk
Painted Ladies
2 minutes walk10. Haight Ashbury
Haight Ashbury
2 minutes walk
Amoeba Music
11. Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park
3 minutes walk
Conservatory of Flowers
10 minutes walk13. North Vista Point / Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
4 minutes walk
Battery Spencer
4 minutes walk14. Palace of Fine Arts
Palace of Fine Arts
2 minutes walk
Fort Mason Center
8 minutes walk15. Marina / Cow Hollow
Marina / Cow Hollow
3 minutes walk
Lyon Street Steps
6 minutes walk16. Lombard Street
Lombard Street
3 minutes walk
Russian Hill
4 minutes walk17. Pier 35 / Cruise Terminal
Pier 35
Pier 7
7 minutes walk18. Pier 39
Pier 39
Musical Stairs
2 minutes walkExplore San Francisco's top sights aided by exciting upgrades and multilingual audio guides.
- Wanna see San Francisco like a boss? Grab a hop-on hop-off ticket and get ready to explore the city for 24/48 hours.
- With buses swooping in every 15 mins, you can explore the 16 stops along the Red Route.
- For more adventure, upgrade to a 60-minute sunset tour, get a 2-day pass, and go on a 1-hour Chinatown digital walking tour, and visit the San Francisco Aquarium By The Bay.
- As you roll through the city on the open-top buses, let the audio guide available in seven languages paint vivid pictures of San Fran's history.
- From the majestic Golden Gate to the funky Haight-Ashbury, you'll see it all. Washington Square, Alamo Square – the gang's all here.
Explore San Francisco's top sights aided by exciting upgrades and multilingual audio guides.
- Wanna see San Francisco like a boss? Grab a hop-on hop-off ticket and get ready to explore the city for 24/48 hours.
- With buses swooping in every 15 mins, you can explore the 16 stops along the Red Route.
- For more adventure, upgrade to a 60-minute sunset tour, get a 2-day pass, and go on a 1-hour Chinatown digital walking tour, and visit the San Francisco Aquarium By The Bay.
- As you roll through the city on the open-top buses, let the audio guide available in seven languages paint vivid pictures of San Fran's history.
- From the majestic Golden Gate to the funky Haight-Ashbury, you'll see it all. Washington Square, Alamo Square – the gang's all here.
Inclusions
- 24/48-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off tour
- Access to Red Route
- Entry to San Francisco Aquarium By The Bay (based on option selected)
- 1-hour Chinatown digital walking tour (based on option selected)
- 60-min sunset tour (based on option selected)
- Audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese & Korean (on the bus)
- Audio guide English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Russian, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese (on the walking tour)
- Complimentary headphones
- Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking
You can join a tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Red Route
Explore San Francisco's sights at your own pace with the freedom to hop on and off as you please while cruising down the red route.
Popular stops: Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, Pier 39
Sunset Tour
- Departure: 6:30pm from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
- Frequency: Once every evening
- Duration: 60 mins
Digital Walking Tour
- Departure: Scan the QR Code at Stop 1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center) and head to Stop 3 (North Beach / Chinatown) for departure
- Duration: 1 hour
- Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Russian, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese
What's not allowed
- Keep in mind that food & alcohol (except non-alcoholic drinks in screw-top bottles), and luggage are not allowed on the buses. Pack wisely!
Accessibility
- Not all buses are wheelchair accessible. You can contact the service operator 48 hours before your trip, and they'll try to assist you.
- Your safety comes first, so visitors with mobility impairments may be restricted from accessing the upper decks.
- Your guide dogs (except for pets) are welcome on board.
Additional information
- Booking information, operating hours, and meeting point details for the Chinatown digital walking tour and other add-ons will be shared in the ticket post-booking.
- The sunset tour is closed on the 4th of July, Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Eve.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- Tick tock, it's San Francisco o'clock! Hop aboard for a whimsical sunset tour and in just 60 mins, you'll see iconic landmarks bathed in golden light.
- Evenings are for exploring and this non-stop tour takes you on the Blue Route, dotted with bustling streets, modern museums, and more.
- Return transfers? Check! Get a free shuttle to Union Square after the tour ends for maximum convenience.
- Prepare for mind-blowing fun facts as the open-top bus is equipped with an audio guide in 6 languages.
- Nob Hill, Bay Bridge, Embarcadero – watch the sky light up like a disco ball as you zip through the city. It's like being in a real-life postcard, only way more fun.
- Tick tock, it's San Francisco o'clock! Hop aboard for a whimsical sunset tour and in just 60 mins, you'll see iconic landmarks bathed in golden light.
- Evenings are for exploring and this non-stop tour takes you on the Blue Route, dotted with bustling streets, modern museums, and more.
- Return transfers? Check! Get a free shuttle to Union Square after the tour ends for maximum convenience.
- Prepare for mind-blowing fun facts as the open-top bus is equipped with an audio guide in 6 languages.
- Nob Hill, Bay Bridge, Embarcadero – watch the sky light up like a disco ball as you zip through the city. It's like being in a real-life postcard, only way more fun.
Inclusions
- 60-min non-stop sunset tour
- Audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian & Portuguese (on the bus)
- Complimentary headphones
- Return shuttle transfer to Union Square
Exclusions
- Hop-on hop-off service
Please click here for the detailed route map and boarding points.
Blue Route (sunset tour)
- Departure: 6.30pm from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
- Duration: 60 mins
- Frequency: once every evening
- Keep in mind food & alcohol (except non-alcoholic drinks in screw-top bottles), and luggage are not allowed on the buses. Pack wisely!
- Not all buses are wheelchair accessible. You can contact the service operator 48 hours before your trip and they'll try to assist you.
- Your safety comes first so visitors with mobility impairments may be restricted from accessing the upper decks.
- Your guide dogs (except pets) are welcome onboard.
- The tour does not operate on Jul 4, Nov 23 (Thanksgiving), Dec 24 (Christmas Eve), and Dec 31 (New Year's Eve).
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Why choose the Big Bus San Francisco tours?
Flexibility
Big Bus offers hop-on hop-off access, allowing you to explore San Francisco's top attractions at your own pace and spend more time at places that interest you.
Comprehensive route
The route takes you to over 15 stops, including Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, and more, ensuring you see all the major landmarks.
Commentary in multiple languages
Enjoy pre-recorded commentary in 6 different languages, providing insights into San Francisco's history, culture, and architecture as you ride through the city.
Multiple ticket options
Choose from a variety of ticket options, including 1-day or 2-day passes along with a Muir Woods tour, to create a sightseeing package that fits your interests and budget.
Scenic Muir Woods Tour
Enhance your adventure with the Muir Woods tour, where you can marvel at the towering redwoods and enjoy nature just outside the city.
Big Bus San Francisco routes, stops and maps
Red Route
The Red Route is the main hop-on hop-off bus tour in San Francisco, covering the city's top landmarks and attractions.
Overview:
- First stop: Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center
- Timings: 10am to 6pm
- Frequency: Every 15 minutes
- Number of stops: 17
- Full loop duration: 2 hours 20 minutes
Highlights of your Big Bus San Francisco tour
Golden Gate Bridge
Suggested Big Bus San Francisco Itineraries
San Francisco in 1 day/24 hours
San Francisco in 2 days/48 hours
Day 1: Red Route
If you have just one day in San Francisco, choose the Red Route of the Big Bus Tours to explore all the top attractions in the city.
- Start at Fisherman’s Wharf, enjoy the sea lions and visit Pier 39.
- Hop off at the Golden Gate Bridge for stunning views and photos.
- Continue to the Palace of Fine Arts and take in the beautiful architecture.
- Visit Lombard Street, known for its winding, scenic beauty.
- End your day at Union Square for shopping and dining.
Day 1: Red Route
Explore San Francisco over 48 hours with Big Bus Tours, dedicating two days to the Red Route:
- Begin at Fisherman’s Wharf and explore Pier 39.
- Visit the Golden Gate Bridge for stunning views.
- Stop by the Palace of Fine Arts to admire its architecture.
- Explore the vibrant Marina District.
- Walk down the iconic Lombard Street.
- End your day at Union Square for shopping and dining.
Day 2: Red Route
Explore San Francisco over 48 hours with Big Bus Tours, dedicating two days to the Red Route:
- Start at North Beach and visit Coit Tower and Chinatown.
- Head to the Ferry Building for local foods and crafts.
- Explore the Civic Center and its cultural institutions.
- Visit Alamo Square and see the Painted Ladies.
- Stop at Haight-Ashbury for its unique shops and history.
- Conclude your tour at Golden Gate Park
Big Bus San Francisco: FAQ's
How do Big Bus hop-on hop-off buses work in Rome?
The Big Bus hop-on hop-off service in Rome allows you to explore the city at your own pace by hopping on and off the buses at any of the designated stops.
What is included in a Big Bus San Francisco Tour ticket?
You can hop on and off at any stop along the route to explore attractions at your own pace. Buses run frequently on designated routes.
How often are the Big Bus San Francisco hop-on hop-off buses?
Tickets include unlimited hop-on hop-off access to the Red Route, free walking tours, bike rental offers, entry to The Flyer or 7D Experience at Pier 36, a Muir Woods Tour, and audio guide.
How many Big Bus San Francisco routes are there?
Buses run every 15 minutes.
Are there audio guides on the Big Bus San Francisco hop-on hop-off bus tours?
There is one main route, the Red Route, which covers all major attractions and landmarks in San Francisco.
Are the Big Bus San Francisco hop-on hop-off bus tours accessibility-friendly?
Yes, pre-recorded commentary is available in 6 languages, providing insights into San Francisco's history and culture.
How long is my ticket valid for?
Tickets are typically valid for 1 or 2 days, depending on the type of ticket purchased.