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Big Bus San Francisco Bus Tours
Routes
TimelineMap
1
Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center
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2 attractions
2
Columbus/Ghirardelli Square
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2 attractions
3
North Beach / Chinatown
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2 attractions
4
Embarcadero Center
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2 attractions
5
Ferry Building
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2 attractions
6
Union Square South
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2 attractions
7
Hilton Hotel
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2 attractions
8
Civic Center
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2 attractions
9
Alamo Square
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2 attractions
10
Haight Ashbury
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2 attractions
11
Golden Gate Park
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2 attractions
12
Golden Gate Park 2
13
North Vista Point / Golden Gate Bridge
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2 attractions
14
Palace of Fine Arts
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2 attractions
15
Marina / Cow Hollow
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2 attractions
16
Lombard Street
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2 attractions
17
Pier 35 / Cruise Terminal
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2 attractions
18
Pier 39
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2 attractions
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 or 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 claim your free bike rental offer.
- As you roll through the city on the open-top buses, let the audio guide available in seven languages whisper sweet nothings about 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 or 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 claim your free bike rental offer.
- As you roll through the city on the open-top buses, let the audio guide available in seven languages whisper sweet nothings about 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 or 48-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off tour
- Access to Red Route
- 1-hour Chinatown digital walking tour (based on option selected)
- 60-min sunset tour (based on option selected)
- Bike rental offer: book 1 hour, get 1 free (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
Please click here for the detailed route map and boarding points and here for sunset tour route.
You can join a tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Red Route
- First bus: 10am from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
- Last bus: 6pm from stop #1 (Big Bus Tours Visitors' Center)
- Frequency: Every 15 mins
- 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
- 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.
- Booking information, operating hours, and meeting point details for the Chinatown digital walking tour and the bike rental offer will be shared in the ticket post-booking.
- The sunset tour is closed on the 4th of July, Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.2
128 ratings
60
42
18
5
3
Guests from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and over 17 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Mark
Jun 2025Verified booking
The audio commentary was great , help in knowing more as we travelled the route
Joseph
May 2025Verified booking
We were told we could be picked up anywhere on the route. That eventually became true but we were told two different starting times and got no help from the app.
Ross
May 2025Verified booking
Online ticketing worked well. Would be better if you could continue using your electronic ticket all day instead of trying to hang on to the little paper one the first driver gives you.
Kim
Apr 2025Verified booking
Saturday April 19th you did not have enough buses running. They would stop and be full so nobody could get on. Tha audio and stops were good.
Ruth
Jun 2025Verified booking
Easy to book online. Great tour with descriptions and history of so many areas and neighborhoods
KALYANARAMAN
May 2025Verified booking
Instructive and entertaining experience
Melvi
Jun 2025Verified booking
Laura
Jun 2025Verified booking
Osmond
May 2025Verified booking
Catherine
May 2025Verified booking
ELSA
May 2025Verified booking
Douglas
May 2025Verified booking
Marius
May 2025Verified booking
Sujit
Apr 2025Verified booking
Louges
Apr 2025Verified booking
PEREIRA
Apr 2025Verified booking
Oliel
Apr 2025Verified booking
Kurt
May 2025Verified booking
I was really looking forward to exploring San Francisco via the hop-on hop-off bus, but overall, the experience fell short. While the concept is great, the actual execution left a lot to be desired. One of the biggest issues is that the route doesn’t get you close to several of the city’s most popular attractions. In some cases, you’re dropped off quite a distance away and expected to walk a lot, which isn’t ideal—especially for those with limited mobility or tight schedules. Even more surprising, some major landmarks aren’t even on the route at all. For a city with so much to see, this was really disappointing. If you’re hoping to use this as your main way to get around and see the highlights, you might end up frustrated. It might be better to use public transportation or rideshares to get closer to the sights you want to see.
Vanessa
May 2025Verified booking
The Hop-On Hop-Off was great for getting around town & seeing things and the Sunset tour very nice even though we couldn't see a sunset because of clouds; however, no one showed up for the walking tour of Chinatown. We believe we were at the right location for the tour, but no one else showed up. Very annoying!
bruce
May 2025Verified booking
Says 24 hr ticket but first bus at 10 and last at 6 so 8 hr ticket. Bought at 1 pm thinking it was good until 1 pm next day. That's 24 hrs.
Desiree
Apr 2025Verified booking
I booked the hoo on and Alcatraz tour the website pushed me to order for 4/7 which was a day I won't even be in SF. I realized it soon after and called to try and correct the error and no one could help me. They asked me to rebook another trip and gave me a menial discount. This is really disappointing... I now wasn't able to do half the tour and I also am out of pocket over $100.
Jennifer
Apr 2025Verified booking
I didn't love the cheesy recorded audio portions of the tour. The information was just okay. The value of the 2 day ticket was great. The sunset tour with Rocky (?) was fabulous. The walking tour of Chinatown with Blake was full of great information. He was excellent. A warning of the cold and wind on the upper deck when going at higher speeds over the bridges would be good. We learned our lesson on the sunset tour so went downstairs before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge for the daytime tour. I love the app to see where the stops are and when the busses are coming.
Christina
Feb 2025Verified booking
Being able to see so much of San Francisco in a short amount of time was wonderful. I loved the audio tour, and that it changed slightly with a second ride. Finding how and where to buy tickets was confusing. I had to download a separate app to access the QR code.
Maria
Jan 2025Verified booking
It was such a fun tour. We got a 2-day pass that was just right for our 4-day stay in SFO. It was a great tour going around as we went to all the places to see - that's our first day. The second day, we just went to specific places that we went down and took pictures and ate too. Job well done HeadOut Big Bus SFO Tour!!! :-)
Marsha
Jan 2025Verified booking
It's a great way to see the layout of a new destination. I wish we would have done it the first day of our visit rather than the last. Drivers were all very courteous which is difficult when loading and unloading a pack of tourists !! We thought it was money well spent.
- 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
Route name: Red Route
Attraction timings: Open 24 hours
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.