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Ferry Building

Ferry Building: Our most recommended tours and activities

San Francisco: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour

1. San Francisco: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour

Experience the best that the City by the Bay has to offer with the Big Bus San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off tour! This fully narrated tour takes you to all of the city's must-see landmarks and iconic attractions, providing a comprehensive and immersive experience of San Francisco. Hop aboard the bus and prepare to be captivated by the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge, a true San Francisco icon. As you cross the bridge, take in the breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island, and the surrounding hills. This is a photo-opportunity not to be missed! As the tour continues, venture into the heart of the city and visit Union Square, the bustling shopping district. Here, you'll find an array of designer boutiques, high-end department stores, and trendy restaurants. Union Square is also home to the famous cable car turnaround, where you'll see the iconic cable cars in action. The tour also takes you through the historic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, the birthplace of the hippie movement. As you walk through the streets, you'll be transported back to the 1960s, with colorful Victorian houses, vintage clothing stores, and murals celebrating the Summer of Love. No trip to San Francisco is complete without a visit to Fisherman’s Wharf. Take in the sights and sounds of this famous waterfront district, where you can sample fresh seafood, browse local shops, and watch the sea lions basking in the sun. From here, you can also catch a ferry to Alcatraz Island or take a cruise around the bay. With the Big Bus tour, you have the flexibility to hop on and off at any of the 20 stops along the route, allowing you to explore the city at your own pace. And with buses running every 10-15 minutes, you won’t have to wait long to continue your adventure. So whether you want to spend more time shopping in Union Square or exploring the Golden Gate Park, the Big Bus tour has got you covered. Take a break from the city with a half-day guided bus tour to Muir Woods. See the redwoods up close and personal, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, and explore the seaside town of Sausalito on the way back.

San Francisco: Alcatraz Ticket with 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

2. San Francisco: Alcatraz Ticket with 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

See the best of San Francisco with this combined hop-on-hop-off ticket and Alcatraz Island visit. Explore the island of Alcatraz and enjoy 2 days of sightseeing with insightful and historic commentary. Tour the famous prison that has played a role in jailhouse folklore and the historic evolution of the West Coast. Learn more about the 14 unsuccessful escape attempts by over 30 prisoners and their fates on the included audio tour. Your 2 Day Big Bus hop-on-hop-off pass is a great way to see the sights of San Francisco. Enjoy Big Bus' professional and engaging digital audio commentary in 10 languages. Your 2-day ticket includes 2 full days of unlimited hop-on-hop-off. Explore one of San Francisco's most fascinating neighborhoods on a fun and informative walking tour of Chinatown. The tours are offered daily, and you can ask an agent for locations and time schedules. Also included is your choice of a half day bike rental or general admission to the USS Pampanito WWII submarine. Top Sights along the tour include: - North Beach - Chinatown - Embarcadero Center - Fisherman’s Wharf - Ferry Building - Union Square - Redemption Center - Civic Center - Alamo Square - Haight Ashbury - Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Park - Palace of Fine Arts - Marina - Lombard Street - Pier 35 - Pier 39

San Francisco: City Walking Tour with Scenic Bay Cruise

3. San Francisco: City Walking Tour with Scenic Bay Cruise

Start your tour near the Ferry Building with a view of what was once one of the busiest ports in the world. Then catch an iconic San Francisco cable car from a favorite stop and learn what makes this very unique public transport so special. Disembark atop Nob Hill and learn about the industrial tycoons who built the city as you wander through Huntington Park. Visit the beautiful gothic interior of Grace Cathedral. Enter the bustling neighborhood of Chinatown, the largest Chinese enclave outside of Asia and the oldest Chinatown in North America. Taste fresh fortune cookies and see hidden landmarks like the Tin How Buddhist Temple as you learn how the neighborhood went from being a seedy red-light district to one of the most vibrant enclaves in the city. For a little treat, pop into the legendary Golden Gate Factory for an insight into the art (and logistics) of fortune cookie making. Receive a special custom-made cookie to take home. Also get advice on where to eat if you want to come back to try the world-famous dim sum. Then, visit Lombard Street, called the "most crooked street in the world", Fisherman's Wharf, and Ghirardelli Square. See Fisherman’s Wharf, explore the old docks, and smell the fresh bread in the famous Boudin Bakery.  Take a pause at Ghirardelli Square for a sample of famous chocolate. After this, continue on to your final highlight of the day — a gorgeous bay cruise of the historic waterfront. Relax and tune into the included audio device to hear some fascinating tales. Admire beautiful views of the San Francisco skyline in every direction and sail past the famous Pier 39 sea lions, right under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz Island (the closest you can get without booking a ticket), a perfect end to a San Francisco day.

San Francisco Bay: Adventure Boat Tour

4. San Francisco Bay: Adventure Boat Tour

Travel along the San Francisco Bay in a small group on a boat tour. Travel faster and go farther out into the bay than most other boat tours. You will be as close as possible to the sights and wildlife, in a personal setting.  Depart from the world famous Pier 39. You will be outfitted with weather appropriate gear to keep you warm and dry from the occasional splash. Take in the historic waterfront from a new angle. Make a quick visit to the world famous Pier 39 sea lions, where you can see them eye to eye. There is no need for binoculars on this trip because you will see everything up close. Listen to the narration from your expert captain and learn something new about this historic area. See the waterfront in a way that is unlike any other experience on the bay. Take photos, make memories, and enjoy one of the finest ways to see it all up close. This small group boat tour is limited to 12 guests which provides an intimate family-friendly experience, perfect for adults, seniors, youth, and children ages 5 and older. Learn about some incredible points of interest, such as Coit Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Presidio, the Ferry Building, and other historic landmarks.

San Francisco Double Decker Bus Night Tour

5. San Francisco Double Decker Bus Night Tour

This live narrated 60-90 minute tour of San Francisco includes the most vibrant neighborhoods of the city, such as the Financial District, Chinatown, Nob Hill, and Embarcadero. Departing from Fisherman's Wharf, the tour covers all the major attractions of San Francisco during the evening hours, with spectacular views from the top of an original open top double decker Bus. Exact highlights may vary according to the season, weather conditions, and San Francisco's famous traffic, Chinatown, and Union Square, San Francisco’s shopping Mecca. You will also go to Treasure island, across the Bay Bridge, to get spectacular views of the skyline of San Francisco. On your return, you will see the ferry building, Alcatraz Pier, Pier 39, and more on your way up Embarcadero. Depending on the time of the year, it may not be entirely dark on this tour, but you will either see the city glittering at night, or in the lovely light of dusk.

San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

6. San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Make your way around San Francisco with a 1-day hop-on hop-off bus ticket and sail around San Francisco Bay with a 1-hour Golden Gate bay cruise. Hop off to explore the city's best highlights or stay on the double-decker bus to take in 360-degree panoramic views of the city. Golden Gate Bay CruiseSail past the lively neighborhood of North Beach and take advantage of the bar onboard with drinks, snacks, and merchandise available to purchase. Admire the famous swimming clubs of the Aquatic Park and the historic vessels at Hyde Street Pier. Take in idyllic views of Crissy Field and The Presidio of San Francisco before the stunning image of the Golden Gate Bridge comes into view. Cruise straight under the bridge as the sun shines and waves lap against the boat. Travel past the wildlife reserves of the Marin Headlands to reach the shores of Sausalito, once home to the Flower Children. With Angel Island State Park to your left, finish your cruise outside the infamous Alcatraz prison. 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off BusThe route of the hop-on hop-off bus includes stops at iconic landmarks like Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Little Italy. This flexible approach to sightseeing allows you to enjoy your day at your own pace.

San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Ferry & Alcatraz Tour

7. San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Ferry & Alcatraz Tour

Get lots of choices for sightseeing in San Fransisco in one go — access to the hop-on hop-off city tour route with English commentary, a ferry ride with tickets to Alcatraz Island for a self-guided audio tour of the notorious prison. Benefit from audio guides available in a variety of languages at Alcatraz Island. With open double-decker buses and an English guide on each one, you can see just about everything and learn just as much. Get to all the most famous spots in the city. Pick out the ones that interest you as 48 hours is enough time to go back and visit your favorites again. The Official City Loop highlights include: • The Palace of Fine Arts• North Vista Point where you can take photos of Golden Gate Bridge• Golden Gate Park where you can enjoy the Japanese Tea Gardens• Haight-Ashbury district• San Francisco Downtown, Chinatown• The Civic Center• The Embarcadero• Fisherman’s Wharf• Barbary Coast• The Financial District and the Ferry Building

Streets of San Francisco Electric Bike Tour

8. Streets of San Francisco Electric Bike Tour

Enjoy a half-day electric bike tour around the back alleys of San Francisco, exploring North Beach’s Little Italy district up-close. Get panoramic views of the iconic Transamerica Pyramid building, and much more. The flat route takes in the Barbary Coast and San Francisco’s historic supper clubs. Find out how the neighborhoods have transformed from scandalous to sparkling. Cycle around the Giants’ Oracle Ball Park, and into the culturally rich Mission, Castro, and Haight Ashbury neighborhoods. Look at the ever-changing street art scene, and see the locals who rule each area to make their communities unique. Go to Nopa, and take in the charming Painted Ladies of Alamo Square, before visiting the Civic Center. Pedal to Polk Gulch, San Francisco’s original gay neighborhood. Finish your tour with at look at Aquatic Park, before cycling to Fisherman’s Wharf.

San Francisco: Waterfront Beer Boat Cruise

9. San Francisco: Waterfront Beer Boat Cruise

Embark on a fun and interactive pedal-powered boat tour in San Francisco Bay. See Fisherman's Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and more as you cruise along the waterfront. Grab some drinks and hop aboard a cycle boat at Pier 40, right next to Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. Power your cruise by pedaling as you make your way under the Bay Bridge and past the famous Ferry Building. Continue past pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, and around Alcatraz Island. Take in a different view of the Golden Gate Bridge, marveling at the iconic structure from the water before returning to the starting point. 

San Francisco: Private City Highlights Tour in a Jeep

10. San Francisco: Private City Highlights Tour in a Jeep

Embark on a fun and unique tour experience as you explore San Francisco in an open-air convertible Jeep. See more of the city in less time, visit famous locations, and enjoy entertaining commentary from your local guide along the way. Tick off all the sights on your bucket list, choosing between the most iconic landmarks in San Francisco, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Littly Italy, Chinatown, Ferry Building, and the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square. Enjoy an intimate private tour experience in a comfortable open-air vehicle as you explore the diverse terrain and sights of the Bay Area. 2 Hour tour highlights include: Fisherman's Wharf, Dungeness crab stands, and picturesque fishing harbors, The Palace of Fine Arts, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands, The Presidio, Marina District, Union Square, North Beach Little Italy, Dragon’s Gate in Chinatown, and Lombard Street - the most crooked street (traffic permitting) 3 Hour route covers more amazing sites: Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park (De Young, Academy of Sciences, Conservatory of Flowers), Haight Ashbury, The Castro, and the Castro Theatre (optional stop), Mission Dolores Park, and street murals (optional stop), Alamo Square and the Painted Ladies, City Hall, Davies Symphony Hall, War Memorial Opera House, Asian Art Museum and more.

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Other Sightseeing Options in Ferry Building

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What people are saying about Ferry Building

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 2,346 reviews

This was a great tour of the city. Our guide was very knowledgeable and experienced about getting around the city and I enjoyed the history he shared. It was an intimate tour since it was just my 2 daughters and me. I was a little surprised that the tour was primarily a walking tour but we handled it fine and had a great time.

Easy to navigate. The big bus stop made collection super simple. The audio tour at Alcatraz is really well put together, booking in advance is a must. Recommend packing extra layers for the night tour if you plan to sit on top of the bus, the wind chill is next level. Overall a great experience - highly recommend.

The staff was friendly and made it fun! San Francisco is beautiful at night, you won't be disappointed.

Everyone was so helpful when we left something on the bus, and returned it to us. Thanks!

Joshua was amazing. He was very informative and a great speaker. Highly recommend.