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San Francisco tour guides

Practical, up-to-date guides to touring San Francisco: what each city tour costs, how the vintage VW bus tours differ, hop-on hop-off or guided, one day in the city, touring with kids and what to wear.

San Francisco City Tour Prices 2026: What Each Tour CostsEvery tour's from-price, child rates, tips and the Muni option.Read the guide →VW Bus Tours San Francisco 2026: Three Vintage Vans ComparedVantigo, Painted Ladies and the Love Tour side by side.Read the guide →Hop-on Hop-off vs Guided Tour in San Francisco 2026Your own pace on a big bus, or a live guide in a small one.Read the guide →One Day in San Francisco 2026: A City Tour Day PlanA morning tour, then cable cars and the bay.Read the guide →San Francisco City Tour with Kids 2026: Ages and PricesAge limits, child prices, car seats and strollers.Read the guide →What to Wear on a San Francisco City Tour 2026Layers for fog and wind, shoes and what to bring.Read the guide →

Tours

Popular San Francisco city tours

Booked through Viator with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Painted Ladies City Tour by VW Bus 2-hour VW tour ★ 4.92 hoursFree cancellation

Painted Ladies City Tour by VW Bus
Max 7 guestsSnacksLive guide

A shorter vintage VW bus tour with stops at the Palace of Fine Arts, the Painted Ladies and the Golden Gate Bridge, plus snacks and water. Confirmation can take up to 48 hours.

What's included
  • Live guide in a vintage Volkswagen bus, maximum 7 per vehicle
  • Snacks and bottled water
  • Stops: Palace of Fine Arts, Painted Ladies, Golden Gate Bridge; passes Lombard Street
  • Same price for every age; booster seats on request
  • Not included: gratuities; minimum 3 people to run
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Full tour details
From$82per person Reserve
San Francisco City Tour by Vintage VW Bus Most booked ★ 5.03 hoursFree cancellation

San Francisco City Tour by Vintage VW Bus
Max 7 guests5 photo stopsLive guide

Vantigo's three-hour loop in a vintage Volkswagen bus, with photo stops at Coit Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks and the Painted Ladies. You meet at Union Square or the Wharf.

What's included
  • Live guide and commentary on San Francisco history
  • Vintage Volkswagen bus, maximum 7 travelers
  • Stops: Coit Tower, Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Twin Peaks, Painted Ladies
  • Bottled water
  • Not included: hotel pickup (two meeting points); minimum 3 guests to run
  • Sale price; the regular from-price is $129. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Full tour details
From$103per person Reserve
Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Open-Top Tour Most reviewed ★ 4.124 to 72 h passFree cancellation

Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Open-Top Tour
Open topAudio guide18 stops

The classic open-top double-decker: hop on and off at 18 Red Route stops for 24, 48 or 72 hours, with recorded audio commentary. The cheapest way round, but rated only 4.1.

What's included
  • 24, 48 or 72-hour ticket; Red Route 10 AM to 5 PM, about every 15 minutes
  • Digital audio commentary with earbuds; Big Bus app with live tracking
  • 48 h adds a sunset tour and digital Chinatown walk; 72 h also adds a bay cruise
  • Children 3 to 12 pay a lower rate; wheelchair accessible (call ahead)
  • Not included: hotel pickup. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Full tour details
From$56per person Reserve

Plan your date before you go

Three hours in a vintage VW bus with a live guide, five photo stops and at most seven guests; free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Check dates for the Vantigo VW bus tour