All San Francisco Tours

San Francisco in a Day: Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf & Scenic Bay Cruise

10 reviews

8 hrs

Max 20

Why take this tour?

Every corner of San Francisco hides a world of customs, cultures and communities. On this San Francisco Day Tour, we show you the most interesting ones so you can experience the top attractions. Don't worry about the logistics - your guide will take care of that, while providing you with a lifetime of stories, history and local knowledge. If you want to make the most of a short time in the city, this San Francisco Walking Tour is a great way to take in all of the main sights, from land and sea.

Highlights

Take in all the major attractions in San Francisco in a single day
Visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, Nob Hill, North Beach and Ghirardelli Square
Get the real stories behind the city from a local expert Walks guide
Ride in a San Francisco cable car
See a mural by Diego Rivera and visit cafes frequented by the Beat Generation writers
The only tour of its type on the market, this is the best experience for those with only a short amount of time in the city

Take a day to experience San Francisco

Your San Francisco Day Tour starts near the Ferry Building where you’ll first meet your local expert guide and small group of no more than 20 people to enjoy a spectacular view of one of the most important ports in America. We'll catch an authentic San Francisco cable car from our favorite stop (which has none of the usual crowds) and, zipping up the hill, you'll learn what makes this very unique public transport so special (and get a few great photos while you're at it!)

Disembarking atop Nob Hill, your guide will show you the mansions and clubs built by the industrial tycoons who once ran the city, before taking you inside to enjoy the beautiful gothic interior of Grace Cathedral.

Heading down the hill, you’ll pass through the Dragon Gate and into Chinatown - the oldest and largest Chinese enclave in North America. We'll take you to hidden landmarks like the Tin How Buddhist Temple and old smuggling dens as your guide describes how the area went from being a seedy den of vice to one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the city (they’ll also tell you where to eat if you want to return to try world-famous dim sum). A highlight of your Chinatown visit; you'll head inside the legendary Golden Gate Factory to discover how they've been making fortune cookies by hand for over 50 years, and leave with a very special custom gift to remember your visit by.

The next neighborhood on your San Francisco Day Tour is North Beach, where your guide will show you the old haunts of the Beat poets such as City Lights bookstore. You’ll also enjoy a lovely view of Coit Tower and break for lunch. It's not included, but your guide will recommend the best restaurants in the area for any taste and budget.

After lunch, you'll climb the hill to see Lombard Street, the "crookedest street in the world", then peek into the San Francisco Art Institute to feast your eyes on a Diego Rivera mural and stunning views from the roof terrace. It’s down the hill again for a Fisherman’s Wharf Tour where you’ll explore the old docks, smell the fresh bread in the famous Boudin bakery, and see the sea lions at Pier 39 from a special vantage point with no crowds.

Your San Francisco Day Tour pauses in Ghirardelli Square for a sample of the famous chocolate then takes you via taxi to the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll step onto the iconic structure and soak in more amazing views as you learn the history of its construction and some peculiar facts about San Francisco Bay.

Your final highlight of the day? A bay cruise of the historic waterfront, where beautiful views of the San Francisco skyline in every direction are on offer. You’ll 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.