Street corner after street corner. As we drive past, we'll admire these striking buildings and learn about how they came to be painted in such vivid colors. No self-respecting local would be caught dead at Pier 39 (except to visit the resident seals), or the "visitor's center" at the Golden Gate Bridge, or Alcatraz ( many of us have never bothered to tour Alcatraz). from. Free cancellation. As distances are long in San Francisco, driving is by far the best way to explore the city. Book this sunset cruise now for a relaxing and romantic tour of the San Francisco Bay. For one block, this road turns into the crookedest street in the world! Youll make EIGHT hairpin turns within that one block! Not bad, both tourists and locals like this. North Beach: There is a lot of history in the North Beach district. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there. 2 San Francisco to Sausalito. The Japantown District also offers a free self-guided walking tour. The Mission District. Get your Go City San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass, save up to 50% and take advantage of unlimited access to 25+ top attractions and a downloadable guide. This tour covers some of the most interesting sites in the historic Chinatown district of San Francisco. . This trail connects important historical sites throughout the streets of SF. How to get to Lombard Street if youre not driving: take the Powell-Hyde cable car. We designed our self-guided walking tour of San Francisco to include several examples of that quirky San Francisco charm. Take one of these to learn more about its famous residents, controversial stories and Italian roots. As the name suggests, the tour uses GPS to provide directions to each stop. New Orleans Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Refund Policy. With 12 tours across the state, our value-for-money California bundle (priced at just $39.99) gives you the flexibility to see all the top sights in the state at your own pace. The experience complies with government regulations, Areas frequented by visitors are regularly disinfected, Hand sanitizers are provided for staff and visitors, All gear/equipment is sanitized between use. You can get a free, printable, detailed map of the San Francisco 49 Mile Drive right here for your trip. North Beach: This district is also called Little Italy. For example, you could easily drive past Tessie Walls infamous brothel without knowing about it! This is one of the most popular neighborhoods in San Francisco, and its not difficult to see why with all of its family-friendly attractions and activities. Recommended: Purchase one tour per vehicle. Here, youll get the inside scoop on how Hollywood uses this building as a stand-in for Washington, D.C.s Capitol building in all sorts of films. This tour covers 14 stops in total, and almost all of them can be seen along Columbus Avenue as you walk North toward Fishermans Wharf. The Castro District. We definitely came away with much more of an appreciation for Castro and the Mission (love Dolores Park!) And now, the Map Over 50 points of interest in San Francisco! They were designed by an artist who won a competition held by San Franciscos Downtown Association in 1955 and have marked the scenic drive ever since. Choose from driving one of our GoCars, Arcimotos, Scooters, or Vanderhalls. This tour starts at Union Square, visits Chinatown, Grace Cathedral, the Cable Car Barn and Museum, North Beach (the Little Italy part of San Francisco), Lombard Street, Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. Parking, however, may cause problems, but we found good solutions for that which I will share. Contact Me | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Site Map | Advertising Disclaimer. Segway Tours Looking for fun things to do with friends? Lombard Street was so steep that it needed eight turns to make it drivable: San Francisco by car: driving down the eight turns of Lombard Street. The great thing about this drive is that it takes you through so much of the city that nearly any hotel youre staying in within city limits is going to be close to a portion of the drive. Begin this self-guided tour at the Ferry Building, near downtown's Financial District (or you can shorten it by starting at Fisherman's Wharf), before taking in San Francisco's picturesque waterfront and the infamous Alcatraz, just across the bay. If you decide to add a few stops along the way, these cards will help you easily get back to your original route. After that walk through Chinatown, which has some of the best food in the city, making it the perfect spot for lunch. The city has a lot of it and it is not always predictable. Book your Explore California Academy of Sciences entrance tickets to explore its top sites (and hidden ones too): aquarium, rainforest, planetarium, and Natural History Museum all in one day. San Francisco sightseeing: Market Street in photos, Cable car turning at the Powell Street cable car turntable. Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page. Apparently, reservations are required . (See privacy policy), Find additional self-guided tours plus some multi-day itineraries, Learn more about things to see and do in Japantown, You can buy these together or separately through Amazon. Limantour Beach to Olema. This was the main entry point to the city until two bridges, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge, were opened. You will find there are no definitive lines between these Colonias and Fraccionamientos. Currently, we only offer a GPS-enabled audio tour of the Financial District, and as the name implies, it includes a map which uses GPS to help you find each stop. The San Francisco Museum and Historical Society offers two self guided walks of the Barbary Coast Trail in San Francisco. Youll get to know their history and why these quirky little cars are still used today. Photo stops will be made along this gorgeous drive. $ 65 $ 50. SIGN UPFOR OUR EMAIL TO RECEIVE YOUR FREESAN FRANCISCO PLANNING GUIDE. Both days were fantastic and the natural beauty of the hilly metropolis surprised us. We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. Despite that they look really cute, social and intelligent. . Miami, Orlando, Kennedy Space Center and more American National Parks 20 Day Self Drive Tour Explore San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, The Rocky . We'll exit SF's Chinatown through the Dragon's Gate. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, having grown up in the area, and pointed out not only historical places, but beautiful murals, homes and fun nooks and crannies (like hidden stairways to streets) that we never would have seen on our own. Required fields are marked *. The Castro District is a great place to visit on a driving tour, as it offers a little bit of everything that makes San Francisco the charming, quirky city that it is. You'll also stop by many places that were frequented by famous locals from San Francisco's past. you could eat at a different NYC spot once a day for 22.7 years and .Central Park Bike Tour. Stop to enjoy the view, take pics, eat, walk, etc! As we make our way to the waterfront, we'll dive into San Francisco's maritime history and it's (literal) gold-digging past. Here you will find some of the best at night from scary ghost walks to night cruises around the bay. Our self-guided tour of Chinatown includes a map that you can . from. Stop at Eastern Bakery: 720 Grant Avenue. If you are confident in your driving skills, you can even try navigating your way down Lombard Street, which is one of the windiest streets in the world. You just need to buy a day ticket at a kiosk (something like USD 20) and having that you are free to use buses, streetcars and old San Francisco cable cars for a day. What all nature lovers come here for is the Pier 39 with colonies of barking Californian sea lions. Each stop offers a little information about what happened at that location. The app was super easy to use, and the content was really fun! Start this self-guided tour at the stunning Pantages Theater, before taking a stroll back through Hollywood history (via Amoeba Music Store) to some of the oldest studios in Los Angeles, where film-making began here. These steps require good data/wifi. This website does not sell any personal information. Be sure to check your email before you begin to download the Action Tour Guide app, enter your unique password, and access your tour. Youll have access to the tour for 72 hours and can start and stop as often as you want. Some of the best hotels near San Francisco City Hall include Hotel Whitcomb, Renoir Hotel, and the Hayes Valley Inn. Mooncakes are their specialty, filled with a light melon or rich-tasting lotus-seed paste. Our drive through San Francisco brings us past a magnificent marble building: the San Francisco City Hall! My tours offer you a step-by-step route to make it easy to get around. Our tour continues to Carmel by the sea, where ample time is given to walk through this charming town dotted with lovely shops and beautiful architecture. 29. There are only really 7 stops on this self-guided tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, and you can expect the whole tour to take around 1 - 1 hours. However, if you are planning to start and finish the drive at the traditional spot, near San Francisco City Hall, then youll want to get a hotel close to that point. After the booking, you will receive an email with a link to the Action Tour Guide app and a unique password to access the tour within the app. San Francisco sightseeing: driving down Lombard Street. My tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Next, travel through the famous 17-Mile Drive and see Pebble Beach Golf Course. This 3-hour guided tour takes you to bike across GGB and then explore Sausalito's waterfront. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Many of their idols like Jimi Hendrix were living here at that time and rock music was heard and hippie art seen in all places. You can start and end anywhere along the way. If you want to travel, simply pay the conductor. You may also want to consider our GPS-enabled audio tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, which includes GPS guidance to help you find each stop. Alternatively, you may also want to consider taking our free, fully guided Chinatown walking tour. Our Self Drive Motorcycle Tours provide a route, daily itinerary, motorcycle, and booked or not booked lodging. Call 619-236-1242 for recorded information or to leave a voice message. This tour has been developed by local guides, curated by creative writers, and narrated by professional voice artists. Your email address will not be published. DIY Muir Woods Tour Cost. Begin this self-guided tour in the heart of San Francisco. The original hands-on paranormal investigation tour. San Francisco spreads out over 47 miles, so it's best to stick to one area at a time on your self-guided tour. Dont have the time or money to book one of our guided tours? Should You Go on a Driving Tour of San Francisco? Self-Guided Driving & Walking ToursAn audio guide, map, and tour book all in one! >> Find additional self-guided tours plus some multi-day itineraries. Carmel and Steinbeck's Cannery Row in Monterey. Fog. It should say Powell-Hyde (it has a brown sign). And I like the pretty flower beds in between. And this little car can go where the tour buses can't. Best of all, the sightseeing adventure happens at your pace. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Check COVID guidelines and opening hours before your visit. From there, head east along Haight Street . Points of Interest along the San Francisco:-. 2 departure locations in San Francisco to choose from: 478 Post St. SF (Union Square Area) - Departs at 7:40 AM. Enjoy Santa Barbara's quintessential downtown and then continue down to Ventura and Malibu. It still has an appeal and is well worth visiting when you are exploring San Francisco by car. Changing travel date? Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and visit the Golden Gate Park, home to museums and attractions including the Academy of Sciences, the DeYoung Museum, and the friendly Bison. It also has a map showing you where your next stop will be. Expand All. Interested in seeing as many gorgeous views of the city as possible? The new cable car line provided easy access to the hill. However, in some way we did manage to get up California Street (and all other streets)! 49 Miles of 100% San Francisco. We also offer a free walking tour of the Golden Gate Bridge which is fully guided, ensuring you wont get lost as you walk around the attraction. In particular there are certain areas of the city that are not very car-friendly, such as pedestrian-rich. This is Grant Avenue, the Chinatowns main street. Next we'll see two iconic symbols of San Francisco's Chinatown: the Chinatown Mural and the Old Chinese Telephone Exchange. It is full of bright-colored homes, mosaic glass artwork, sex toy stores, and all the rainbow references you could ever ask for. One of the major highlights in San Franciscos history was the Golden Gate International Exposition held at Treasure Island in 1939 to celebrate the building of both the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge, which had each only recently been completed at the time. Starting Point Address (Southbound) - SF to LA: PG6H+8F Lakeshore, San Francisco, CA, USA. Then take Washington Street towards the next park in the west, Alta Plaza. Here you can see our San Francisco driving itinerary marked on a Google map. Explore California Academy of Sciences entrance tickets. This post provides a list of free self-guided tours of San Francisco that you can enjoy anytime, day or night, every day of the week. Review of: Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rental - Near the Golden Gate Bridge! Stroll along the Rainbow Walk of Fame, check out Harvey Milk's old camera shop, and learn more about the history of this district at the GLBT Museum. I wanted to package my love of San Francisco into a Self-Guided Free Walking Tour and this is the result. Discover San Francisco at your own pace on a self-guided tour available on your smartphone, Choose to pause the tour, spend more time at a location or skip a stop, See the Great Seal of California, learn about its symbols and origins, Cross the Golden Gate Bridge - the most iconic sight in San Francisco, Drive on Lombard street, claimed to be 'the crookedest street in the world, The tour has a fixed price for groups from 1-5 people, you are requested to pay the full price regardless of the number of participants, Note, this is a self-guided driving tour : You will need to arrange your own means of transportation, 24 hours before your tour starts - you will receive an email or text from the tour operator with a link to the app and a unique password to access the tour - within the app, App is available for iOS and Android/Web users on the Apple App Store or Google Play, From there, you can start your self-guided tour at anytime (recommended during daylight hours), simply follow the audio instructions and the route, With the app, you can pause the tour, spend more time at a location or skip a stop, while having all the best information about each stop at your fingertips, Bring a fully charged phone and headphones, Unfortunately, this experience is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. Subscribe to our newsletter belowcoupon code on the next screen. See the top attractions such as Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square and the Hyde Street Pier. My Boyfriend and I booked an all Day SF tour with Christofer and had an amazing time! Cable car conductors also sell day passes. Closed Christmas and Thanksgiving Day. I've used these many times. The tour departs from Fisherman's Wharf, following the San Francisco waterfront until the entrance to the Golden Gate Bridge bike's path. However, a driving tour may not be for everyone. Tour access for the full car, not per person, GPS-connected audio to automatically play as you approach a landmark or location, Additional media content in-app, including photos and images, New York Self Drive Tour-PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION, San Francisco: An Expert Local Travel Guide, Public Transit Tours Waiver and Terms & Conditions, Purchase the San Francisco Self Drive Tour (only one purchase is necessary per car), Connect your device to your car speakers and listen to the stories as you follow the route indicated. Leave San Francisco feeling like a local. Take in the open space - and famous St Francis Hotel - before heading down Maiden Lane, SF's old red-light district (now full of designer boutiques). Fisherman's Wharf: Walk around one of our most popular districts. To make driving easier, the most curved section of Lombard Street was made a one-way street (only down), and there is a strict speed limit (5 mph, 8km/hour). So most old harbor buildings have been transformed to restaurants and shopping malls. 2 hours. This tour is valid forever - from the moment of booking. per adult. Powell-Hyde Line: Cable Car Museum and Russian Hill. There are a total of 19 stops to visit, and they are all in the same general location, so it shouldnt take longer than 1 - 2 hours to complete. Chinatown: This is one of the most visited neighborhoods in SF, since there is so much to see and do. No need to worry about driving in Central San Francisco. It's a totally weird and unique San Francisco thing ( here's a list of a bunch of other weird San Francisco quirks). You can pick a topic that interests you, then find a walking tour that explores it more deeply. This means you only have to bring along the ones you plan on using that day. Stop and take some photos. The heyday of the Haight was the 1967 Summer of Love when thousands or young California dreamers flocked to the place and filled all quarters. Most San Francisco seals travel south in summer to give birth to their pups and to be back here for winter. This comprehensive self-guided San Francisco City Tour covers everything from the Painted Ladies to the Golden Gate Bridge. Walking: At Clay Street, turn right, then go left to enter one of San Francisco's original city parks. The audio tour's auto-play feature tells you the stories behind the attractions as you experience them. This map is interactive. This tour takes you along to visit many of San Francisco's must-see places while you are in control behind the wheel of our own vehicle. Plus, meet Claude the alligator, hang out with the African penguin colony and the 38,000 other live animals. Oahu; Big Island; Maui; Kauai; Utah. Simplify your planning process to this neighborhood by taking a guided tour. Download Hawaii's highest-rated travel apps + now introducing self-guided tours in Utah! All rights reserved. No worries! 2. All individual tours come with lifetime validity. However, if you don't plan to spend much time at each attraction or stop, you can cut the time down significantly. Pacific Heights surprised us: all streets are lined with old-style Victorian homes. Subscribe to our newsletter below. This drive introduces you to large swaths of San Franciscos history while allowing you to enjoy some great scenic views and hit up the highlights of the city. Its easy to find parking space and have an urban walk in the deep shady canyons protected from all sunshine. Learn More. After youve seen enough of Pacific Heights, turn south to see a totally different neighborhood. All individual tours come with lifetime validity. We'll climb to the top of Coit Tower and get a great look at San Francisco from above. Book today! (C) Ghirardelli Square - a landmark public . Non-refundable. If youre not driving, use the steps for walkers that exist on both sides. Alamo Square has nice sets of Victorian houses, one of which is the famous postcard row that probably is the most photographed spot in all San Francisco. This is where most department stores are, making the San Francisco Market Street one of the main shopping streets of the city. Choose the Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass for maximum flexibility and stress-free sightseeing! Finally something like 100 000 hippies from all over the States and abroad gathered in Haight and the nearby parks of Panhandle and Golden Gate. Your email address will not be published. This San Francisco city tour begins with the Painted Ladies, one of the citys top attractions. There are a total of 19 stops to visit, and they are all in the same general location, so it shouldn't take longer than 1 - 2 hours to complete.