San Francisco: 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Golden Gate Bridge

Ride the Open-Top Bus Across San Francisco's Two Days

You board an open-top double-decker bus and ride it across San Francisco for 48 hours, hopping off and on at stops that include the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Fisherman's Wharf, and downtown neighborhoods. The pass includes WiFi, a live English-language guide, and access to an audio app in multiple languages. You control the pace — stay at a stop as long as you want, then catch the next bus. The route runs daily from 10:15 AM to 6:00 PM, with the last bus leaving at 4:00 PM.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore San Francisco by hop-on bus

• Start at Geary/Stockton & Powell
• Visit Union Square shopping area
• Stop at Bush & Grant for restaurants
• Hop off at Fisherman's Wharf
• Explore Ghirardelli Square
• Visit Fort Mason
• See Palace of Fine Arts
• Cross Golden Gate Bridge
• Stop at Golden Gate Park
• Visit Haight-Ashbury neighborhood
• See Painted Ladies houses
• Return to Civic Center area

Day 2 — Continue city sightseeing and landmarks

• Board bus at preferred stop
• Visit Lombard Street
• Explore North Beach area
• Stop at Pier 35
• Enjoy Downtown City Tour
• Ride across Golden Gate Bridge again
• Visit any missed attractions
• End tour at starting point

The Experience

The bus is already moving when you board — it's a double-decker, open-top, and the route loops through the city on a schedule that runs from 10:15 AM to 6:00 PM every day. You get a 48-hour pass, which means you can hop off at any stop, spend as long as you want there, then catch the next bus when you're ready to move on. The stops include Union Square, North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf, the Palace of Fine Arts, and Haight-Ashbury. There's WiFi on board, and you can follow along with the live guide in English or switch to the audio app if you want commentary in another language.

The route crosses the Golden Gate Bridge and swings through Golden Gate Park, so you're not just seeing the postcard views from a distance — you're actually moving through them. Fisherman's Wharf is a stop, though the buses don't pull up right at Pier 39; you'll hop off at Stop 6 and walk about 100 metres to get there. The Painted Ladies, Lombard Street, Civic Center, Ghirardelli Square, and Fort Mason all fall along the way. Two days gives you the flexibility to get off at the Painted Ladies for a photo, skip ahead to Golden Gate Park for a longer walk, or circle back to a neighborhood you want to explore on foot.

The buses run daily, and the last departure is at 4:00 PM, so if you're planning to ride late in the day, you'll want to factor that in. Infants can sit on your lap or ride in a stroller, and the buses work for all fitness levels since you're sitting down — the only walking is between stops if you choose to get out. The pass is straightforward: buy it, board at any stop, and use it across the two calendar days.

What’s included

• 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass.
• open-top double-decker bus.
• live English-language guide on board.
• access to audio guide app in multiple languages.
• WiFi on board.
• stops at Union Square, North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Painted Ladies, Lombard Street, Haight-Ashbury, Civic Center, Ghirardelli Square, Palace of Fine Arts, and Fort Mason.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by San Francisco Deluxe Sightseeing Tours

Is this one for you?Right for first-time visitors who want to see the main San Francisco landmarks without planning transport between them — the two-day pass and open-top format let you set your own pace across the city's neighborhoods and bridges.

Traveler reviews

3.59★★★★★★★★★★

29 verified traveler reviews

5 ★15

4 ★3

3 ★2

2 ★2

1 ★7

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can I use the 48-hour pass across two separate days, or does it have to be consecutive?

The pass is valid for 48 hours from when you first use it, so it covers two calendar days if you start in the morning.

Do the buses stop at Pier 39?

The buses don't stop directly at Pier 39. You'll hop off at Stop 6 (Pier 35) and walk approximately 100 metres to reach Pier 39.

Is there a guide on the bus?

Yes, there's a live guide on board who speaks English. You can also use the audio guide app, which offers commentary in multiple languages.

What time do the buses start and stop running?

Buses run daily from 10:15 AM to 6:00 PM. The last bus departs at 4:00 PM.

Is WiFi included?

Yes, WiFi is available on board.

Can I bring a stroller or pram?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Infants can also sit on an adult's lap.

Does the route include the Golden Gate Bridge?

Yes, the route crosses the Golden Gate Bridge and also covers Golden Gate Park, Fisherman's Wharf, and downtown San Francisco.