San Francisco: Painted Ladies & Twin Peaks GoCar Tour

You drive yourself past the Golden Gate Bridge, then climb 922 feet to see the whole city at once

You rent a two-seater GoCar with GPS navigation and drive yourself past the Golden Gate Bridge, up Twin Peaks for panoramic views, through Haight-Ashbury, and down the crooked Lombard Street. The route includes stops at the Painted Ladies, Sutro Baths, Golden Gate Park, and Fort Point, with a full tank of gas and helmets included. The whole tour takes 4 hours and you move at your own pace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Fisherman's Wharfpass by
2. Ghirardelli Squarepass by
3. Crissy Fieldpass by
4. Fort Point National Historic Site10m
5. Golden Gate Bridge10m
6. Baker Beach10m
7. Lands End5m
8. Sutro Baths5m
9. Golden Gate Park30m
10. Twin Peaks10m
11. Haight-Ashburypass by
12. Painted Ladies10m
13. Palace of Fine Arts5m
14. Lombard Street5m

San Francisco iconic sights tour

• Drive past Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf
• Pass by Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory
• Learn about Crissy Field airstrip
• Take pictures at Fort Point
• Walk out to Golden Gate Bridge
• Visit Baker Beach under the bridge
• Walk to Land's End overlook
• Visit Sutro Baths ruins
• Drive through Golden Gate Park sights
• Drive up to Twin Peaks viewpoint
• Pass through Haight-Ashbury neighborhood
• Snap photo of Painted Ladies
• Snap photo at Palace of Fine Arts
• Drive down Lombard Street crooked road

The experience

Most San Francisco tours stick you in a bus seat while someone else narrates. This one puts you in a two-seater GoCar with a GPS that talks you through the route, which means you move at your own pace and stop whenever something catches your eye. The car holds a maximum of two people, so it's just you and whoever you brought: no strangers, no fixed schedule, no waiting for the group to finish their photos.

The route takes you through Fisherman's Wharf and past Ghirardelli Square (your rental receipt gets you 10% off chocolate, which is a nice touch), then heads toward the Golden Gate Bridge. You'll drive under it at Fort Point, where the Gold Rush-era fort sits right at the water's edge and gives you the angle most tourists miss. After that comes Baker Beach and Land's End, where the Pacific Ocean actually meets the bay. The Sutro Baths ruins are next. Just the skeleton of what used to be a massive natatorium, sitting on the rocks like something from another era. Then you loop through Golden Gate Park, past the Buffalo Paddock and the Dutch Windmill, before climbing up to Twin Peaks at 2,200 feet. On a clear day the view is unreal. You can see the whole city, the bay, and out to the ocean all at once.

From there the route takes you down through Haight-Ashbury (the neighborhood that defined the Summer of Love), and then to Alamo Square for the Painted Ladies, those Victorian houses that got famous from Full House. The last stop is Lombard Street, the crooked street that tour buses have to skip because of the hairpin turns. You drive it yourself, which feels like a small victory. The whole thing is 4 hours, and the GPS keeps you on track in French, Spanish, Italian or German if you need it. You'll need a valid driver's license in your physical possession, and you have to be at least 21 to rent. A $500 security deposit gets held on your credit card when you pick up the car, or $300 if you buy the collision damage waiver insurance.

The car comes with a full tank of gas, helmets, and a map. There's an 8.75% environmental fee built into the price that covers carbon offset, gas and tire recycling. If you're traveling with kids, passengers have to be at least 4 years old and small enough to fit safely into one of the DOT-approved helmets. The GoCar is registered as a motorcycle, but you don't need a motorcycle license to drive it. Just a regular driver's license.

What’s included

• GPS-guided route with map.
• rider orientation and safety briefing.
• full tank of gas.
• helmets for all passengers.
• 8.75% environmental fee for carbon offset, gas and tire recycling.
• 10% discount at Ghirardelli Square with your rental receipt.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 14:00

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Near Fisherman's Wharf, cross street Taylor, located along the historic F Street Trolley Line.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for back problems

Operated by GoCar Rentals, Inc.

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to see San Francisco's main landmarks (Twin Peaks, the Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies, Lombard Street) without waiting for a tour bus or arranging their own transport. The GPS handles navigation, so you just drive and stop when something interests you.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

Do I need a motorcycle license to drive a GoCar?

No. A valid driver's license is all you need. The GoCar is registered as a motorcycle, but a motorcycle license is not required.

How many people can fit in a GoCar?

A maximum of 2 people per vehicle. Passengers must be at least 4 years old and able to fit safely into a DOT-approved helmet.

What's included in the rental?

A full tank of gas, helmets, a map, GPS navigation, and rider orientation. An 8.75% environmental fee covers carbon offset, gas and tire recycling.

What security deposit do I need to provide?

A $500 deposit is held on your credit card at pickup. If you purchase collision damage waiver insurance, the deposit is reduced to $300. The deposit is released when you return the GoCar.

Is the GoCar tour wheelchair accessible?

The GoCar itself is not wheelchair accessible, but the tour operates in an area with public transportation options and wheelchair-accessible surfaces nearby.

Can I get the GPS in another language?

Yes. Foreign language options are available in French, Spanish, Italian, and German.

How long does the tour take?

The tour is 4 hours long. You control the pace and can spend more or less time at each stop.

What happens if I damage the GoCar?

You're responsible for damage unless you purchase collision damage waiver insurance, which limits your liability in case of accident. The CDW is non-refundable.