San Francisco Sidecar Tour: Golden Gate & Lombard Street

Ride the city's steepest streets and most famous bridge in a sidecar built for two

A three-hour sidecar tour of San Francisco takes you through five iconic stops (Lombard Street, the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Haight-Ashbury and the Painted Ladies) with a live guide in English or French and hotel pickup included. One passenger rides in the sidecar while the other sits behind the pilot. Children from age five are welcome. Phone charger, bottled water and a blanquette are provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Lombard Street30m
2. Golden Gate Bridge30m
3. San Francisco Chinatown25m
4. Haight-Ashburypassing by
5. Painted Ladies20m

San Francisco iconic sidecar tour

• Ride classic sidecar
• Visit Lombard Street
• Cross Golden Gate Bridge
• Explore San Francisco Chinatown
• Pass by Haight-Ashbury
• See Painted Ladies

The experience

You'll spend three hours in a classic sidecar, which means one rider gets the VIP seat in the sidecar itself while the other sits behind the pilot. The tour hits Lombard Street first: the famous eight-hairpin-turn block where even the steepest San Francisco hills feel manageable from a sidecar. From there you'll cross the Golden Gate Bridge, then drop into Chinatown, one of the oldest and largest in the US, before swinging through Haight-Ashbury, the neighborhood where Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin all got their start. The route ends at the Painted Ladies, the row of Victorian houses that sit across from Alamo Square.

A live guide narrates the whole ride in English or French, and hotel pickup is included so you don't arrange transport to the starting point. The sidecar carries two people total (you and one other traveler, or you and someone you bring), so it's intimate and built for conversation between stops. Bottled water and a phone charger come along, plus a blanquette to keep warm if the wind picks up on the bridge.

Service animals are allowed. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnant travelers, or those with poor cardiovascular health, but it's suitable for all other fitness levels. Children from age five can ride.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup.
• a live guide speaking English or French.
• bottled water.
• a phone charger.
• and a blanquette for warmth during the ride.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (5 to 17 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and French

Audio guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Jerome

Is this one for you?The sidecar format means you ride as a passenger with a live guide narrating, not driving yourself, so it suits travelers who want to take in the city without navigating the hills or managing a vehicle. One rider sits in the sidecar while the other sits behind the pilot. If you're traveling with someone, you'll both get a turn in the VIP seat across the three hours.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (5 to 17 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What exactly is Lombard Street and why is it on every San Francisco tour?

Lombard Street is a single block on Russian Hill famous for eight tight hairpin turns that make it the steepest street in the city. Cars crawl down it in low gear. A sidecar ride gives you the full sensation of the grade without having to drive it yourself.

Do I get to choose whether I sit in the sidecar or behind the pilot?

The tour carries two passengers total, so you and your travel companion can decide between you who sits in the sidecar and who sits behind the pilot. If you're traveling alone, you'll be paired with another solo traveler.

Is the Golden Gate Bridge crossing included, or do we just see it from a distance?

You cross the Golden Gate Bridge as part of the route, not just view it from afar. The sidecar ride takes you over the full span.

What's included in the tour price, and what costs extra?

Hotel pickup, a live guide in English or French, bottled water, a phone charger and a blanquette are all included. Gratuities for the driver are not included in the price.

How cold is it riding across the Golden Gate Bridge in a sidecar?

Wind and exposure are real on the bridge, which is why a blanquette is provided. Dress in layers and expect the temperature to drop once you're over the water, especially if you're in the sidecar seat.