San Francisco Bus and Boat Tour - Image 1
San Francisco Bus and Boat Tour - Image 2
San Francisco Bus and Boat Tour - Image 3
San Francisco Bus and Boat Tour - Image 4
San Francisco Bus and Boat Tour - Image 5
San Francisco Bus and Boat Tour - Image 6

Photo 1 / 6

San Francisco Bus and Boat Tour

TourTruth score 5.6 out of 10

Average

33 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • San Francisco
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Explore San Francisco by hop-on hop-off bus for two days, then cruise the bay and circle Alcatraz Island on a 1-hour boat tour.

About this tour

See San Francisco from two perspectives: aboard an open-top sightseeing bus and on a cruise across the bay. This San Francisco Bus and Boat Tour gives you two days to explore at your own pace, with access to the City Tour and Painted Ladies Tour routes and a 1-hour cruise around Alcatraz Island.

Hop off to explore the city’s major sights, then rejoin the bus when you’re ready. The City Tour features 17 stops, while the Painted Ladies Tour adds five more. Along the way, take in landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, downtown, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Audio commentary is available in eight languages, adding context as the city unfolds around you. The bay cruise offers a fresh view of the waterfront and Alcatraz Island.

Use your ticket on the same day or across two consecutive days. Bus and boat tours are first come, first served, so plan your stops with flexibility. Choose this San Francisco Bus and Boat Tour for an easy way to connect city highlights with a memorable bay outing.

Highlights

  • Explore San Francisco at your own pace with hop-on hop-off bus access
  • Ride the City Tour and Painted Ladies Tour routes
  • Cruise San Francisco Bay and circle Alcatraz Island
  • Admire the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, and Fisherman’s Wharf

What's included

Included

  • Access to two bus routes: City Tour and Painted Ladies Tour
  • Fun and informative audio commentary in 8 languages
  • 1-hour San Francisco Bay cruise
  • 2-day hop-on hop-off ticket

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks, available to purchase
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a stroller
  • Infants must sit on an adult’s lap
  • Public transportation is available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Ticket can be used on the same day or on two consecutive days
  • Bus and boat tours operate on a first-come, first-served basis

Frequently asked questions

How long is the bay cruise?

The San Francisco Bay cruise lasts 1 hour.

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for the same day or two consecutive days.

Which bus routes are included?

Access includes the City Tour and Painted Ladies Tour routes.

How many stops are there?

The City Tour has 17 stops, and the Painted Ladies Tour has 5 stops.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 3.88 from 33 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in San Francisco
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 5.6.

Provider rating distribution in San Francisco

How many tours in San Francisco have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

from $99.99

on Viator

Check availability