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San Francisco Holiday Lights Tour on an Open-Top Bus 1.5 hr

TourTruth score 5.9 out of 10

Average

22 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score

  • San Francisco
  • 1 hr 30 min
  • Updated November 2, 2026

See San Francisco’s holiday lights from an open-top double-decker bus, with live commentary and complimentary Ghirardelli hot chocolate.

About this tour

See San Francisco sparkle after dark on a 90-minute holiday lights tour aboard an open-top double-decker bus. From your elevated seat, watch festive displays and illuminated landmarks brighten the city as a live English-speaking guide shares local stories and seasonal insights.

The route showcases holiday scenes around Union Square, City Hall, Fisherman’s Wharf, and other city landmarks, along with light installations from the ILLUMINATE SF Festival of Light. Enjoy panoramic views and the festive atmosphere aboard the bus, with free onboard Wi-Fi. The tour departs from Big Bus Stop #6 at Union Square South and finishes at Ghirardelli Square, where complimentary Ghirardelli hot chocolate awaits. One provider description instead lists Pier 39 as the finish, so confirm the drop-off details with your booking provider.

San Francisco Holiday Lights Tour offers a relaxed way to take in the city’s seasonal glow without navigating the streets yourself. Arrive early for first-come, first-served seating, settle in, and enjoy the lights from the open top.

Highlights

  • Admire San Francisco’s holiday lights from an open-top double-decker bus
  • Spot festive landmarks including Union Square, City Hall, and Fisherman’s Wharf
  • See glowing installations from the ILLUMINATE SF Festival of Light
  • Savor complimentary Ghirardelli hot chocolate at Ghirardelli Square

What's included

Included

  • 90-minute holiday lights tour
  • Open-top double-decker bus
  • Live English-speaking guide
  • Complimentary Ghirardelli hot chocolate
  • Free onboard Wi-Fi
  • Festive decorations and atmosphere aboard the bus

Not included

  • Hop-on, hop-off service
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Ratings on each provider

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

What reviewers mention

Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.

Important information

  • Depart from Big Bus Stop #6 at Union Square South, 280 Geary St, opposite Macy’s entrance, next to the steps
  • Arrive by 6:00 pm; the bus departs promptly at 6:30 pm
  • Seating is first-come, first-served
  • The tour is not a hop-on, hop-off service
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  • Infants must sit on an adult’s lap
  • The tour runs November 27, 2026, to January 3, 2027
  • Wheelchair-accessible transportation and surfaces are reported by one provider
  • Public transportation is available nearby

Frequently asked questions

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 90 minutes.

Where does the tour depart?

Board at Big Bus Stop #6, Union Square South, at 280 Geary St.

When should I arrive?

Arrive by 6:00 pm. The bus departs promptly at 6:30 pm, and seating is first-come, first-served.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

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

Is this a hop-on, hop-off tour?

No. This is a continuous holiday lights tour, not a hop-on, hop-off service.

How this score is calculated

This tour scores 3.73 on GetYourGuide (Viator shows no usable rating). Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.

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 5.9.

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

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