Civic Center Plaza: Our most recommended tours and activities

San Francisco: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour

1. San Francisco: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour

Experience the best that the City by the Bay has to offer with the Big Bus San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off tour! This fully narrated tour takes you to all of the city's must-see landmarks and iconic attractions, providing a comprehensive and immersive experience of San Francisco. Hop aboard the bus and prepare to be captivated by the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge, a true San Francisco icon. As you cross the bridge, take in the breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island, and the surrounding hills. This is a photo-opportunity not to be missed! As the tour continues, venture into the heart of the city and visit Union Square, the bustling shopping district. Here, you'll find an array of designer boutiques, high-end department stores, and trendy restaurants. Union Square is also home to the famous cable car turnaround, where you'll see the iconic cable cars in action. The tour also takes you through the historic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, the birthplace of the hippie movement. As you walk through the streets, you'll be transported back to the 1960s, with colorful Victorian houses, vintage clothing stores, and murals celebrating the Summer of Love. No trip to San Francisco is complete without a visit to Fisherman’s Wharf. Take in the sights and sounds of this famous waterfront district, where you can sample fresh seafood, browse local shops, and watch the sea lions basking in the sun. From here, you can also catch a ferry to Alcatraz Island or take a cruise around the bay. With the Big Bus tour, you have the flexibility to hop on and off at any of the 20 stops along the route, allowing you to explore the city at your own pace. And with buses running every 10-15 minutes, you won’t have to wait long to continue your adventure. So whether you want to spend more time shopping in Union Square or exploring the Golden Gate Park, the Big Bus tour has got you covered. Take a break from the city with a half-day guided bus tour to Muir Woods. See the redwoods up close and personal, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, and explore the seaside town of Sausalito on the way back.

San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Ferry & Alcatraz Tour

2. San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Ferry & Alcatraz Tour

Get lots of choices for sightseeing in San Fransisco in one go — access to the hop-on hop-off city tour route with English commentary, a ferry ride with tickets to Alcatraz Island for a self-guided audio tour of the notorious prison. Benefit from audio guides available in a variety of languages at Alcatraz Island. With open double-decker buses and an English guide on each one, you can see just about everything and learn just as much. Get to all the most famous spots in the city. Pick out the ones that interest you as 48 hours is enough time to go back and visit your favorites again. The Official City Loop highlights include: • The Palace of Fine Arts• North Vista Point where you can take photos of Golden Gate Bridge• Golden Gate Park where you can enjoy the Japanese Tea Gardens• Haight-Ashbury district• San Francisco Downtown, Chinatown• The Civic Center• The Embarcadero• Fisherman’s Wharf• Barbary Coast• The Financial District and the Ferry Building

San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

3. San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Make your way around San Francisco with a 1-day hop-on hop-off bus ticket and sail around San Francisco Bay with a 1-hour Golden Gate bay cruise. Hop off to explore the city's best highlights or stay on the double-decker bus to take in 360-degree panoramic views of the city. Golden Gate Bay CruiseSail past the lively neighborhood of North Beach and take advantage of the bar onboard with drinks, snacks, and merchandise available to purchase. Admire the famous swimming clubs of the Aquatic Park and the historic vessels at Hyde Street Pier. Take in idyllic views of Crissy Field and The Presidio of San Francisco before the stunning image of the Golden Gate Bridge comes into view. Cruise straight under the bridge as the sun shines and waves lap against the boat. Travel past the wildlife reserves of the Marin Headlands to reach the shores of Sausalito, once home to the Flower Children. With Angel Island State Park to your left, finish your cruise outside the infamous Alcatraz prison. 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off BusThe route of the hop-on hop-off bus includes stops at iconic landmarks like Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Little Italy. This flexible approach to sightseeing allows you to enjoy your day at your own pace.

San Francisco Double Decker Bus Night Tour

4. San Francisco Double Decker Bus Night Tour

This live narrated 60-90 minute tour of San Francisco includes the most vibrant neighborhoods of the city, such as the Financial District, Chinatown, Nob Hill, and Embarcadero. Departing from Fisherman's Wharf, the tour covers all the major attractions of San Francisco during the evening hours, with spectacular views from the top of an original open top double decker Bus. Exact highlights may vary according to the season, weather conditions, and San Francisco's famous traffic, Chinatown, and Union Square, San Francisco’s shopping Mecca. You will also go to Treasure island, across the Bay Bridge, to get spectacular views of the skyline of San Francisco. On your return, you will see the ferry building, Alcatraz Pier, Pier 39, and more on your way up Embarcadero. Depending on the time of the year, it may not be entirely dark on this tour, but you will either see the city glittering at night, or in the lovely light of dusk.

San Francisco: Alcatraz Island and Guided City Tour

5. San Francisco: Alcatraz Island and Guided City Tour

This Alcatraz Island and San Francisco City Day Tour is for those that want to do more than just see the City - they want to experience it! Ride in comfort before you float the bay as you tour the city’s top attractions, on this San Francisco City tour. Our city insider guide goes way beyond a “hop-on, hop-off” experience to deliver a fully-narrated San Francisco sightseeing adventure. Stop #1 – Palace of Fine Arts After a morning pickup at one of two convenient San Francisco locations, your city tour will begin on San Francisco’s waterfront in the popular Fisherman’s Wharf before rolling through the Marina District on your way to your first stop. At the lovely (and highly-instagrammable) Palace of Fine Arts, you will have the chance to stop and photograph the historic building, grounds, and the stunningly beautiful lagoon. Stop #2 – Golden Gate Bridge Continue to the most iconic stop at the Golden Gate Bridge. Spend 10-15 minutes at a perfect vista point taking photos and creating memories. Stop #3 - Land’s End The next stop on your San Francisco City Highlights tour will be the historic Land’s End where you can stretch your legs while overlooking Sutro Baths and the Pacific Ocean coastline. Later, you will be blown away by the beauty of Golden Gate Park as you ride past Dutch windmills, Queen Wilhelmina’s tulip garden, the bison paddock, and old redwood and eucalyptus groves. Next, we'll take you through the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, where you can see some of San Francisco's famous Victorian homes, known for their iconic architecture. Stop #4 - Twin Peaks Fog-permitting, the next stop on this tour gives you a birds-eye-view of the whole Bay Area from atop Twin Peaks. Here, you'll get an amazing panoramic view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Tamalpais, Mount Diablo, the whole Bay and more from the viewpoint sitting 1,000 feet above sea level. To say it’s breathtaking would be an understatement! Stop #5 - Mission District The last stop will immerse you in the history of San Francisco’s early settlements, from Native Americans to Spanish missionaries. Learn more about Misión San Francisco de Asís, locally known as Mission Dolores, one of California's oldest and most historically important missions, and the site of the fledgling settlement of Yerba Buena, that would one day grow up to become San Francisco. After the City tour is over you will be in the Fisherman’s Wharf where you can enjoy lunch and see famous sea lions. Then, make our way to Pier 33 (10-minute walk) and board the ferry for your afternoon Alcatraz Island tour. Listen to an audio presentation featuring recordings of inmates and guards that worked and inhabited the island. The Alcatraz tour gives you time to roam and explore this historic island prison at your own pace. After touring Alcatraz to your heart’s content, grab one of the returning ferries to bring you back to your starting point at Pier 33.

San Francisco 4-Hour Sightseeing Private Tour by Car

6. San Francisco 4-Hour Sightseeing Private Tour by Car

Travel in style and safety and experience a courteous, prompt, and safe transportation service on this 4-hour San Francisco tour that’s priced for a group of up to 6 persons. This is an easy and cost-effective way to get to know the city of San Francisco and the Bay Area. Avoid the crowded bus tours, parking hassles, and map searches, and start your San Francisco visit without delay. Some examples of places you might visit include Fisherman’s Wharf, Washington Square, the Embarcadero, Union Square, the Civic Center, Alamo Square, Haight-Ashbury, Golden Gate Park, the Palace of Fine Arts, Lombard Street, Chinatown, and Pier 39. Your driver will take you wherever you’d like to go in the city. Most customers choose to take a drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, and to see the Legion of Honor, Treasure Island, Sutro Baths, and other sites that are away from San Francisco’s central area. This program is available to both corporate and personal travelers.

San Francisco: Guided City Tour

7. San Francisco: Guided City Tour

Ride in comfort before you float the bay as you tour the city’s top attractions, on this San Francisco City tour. Our city insider guide goes way beyond a “hop-on, hop-off” experience to deliver a fully-narrated San Francisco sightseeing adventure. Stop #1 – Palace of Fine Arts After a morning pickup at one of two convenient San Francisco locations, your city tour will begin on San Francisco’s waterfront in the popular Fisherman’s Wharf before rolling through the Marina District on your way to your first stop. At the lovely (and highly-instagrammable) Palace of Fine Arts, you will have the chance to stop and photograph the historic building, grounds, and the stunningly beautiful lagoon. Stop #2 – Golden Gate Bridge Continue to the most iconic stop at the Golden Gate Bridge. More text tbc Stop #3 - Land’s End The next stop on your San Francisco City Highlights tour will be the historic Land’s End where you can stretch your legs while overlooking Sutro Baths and the Pacific Ocean coastline. Later, you will be blown away by the beauty of Golden Gate Park as you ride past Dutch windmills, Queen Wilhelmina’s tulip garden, the bison paddock, and old redwood and eucalyptus groves. Next, we'll take you through the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, where you can see some of San Francisco's famous Victorian homes, known for their iconic architecture. Stop #4 - Twin Peaks Fog-permitting, the next stop on this tour gives you a birds-eye-view of the whole Bay Area from atop Twin Peaks. Here, you'll get an amazing panoramic view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Mount Tamalpais, Mount Diablo, the whole Bay and more from the viewpoint sitting 1,000 feet above sea level. To say it’s breathtaking would be an understatement! Stop #5 - Mission District The last stop will immerse you in the history of San Francisco’s early settlements, from Native Americans to Spanish missionaries. Learn more about Misión San Francisco de Asís, locally known as Mission Dolores, one of California's oldest and most historically important missions, and the site of the fledgling settlement of Yerba Buena, that would one day grow up to become San Francisco.

Golden Gate Park: Full-Day Self-Guided Bike Tour

8. Golden Gate Park: Full-Day Self-Guided Bike Tour

On this full-day self-guided bike tour you’ll ride through the historic Haight Ashbury neighborhood, once home to peace, love, and the Grateful Dead! Check out the gorgeous Victorian homes you’ll see throughout the area before heading into Golden Gate Park. Inside the thousand-plus acre park, the opportunities are endless. Visit the Conservatory of Flowers, Arboretum/Botanical Gardens, Shakespeare Garden, and Japanese Tea Gardens. Lock up your bike and visit 2 world-class museums, the California Academy of Sciences and the DeYoung, before circling around Stow Lake. Head to the beach, and ride along the oceanfront bike path. Real adventurers can continue on to the zoo before heading back past the Bison paddock and Spreckels Lake. Other options include riding north along the coast by the Cliff House, Sutro Baths, and Land’s End to the Golden Gate Bridge. You could decide to explore Alamo Square, the Civic Center area, the Mission, and the Castro. You’ll ride with maps mounted on the handlebars, clearly detailing 3 different routes to choose from! 

San Francisco City Tour

9. San Francisco City Tour

San Francisco is home to some of the most beautiful, historic and notorious sights in the world. Led by an expert guide, encounter the picturesque Golden Gate Bridge, Postcard Row, with its (quite literally) postcard-perfect views. Your guide will collect you from your San Francisco Downtown hotel for this 3.5-hour tour. Visit the Beaux Arts style Civic Center and the famous Opera House. See Twin Peaks and the Golden Gate Bridge. Visit Alamo square, a residential district best known for its Postcard Row. This is a stunning view of seven Painted Ladies and the city skyline.

San Francisco: Alcatraz Entry Ticket and E-Bike Street Tour

10. San Francisco: Alcatraz Entry Ticket and E-Bike Street Tour

Explore San Francisco with an Electric bike and visit Alcatraz with this ticket for two tours over the course of two days. Take the ferry to Alcatraz Prison and uncover the prison's secrets on an audio tour on your first day and on the second day immerse yourself in the vibrant streets of San Francisco on a guided Electric bike tour Cross San Francisco Bay on a journey to the notorious Alcatraz Prison by ferry. This world-famous prison served as a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963 and housed infamous criminals like Al Capone and Robert Stroud, the Birdman. Take the award-winning audio tour and hear the tales of those who lived in Alcatraz. This tour brings history alive through the recounting of tales from correctional officers and prisoners. Meet your guide and get set up with your e-bike, lock, and helmet. Store your things away in the handlebar bag and rear gear rack. Peddle through the back alleys of North Beach’s Little Italy and have up-close views of the iconic Transamerica Pyramid Building. See the Barbary Coast and San Francisco’s historic supper clubs. Find out how the neighborhoods have transformed from scandalous to sparkling. Ride around the Giants’ Oracle ball park and into the culturally rich Mission, Castro, and Haight Ashbury neighborhoods View the ever-changing street art and the locals make each community unique. Cruise to Nopa and take in the charming Painted Ladies of Alamo Square before visiting the Civic Center. Ride through Polk Gulch and finish your tour at Fisherman’s Wharf.

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Civic Center Plaza

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What people are saying about Civic Center Plaza

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 1,661 reviews

Easy to navigate. The big bus stop made collection super simple. The audio tour at Alcatraz is really well put together, booking in advance is a must. Recommend packing extra layers for the night tour if you plan to sit on top of the bus, the wind chill is next level. Overall a great experience - highly recommend.

The package is very worth with the hop up and off bus plus the night view of San Frans.. Easy to redeem.. The night view trip is fatastic...

Great way to see everything. Was a bit cold on top but cozy downstairs. Definitely recommend. Staff friendly & helpful

The staff was friendly and made it fun! San Francisco is beautiful at night, you won't be disappointed.

Everyone was so helpful when we left something on the bus, and returned it to us. Thanks!