San Francisco Tour: 5 Ways to Save Up to 61% Off

Experience the best of the Golden Gate City on a tour led by an expert. See the city via bike, segway, or even seaplane!

Follow along for the scoop on all things San Francisco tours!

The gorgeous city of San Francisco is known for its steep streets and sourdough bread. Beyond the eclectic architecture that lines the lanes and the historic landmarks sprinkled throughout, panoramic nature landscapes exist just past the city. San Francisco tours are full of variety and nothing short of spectacular.

Explore Yosemite, the Redwoods, and Muir Woods. Sip wine and indulge in fresh sourdough — yes, there’s even a sourdough bread tour! Foodies, adventurers, and bicyclists alike will enjoy roaming the streets of the Golden Gate City.

Keep reading to discover how to save on the best tours the City by the Bay has to offer.

San Francisco Tour Discount Tickets

San Francisco tours come at a variety of price points. When you purchase discount tickets with Tripster, you get our best rates. Guaranteed!

Moreover, buying online ahead of time makes for a smoother trip. The checkout process is easy. Not to mention, your wallet will thank you! You’ll have extra moolah to spend on souvenirs to remember your trip.

woman in coat and boots walking by the Painted Ladies houses with green trees in front in San Francisco, California, USASan Francisco Tour Types

There are many different San Francisco tour types to choose from. The options are practically limitless. Keep reading to discover which way you want to see the City by the Bay.

Pro Tip: Beyond the tours below, there are many more San Francisco tours! Check the list out for yourself.

Walking and Biking Tours

Experience the Golden Gate Bridge by bike! Glide across this famous landmark before landing in the quaint town of Sausalito. Once the bike tour led by a professional tour guide is over, you’ll be free to explore on your own. The bike rental is yours for 24 hours!

If biking is a little too speedy for you, perhaps a leisurely stroll is more your pace. San Francisco walking tours take you up and down the steep streets, immersing you in the atmosphere and culture of San Francisco.

Here are a couple of our favorite walking and biking tours:

Interested in looking at more Bay City Bike Rentals and Tours? Head over to Tripster to discover several tour types that will leave you in awe of the City by the Bay.

four people on segways standing in front of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, USASeaplane and Segway Tours

What better way to see San Francisco than to take to the sky? A seaplane tour is the best way to soak in the San Francisco Bay. Whether you see it in the glow of a soft morning sunrise or fiery evening sunset, you’re in for a treat.

However, if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, segway tours allow you to do just that while also giving you some speed! Explore the gorgeous Golden Gate Park side by side a knowledgeable narrator.

Check out these seaplane and segway tours:

Nature Tours

It’s true that San Francisco is a bustling cityscape full of interesting architecture, such as the Palace of Fine Arts, in addition to fascinating people, restaurants, and activities.

However, it’s not far from a natural paradise! Northern California boasts spacious beaches along with moody forests filled with Redwood trees. Explore the best of both worlds on a tour! Fan-favorite locations include Yosemite National Park, the Redwoods, and the California coast.

Book one (or all) of these nature escapes:

View of a walking trail inside of Muir Woods near San Francisco, California, USAFood and Drink Tours

Of course, a trip to San Francisco isn’t complete without tasting the sweet and savory flavors of the city. Hallmark tastes of San Francisco include sourdough bread, clam chowder, and Dungeness crab. San Francisco food tours allow you to sample them all!

Additionally, sip your way through the city with San Francisco wine tours or brew tours, sure to quench your thirst. Wine country tours offer the perfect mix of scenery and tastings.

Foodies will enjoy indulging on one of these tours full of bites and sips:

Wide shot of Castello di Amorosa and all the rows of grapes that lead to it in San Francisco, California, USA
photo credit: Castello di Amorosa via Facebook

Bus Tours

Board a bus that will take you on a route that ensures you’ll see all the musts in San Fran! Big bus tours San Francisco allow you to kick back and relax on your sightseeing journey.

Additionally, opt for a San Francisco hop on hop off tour so you can get off whenever you come across something that warrants further exploring. Linger as long as you like. There will be another bus swinging by to pick you up in no time!

Here are two of the top San Francisco bus tours:

Pro Tip: A San Francisco trolley tour is another unique way to see the city! Embark on a tour that includes a ride on historic cable cars.

Tourists on Cable Car in San Francisco in San Francisco, California, USACity Tours

When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a classic city tour. Start with convenient hotel pickup, then get ready to go sightseeing for hours.

Of course, you’ll be taken by all the essential landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge. Then, you’ll get to stroll beloved neighborhoods including North Beach, Pacific Heights, Union Square, and Haight-Ashbury.

Depending on which tour option you go with, you may also get the opportunity to experience the mysterious Alcatraz Island for yourself! Make sure your tour of choice includes an Alcatraz Tour San Francisco.

Start planning your tour by checking out these city tour favorites:

Cruise boat Old Blue on the water with people on the top deck for the Escape from the Rock Cruise Boat tour in San Francisco, California, USAOther Tours

Although we’ve hit the highlights, there are so many other San Francisco tours to choose from! Every tour from San Francisco has something unique to offer.

Add these other tour types to your bucket list:

  • San Francisco Boat Tours
  • San Francisco Helicopter Tours
  • San Francisco Ghost Tours
  • San Francisco Whale Tours
  • San Francisco Night Tours
  • GoCar Tours – San Francisco Photos

San Francisco Tour Vacation Packages

The best way to save is to bundle tickets for multiple tours or attractions! Check out San Francisco vacation packages. The Alcatraz & Muir Woods Tour Combo package offers double the fun and double the savings!

Hotels Near San Francisco Tour

After a long day of sightseeing, imagine sinking into a cool, fluffy comforter. First, your tired feet get a break. Then, your head rests softly on the pillow. Finally, you drift off to neverland.

To make the experience that much more relaxing, booking your hotel room online ahead of time will make check-in a breeze. Get it done now, for a discount!

Here are some of our top San Francisco hotel picks:

a wide photo of a guest room
photo credit: Hotel Nikko San Francisco via Facebook

San Francisco Tour Hotel Packages

Spare some dough when you bundle your tour tickets with your hotel reservation. The San Francisco Deluxe Sightseeing Tour Plus Hotel Package will give your budget a nice sigh of relief.

San Francisco Attractions

Although San Francisco tours cover most of the city, there is still more to see and do in the Golden Gate City! Explore some of our other favorite things to do in San Fran.

California Academy of Sciences

Look to the sky at the planetarium. Then, explore beneath the waves at the aquarium. Finally, be left in awe of the world around you at the natural history museum.

The California Academy of Sciences allows you to do all three! Once your San Francisco tour is over, experience this triple threat of wonder.

Family participating at an Interactive Exhibit at California Academy of Sciences - San Francisco, California, USASan Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Inspire your senses at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Stroll past artwork that stirs up emotions and ponders thought. Feel free to linger as long as you’d like.

Skunk Train

All aboard the Skunk Train! On your journey to the Noyo River Canyon, enjoy pristine views of California scenery. Encounter redwood groves, trestle bridges, and tunnels on the journey.

front of skunk train with steam blowing traveling through a redwood forest
Photo Credit: Skunk Train via Facebook

San Francisco Bay Cruise

See the Golden Gate Bridge from a whole new perspective when you sail beneath it on a San Francisco Bay Cruise. There’s no better way to take in the city skyline. If you’re lucky, you may also encounter sea lions, dolphins, or whales on the cruise!

Insider San Francisco Tour Tips

What to Bring

Depending on the tour type you go with, you will likely be glad you wore comfortable walking shoes. Additionally, you may want some sunscreen to ward off those sizzling rays.

A water bottle is always a good idea, too. Additionally, if you’ll be eating on the tour, we suggest bringing some hand sanitizer.

Photo Alert: As you can imagine, San Francisco tours are chock-full of photo ops. Make sure your phone is fully charged, or bring a charger! You won’t want to miss any of the ‘gram-worthy shots along the way.

aerial view of the golden gate bridge and san francisco bay

San Francisco Tour Coupons and Discounts

Looking for even more deals? We have a few tips! First of all, when you click on your tour of choice, you’ll want to look for the tour company name. It’s typically listed right below the name of the tour.

Here are the San Francisco tour companies to look out for:

  • Tower Tours San Francisco
  • Walks LLC
  • Skyline Sightseeing
  • Electric Tour Company
  • Blazing Saddles
  • Travel Curious
  • Fogcutter Tours
  • San Francisco Deluxe Sightseeing Tours
  • Secret Food Tours
close up of streets of chinatown in san francisco, California USA
photo credit: Kevin turcios via Unsplash

San Francisco Tour Military Discount

If you’re a member of the military, we salute you! Often, tour companies pay homage to those who have served with a discount. To find out if your tour company of choice offers this, we suggest looking under the FAQs on the company’s website first.

Additionally, sometimes you have to begin to purchase a ticket to see if there is a military discount. Finally, if all else fails, reach out to the tour company directly to find out more.

Pro Tip: Have your military ID handy! Regardless of which company you go with, if there is a military discount offered, you’re going to need this to secure it.

Moreover, if there is no military discount, you can still save when you purchase a discount ticket from us.

San Francisco Tour AAA Discount

AAA members may be eligible for a special discount. To find out, search for discounted activities on the AAA website. Type in the tour name (or tour company) of your tour of choice!

Pro Tip: No AAA discount for the tour you have your heart set on? You can still keep the budget happy when you purchase tickets from Tripster.

Aerial view of Lombard Street - San Francisco, California, USASan Francisco Tour Senior Discount

It’s no secret that getting older has its perks — in addition to retirement! Oftentimes, senior discounts are one such benefit. To find out if the tour company you are interested in using offers a senior discount, we suggest you do one of the following:

  • Check the FAQ page on the tour company’s website. If there’s a senior discount available, it’s likely to be listed somewhere on this page.
  • Save yourself some time and purchase a ticket from Tripster. You can rest assured you’re getting our best rate without any extra hassle!

San Francisco Tour Local Discount

While many San Francisco locals know the city inside and out, that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy playing tourist for a day! See the place you call home in a new way on a tour.

Reach out to the tour company you want to go with to find out about additional discounts, or make it easy on yourself and just purchase tickets from Tripster!

Ground view of ruins of the old Warden House with green shrubs and people walking in front of it on a sunny day on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California, USA
photo credit: Wayne Chapman via Facebook

San Francisco Tour Group Travel Deals

Oftentimes, there are big discounts for big groups! The more, the merrier. Search for a page dedicated to groups on tour company websites. Or, find information about group deals on the FAQ page.

When in doubt, reach out to the tour company directly. Of course, Tripster offers cheaper tickets per individual, which will cut down group costs, too!

San Francisco Tour Reviews

The more choices there are, the harder decisions get. We get it! So, if you’re still having trouble deciding which San Francisco tour is best for you, let the reviews be the tiebreaker.

Simply select the tour you have your eye on, then scroll down to find insider information from former tourists.

downtown view of san franciscoEmbark on San Francisco Tours Now

See the city with a sourdough loaf in hand. Gaze at the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge, or stand in awe beneath the towering Redwoods. Bike, walk, or even segway your way through the sights and sounds!

It’s time to put boring trips behind you. Be a smart tourist and spice up your San Francisco vacation with an exciting tour! There’s no better way to make sure you’re getting the full San Fran experience.

What’s Your Favorite San Francisco Sight?

Tell us which ones we can’t afford to miss in the comments!


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Written by Michaela Satterfield

Michaela is a journalist who views every story she writes as an adventure, leading her to explore new places and meet new people....


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