7 Recommended Tours to Book in San Francisco

Word of advice to anyone visiting San Francisco: Always carry a sweater. While mornings can be foggy and chilly, temperatures tend to rise in the afternoons only to fall again at sunset. This is why the California Sunset Cruise allows for the choice of indoor or outdoor seating. Beginning at the meeting point at Fisherman’s Wharf, the two-hour sunset boat trip includes views of Alcatraz, Tiburon, Sausalito and the Golden Gate Bridge. As the sun sets over the Marin Headlands, the boat takes you west towards the bridge and back to Fisherman’s Wharf. The price of tickets also includes musical entertainment, an appetizer buffet and a complimentary drink.

Historically a Latino neighborhood, San Francisco’s Mission District is brimming with affordable taquerias, restaurants with Michelin stars and one of the most popular parks in the city, Dolores Park. This three-hour walking tour includes a visit to five beloved dining establishments in the city. The itinerary sometimes includes tastings at Mission Chinese or Tartine Bakery. As visitors travel to various tastings, the guide describes cultural and historical landmarks throughout the Mission.

North of San Francisco, Muir Woods National Monument is a redwood forest with numerous winding trails. One of the most popular tourist destinations for San Francisco visitors, the coastal forest (named after famed naturalist John Muir) can get crowded during warmer months. A half-day trip – which features a one-and-a-half-hour tour through the woods – takes visitors on a stroll among the 200-foot (60-meter) coastal redwoods, many of which are 500 to 800 years old. From Muir Woods, the tour drives through Sausalito back to San Francisco.

Biking through San Francisco, a city famous for its ultra-steep hills and winding roads (including the famous Lombard Street) can be a fun physical challenge. For those looking for a more leisurely bike ride with sweeping views of the city, the SF Bike Tour is a self-guided tour that leads visitors over the Golden Gate Bridge. The mostly flat bike path begins at Fisherman’s Wharf, where guests are given a personal itinerary based on their desires, usually ending in Sausalito. With sweeping views of the bay below, the bike ride is a unique San Francisco experience.

Beginning in the heart of Union Square (at the heart-shaped sculpture near 375 Powell Street), the SF Cable Car Tour takes tourists through many of the city’s best attractions. The tour’s first stop is at City Hall, an American architectural masterpiece in the Beaux-Arts style. The next stop takes visitors through Lower Haight to Alamo Square Park. From there, the tour travels through Golden Gate Park all the way to the coastline to the last stop at Golden Gate Bridge. On the way back, riders can enjoy the scenic views in Presidio, North Beach, Chinatown and back to the starting point in Union Square.

Once called the AT&T Ballpark, Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco major league baseball team the Giants, is a waterfront baseball park built in 2000. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza in the SoMa neighborhood, the park has hosted World Series games and become an integral part of the city. The AT&T Ballpark Tour takes MLB fans behind the scenes through the clubhouse, dugout and even the batting cages used by players. A chance to set foot on the field used by the three-time World Series champions, this tour is a great experience for the entire family.

Perched on a slab of rock in the middle of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz was once known as one of America’s most notorious maximum security prisons, even housing the notorious Al Capone for a period. The prison dates back to the 1850s, but it was in the early-to-mid 20th century that it gained notoriety. Today, tours operate both during the day and at night, with a ferry that shuttles visitors to and from the island. Ideal for a glimpse into San Francisco’s history and for photo-worthy views of the city, Alcatraz is a must-see experience.