Got a soft spot for the hippie-dippie days of the 1960s? Recommend! Over 50 points of interest in San Francisco! per adult. If you have decided that taking a stroll through San Franciscos most charming neighborhoods sounds like a good plan, weve got you covered with our Walking Tours of San Francisco. 29. Send us your resume, All Rights Reserved 2023 Real San Francisco Tours | Sitemap. English. This tour covers 14 stops in total, and almost all of them can be seen along Columbus Avenue as you walk North toward Fishermans Wharf. From Lombard Street its a short drive down to the North Shore of San Francisco and to Fishermans Wharf. Then well guide you all around, making sure you see everything this historic place has to offer! This self-guided tour allows you to explore San Franciscos historic wonders with maximum flexibility and value. You can also cycle this route very easily (there are numerous bike rental shops in the area). Limantour Beach to Olema. We are a program of the San Francisco Public Library. SAVE 50% $59.98. Take in the open space - and famous St Francis Hotel - before heading down Maiden Lane, SF's old red-light district (now full of designer boutiques). Musement helps you get the best from every destination, by giving you easy access to memorable experiences around the world. This post will show you aSan Francisco sightseeing itinerary by car. 1 Your California: San Francisco to Point Reyes tour begins. When you book with an account, you will be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour. Here, youll get the inside scoop on how Hollywood uses this building as a stand-in for Washington, D.C.s Capitol building in all sorts of films. The story tellers were entertaining and I looked forward to hearing them talk about the next sight. San Francisco is a technology hub without rival, and the upcoming Uber and Twitter headquarters prove it! The San Andreas Fault has unleashed a shockwave felt from Los Angeles to Oregon, with the epicenter just off the coast of San Francisco. As we drive, we'll learn all about the impact of Chinese and Asian immigrants on San Francisco. Los Angeles You will also find some of the best Mexican, Cuban and other cuisines from both South and Central America. This is an excellent alternative if you prefer to interact with a professional guide rather than an app on your phone. Driving down Lombard Street was great fun and we had to do it twice, and then walk one more time. To get to the end of the pier where the sea lions are you will need to walk all the way through the tourist zone, souvenir shops and carousels. If your time in San Francisco is limited, taking a driving tour of the city could be a good option for you. 2 reviews. Mission: The Mission is home to our largest concentration of street art and murals. Review of: Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rental - Near the Golden Gate Bridge! You only need to book one tour per vehicle, not per person. Founded as a "sketch club" for female artists in 1887, San Francisco Women Artists (SFWA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and expanding women in the arts. Hit the road whenever youre ready, stop as often as youd like, and just enjoy the journey! After that, buckle your seatbelts because youre heading down Lombard Street, aka the most crooked street in the world! Northern California Guided Motorcycle Tour. Your home, the capital of the West Coast, has been reduced to rubble in minutes: 28,000 buildings destroyed, 3,000 dead and more than . All rights reserved. Despite the bridges theres still a lot of ferry traffic on the bay. (See privacy policy), Find additional self-guided tours plus some multi-day itineraries, Learn more about things to see and do in Japantown, You can buy these together or separately through Amazon. The ultimate audio tour of San Francisco, this self-guided, app-based driving tour covers the city's most iconic attractionsfrom the Painted Ladies of Steiner Street to the Golden Gate Bridge. That way it will only take more time and you will have to examine San Francisco bus and cable car maps and timetables. With TourCentric, you'll be completely immersed in the stories, sights, and sounds of San Francisco. DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO TOUR. That way youll still get to see the real San Francisco, even if youre not able to join us. From there, head east along Haight Street . Visit the lavish Castro Theater building while you are there, or stop for the most delicious chocolate chip cookie you will ever have at the Hot Cookie Bakery. Hop in your car and enjoy this self-guided audio tour along the Pacific Coast Highway. Bring your walking shoes we started at 10 am and finished at 6 pm, I highly recommend you do this tour. Discover the iconic locations from Lombard Street and the Golden Gate Bridge to Pier 39. . >> Learn more about things to see and do in Japantown. About Us. Walking: At Clay Street, turn right, then go left to enter one of San Francisco's original city parks. Enjoy Santa Barbara's quintessential downtown and then continue down to Ventura and Malibu. The original hands-on paranormal investigation tour. Starting Point Address (Northbound) - LA to SF: 81-99 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401. This means you only have to bring along the ones you plan on using that day. Then its on to Chinatown and Manilatown, where youll hear about both historic districts long, embattled history. Next, we'll head up one of SF's famous hills: Theres a phenomenal view of the bay and of the city skyline once youre up there. I've used these many times. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative result from a recent antigen or molecular test may be required, please check the local requirements before your visit. Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins. How to Tell if Youre on the Scenic Drive. After youve seen enough of Pacific Heights, turn south to see a totally different neighborhood. Zion; Bryce; Capitol Reef; Arches . Paris Book a self-guided driving tour of San Francisco with route and audio instructions on your smartphone via an app. After that go through vibrant Fisherman's Wharf, pass Fort Mason and the Palace of Fine Arts, before enjoying some of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge, in Crissy Field. The Japantown District also offers a free self-guided walking tour. San Francisco: D According to an article on the history of the drive, a few of the annoyances you may encounter during the drive include: If you do the drive from start to finish with just a few stops at the major attractions it should take you three to four hours to complete the drive. To get the best views of the painted ladies come here in the evening and look at them from the Alamo Square Park. Alamo Square has nice sets of Victorian houses, one of which is the famous postcard row that probably is the most photographed spot in all San Francisco. It's also where Pebble Beach Golf Club is located, a legendary course that has attracted the likes of Teddy Roosevelt and Sir Winston Churchill. What follows is 1 of 17 walks from their book, "Walking San Francisco's 49 Mile Scenic Drive", edited and condensed for our website. Visit Tours-USA.com. With its famous golden doors, beautiful stained glass windows, and gorgeous icons, youll be amazed. To make driving easier, the most curved section of Lombard Street was made a one-way street (only down), and there is a strict speed limit (5 mph, 8km/hour). Currently, we only offer a GPS-enabled audio tour of the Financial District, and as the name implies, it includes a map which uses GPS to help you find each stop. Expand All. San Francisco itself has much to offer the first-time visitor. Save even more - get up to 25% on select hotels when you book on the app. Discover several notable landmarks and attractions on this free self-guided tour of the North Beach neighborhood in San Francisco. This picturesque, winding road has been another Hollywood staple for ages, but experiencing it for yourself is a whole different ball game. We offer Escorted Motorcoach Tours, Self Drive Tours, Cruises and Vacation Packages in North America. Check availability. Fisherman's Wharf walking tour & Alcatraz visit. You can take a ferry to Sausalito and Tiburon north ofthe bay, or to Oakland and Vallejo in the east. These experiences are best for self-guided tours & rentals in San Francisco: 4-Hour Slingshot Rental; Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rental with Sausalito Ferry Return; Golden . Guide Name: Chinatown Walking Tour Guide Location: USA San Francisco (See other walking tours in San Francisco) Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing) # of Attractions: 8 Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s) Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles Author: doris Sight(s) Featured in This Guide: Rome He gave us lots of fun facts along the way and the whole experience was very interesting. The San Francisco Museum and Historical Society offers two self guided walks of the Barbary Coast Trail in San Francisco. The 49-Mile Scenic Drive map also is available from the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitor Information Center on the lower level of Hallidie Plaza at Market and Powell streets (near the cable car turnaround). Join us for a walk along the streets . Alternatives include taking a tour bus that goes along most of the route or renting a bicycle and doing it on bike, which takes approximately six hours but eliminates some of the difficulties of having to drive in the city. Most stops along the tour have animated videos allowing you to visualize what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms. Be aware of this as you start the drive. Youll have access to the tour for 72 hours and can start and stop as often as you want. 17-Mile Drive entrance fee. Its easy to find parking space and have an urban walk in the deep shady canyons protected from all sunshine. Each stop offers a little information about what happened at that location. Lombard Street twists down past green bushes and flower beds. This is where you come for some of the most gorgeous views of the city. Now selling 4-5 bed, 3-4 bath homes starting at $786990. Then youll swing by the City Hall, which you might feel like you recognize because you probably do! Each one covers many of the top attractions and points out the hidden gems you would have missed by walking the neighborhood on your own. View All Reviews. You'll also stop by many places that were frequented by famous locals from San Francisco's past. The cable car ascends, passing Union Square and Nob Hill . The old-style Market Street of San Francisco. You may also want to consider our GPS-enabled audio tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, which includes GPS guidance to help you find each stop. Got a late start? Street corner after street corner. Stop to enjoy the view, take pics, eat, walk, etc! Book now from $8! Lisbon Drive to the summit of Russian Hill and you will find the street said to be the crookedest street in the world: Lombard Street is the steepest street in San Francisco. Book your Alcatraz tickets to explore the infamous prison and enjoy two days of hop-on hop-off access to all of San Francisco. Begin this self-guided tour at the Ferry Building, near downtown's Financial District (or you can shorten it by starting at Fisherman's Wharf), before taking in San Francisco's picturesque waterfront and the infamous Alcatraz, just across the bay. Our self-guided tour of Chinatown includes a map that you can . Castro: This colorful district is one you do not want to miss. It has three Michelin stars (the highest rating) and the James Beard Award for outstanding restaurant. Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Since 2012. No need to worry about driving in Central San Francisco. Like Pacific Heights and Nob Hill, Haight Ashbury consists of large Victorian houses but thats the only similarity. No worries! Enjoy an immersive walk with amazing views and riveting stories of San Francisco and visit the notorious Alcatraz prison during this guided tour! The new cable car line provided easy access to the hill. Our Fave Spots, Zero Ads. On my self-guided walking tour, you will see where history was made for the LGBTQ community. The Full San Francisco Walking Tour Self-Guided Route Details Full Walking Tour Part 1 - Knob Hill to Fisherman's Wharf (3 miles, 1:05) This San Francisco walk starts at the Powell Street Station, more or less at the top of Knob Hill.Time permitting, you would consider crossing Market Street to see the museums and check out Folsom Street.Instead, you pop over to take some iconic shots of . We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. This self-guided tour starts by first visiting the Rosie the Riveter Visitor Education Center in Richmond, CA. Choose to skip a stop and have all the best information about each stop at your fingertips. How to get to Lombard Street if youre not driving: take the Powell-Hyde cable car. Starting Point Address (Southbound) - SF to LA: PG6H+8F Lakeshore, San Francisco, CA, USA. Book today! We provide customizable self guided driving vacations throughout United States, including car rentals, GPS, and hotel accommodations. The number of Pier 39 sea lions varies along the year, the record number of seals present at the same time being 1700. No worries! We'll exit SF's Chinatown through the Dragon's Gate. This is one of the self guided audio walking tours of San Francisco. Table of contents. So, if youd rather have some help seeing the best sites in the area, this is an excellent option. Download Hawaii's highest-rated travel apps + now introducing self-guided tours in Utah! Its a great place to watch street performers, see some of the citys most intricate vintage murals, and just soak in the atmosphere. Or, if you are in the mood for ice cream, the Bi-Rite Creamery salted caramelice cream is worth waiting in line for. 07:40am: Departure from Post Street pickup location While a driving tour is a decent option, if you want to visit as many tourist spots as possible, a walking tour is the best way to really get to know the city. You can start and end anywhere along the way. Self-Guided Tours View Floor Plans. Stop at Eastern Bakery: 720 Grant Avenue. Andrew H 10/26/2019. >> Find additional self-guided tours plus some multi-day itineraries. This way, you always know what SF attraction you are visiting next. It started when wealthy families started building their houses up on the hill after the cable car line was opened. Know more. Self-Guided Driving Tour. See reviews and photos of the San Francisco City Self-Guided Audio Tour Through Golden Gate Bridge. We loved it as it had been our first time visiting. There are a total of 19 stops to visit, and they are all in the same general location, so it shouldn't take longer than 1 - 2 hours to complete. Both days were fantastic and the natural beauty of the hilly metropolis surprised us. He knew a ton of history which we loved and we were able to see a ton. Your email address will not be published. You just need to buy a day ticket at a kiosk (something like USD 20) and having that you are free to use buses, streetcars and old San Francisco cable cars for a day. You will then walk from each historical marker to the next as you learn all about the oldest Japantown in the US. Many of their idols like Jimi Hendrix were living here at that time and rock music was heard and hippie art seen in all places. Learn More. The Mission District. All individual tours come with lifetime validity. San Francisco sightseeing: driving down Lombard Street. Haight Ashbury got its name from the corner of its two major streets, Haight and Ashbury. Explore all that San Francisco has to offer, from the twists and turns of Lombard Street, through the bustling streets of Chinatown, and to the top of Telegraph Hill! The self guided treks are 3.8 miles long and take you through several SF neighborhoods including Union Square, Chinatown, North Beach and Fisherman's Wharf. After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Action Tour Guide app, enter your unique password, and access your tour. Dont have the time or money to book one of our guided tours? Your tour will conclude here, but that isnt where the fun ends! The experience complies with government regulations, Areas frequented by visitors are regularly disinfected, Hand sanitizers are provided for staff and visitors, All gear/equipment is sanitized between use. This tour has been developed by local guides, curated by creative writers, and narrated by professional voice artists. If you want to travel, simply pay the conductor. Simply put, Action Tour Guide is an audio guide, map, and tour book all in one app! Washington DC. The following health and safety measures are in place, so you can relax and enjoy your experience. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Along the way, your guide will share tidbits about SF's history and its landmarks. 7h. Choose the Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass for maximum flexibility and stress-free sightseeing! In the 1960s the traditional middle-class residential area suddenly became the hotspot of the Flower Power generation. (A) Caltrain Station - aka, the OG San Francisco Station. Your email address will not be published. Alamo Square Park, Steiner St, San Francisco, Tour of California Self-Guided Driving Bundle. They were designed by an artist who won a competition held by San Franciscos Downtown Association in 1955 and have marked the scenic drive ever since. Taking a driving tour of San Francisco (SF) can be a great way to explore the city if you are short on time or dont feel like hiking up one of SFs famous hills. 2022 Outdoor Activities in San Francisco: Check out reviews and photos of the San Francisco City Self-Guided Audio Tour Through Golden Gate Bridge. We went to places tourist didnt go. Make a stop here to take some photos, or simply drive by so you can tell your friends you saw them! The start of your scenic drive celebrates San Diego as a seaport city as our massive bay is filled with aircraft carriers, cruise ships, historic sailboats and private yachts. Blacksmithing Youth Classes. Alternatively, you may also want to consider taking our free, fully guided Chinatown walking tour. And now, the Map Oahu; Big Island; Maui; Kauai; Utah. However, if you are planning to start and finish the drive at the traditional spot, near San Francisco City Hall, then youll want to get a hotel close to that point. Later the 1906 earthquake took much of Nob Hill after which the wealthy house owners moved west to Pacific Heights and built their homes there. California Street is so steep that it was almost too exiting for us to drive behind a cable car, stopping each time it stopped and starting uphill again each time it started. Do you love venturing out on your own? So most old harbor buildings have been transformed to restaurants and shopping malls. The tour works offline which means you do not need your phone network to enjoy the tour. You cant visit San Francisco without flashing back to the hippie-dippie days of the 1960s. And why not? But the whole experience was amazing and well worth the trip from San Francisco! This is based on an audio guide I did . And very soon we got used to driving up and down San Francisco hills. and areas we would not otherwise have known about. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, having grown up in the area, and pointed out not only historical places, but beautiful murals, homes and fun nooks and crannies (like hidden stairways to streets) that we never would have seen on our own. No extra fees are applied to this booking. Electric Tour Company Guided Walking . The Financial District of San Francisco has changed a lot since the Gold Rush when this place already was a base for trade functions. As we continue driving, we'll dive into what makes SF the city that it is: it's past, it's present, and the promise of it's future. After that walk through Chinatown, which has some of the best food in the city, making it the perfect spot for lunch. $85.00. Definitely recommended! City Guides, founded in 1978, is an independent 501c3 non-profit organization with more than 300 trained volunteers who lead FREE historical and architectural walking tours in San Francisco for over 35,000 locals and visitors each year. A San Francisco self-guided tour is a must-do on your . Non-refundable. From there, youll hear about the citys unique history and how it became one of the most progressive cities around. I want them all PLUS general travel tips. 4 Muir Beach to Muir Woods and Mill Valley. Youll get to know their history and why these quirky little cars are still used today. This is the end stop where two cable car lines, the Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde lines turn back, so just set yourself in the queue and wait for the next cable car to come. A self guided driving tour we did with our friends.. read more. This San Francisco city tour begins with the Painted Ladies, one of the citys top attractions. Lying in the sun side by side and diving into the waters when they get hungry. Benefits Over Live Guides and Group Tours: Pick up right where you left off and continue your search for things to do, This information is provided by our partners. With an automatic car its easier. So we did all our San Francisco sightseeing by car, but you can use public transport as well to get to the same places. (B) PIER 39 - see giant sea lions snoring on the docks. 3h. . Streets like this would never work in Europe where a lot of cars still have manual gears. Next, youll climb Telegraph Hill to look at the famous Coits Tower and some truly unbeatable city views. This 3-hour guided tour takes you to bike across GGB and then explore Sausalito's waterfront. The monthly rental costs for a parking spot can be anywhere from . Travel down the West Side Greenway and over the Brooklyn Bridge. From the Powell Street turnaround at Market Street near Union Square, take the Powell-Hyde Line. In all, we have prepared 12 self-guided walks for you to explore San Francisco, which cover everything from charming streets and neighborhoods to the most famous architectural achievements, street art and shopping areas. This means only a small number of sea lions stay here throughout the year. You can stop for photos, take detours, grab a coffee or break for lunch. However, if you don't plan to spend much time at each attraction or stop, you can cut the time down significantly. The Castro District is a great place to visit on a driving tour, as it offers a little bit of everything that makes San Francisco the charming, quirky city that it is. These steps require good data/wifi. No expiration The tour comes with lifetime validity! Frommer's also has a second audio tour that covers the San Francisco Waterfront. After driving down from the freeway we got into a deep gorge with super high skyscrapers on both sides. Explore all that San Francisco has to offer, from the twists and turns of Lombard Street, through the bustling streets of Chinatown, and to the top of Telegr. This tour is valid forever - from the moment of booking. You can find new. It will let you visit a wide variety of tourist destinations in a short amount of time and without walking up a single hill! After some years the movement faded and the area decayed, but Haight Ashbury still retains much of its hippie atmosphere. Learn the history of this great city as you follow a navigated route in the app and listen to commentary. Id also done a tour with the sister company in Los Angeles several years ago. Next, youll head into the citys tech quarter, where youll spot big-name HQs like Uber and Twitter and get a crash course in how Frisco became the go-to spot for the most cutting-edge tech produced anywhere. We spent a sunny Saturday driving around Central San Francisco and on Sunday we explored the Golden Gate area. If you want to keep in touch, follow Routes and Trips. DIY Muir Woods Tour Cost. While youre up there, youll learn to identify some of the most famous structures which make up Friscos skyline. This one hour and sixteen minute tour can be done at your own pace. The heyday of the Haight was the 1967 Summer of Love when thousands or young California dreamers flocked to the place and filled all quarters. Good news! Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi and restroom. Big Island Tour Bundle. Our tour continues to Carmel by the sea, where ample time is given to walk through this charming town dotted with lovely shops and beautiful architecture. Next visit the historic birthplace of San Francisco, then see the burial site of one of the hundred odd ships on which the Financial District is built. They have a fixed menu that changes daily of 2 nine-course meals. We provide a map with each stop listed on our self-guided tour of North Beach to ensure that you wont get lost and itll be easy to spot each attraction. Start your self-guided tour at San Francisco City Hall. We also offer a new favorite spots map of San Franciscos downtown core. Begin this self-guided tour in the heart of San Francisco. Our post on walking the Golden Gate Bridge also includes several additional details about where to enjoy the best views of this landmark and things to do in the area. Chinatown: Stroll down the colorful streets of Chinatown and see its historic temples, top dim sum restaurants, and amazing street art. There are only really 7 stops on this self-guided tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, and you can expect the whole tour to take around 1 - 1 hours. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there. You will also see where some of the most famous people of the 60s lived including the Grateful Dead and Charles Manson. As we drive through the city, we'll learn all about San Francisco's realtionship with technology, Silicon Valley, and more. Changing travel date? Stop and take some photos. If you are craving a burrito, be sure to visit La Taqueria or Papalote. Then take Washington Street towards the next park in the west, Alta Plaza. SELF GUIDED AUDIO TOURS HAWAII. The current route takes you through large regions of the city and does allow views of both bridges but no longer goes all the way to Treasure Island. Alternatively, we also offer a fully guided free walking tour of Fishermans Wharf. The residential area of Pacific Heights is on the next hill in order and offers great views to the city and the bay area. On especially foggy days you may not even be able to see key attractions like Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Transamerica Pyramid. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It's a great way to learn all about this important SF District. We entered San Francisco from the freeway from the downtown exit (Fremont Street). All tours are valid for a lifetime. Did a wonderful tour with these guys while I was in San Francisco on business. Interested in seeing as many gorgeous views of the city as possible? SIGN UPFOR OUR EMAIL TO RECEIVE YOUR FREESAN FRANCISCO PLANNING GUIDE. With 12 tours across the state, our value-for-money California bundle (priced at just $39.99) gives you the flexibility to see all the top sights in the state at your own pace. Our drive through San Francisco brings us past a magnificent marble building: the San Francisco City Hall! Friendly & very informative. This is where most department stores are, making the San Francisco Market Street one of the main shopping streets of the city. Chinatown is pretty close to Fishermans Wharf and North Beach, so you may want to consider taking multiple self-guided tours on the same day if youve got enough time and energy. To make driving easier, the most curved section of Lombard Street was made a one-way street (only down), and there is a strict speed limit (5 mph, 8km/hour).