
San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 150 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour worth booking?
San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour is a 0.5-hour experience in San Francisco, United States, from $326 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 150 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (150)
- Duration
- 0.5 hours
- From
- $326 per person
See the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge, the drama of Alcatraz Island and the lush forest of Muir Woods on a seaplane tour of San Francisco! The beauty of the green and gold hills of wine country and the deep blue expanses of the Pacific Ocean can only be truly appreciated from the air, and your guaranteed window seat will provide unparalleled views of the City by the Bay. The perfect addition to your San Francisco itinerary!
What you get
About this experience
See the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge, the drama of Alcatraz Island and the lush forest of Muir Woods on a seaplane tour of San Francisco! The beauty of the green and gold hills of wine country and the deep blue expanses of the Pacific Ocean can only be truly appreciated from the air, and your guaranteed window seat will provide unparalleled views of the City by the Bay. The perfect addition to your San Francisco itinerary!
What's included
Included
- Experienced and professional pilot
- 30-minute Seaplane flight
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Seaplane Adventures
Check-in for your flight.
Pass by without stopping
Stinson Beach
Fly over Stinson Beach.
Pass by without stopping
Muir Woods National Monument
Fly over Muir Woods National Monument with its towering old-growth redwood trees.
Pass by without stopping
Marin Headlands
See the hilly peninsula at the southermost end of Marin called the Marin Headlands.
Pass by without stopping
Golden Gate Bridge
Get a bird's eye view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Pass by without stopping
Downtown
The Financial District is San Francisco's business center.
Pass by without stopping
Pier 39
Pier 39 is best known for its popular shopping center and tourist attractions.
Pass by without stopping
Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf, located at the northen waterfront is one of the city's busiest tourist areas.
Pass by without stopping
Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz penitentiary or best know around the world as The Rock.
Pass by without stopping
Angel Island State Park
Angel Island is the largest natural island in San Francisco Bay.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
San Francisco
We will check you in to our main starting point in Mill Valley. Please arrive 15min prior to your flight.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We will check you in to our main starting point in Mill Valley. Please arrive 15min prior to your flight.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Seaplane Adventures
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Tour prices are per person, with a MINIMUM OF TWO ADULTS REQUIRED PER BOOKING. Individuals who book for only 1 passenger will be required to pay price for second passenger directly to operator upon check-in
- Seaplane seats a maximum of 6 passengers
- Flight route may vary due to weather or other factors
- It is recommended to bring a child seat for babies and/or young children
- At the time of booking please provide local contact details
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 150 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
8 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
150 verified traveler reviews for San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great trip
It was great, pilot pointed out all the sights, we flew over golden gate bridge, over the city and round alcatraz
via Viator
Fly over the golden gate bridge
An amazing way to see the golden gate bridge.. fly over it. Aerial views of not only the bridge but also Alcatraz and we even saw a whale. Our pilot Aaron was very knowledgeable. The flight was smooth, and for what you see and what you hear the price is ok as well. Do that once in a lifetime experience.
via Tripadvisor
Better than I expected !
Was awesome all around. Originally booked for the seaplane but it had to do some maintenance so they offered a helicopter ride which we accepted and honestly the helicopter was a 10/10 experience. The pilot made it comfortable and was great the whole time. Views are amazing and I will be telling people to try this at least once in their lifetime .
via Tripadvisor
Amazing Experience
Wonderful experience. Pilot was very personable, knowledgeable and funny. Beautiful views. Felt safe
via Viator
Worth every penny: superb experience from star to finish
Superb from start to finish. We had to make some scheduling changes, which they accommodated without a fuss. The trip just before sunset was spectacular- Eve, our pilot, couldn't have been a better tour guide. Friendly, helpful, informative and enthusiastic. Our 30 min trip was probably 45 mins in the end, finishing off with some great pics in front of the Sea Plane. 100% recommended (and I live here!)
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 0.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 53
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Seaplane Adventures, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 56.2.
See everything Seaplane Adventures runsWhy this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Francisco.
How much does San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour cost?
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Prices start at $326 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Francisco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour take?
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Plan for about 0.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in San Francisco is not rushed.
Is San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 150 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in San Francisco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour?
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Around 53 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in San Francisco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in San Francisco and add a light layer if any part of the 0.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central San Francisco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in San Francisco?
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San Francisco packs Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Napa and the bay into day-trip range, which makes booking order matter more than anywhere else in the US. Alcatraz sells out weeks ahead, wine-country vans fill on weekends, and the best food walks in the Mission and Chinatown cap at a dozen people. Our ranking favours small groups and guides who live in the neighbourhood they walk. On Outty we rank every San Francisco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz, Chinatown, North Beach, Little Italy: 7 Tastings & History. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit San Francisco?
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September and October, the city's real summer, once the fog season breaks. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in San Francisco?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour?
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Included: Experienced and professional pilot; and 30-minute Seaplane flight. Not included: Food and drinks; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour?
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We will check you in to our main starting point in Mill Valley. Please arrive 15min prior to your flight. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about San Francisco Golden Gate Seaplane Tour?
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Across 150 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include photo opportunities, knowledge and storytelling, organization. The views and photo stops come up again and again.
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