
SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.1/5
Based on 4,738 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus worth booking?
SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus is a 1.3-hour experience in San Francisco, United States, from $48 per person. It scores 67 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 4,738 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 67 / 100
- Rating
- 4.1/5 (4,738)
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- From
- $48 per person
See San Francisco’s top sights the easy way with Big Bus Tours. We offer the most comprehensive tour with over 17 hop-on hop-off locations spanning from the Golden Gate Bridge for panoramic views of the Bay, to Fisherman
What you get
About this experience
See San Francisco’s top sights the easy way with Big Bus Tours. We offer the most comprehensive tour with over 17 hop-on hop-off locations spanning from the Golden Gate Bridge for panoramic views of the Bay, to Fisherman’s Wharf to enjoy fresh clam chowder and watch sea lions at Pier 39. Explore Chinatown’s bustling streets, admire the Painted Ladies’ Victorian charm, and stop at Union Square for shopping and dining. With one full route covering all major attractions, you won’t need to change buses or worry about directions. Hop on and off at your own pace, while onboard commentary in 8 languages provides stories and tips to bring the city to life. Highlights: Unlimited hop-on hop-off access at 17 stops across San Francisco Cross the Golden Gate Bridge on an open-top bus for unbeatable views Learn about the city with engaging onboard commentary in 8 languages Flexible tickets that let you explore at your own pace
What's included
Included
- 1-hour Bay Cruise (if option selected)
- Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour, 24, 48 or 72-hour ticket
- Big Bus Tours app (ticket storage, live tracking and ticket activation)
- Blazing Saddles Bike Rental Perk - Buy 1 hour, Get 1 hour free with selected tickets
- 1-hour Panoramic Sunset Tour (if option selected)
- 1-hour Digital Chinatown Walking Tour (if option selected)
- Digital audio commentary with souvenir earbuds provided
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options you can book
48hr, Chinatown, & Sunset Tour
48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Hop on and off at stops along the Red and Yellow Routes and enjoy digital audio commentary while aboard. Panoramic Sunset Tour: 1-hour Sunset Tour of SF aboard an open-top bus Duration: 2 days Digital Chinatown Walking Tour: 1-Hour walking tour of historic Chinatown Free Bike Rental: Get 1 free hour with a 1-hour bike rental from Blazing Saddles, including gear and route tips
72hr, Bay Cruise & Sunset Tour
72-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Hop on and off along the Red and Yellow Routes Free Bike Rental: Get 1 free hour with a 1-hour bike rental from Blazing Saddles, including gear and route tips 1-Hour Panoramic Sunset Tour Duration: 3 days 1-hour Bay Cruise: 60mins Bay Cruise (Operator: Blue and Gold) Digital Chinatown Walking Tour: 1-hour self-guided audio tour of historic Chinatown
24-Hour Ticket Only
24-hour Hop-on Hop-off Tour: Hop on and off at 16 convenient stops around San Francisco and enjoy digital audio commentary while aboard. Duration: 1 day: Unlimited use valid for 24 hours from first scan Digital Audio Commentary
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, ko, pt, cmn, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Big Bus Tours - USA
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Blazing Saddles Offer: Big Bus Tours customers get 1 free hour with a 1-hour bike rental from Blazing Saddles, including gear and route tips for exploring San Francisco and cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
- Half-Day Wine Tour visits 2 wineries and the town of Sausalito; transportation by comfortable, a/c motorcoach
- Hop-on Hop-off tour ticket is valid for use during operating hours for 24, 48 or 72 hours after first use.
- Wheelchair accessible, please call ahead for arrangements
- Download the Big Bus Tours app to access and activate your ticket, track buses in real time, and board easily using your mobile ticket.
- Bay Cruise -Ticket Redemption: Present your ticket at the Blue & Gold Fleet Box Office at Pier 39 to redeem your ticket. Please arrive 30mins prior to your desired departure time.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4,736 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
4,736 verified traveler reviews for SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Lack of engagement/entertainment
Everything was fine but we’ve been on these in other cities and they’ve had live guides. These were prerecorded tour guides with earphones and it was not nearly as enjoyable or entertaining as the real people we’ve had in the past
via Tripadvisor
Easy to rooming arround...
Easy to rooming arround and experience to see golden gate . I recommend for those first time like me to use hip hop bus❤️❤️👍👏
Response from the operator: Hi! Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re thrilled to hear that you found it easy to get around and enjoyed experiencing the Golden Gate Bridge with us. We really appreciate your recommendation, especially for first-time visitors to San Francisco! We hope to see you again on board for your next adventure. Best regards, Mihai @BigBusToursTeam
via Viator
Amazing city tour!
Amazing way to exsplore SF in a quick timesaving way!My main goal was the Golden Gate Bridge n xtra bonus all the pretty houses. This is must do visiting this cute charming city🫶🏽🫶🏽
via Tripadvisor
Great BIG Bus Sightseeing Day out
Fabulous guest day out in San Fran with Big Bus Tour
Response from the operator: We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed our tour through San Francisco! We hope to see you with Big Bus Tours again.
via Tripadvisor
Don’t do this sales pitch tour.
This tour is lame compared to the other tour offered in the city. It’s an advertisement for whatever they’re selling. With. Limited note worthy stops. We took both tours.
Response from the operator: We are sorry to hear that we didn't live up to your expectations. We appreciate your honesty, and if you have any further details to add, please feel free to email us directly at sfreservations@bigbustours.com. We are always looking for ways to improve. Sincerely, Big Bus Tours SF
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $48 to $90
- Booked in 30 days
- 1,658
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 67
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Francisco.
How much does SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus cost?
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Prices start at $48 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 SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus take?
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Plan for about 1.3 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 SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 67 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 4,738 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in San Francisco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus?
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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 SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus?
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Around 1,658 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 1.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus 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.
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