viator tours california

Top Tours in California, United States

California tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Film & TV Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More

2. Monterey Whale Watching Tour

3. Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco

4. Hollywood Sightseeing and Celebrity Homes Tour by Open Air Bus

5. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket

6. Yosemite Highlights Small Group Tour

7. San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

8. Small-Group Tour: SF, Muir Woods, Sausalito w/ Optional Alcatraz

9. Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco

10. Explore Marine Life in San Diego Tide Pools (Family-friendly)

11. All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour of Temecula Valley

12. Big Bus San Francisco: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

13. Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour (Return by Bus or Ferry from Sausalito)

14. Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour

15. Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge + Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz

16. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

17. Half-Day Sightseeing Tour of the Best of Los Angeles

18. Official Alcatraz Island Prison Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise

19. Half-Day Mojave Desert ATV Tour from Las Vegas

20. Small-Group Wine-Tasting Tour through Napa Valley

21. San Diego Harbor Cruise

22. Original La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak Tour for Two

23. SoFi Stadium Tour in Los Angeles

24. The Original Napa Valley Wine Trolley Classic Tour

25. San Francisco Love Tour

26. San Francisco: Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoia Day Tour

27. San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

28. Straight to the Gate Access: Golden Gate Bay Cruise

29. Chinatown and North Beach Walking Tour

30. 45 Minute Semi-Submarine Tour of Catalina Island From Avalon

What travellers are saying.

• Janet V 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great way to experience many parts of the LA area in one day. Great tour of the city. Our driver was knowledgeable and very friendly. Highly recommend! There was just enough time at each stop to walk around and see each sight. The bus was clean and comfortable. Not open air like many. Read more Review of: Full-Day Iconic Sights of LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Beaches and More Written April 27, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Sharon T 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Tour! Yosemite is amazingly beautiful! We took a lot of photos . Our guide Marsha was extremely knowledgeable and knew the roads like the back of her hand. I highly recommend taking this tour. It's the only way to see Yosemite! Read more Review of: Yosemite Highlights Small Group Tour Written April 27, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
• Kirsten B 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles I want to go again!!! 100% worth the money Absolutely incredible whale watching adventure! The ship is beautiful and crew members were wonderful. Snacks and drinks were provided along with complementary sea-sickness medication, if needed. The crew were really knowledgeable about the local areas leaving the port and clearly knew a lot about the aquatic life in San Diego. We saw tons of sea lions, dolphins, and a BLUE WHALE!! According to Captain Troy, it was really rare to see a blue whale so made the trip even more special. It was a wonderful experience and couldn’t be recommended enough! Read more Review of: San Diego Whale Watching Cruise Written April 27, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Julian F 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Accidental amazingness! Our original tour was for a van but it got canceled, so we were moved to the humvee tour. It was truly amazing! The scenery was mesmerizing, the open air felt exhilarating and our guide Tom was so engaging and just wonderful. The tour was definitely a highlight of our trip. Very highly recommend. Read more Review of: Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour Written April 27, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
• cathy Bradenton, FL 2 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Muir Woods, finally!! A GREAT day!! Everything was well orchestrated from Alex’s morning text, the commentary and history along the route to the music and other suggested sites to visit! Muir Woods was so worth it and I can’t wait to go back. I would highly recommend this tour. Read more Review of: Muir Woods, Golden Gate Bridge + Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz Written April 27, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

THE 10 BEST San Diego Tours & Excursions

San diego tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

2. San Diego Harbor Cruise

3. Original La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak Tour for Two

4. San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

5. Best of the Bay 90-Minute Harbor Tour in San Diego

6. Incredible Slot Canyons to the Pacific

7. San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise

8. Explore Balboa in a Private Tour of San Diego Hidden Gems

9. Shared Two-Hour Whale Watching Tour from Oceanside

10. Gaslamp Quarter Downtown San Diego Food Tour

11. Skip the Line: USS Midway Museum Admission Ticket in San Diego

12. Intro to Mexico Walking Tour: Tijuana Day Trip from San Diego

13. La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour For Two (Tandem Kayak)

14. Small-Group Sunset Sailing Experience on San Diego Bay

15. San Diego Seal Tour

16. Whale and Dolphin Watching in San Diego

17. Cali Dreaming Electric Bike Tour of La Jolla and Pacific Beach

18. San Diego: The Most Extensive City & Beach Tour

19. San Diego Zoo 1-Day Pass: Any Day Ticket

20. Haunted San Diego Ghost Tour

21. Gaslamp Quarter Food and Drink Tour: Brothels, Bites & Booze

22. La Jolla Cove and Cave Snorkel Tour

23. Taste of Little Italy in San Diego

24. San Diego Harbor Speed Boat Adventure

25. 2.5 Hours of Fun: Catamaran Sunset Sail

26. San Diego Scenic Tour

27. San Diego Sunset Cruise from Mission Bay

28. Historic La Jolla Walking Tour

29. Small-Group San Diego Afternoon Sailing Excursion

30. San Diego's Best Sunset Sail

What travelers are saying.

• Kirsten B 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles I want to go again!!! 100% worth the money Absolutely incredible whale watching adventure! The ship is beautiful and crew members were wonderful. Snacks and drinks were provided along with complementary sea-sickness medication, if needed. The crew were really knowledgeable about the local areas leaving the port and clearly knew a lot about the aquatic life in San Diego. We saw tons of sea lions, dolphins, and a BLUE WHALE!! According to Captain Troy, it was really rare to see a blue whale so made the trip even more special. It was a wonderful experience and couldn’t be recommended enough! Read more Review of: San Diego Whale Watching Cruise Written April 27, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

• Skip the Line: USS Midway Museum Admission Ticket in San Diego
• San Diego Whale Watching Cruise
• Original La Jolla Sea Cave Kayak Tour for Two
• San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour
• Shared Two-Hour Whale Watching Tour from Oceanside
• Sail San Diego
• San Diego Walks
• Baja California Wine Tours
• Sterling Sails
• Another Side Of San Diego Tours
• Malarky Sailing Charters
• Duffy of San Diego
• Adventure Whale Watching
• Lucky Sol Sailing
• Sail Stars & Stripes
• San Diego Private Tours - Journeys with Julie
• Fun Cat Sailing Catamaran Adventures
• Eco Boat Rentals
• Dive California
• Cloudia Adventures
• Brothers Sport Fishing - San Diego Fishing Charters

7 of the Best San Francisco City Tours

Famed for its many museums, historic architecture and iconic landmarks such as Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is a wonderful city to explore on a guided tour.

(Photo: Big Bus Tours / Courtesy Viator)

With most of its most popular attractions within walking distance of the city centre, San Fran is compact enough to see large portions of it in a relatively short space of time. And to add even more efficiency to your city gallivanting, then you may want to consider booking onto one of the many organised tours that are offered by reputable local companies. We’ve picked out 7 of the best below.

Big Bus Night Tour

Enjoy a unique perspective on San Francisco during this one-hour night-time bus tour. Departing from Jefferson Street in the Fisherman’s Wharf area, over the course of the tour you’ll see neighbourhoods such as Embarcadero, Chinatown and the Financial District and across the Bay Bridge to Treasure Island, all lit up at night while listening to entertaining commentary from a live onboard guide. There’s also a complimentary shuttle back to Union Square at the completion of the tour. Multiple departure times are available to suit your schedule. From $41 per person.

Book at Viator

Painted Ladies City Tour

(Photo: Painted Ladies Tour Company / Courtesy Viator)

Take a journey around San Francisco’s top sights in retro style aboard a vintage Volkswagen bus complete with Californian wine and craft beer. While nestled in your quirky but comfy tour vehicle that seats up to seven – and is decorated with long ‘eyelashes’ so you can’t miss her – you’ll pass by some of the city’s most famous neighbourhoods including Chinatown, Union Square, Pacific Heights, and North Beach, as well as legendary landmarks such as the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge. Along the way, the onboard sound system will belt out classic tunes from the 1960s and 70s as you sip on your complimentary drinks, and there’ll be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos  too. From $74 per person.

Highlights & Hidden Gems of San Francisco

Explore the best of the city and discover hidden gems away from the well-trodden tourist paths on this 3-hour tour that can be 100% personalised to your preferences. As well as classic attractions such Chinatown and The Castro, your expert guide can show you treasures that only the locals know about, allowing you to get to know the city through a different perspective. What’s more, behind every landmark there’s a story, and your host will be on hand with tales, insights and fun facts about each one. The tour concludes at a cherished local eatery for a complimentary snack or a drink. From $80 per person.

Book at Withlocals

Waterfront Guided Tour and Alcatraz Ticket

(Photo: ExperienceFirst California / Courtesy GetYourGuide)

The San Francisco waterfront is dotted with notable places of interest. This 4-hour tour takes in many of its water’s edge attractions, followed by a visit to the famous former prison known as Alcatraz. During the trip, you’ll stroll along the fog-lined waterfront before walking a portion of the historic Barbary Coast trail. Next, it’s on to Pier 39 to admire the historic ships in the harbour and witness the colony of sea lions that have taken over many of its docks, before continuing along the Embarcadero Promenade to learn about its evolution from a traditional maritime port to a modern urban waterfront. Later, you’ll take a ferry to Alcatraz to enjoy a self-guided tour complete with award-winning audio narration before your return journey to the mainland. From $99 per person.

Book at GetYourGuide

Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito Bike Tour

Discover the city with the wind in your hair on this 2.5-hour bike tour that includes a scenic crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge to the charming town of Sausalito. Starting at the picturesque Aquatic Park in Fisherman’s Wharf, you and your small group will ride through the mostly flat National Park and Fort Mason and onto the famous Golden Gate Bridge. Marvel at the stunning views across the bay as you cross the bridge on the sidewalk, followed by a short downhill ride into Sausalito. The tour ends here, but the tour allows you to explore the town at your own leisure and return the bike later. You can either return to San Fran by bike or get the ferry back to rest those weary legs. From $75 per person.

VIP Segway Tour of the Waterfront and Hills

(Photo: San Francisco Electric Tour Company / Courtesy GetYourGuide)

Located to the west of San Francisco’s famous Fisherman’s Wharf lies the pretty Aquatic Park, with its achingly pleasant walkways and idyllic sandy beach. This uncharacteristically flat region of the city is a great place to get to grips with riding a state-of-the-art Segway while glimpsing some of California’s most iconic sights, including Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Then, follow your private guide up the steep hills and back down what is – unofficially – the most contorted street in the world to round off this fun-packed three-hour tour. From $159 per person (min 2 people).

Private Group Tuk Tuk Night Tour

There’s something particularly magical about San Francisco at night and one of the most fun ways to see the city after dark is aboard a tuk-tuk. During this 2-hour private tour, you and up to 4 (or 5 if the group includes kids) select friends or relatives will traverse the city on one of these modern-day motorised rickshaws as the bright lights sparkle against the night sky. As you trundle along, soak up the panoramic views while listening to live commentary courtesy of your expert guide. Heated seats and warm blankets help ensure a comfortable ride on chilly evenings . From $321 per group (max 6 people).

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Here's what it's like to to book an adventure abroad through Viator, Trip Advisor's tour and excursion booking platform

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• While in Croatia with my family this year, I used Trip Advisor 's activity-booking platform Viator to book boat charters abroad. All operators are pre-vetted by Trip Advisor to guarantee credibility and safety. Excursions range from $15 for a walking tour to thousands for luxury experiences.
• Booking independently through Viator saved me significant costs compared to using a travel agency, and helped me plan my vacation in advance, with clear pricing and reviews from past guests.
• I had a great experience with Viator and would use it again — but with a few changes. Next time, I'll make sure to ask more questions first, so I don't face any surprises. Here's what you should know to do the same.
• Read all Insider Picks travel reviews here.

I'm a lifestyle journalist with a focus on travel and trot the globe frequently with my husband and five-year-old twins. So I think of myself as pretty savvy when it comes to calling upon Internet resources (not to mention intuition earned through experience) to make bookings, even in places I've never before been.

This summer, I went on a two-week vacation with my family in Europe, hitting Greece and Croatia, plus bordering countries along the Dalmatian Coast. We spent a fair amount of time off the beaten path and there were a lot of moving parts. But I felt confident, and competent, that I could independently plan our trip, without the help of a travel agency. I know my way around search engines for flights, hotels, and deals.

But there was a blind spot. How would I book tours and excursions such as chartering a speedboat for our family to Croatia's famous islands?

I was relieved when I stumbled upon the activity-booking search engine Viator , which is owned by Trip Advisor. After reviewing various offerings and reading reviews, I booked two separate boat charters through the company. Both boats were clean, comfortable, beautiful, more or less as advertised, and operated by companies I would not have known how to access without Viator. 

I'd recommend the platform, especially to anyone staying at an Airbnb without a concierge like I did, or looking for cheaper options than what a hotel or travel agency might suggest. But I'd offer a caveat from my own experience: savvy travelers must make sure to cover their bases to avoid potential pitfalls such as the one we experienced. 

What is Viator?

Viator is Trip Advisor's platform for booking all kinds of activities during travel. Consider you might find 4x4 and camel tours in Dubai, a skip-the-line tour of the Colosseum in Rome, or a tour of the Grand Canyon by helicopter from Las Vegas.

Really, you'll find just about anything. The search engine includes options for a truly whopping 200,000 bookable activities in places all around the world making it unlikely that you won't find what you need. All operators listed are pre-vetted for credibility and safety backed by Trip Advisor .

Importantly, the site also aggregates millions of reviews, like what you'll find on Viator's sister site, Trip Advisor, so you have a pretty good sense of what you're getting. 

How is Viator priced?

Naturally, price points on Viator range dramatically based on the location and the excursions' complexity. A basic walking tour might cost under $20 while a day-long excursion or charter could cost hundreds more. The more expensive of the two trips I booked came in under $1,000, and the rates on the site can soar depending on what you're booking.

The site is optimized for mobile booking, offers around-the-clock customer service in multiple languages, a lowest-price guarantee, and a 24-hour cancellation policy, which makes the financial risk in booking feel low. 

In fact, I made use of that cancellation policy a few times to cancel and rebook similar activities when I changed my mind on the specifics, and also to flatly cancel a sightseeing tour I'd booked for our first day in Greece when I realized we'd all be too jet-lagged to bother.

I made both Viator bookings using my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card  — both in U.S. dollars — and faced no trouble making these changes.

What did I book through Viator?

I'd never been to Croatia, but knew I wanted to see its beautiful islands. We were staying in an Airbnb apartment (a rare choice for me) instead of a full-service hotel with concierge, so I was on my own for finding out how to do this. 

Poking around on the Internet for tours, I discovered Viator , which was previously unknown to me. I appreciated that like its parent company Trip Advisor, Viator heavily incorporates a review system, and the Trip Advisor backing gave me confidence. I booked two tours, each about three weeks ahead of our arrival.

For our stay in Dubrovnik, I booked a half-day private speedboat tour to the Elafiti islands , which earned an impressive five stars overall, with over 100 reviews on Viator. The trip for four people for four hours came in just under $400 after I used a 10 percent discount code. 

Then, for the portion of our trip in the northern area of the country, Split, I booked an all-day private sightseeing tour with five proposed stops , including the famous Blue Cave and Hvar island. This trip also had an overall five-star rating on Viator, but with far fewer reviews, just 27 as of the time of this writing. The eight-hour trip for four people on the private speedboat charter cost $873 after the discount code.

These prices might seem steep, but consider that it's priced for four people, as well as the alternative. When I briefly felt overwhelmed with planning, I reached out to a Croatia-based travel agency. The land-only quote for a week in the county for our party of four was 12,000 euros. Booking on my own — including these two-day trips through Viator — cut our expenses to less than half.

My booking experience with Viator

After so much planning, our trip was at last underway. We spent a morning at a Dubrovnik beach club before our scheduled boat tour for the afternoon. That same day, the highly responsive tour company reached out through WhatsApp and email to coordinate transportation for us to the marina, where we'd be meeting our skipper and the boat.

They called a rideshare at their expense to meet us at the beach club and we arrived at the marina to find an impeccably clean boat and friendly skipper.

As promised, the boat was just for our family with amenities like shade cover and a USB port to charge up phones and stay ready for photo taking. 

We set out for the afternoon on the Adriatic and were able to customize our itinerary, checking out bays, beaches, and caves at our own pace. The skipper snapped family photos and offered snorkel masks and drinks.

At the end of the afternoon, our skipper called us an Uber to take us back to the hotel. Overall it was a successful, fun day. And at under $400 for four people, felt like a great value for all we were able to do.

Unfortunately, it didn't foreshadow the more challenging experience we had on our next excursion, which was the full-day boat charter from Split.

For that trip, I had more difficulty communicating in advance with the operator, who was less responsive. I didn't get all my questions answered before booking, and miscalculated by making some critical assumptions that turned out to be false.

We arrived at the marina to find a boat that exceeded our expectations. It was a rather luxurious looking speedboat with room for 12 and was larger and fancier than our previous boat in Dubrovnik.

It was also more powerful, at 250 horsepower. While some people might appreciate that, the speed of the vessel scared our young children right away.

Our skipper was a devoted and experienced older brother, so he was well equipped with strategies to help calm our kids and took pains to make them comfortable. He even let my son "drive" the boat and honk the horn, which was a huge hit. 

But my daughter was still uncomfortable as the boat sped through the open ocean. Off the bat, I wondered if this was something any ambitious American traveler would attempt with such young children had they known how rough it would be.

The skipper warned us that the Blue Cave would be backed up and crowded, and the timing might correspond to a bumpy afternoon sail. So we opted against it and chose a custom plan to mitigate the intensity. I appreciated that we were able to change the day's itinerary to better suit our needs.

Our skipper took us to a gorgeous, remote beach on the island of Vis, which was a true highlight with crystal clear water and a sense of true isolation. We swam from the boat to the beach, snorkeled, and took lots of pictures.

Afterward, we sailed to glamorous Hvar island, where we passed an hour or so with lunch in Hvar Town.

But it was after that, on the way back to the harbor in Split, when our challenges started in earnest.

It was squarely afternoon by then, and the winds had picked up; the open ocean was very choppy. That is to say, our boat caught full air and slammed back down — over and over again. There was nothing the skipper could do as this was the nature of the boat and typical conditions.

Although my kids (mercifully) don't suffer motion sickness, they were terrified. Anyone with young children and those who do suffer from motion sickness should inquire about conditions before booking any similar boat ride as I wished I had.

My son could be placated by heading back to his post as the boat's "driver," but my daughter was miserable for the full 75 minutes it took to get back to the marina and the waves soaked our family. Making matters more concerning, there was only one kid-sized life jacket on board.  

I was regretful that I'd gotten us in this position. I hadn't adequately confirmed that this was the right trip for our family.

And although I generally feel like a diligent and capable planner, I'd continued with the booking despite not waiting for the answers I needed: Would there be child-sized snorkel masks? Would there be two child-sized life jackets? Was the water likely to be rough? Will we get wet or seasick?  

The bottom line on Viator  

Overall, I wouldn't trade either of the stunning boat excursions I booked through Viator . They made for essential sightseeing experiences for any visitor to Croatia.

The operators on both experiences were professional, and the services were provided as advertised. I also found the prices to be reasonable, much more so than if I'd booked through a travel agency.

I'll book through Viator again, but next time, I'll make sure I'm asking more questions and getting the specific answers I need first.

If a particular operator is vague or reluctant to respond to the specifics of an important matter, like child-sized life vests, or typical water conditions, I will move on to another operator.  

As a now-seasoned Viator user, I'd say: book with confidence. Just make sure you ask a lot of questions specific to your needs and make sure you get them all answered explicitly before you show up on the day of your booking.

With the sheer number of bookings available on Viator, you should have plenty of options to keep moving onto another suitable tour operator until you find one that gives you all the answers — and confidence — you need.  

Book a Viator excursion, large or small, anywhere on earth .

Subscribe to our newsletter. You can purchase syndication rights to this story here. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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16 best san francisco tours (alcatraz, wineries & more).

Explore SF's top sights and hidden gems on these traveler-approved tours.

The Best San Francisco Tours

Getty Images

See San Francisco's famous bridges with this dual bridge cruise from Red and White Fleet.

Whether by air, by bike, by boat, by bus or even by vintage Volkswagen, there are so many different ways to take in the beauty of San Francisco and experience its top attractions . To help you decide which method is right for you, U.S. News compiled 16 of the city's top tours, considering traveler sentiment and expert opinion. Foodies, history buffs, adventurers and everyone in between will find a tour on this list.

Red and White Fleet – Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise

Price: Adults from $48; kids from $36 Duration: 1.5 hours

Take in San Francisco's two most famous bridges on this 90-minute boat trip through San Francisco Bay. In addition to sailing beneath both the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge , tourgoers will see Alcatraz Island, Palace of Fine Arts and the city skyline, among other landmarks. Red and White Fleet provides an audio guide available in 16 different languages that details the city's history. Reviewers say they enjoy the views, the helpful commentary, and the clean and comfortable boats. They recommend wearing layers – especially on evening tours – because it gets chilly on the water.

Tours run daily, year-round. You can hop on a boat in the morning and the afternoon, but exact times vary by day and time of year. Cruises depart from Fisherman's Wharf . Tickets start at $48 for adults and $36 for youths ages 5 to 17. Children 4 and younger can ride for free, but require a ticket. Short on time? Red and White Fleet also offers an hourlong Golden Gate Bay Cruise, among other tours.

View & Book Tickets: Option 1 | Option 2

Vantigo – San Francisco City Tours

Price: Adults from $95; kids from $65 Duration: 3 hours

Instead of a traditional tour bus, Vantigo transports up to seven passengers in a vintage Volkswagen van to see all the city has to offer. The three-hour tour highlights 15 points of interest, with plenty of opportunities for photos and views of Haight-Ashbury, North Beach, Twin Peaks and more. Reviewers love the Volkswagen, which they say is roomy and comfortable, and describe the guides as fun and informative.

Tours generally leave Thursday through Saturday and Monday once or twice daily. You can board at either Fisherman's Wharf or Union Square . Tickets start at $95 per adult or $65 per child ages 5 to 11. Children 4 and younger are not permitted on public tours. Combo tours to Alcatraz are also available, as are brewery tours.

Seaplane Adventures – Alcatraz & City Sites Seaplane Tour

Price: From $239 Duration: 20 minutes

After you've walked the city streets and sailed the bay's waters, your next step should be an air tour. On this 15- to 20-minute flight from Seaplane Adventures, you'll fly over downtown and above Alcatraz and Angel Island before landing in Sausalito's Richardson Bay. Reviewers describe the trip as amazing and one of the best activities they did while visiting San Francisco.

Tickets start at $239 per person and tours depart Friday through Monday in the afternoon. Seaplane Adventures conducts several other air tours, including a 45-minute Greater Bay Area Tour.

View & Book Tickets: Seaplane Adventures

San Francisco Love Tours – The Love Tour

Price: From $85 Duration: 2 hours

Drive through the city in a classic Volkswagen hippie bus during this two-hour tour. As you drive around to sites like Lombard Street and Golden Gate Park , you'll hear all about San Francisco history and listen to music. You'll also make two stops for photos to capture the Golden Gate Bridge and the city skyline. Reviewers rave about the knowledgeable guides and the nostalgic music choices.

Tours, which start and end near Fisherman's Wharf, are generally available daily at 8:30 and 11 a.m. as well as 2 and 5 p.m. The van can accommodate up to seven passengers. Tickets start at $85 per person. Children 4 and younger are only permitted on private tours. The company also runs a night tour.

Eat your way through North Beach with Local Tastes of the City Tours.

Local Tastes of the City Tours – Tastes of Little Italy: North Beach San Francisco Food Tour

Price: Adults from $74; kids from $25 Duration: 3 hours

According to reviewers, this tour is a must for food and history lovers thanks to experienced guides who are engaging storytellers. Along the three-hour tour, you'll explore up to 10 blocks of North Beach (or "Little Italy"). Samples of the neighborhood's best pizza, pastries, coffee, chocolates and more are all included in the cost of the tour. Travelers say the portions are generous and recommend arriving to the tour hungry.

Tours are generally offered daily at 10:30 a.m. with an additional 2:30 p.m. tour available on select days. Tickets cost approximately $75 for adults, $50 for youths ages 8 to 13 and $25 for children ages 2 to 7; infants 1 and younger can tag along for free. Still hungry? Consider the company's Chinatown tours.

Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

Price: Adults from $65; kids from $55 Duration: 2 hours

If you're looking for a convenient way to visit the city's top attractions in one day, this hop-on, hop-off tour may be just the ticket. Big Bus lets riders disembark at any of its stops, explore the area and catch another bus when they're ready. Big Bus operates every 30 minutes and visits more than 20 locations, including Presidio Park , Chinatown, the Embarcadero and even includes a ride over the Golden Gate Bridge. The entire tour lasts a little more than two hours, if you don't choose to disembark. All buses have open tops and prerecorded commentary available in 10 languages. Reviewers enjoy the educational commentary and the opportunity to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge in the open-top bus, but many warn that buses get crowded quickly.

If you buy your tickets online, pricing starts at approximately $65 per adult and $55 per child ages 3 to 12 for the classic one-day ticket. Big Bus San Francisco also offers night tours of the city, as well as upgraded tickets that include free bike rentals, passes to the U.S.S. Pampanito or tours of Muir Woods.

Electric Tour Company – Official Golden Gate Park Segway Tour

Price: Adults from $89; kids from $68 Duration: 2.5 hours

Riding a Segway can be a fun and expedient way to see a number of top attractions in a short amount of time. The Electric Tour Company offers you a chance to see dozens of sights in the iconic Golden Gate Park in the span of 2 1/2 hours, visiting the Conservatory of Flowers, the Shakespeare Garden, the California Academy of Sciences and Stow Lake along the way. The tour begins with a 30-minute training for first-time riders. All riders must be at least 12 years old and weigh between 100 and 275 pounds. Reviewers praise their guides, who they say are helpful and descriptive, and say the Segways as easy to ride.

Tours are offered daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. year-round. From June to August, there are additional 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. tours Friday to Sunday. Tickets start at $89 per adult and $68 per youth ages 12 to 17. The company also runs private San Francisco tours.

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Gray Line San Francisco – Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour

Price: Adults from $96; kids from $75 Duration: 5 hours

This roughly five-hour excursion from Gray Line San Francisco takes you to Muir Woods National Monument to see its beautiful redwood trees up close. After exploring the forest, the tour continues to Sausalito, a charming town across the bay full of waterfront dining, shopping and art galleries. To enjoy more time in Sausalito, you can opt to return to the city by ferry for an additional cost. Reviewers say the tour bus is comfortable (though some note recent issues with the air conditioning) and describe the driver as engaging and knowledgeable. Many recommend this tour if you do not want to navigate the traffic and parking headaches at Muir Woods.

Ticket prices start at $96 for adults and $75 for children ages 5 to 11 and include admission to Muir Woods National Monument. Gray Line offers a variety of day trips from San Francisco, including trips to Sonoma , Napa Valley and Monterey .

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Bay City Bike Rentals and Tours – Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito

Price: Adults from $65; kids from $45 Duration: 2 to 3 hours

See San Francisco by bike on this tour that guides you from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito. The trip takes two to three hours and covers 8 miles. After making your way along the waterfront, you'll pedal across the Golden Gate Bridge, stopping for photo-ops along the way. At the conclusion of the tour, you can either bike your way back to the city or opt to take the ferry from Sausalito to San Francisco for an additional fee. Tourgoers say guides are friendly and informative and the sights are beautiful.

Tours are open to all ages. Ticket prices start at $65 for adults and $45 for children 11 and younger. From March through October, tours are available daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; tours are available daily at 10 a.m. the rest of the year. The company also offers a Streets of San Francisco Electric Bike Tour, among other options.

Courtesy of San Francisco Whale Tours

See magnificent whales and the classic Golden Gate Bridge as you tour the San Francisco Bay with San Francisco Whale Tours.

San Francisco Whale Tours – Golden Gate Whale Watch

Price: From $120 Duration: 2.5 hours

Head into San Francisco Bay to catch sight of some of the many whales that pass through its waters with San Francisco Whale Tours. On the 2 1/2-hour cruise, riders may see humpback or gray whales, harbor seals, dolphins, porpoises and seabirds. You'll also get a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The tour does not include food, though you can bring your own, and you should bring warm clothes, including jackets, hats and gloves. Many tourists report seeing both gray and humpback whales and describe the crew as very friendly.

Tickets start at $120 per person. The company offers its Golden Gate Whale Watch once or twice daily from spring through early fall.

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Extranomical Tours – Yosemite National Park and Giant Sequoias Tour

Price: Adults from $209; kids from $187 Duration: 15 hours

Once you've gotten your fill of the city, trek to California's incomparable natural wonders with a day trip to Yosemite National Park . On the approximately 15-hour tour, you'll stop at Tuolumne Meadows to see the 2,000-year-old giant sequoia trees, then hit top stops like El Capitan , Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall . Buses, which pick up from most hotels , are equipped with tour guides who provide commentary along the way. Tourgoers appreciate the information provided by the guides and rave about the scenery.

The trip departs every day of the year. Tickets start at $209 for adults and $187 for children 11 and younger if purchased online. Tickets do not include meals, but do cover the park entrance fee. Extranomical Tours offers a variety of city tours, as well as excursions to wine country and Monterey.

San Francisco Movie Tours – San Francisco Movie Sets & Locations Tour

Price: Adults from $67; kids from $44 Duration: 3 hours

Many movies and TV shows have been filmed in San Francisco, and this tour highlights all the top filming locations. Knowledgeable guides lead the interactive tour, which takes you to filming locations for productions such as "The Princess Diaries," "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Ant-Man." Throughout the three-hour trip, you'll see clips on big screens with surround sound of each movie or show as you arrive. Tourgoers describe it as a fun way to see the city and say guides are entertaining.

Tickets begin at $67 for adults, $44 for children ages 5 to 17 and $57 for seniors. Tours are generally offered daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., though availability may vary by month. San Francisco Movie Tours also leads a "Dirty Harry" tour, among others.

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The Haunt Ghost Tours – San Francisco Ghost Tour

Price: From $49 Duration: 90 minutes

According to reviewers, The Haunt Ghost Tours' outing is full of intriguing and spooky information told by engaging guides. The nighttime walking tour, which lasts up to 90 minutes, unveils the darker side of San Francisco history, including stories about Chinatown's history, while you hunt for spirits along the way with EMF meters – devices used to measure electromagnetic fields.

Tours meet nightly (exact times depend on the season) in the Jackson Square Historic District. Trips traverse less than a mile of downtown. Tickets start at $49 per person; if you want to use one of the company's EMF meters, you'll pay a bit more. Though the tour covers topics like hauntings and ghosts, the company says it is family-friendly and kids 4 and older require a ticket. The company also operates ghost tours in Los Angeles and Temecula.

Dylan's Famous Tour includes time in Muir Woods.

Dylan's Tours – Dylan's Famous Tour with Muir Woods

Price: Adults from $99; kids from $79 Duration: 5 hours

If you're hoping to see the best of the Bay Area in one day, consider this approximately five-hour excursion. You'll travel by minibus to some of San Francisco's most iconic neighborhoods and landmarks, including Chinatown, the Palace of Fine Arts and Billionaire's Row. From there, you'll spend more than an hour in Muir Woods before visiting Sausalito for lunch. The tour ends exploring more of San Francisco. (Note: The afternoon tour does not stop in Sausalito). The tour starts and ends at Fisherman's Wharf and includes multiple photo stops. Reviewers describe tour guides as insightful and funny, and say the bus is very clean.

The tour departs daily at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets start at $99 for adults and $79 for children 12 and younger. Know that if you choose the 8 a.m. departure, you'll have a slightly higher fee because of the extra stop in Sausalito.

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Adventure Cat Sailing Charters – San Francisco Bay Sail

Price: Adults from $60; kids from $30 Duration: 90 minutes

To feel a bay breeze and see San Francisco from a new perspective, climb aboard Adventure Cat's sailing catamaran. The 90-minute cruise allows you to see the sights from inside the protected cabin or outside on a netted deck trampoline where you can feel the waves crashing beneath your feet. While you can't bring drinks on board, soda, beer and wine are available for purchase in the cabin bar. The company also provides an audio tour, which offers listeners information about key attractions as they sail by. Reviewers describe the cruise as fantastic, with many lauding the tour as their top experience in San Francisco. Others appreciate the excellent service provided by the crew.

Prices start at $60 for adults and $30 for kids ages 6 to 12; kids 5 and younger ride for free. Know that Thursday to Sunday sails have a slightly higher fee per person. Sails operate daily, but times vary by the season. The company also offers sunset sails and Alcatraz combo tickets.

GoCar San Francisco

Price: From $286 Duration: 7 hours

Explore the city at your own pace with this GPS-guided car that provides directions and historical and cultural commentary as you follow the designated sightseeing route or branch off on detours, stopping for photo-ops or breaks as you please. The full-day option takes you to the Painted Ladies, Legion of Honor, the Marina District and more. A maximum of two people can fit inside the three-wheeled car and you must be at least 21 years old to drive it. Reviewers describe riding in the car as lots of fun and a great way to see the city.

The seven-hour rental starts at $286 and there are multiple pickup times each day. A variety of routes and rental times are available.

You may also be interested in:

• The Best San Francisco Bus Tours
• The Best San Francisco Walking Tours
• The Best San Francisco Boat Tours
• The Best San Francisco Wine Tours
• The Best Hotels in San Francisco

Tags: Tours , Travel , San Francisco , Vacations , California Vacations , US Vacations , U.S. West Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

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Viator.com   Reviews

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VIATOR IS THE WAY TO GO ‼️‼️‼️

I’ve been using VIATOR since August 2021, and it’s made our excursions a great success! We love paying for them in advance so once we arrive at our destination our activities be paid for! Everything goes so smoothly with VIATOR. If a problem occurs, someone calls and let us know. I love VIATOR and will always use them for all my upcoming trips!

Date of experience : April 17, 2024

Amazing one day tour

Had an amazing tour of the Grand Mosque and Ferrari World thanks to our fantastic guide Syed Ali! Seriously, he made the trip unforgettable. Not only did he know all the ins and outs of the Mosque, filling us in with cool stories and facts, but also made our Ferrari World experience super smooth and fun. Syed Ali was super friendly, organized, and really attentive to our group's questions and needs. Totally recommend him and this tour if you're doing this tour. Made our day 100% better!

Date of experience : April 14, 2024

Be honest with your rewards

You should show clearly that it is USD quoted. You offer Rewards that I am unable to use on my next booking. False reward if you can't use it easily. I cannot comment on rating until we see our tour runs smoothly & we get value for money as tours were very expensive we have high expectations. We were recommended by a family member.

Date of experience : April 20, 2024

Private Sightseeing tour to Mt Fuji and Hakone

We took the Mt Fuji and Hakone sightseeing tour, with Intisar as our guide. He contacted us the day before the tour to discuss our personalised itinerary. The whole tour went very smoothly starting with the cruise on Lake Ashi and the Ropeway to Owakudandi and four further stops. Intisar was very helpful, informative and a joy to spend the day with.

Date of experience : April 27, 2024

Late airline flights

Late airline flights, missed connection and enforced layovers. Despite that Viator was able to reschedule our transport to the accommodation. After the trip that we had had getting there it was a blessing to be able to just hop in the car and get to our destination without any more delays. Thank you Viator!

Date of experience : April 19, 2024

Great experience with Travel Sky…

Great experience with Travel Sky Morocco. At first we were concerned about the pickup situation (difficult traffic at the spot) and upon arriving at the desert we passed by not so interesting stopping locations, where other tour buses were stopping. We did not stop until we found a nice spot with a great view over the sunset. We didn't ride a camel by choice, as we saw that the animals were visibly tired and stressed. Nevertheless we could see that Abderrahim Didi took care of all the logistics so that everyone had a chance to do it and within the schedule. After spotting the sunset we went to Atlas Camp Agafay and had a very pleasant evening, with Berber music and dancing, traditional Moroccan food and a fire show. We got back to Marrakesh and got dropped off exactly where we were picked up. We would really like to highlight Abderrahim Didi's excellent job as a tour guide.

Great tour in Juju.…

Our vehicle and guide showed up right on time. Our guide (Ms Parks) was exceptionally attentive to our wants and made enlightened suggestions. She was a great source of information about Juju and its history. She even helped us get on our connecting bus after the tour. Highly recommend!!

Date of experience : April 15, 2024

5 starts isn't enough

Gio was wonderful! He told some dark stories about the history around Lake Tahoe. Pam at the office was fabulous also, and made perfect recommendations for food nearby, on top of being one of the sweetest people I've met in a long time. Dave, who shuttled us down and back, exchanged lovely dog talk with me. I cannot ring their praises enough. 20/10 would recommend.

Good and informative walk

The guide was punctual, friendly, open to questions! She was respectful to elder people and caring about walking capacities and needs. Even if she was young and still learning, she gave an insight into aboriginal culture. Thanks!

Date of experience : April 26, 2024

First time to big island Hawaii tour…

First time to big island Hawaii and the tour was amazing. Our tour guide was beyond phenomenal and did an amazing job of explaining everything along the way. Would definitely recommend to anyone who hasn’t experienced this trip/tour before. The sights are breathtaking and spectacular.

No communication was available

No communication was available. No ride showed up. Viator doesn’t want to refund my $80. Had to secure other transportation. No emails or text only a text 2 1/2 hours after landing. DO NOT use this company. Totally got ripped off

Well worth the money

Well worth the money! Our guide Lyonel was fantastic. He is clearly a proud New Yorker who is excited to share his knowledge of New York history, fun facts and tips for tourists. We were travelling with our 12 year old child and there was enough variety in the tour to keep her engaged and happy. Highly recommend!

Date of experience : April 25, 2024

Communication Phone numbers

The phone number I was given in the confirmation did not work in the UK. It had to be altered slightly and therefore we were unable to contact the driver and tell him we had arrived. also appears important to tell them in advance that we didn't have any checked luggage as that appeared to be the reason that the driver was not already there and waiting as we expected. Once we made contact, the driver was great, the service clearly as expected.

The tour was absolutely fantastic

The tour was absolutely fantastic. James was so professional and courteous. He kept everyone laughing and excited about our trip. He went out of his way to ensure everyone had a great time. I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone. Thank you James for all your enthusiasm and kindness.

A mixed review

I found finding a tour easy but tried to log in to Viator and I just kept getting password links and then said they had expired! Frustrating! I have booked a tour but have had to contact Viator several times about the tickets and audio . I have found it stressful and hope they arrive before our visit

Excellent Service.

I found booking our trip online very easy and straight forward with Viator. Also receiving confirmation and pick up details for our trip was excellent. We can look now look forward to our holiday in Porec, Croatia. Thank you.

The trip to Hobbiton must not be missed…

The trip to Hobbiton must not be missed by any J.R.R. Tolkien fans. Seeing the hobbit homes, having an ale at the Green Dragon 🐉 and hearing some behind the scenes stories of filming were truly magical! Highly recommend!!

I reserved a last minute tour of Madera…

I reserved a last minute tour of Madera Sassi but the confirmation page said the tour was pending. I called Viator just to be sure and the rep told me Pending meant not available. She then signed me up for another tour later that day. Shortly after I received and email saying that tour was cancelled for real. Meantime the operator of the 1st tour called me directly and told me Viator should not have translated Pending into not available. So I arranged to meet the 1st tour person the next day and pay him directly. Bottom line is that Viator screwed up. But the bright spot is that the 1st tour was fabulous.

Date of experience : April 16, 2024

Beware - you might end up with no tour at all

The constant communications from viatour “confirming” our “confirmed” reservation were very unclear, it turned out that, despite reserving, confirming and paying for a tour many days (more than a week) in advance, a guide was never found. By the time we found out, it was too late to hire a different guide. We ended up not having a guide at all.

Reply from Viator.com

Hi, Thank you for bringing your experience to our attention. Viator takes all customer feedback and concerns about their experiences seriously. We strive to ensure that our suppliers are providing high-quality experiences and products to our customers. Each supplier's customer satisfaction ratings are reviewed and addressed directly with that supplier. We thank you for sharing your feedback with us. If you have any other concerns, please feel free to reach out to us by phone, email, chat or through Facebook/Twitter. Kind Regards, Viator Social Engagement

Layover tour

We booked a layover tour with only a couple of days advance notice. The tour was organized and very smooth. Historic area with the major mosques is 45 minutes from the airport but transfers were efficient. Delightful to see so much in a few hours