What else to see in San Francisco
As mentioned, San Francisco is much more than Fishermans Wharf, Pier 39, Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz we recommend you to visit www.opentopsightseeing.com to learn more about San Francisco sightseeing.
SIGHTSEEING AT YOUR OWN PACE
ONLY 20 MINUTES FREQUENCY DURING PEAK SEASON
During peak season and on busy days there are only 20 minutes between the buses from Open Top Sightseeing San Francisco.
Open Top Sightseeing has purchased a number of new and older Open Top Buses and the total fleet in San Francisco is now 14 buses.
TICKETS VALID 2 AND 5 CONSECUTIVE DAYS
Open Top Sightseeing San Francisco makes it even more flexible to go sightseeing in San Francisco.
For less $35 you are able to purchase a Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing ticket valid for either two or five consecutive days for unlimited rides.
GREAT FUN FOR KIDS
Children loves to see the city from an Open Top Double-Decker Tour Bus. It is great fun to see the city from above…
And the Price… 50% off for children!
Other Sightseeing tours
Combo Tours saves you money
Open Top Sightseeing has launched a number of combo tours in co-operation with our lang lasting partner Tower Tours.
With a Open Top Sightseeing unlimited Hop On Hop Off tour ticket you are able to go sightseeing in San Francisco in your own pace for two consecutive days.
In addition to your Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing ticket you are able to save money on a tour out of town to
Monterey
This tour takes you down historic and famous California Highway 1. Photo stops do take place but the view makes you wish you had time to stop every 5 minutes to shoot a new amazing photo shot.
The Open Top Sightseeing and Tower Tours takes your through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach on the 17-Mile Drive along mansions that makes us dream and world famous golf courses.
The Tour also passes the Roman Catholic Mission Church in Carmel By The Sea. The Carmel Mission dates back to 1770 and used to be the headquarter of the Original Alta California Mission. It was originally established in Monterey.
Carmel-by-the-sea or simply Carmel is another stop on the route. This charming city is located 120 miles south of San Francisco with a stunning view over the Pacific Ocean.
Besides its natural scenery Carmel has always been home to the poets, writers, actors and artists like the founder of Forest Theatre Herbert Hebron, actor and writer Perry Newberry and Clint Eastwood who all have served as mayors.
On this 11 hours long tour you will also explorer Pacific Ocean, Silicon Valley, Cannery Row, Pacific Grove, Seal Rock and Lone Cypress
Napa Valley Wine Country
Imagine your self with a glass of fine Californian wine while overlooking some of the most beatiful nature in the world…
Besides wine tasteing we are also going beyond to learn the techniques how to make wine.
A visit to charming Sonoma Square is another experience on this combination ticket with Open Top Sightseeing and Tower Tours going Wine Country.
Yosemite in a day
The American President Theodore Roosevelt was invited by the Scotish American naturalist John Muir to Yosemite where they spent a night at Glacier Point under open sky and with a light snowfall the following morning.
Everyone visting Yosemite then and today are leaving the park with a feeling of haveing had a very uniq experience. Yosemite is among the most beatiful places on earth and you will forever remember impressive views.
The Park in the western Sierrea Nevada Mountains was established October 1, 1890 and covers almost 1,200 square miles of scenic wild lands.
Annual five million people are visting Yosemite but it is possible to explorer El Capitain, The Half Dome Yosemite, Mariposa Grove, The giant sequoias of Wawona and much more feeling being a part of the Yosemite wilderness.
Your 13 hour long Open Top Sightseeing and Tower Tours combination ticket allows you
you to explore more of the ”Crown Jewel” Bridal Veail Falls, Valley Views, Merced River, Half Dome, El Capitain among 100-foot waterfalls.
The Tour Price includes entrance fee to Yosemite Park.
Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour
Everyon knows about theses big red trees – but have you ever smelled, touched and walked around them?
On this tour you get it all. Crossing Golden Gate Bridge into an isolated canyon and another ”landmark” of prevator John Muir; 1000 year old Coastal redwoods towering 260 feet tall.
On our way back we make a stop at charming Sausalito with gallaries, boutiaues and waterfront restaurants and cafes before crossing Golden Gate Bridge to our final stop; San Francsico.
The Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour is sold as a combo tour with Open Top Sightseeing and Tower Tours.
San Francisco in one hour and 30 minutes
www.opentopsightseeing.com allows you to go sightseeing in your own pace. A full loop lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and is the perfect sightseeing tour for you who is in a hurry or want to orientate yourself before starting all the HOP ON – HOP OFF sightseeing stops at those sights that have your interest!
Only in San Francisco
With www.opentopsightseeing.com you are able to visit interesting sights like
Fishermans Wharf
Today’s small fish market reminds us about the times when the Wharf once was a serious fishing port. In those days the Italian fishermen set up stands along the shore to sell fresh seafood off their boats.
Though about 20 million pounds of seafood annually is brought into port 45 tourist attractions at Fisherman’s Wharf have outnumbered the fishermen and the many fishing stands have been replaced by shops and restaurants, a great place for kids of all ages.
North Beach
North Beach is also known as little Italy and is the right place to go if hungry for Italian food, a cappuccino or a glass of red wine.
Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill
Telegraph Hill with Coit Tower is named after Mrs. Coit who after her husband’s death in 1885 donated a third of her fortune to build this monument before moving to Paris for the rest of her life.
Mrs. Coit was a very eccentric lady wearing trousers, smoking cigars and dressing as a man to go gambling.
Trans American Pyramid
The Trans American Pyramid is the tallest building in San Francisco. The 853ft tall pyramid was completed in 1973. Before the Trans American building there was another building known as The Montgomery Block – nicknamed The Monkey Block! It was the first fireproof and earthquake resistant building which among other housed a bank exchange bar from 1853 to 1959 and celebrities like Mark Twain, Rudyard Kipling and William Randolph Hearst should quite often have passed through the swinging doors.
Wells Fargo Museum
During the Gold Rush era Henry Wells and William Fargo came to San Francisco in the year of 1852. They founded Wells, Fargo & Co. The new company offered banking and rapid delivery of the gold and anything else valuable. In the boom and bust economy of the 1850s, Wells Fargo earned a reputation of trust by dealing rapidly and responsibly with people’s money. Today Fargo and Wells has it’s headquarter in San Francisco being among the 9 biggest banks worldwide.
China Town
One of the oldest neighborhoods in San Francisco and the oldest Chinese community in the US and home to some 30 thousands Chinese people and its diversity is growing including many other Asian families. Most Chinese residents speak Cantonese and some only speak a little English.
It is a great experience to stroll around colourful China Town with its exotic lampposts, pagoda-style architecture, many herb and silk shops and tea houses. Most of the local Chinese do their shopping at Stockton Street where the greatest markets are - and don’t forget great and affordable food at one of the many restaurants.
Union Square San Francisco
Hold on to your credit cards. Union Square is great shopping from jeans to diamonds and also where many fine San Francisco galleries are located. In the 2.6 acre small park you might hear some live music while you enjoy your coffee.
San Francisco streets cars
The streetcars dates back to the 40’s and were running on the streets of San Francisco until 1982. Today they are running from Fisherman’s Wharf along the Embarcadero to the Ferry Terminal and continue along Market Street to the district of Castro.
San Francisco City Hall
Many consider the City Hall the most beautiful building in San Francisco. It was completed in 1915 and designed by John Bakewell and Arthur Brown.
It is crowned with a dome trimmed with gold leaf and is designed to be taller than the US Capitol in Washington DC! The cost of the City Hall was 3.5 million dollars but it also includes more than 10 acres of marble shipped from Italy, New Hampshire and Vermont and the four-story building covers two city blocks.
Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
The Asian art museum is the largest Asian museum in the western world.
San Francisco Opera
The War Memorial Opera House has been the home of the San Francisco Opera since October 15, 1932. It was here the peace treaty between the US and Japan was signed in 1951
M. Davies Symphony Hall
The Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall is home to the San Francisco symphony.
In the wake of the 1906 earthquake, establishment of a permanent orchestra was high on the civic agenda, and in December 1911, the San Francisco Symphony gave its first concerts.
The Painted ladies and Alamo Historic district
Alamo means poplar tree in Spanish and in the early 1800s this was where the rest was taken along the horseback trial from Mission Dolores to the Presidio. During the 1906 earth quake many San Franciscans gathered at the hill.
Today Alamo Square is well known for its charming and elegant Victorian houses also known as The Painted Ladies or six sisters.
The Haight and Haight-Asbury district
The Haight and Haight-Asbury district takes you back to the 60’s when the hippies were drawn to the district because of low rents in the charming Victorian houses. Concerts were often given in the nearby parks.
Conservatory of Flowers
The ornate Victorian glass palace is the oldest in The Golden Gate Park and a model of the glass houses of London’s Kew Gardens. It was prefabricated in Dublin, Ireland. Today more than 20,000 rare and exotic plants are exhibit at the Conservatory of Flowers.
Golden Gate Park
The Golden Gate Park is three miles long and a half mile wide which makes it bigger than Central Park in New York City. It took 10 years to transform the 1,020 acres sand dunes to the largest cultivated urban park in the USA. Today Golden Gate Park is home to a million trees, nine lakes and a buffalo herd as well as a play yard, stadiums and many statues and a few museums.
de Yong Museum
One of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco - the “de Young Museum” is located in the Golden Gate Park.
The collection at the de Young Museum includes American art from 17th century through present-day, art from Central and South America and from the Pacific Islands and Africa.
The museum is closed on Mondays.
The Japanese Tea Garden
The Japanese Tea Garden is located next to the de Young Museum. It is the oldest Japanese Style garden in the United States and a great place to visit. Enjoy a cup of tea while listen to the water fall and the blowing wind.
San Francisco botanical garden
7500 plants on 55 acres! Free daily tours are offered and library and Garden bookstore is open to the public.
Skip the lines – purchase your California Academy of Science ticket onboard Open Top Sightseeing tour buses
You are now able to purchase your entrance ticket to California Academy of Science onboard any tour buses from Open Top Sightseeing San Francisco.
If you buy your 2 days unlimited Hop On Hop Off tour ticket together with your entrance to California Academy of Science you’ll save $4 per adult.
Highway 1
Open Top Sightseeing also takes you a bit of the 644 miles long and world known Highway 1. It runs primarily along the Californian Pacific Coast from Leggett near the Oregon boarder to Dana Point in Southern California. Highway 1 is world famous for the sun, the ocean, the nature and wildlife and of course for its many historic and charming cities which it passes through.
The Presidio
The Presidio dates back to 1776 where it functioned as a military fort under the flags of Spain and Mexico.
From 1848 to 1994 it functioned as a United States Army Post until it became a national park for all of us to enjoy, play and even live and work in together with a least 200 bird’s species and more than 60 species of insects.
The entire Presidio has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
Best view of Golden Gate Bridge
Have your camera ready! www.opentopsightseeing.com provides such a fantastic view from their Open Top Double-decker sightseeing buses.
Only in San Francisco and only with Open Top Sightseeing you are able to sit 13ft up the air and get the best view of Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Marin Headland and the skyline of San Francisco! And, only Open Top Sightseeing crosses the Golden Gate Bridge every 30 minutes all day long.
Golden Gate Bridge
Enjoy the wonderful views and structure of the elegant art deco suspension bridge as you ride 13ft up the air on an Open Top Sightseeing double-decker sightseeing bus across the narrow strait of the Golden Gate!
As the longest suspension bridge in the world, Golden Gate Bridge was constructed in 1933.
At that time the 746ft tall towers was the highest constructions west of New York. The bridge is 1.7miles long from end to end with a main span of 4200ft.
Golden Gate Bridges actually color is called International Orange and should have been given because of aesthetic reasons.
The bridge has been newly renovated and more modern techniques have been used to secure the bridge in case of another earthquake. It is continually maintained by painters, ironworkers, and electricians.
The history of Golden Gate Bridge
In 1869 people began talking about a bridge but nobody really believed in the project until more and more cars on the streets required a modern way of travelling. On May 1937 The Golden Gate Bridge replaced the ferries that until then had served traffic crossing the strait.
The engineer Joseph Strauss who had built more than 400 bridges around the world estimated that he could build a bridge for about $27 million.
The powerful Southern Pacific Railroad and US War department did theirs to avoid the Golden Gate Bridge. Southern Pacific Railroad to protect their business as owners of the ferries and US War department feared Golden Gate Bridge could be a target for enemies of the US.
Joseph Strauss was persistent and the Southern Pacific had to surrender to public pressure.
Another challenge was the Great Depression but Mr. Giannini announced that bank of Italy - would finance the bridge. Today Bank of Italy is better known as Bank of America.
Walk Golden Gate Bridge
Only www.opentopsightseeing.com has a sightseeing stop at the south vista point and at the north vista point. This allows you to walk the bridge. It is recommended to allow a minimum of one and a half to two hours if you walk the 1.6 miles Golden Gate Bridge!
Palace of fine art
Palace of fine arts was built for art exhibition during the Panama-Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco in 1915 as celebrating the recovery after the 1906 earth quake.
Chestnut Street and Union Street Shopping
Chestnut Street is composed of an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, coffee houses and services. While sophisticated in nature, the street has a distinctive neighborhood feel. The street is usually bustling with people meeting for coffee, shopping for trendy clothes, running errands or meeting for lunch or dinner.
Union Street or as they say themselves: “Victorian in Setting - Charm of Long Ago...”
Union Street offers all the charm and services of an old-fashioned shopping street where you could find virtually anything you need on foot. The Union Street Shopping District contains some of the City's best eateries, art galleries, fine jewellery stores and trendy boutiques.
Lombard Street
The most famous part Lombard Street is located at Russian Hill and with is 8 turns over a block distance with 16% degree incline it is the crookest street in San Francisco but it isn’t the steepest street.
Filbert Street
If you want to climb the steepest street in town try Filbert between Leavenworth and Hyde with a 31, 5 degree incline.
Russian Hill
Russian Hill got its name during the Gold rush days when a Russian cemetery was discovered.
The bodies was never found but did probably belonged to Russian fur traders and sailors from an Old Russian outpost north of San Francisco.
Visit California
The visitor bureau Visit California is located at Pier 39 too. Here you can receive necessary information and suggestions about what to do in San Francisco and even buy sightseeing tours for Alcatraz, Trolley tours, Bay cruises and double-decker tours like the HOP ON HOP OFF from www.opentopsightseeing.com.
Other great San Francisco to do thing:
While in San Francisco there is so much to do. Rent a bike, join a walking tour, hike Marin Headlands, pay a visit to Sausalito, cruise the Bay, Visit Alcatraz, Theatre, Opera, Symphony, worldwide kitchen, shopping and of course:
Cable Car San Francisco
Say Cable Car – Think San Francisco! The first public cable car took off in 1873 after Mr. Andrew Smith Hallidie in 1968 witnessed an accident where a horse drawn street car slid backwards and five horsed died. By 1890 San Francisco had more than 100 miles of tracks.
Hop On – Hop Off Sightseeing
Your tour ticket is valid for unlimited rides for two consecutive days. Hop Off at any sightseeing stops at any San Francisco attraction and sights throughout San Francisco.
Only in San Francisco
Open Top Sightseeing is in service every day all year long. Buses leave every 30 minutes from more than 20 sights and attractions throughout San Francisco.
The San Francisco main stop is at 99 Jefferson Street @ corner of Mason Street better known as Fishermans Wharf.
Sightseeing tickets can be purchased from 99 Jefferson St, San Francisco, onboard the Open Top Sightseeing buses, most San Francisco Hotels or from Visit California Visitor bureau located at Pier 39, San Francisco or online at www.opentopsightseeing.com.
DINING IN SAN FRANCISCO
Nationwide San Francisco is known as the Culinary Capital. In San Francisco you are able to find any kitchen from The United States to the rest of world. From up-scale to down to earth restaurants. From Fisherman’s Wharf to trendy Noe Valley, Little Italy, Mission from Green Vegetarian to Burgers and fries.
HARD ROCK CAFE SAN FRANCISCO
Talking about Burgers and fries… Hard Rock at Pier 39 serves some great Burgers with or without meat and your choice of beverage.
In combination with Open Top Sightseeing you are able to serve dollars on your Hard Rock Cafe meal together with your unlimited Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing ticket.
So Hop On the Open Top Sightseeing Bus, do the city, Hop Off at Pier 39 and enjoy a Rock n’roll Burger.
WOLFGANG PUCK LUNCH PACKAGE
Are you into great Pesto Chicken Sandwiches, Curry Chicken, Chinois Salad, delicious brownies and more good food the answer is Wolfgang Puck…
Open Top Sightseeing San Francisco offers a great dollar saving combination ticket including unlimited Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing and a Wolfgang Puck Lunch Packages.
Sightseeing in San Francisco – now in combination with Open Top Sightseeing and many other fine tour operators
Open Top Sightseeing San Francisco has launched many new Sightseeing Tours in San Francisco
So much to do, so little time in San Francisco
San Francisco has many sightseeing tours to choose from. Open Top Sightseeing has launched a number of combination tours that allows visitors to explorer as much as possible during ones stay in San Francisco.
Buy Combo tickets and save money
Together with other fine San Francisco Sightseeing Operators, Restaurants in San Francisco and San Fransico Museums you are now able to save money together with your Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour from Open Top Sightseeing San Francisco.
The Sightseeing Combo partners are
- Ride the Duck San Francisco
- Academy of Sciences Golden Gate Park
- Blue and Gold Fleet Ferry to Sausalito
- Open Top Sightseeing By Night
- Tower Tours luxury tour to Monetery & Carmel
- Tower Tours luxury tour to the Wine Country
- Tower Tours luxury tour to Yosemite in a day
- Tower Tours luxury tour to Muir Woods and Sausalito
- Blue and Gold Fleet Cruise Escape from the Rock
- Blue and Gold Fleet Bay Cruise Adventure
- Wolfgang Puck Lunch Packages
- Blue and Gold Fleet Rocket Boat Tour
- AT&T Ball Park
- Hard Rock Café Lunch Packages
San Francisco Sightseeing by Land and Sea
Together with Ride the Duck San Francisco and Blue and Gold Fleet, Open Top Sightseeing offers four different tours on the Bay in combination with the famous Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing tour.
Ride the Duck San Francisco in combination with Open Top Sightseeing
On this spectacular tour your are taken through the streets of San Francisco before entering the San Francisco Bay – on the very same vehicle.
The Tour Guide and Driver and Captain gives you a tour of your life! Now you know how it is to be a duck… If you like to meet good friends, listen to great music, tour streets and water while playing like a duck this is the right tour for you.
Buy the combination of a Ride The Duck and Open Top Sightseeing and you´ll save money. Your Open Top Sightseeing Tour is good for 2 consecutive days and allows you unlimited Hop On Hop Off rides to among other Union Square in San Francisco.
Blue and Gold Fleet Sausalito in combination with Open Top Sightseeing
Go local!
When the local San Franciscans are going to charming Sausalito and want to avoid traffic jam on Golden Gate Bridge we go by Ferry.
Locals from Sausalito working in San Francisco uses the Ferry to commute to and from work in the City of San Francisco.
On a sunny quite day the Ferry on the Bay is the best.
Open Top Sightseeing offers a roundtrip fare in combination with there Hop On Hop Off Open Top Sightseeing Tours. You’ll save about $5 on the 30 minutes short trip passing Alcatraz and with a great view to both Golden Gate Bridge and San Franciso Bay Bridge.
Blue and Gold Fleet Escape from the Rock in combination with Open Top Sightseeing
Time to explorer all angels of the scaring and exciting Alcatraz Island. Once a prison from where you could’nt escape and yet see the City right there on the other side… It is hard to understand why it was so difficult to escape. The City seems not that fare away…
Nowadays Alcatraz is one of the most visited tourist attractions. Tours are often sold out days in advance.
If Alcatraz Cruises are fully booked from Pier 33 or if you already have been on the Alcatraz Island the Escape from the Rock taking off from the San Francisco Pier 39 is a perfect alternative and a new exciting Alcatraz experience.
The tour lasts for 90 minutes and takes you under the Golden Gate Bridge. You have a fantastic view to the City of San Francisco and to San Francisco Bay Bridge.
The tour is sold in combination with Open Top Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off tours as a Combo ticket ”2 days unlimited Hop On Hop Off + 90 minutes Escape from the Rock with Blue and Gold Fleet”.
Blue and Gold Fleet Bay Cruises in combination with Open Top Sightseeing
A visit to San Francisco isn’t complete without a Bay Cruise. It is a relaxed, learning and beatiful experience.
On this Bay Cruise you’ll learn about the Bay, The Historic San Francisco City, The Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay Bridge and of course Angle Island and much more.
This tour is in combination with Open Top Sightseeing Hop On Hop Off Tour and allows you to go sightseeing in your own pace for two consecutive days and do one spectacular Bay Cruise.
Blue and Gold Fleet Rocket Boat in combination with Open Top Sightseeing
Hang in there… The Rocket Boat takes you for full speed over the San Francisco Bay and along the Historic waterfront of San Francisco.
It is great fun. It is a learning experience. It is a new way to explorer San Francisco and the Bay.
This ticket is sold in combination with Open Top Sightseeing and allows you to save money on your combo tour.
San Francsico Wax Museum
Here you meet them all – from the past and present… The San Francisco Wax Museum in San Francisco is located right in the hart of Fisherman’s Wharf.
In combination with your Open Top Sightseeing tour ticket you are able to save money if you purchase a Combo Ticket for 2 days unlimited Hop On Hop Off rides and your entrance to the San Francisco Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf
Where to buy sightseeing tickets
Besides www.opentopsightseeing.com you may purchase sightseeing tour tickets at the Visit California Welcome Centre at Pier 39 or from Open Top Sightseeing at 99 Jefferson Street, San Francisco, CA 94133 at the corner of Mason Street at Fishermans Wharf.
Learn more about sightseeing in San Fransico
SAN FRANCISCO - MUIR WOODS - MONTEREY - CARMEL - WINE COUNTRY - YOSEMITE all in one day!
We are looking forward to see you in San Francisco.
The staff at OPEN TOP SIGHTSEEING
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