Ferry Building: Our most recommended tours and activities
1. San Francisco: 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat
Enjoy a 1-hour journey along San Francisco's historic waterfront and experience the thrilling history of the San Francisco Bay, with all the sound and glory it deserves. The 1-hour non-stop Bay Cruise takes you past the famous PIER 39 sea lions and along San Francisco's historic waterfront, revealing the city's fascinating skyline. Relax in comfort, with both indoor and outdoor seating, and enjoy a full narration describing major landmarks as you sail by. See sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the iconic San Francisco skyline as you go. Whether it's your first time to San Francisco, or your 10th visit, the Bay Cruise is something you should experience at least once in your life. You will get a complimentary souvenir map, which is available in nine languages, and if you get hungry, there's a full-service snack bar on board with food and drink available to purchase.
2. SF: Alcatraz Ticket w/ 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Night Tour
See the best of San Francisco with this combined hop-on-hop-off ticket and Alcatraz Island visit. Explore the island of Alcatraz and enjoy 2 days of sightseeing with insightful commentary from a live guide. Tour the famous prison that has played a role in jailhouse folklore and the historic evolution of the West Coast. Learn more about the 14 unsuccessful escape attempts by over 30 prisoners and their fates. Your Premium Big Bus hop-on-hop-off pass is a great way to see the sights of San Francisco. Listen to commentary by live English-speaking guides, or enjoy pre-recorded audio commentary in 10 languages. Your 2-day ticket includes a full day of unlimited hop-on-hop-off and a 1-hour panoramic night tour. Explore one of San Francisco's most fascinating neighborhoods on a fun and informative walking tour of Chinatown. The tours are offered daily, and you can ask an agent for locations and time schedules. Also included are a bonus 1-hour bike rental (with the purchase of a 1-hour rental) and Players Arcade Drink and Game Tokens. Hop-on, hop-off tour stops include: Stop 1: Corner of Jefferson & Mason StreetStop 2: Holiday Inn Northpoint b/w Jones & ColumbusStop 3: Washington Square - Columbus & Union StreetsStop 4: Embarcadero Center - Corner Clay & Battery StreetsStop 5: Ferry Building - Market St b/w Stuart & Spear StreetsStop 6: Union Square South - Geary St across from Macy'sStop 7: Hilton Hotel - Corner Mason & Ellis StreetsStop 8: Civic Center - Fulton St b/w Larkin & Hyde StreetsStop 9: Alamo Square - Corner Fell & Pierce StreetsStop 10: Haight Ashbury - Haight & Shrader StreetsStop 11: Golden Gate Park - Music Concourse Drive Golden Gate ParkStop 12: Golden Gate Bridge- North Vista PointStop 13: Palace of Fine Arts - Richardson & Francisco StreetStop 14: Marina Neighborhood - Lombard & Fillmore StreetsStop 15: Lombard Street Corridor - Lombard & Gough StreetsStop 16: Union Square North - Post & Powell StreetsStop 17: Chinatown Gate - Grant and Bush StreetsStop 18: Portsmouth Square - Kearny & Clay StreetsStop 19: Pier 35 Cruise Terminal - The EmbarcaderoStop 20: Pier 39 Fisherman's Wharf (then return to Stop 1)
3. San Francisco: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour
Hop aboard a sightseeing bus for a tour of the City by the Bay and delve into the fascinating history of San Francisco and its legendary landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf. The hop-on-hop-off route stops at the main points of interest all around San Francisco. Experience the diverse culture, beautiful parks, stunning architecture, and picturesque views from the top of an open-air sightseeing bus. Hop off anytime and create your customized itinerary at your leisure. Explore 3 routes depending on your ticket purchase and enjoy photo stops at the Golden Gate Bridge on each route. With the Classic (24-hour) ticket, enjoy the Hop-on Hop-off service at your leisure for a full day and try the bike rental offer and ride along San Francisco's stunning waterfront. The Premium (24-Hour) and Deluxe (48-hour) tickets allow you to venture out to see the daytime and evening views of San Francisco with the panoramic Night Tour. Additionally, the Deluxe (48-hour) ticket includes the option to choose from either a bike rental, or admission to the USS Pampanito. Take a deep dive into the history of a World War WWII submarine or cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge and into Sausalito. San Francisco City Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Sit back and enjoy the ride as you cruise through the city on an open-top bus. Learn about the unique history of San Fransisco while passing through Chinatown, Union Square, Civic Center, and the Alamo Square. Panoramic Night Tour Board the night bus to explore the dazzling city of San Francisco at nighttime. Climb the historic Nob Hill for a stunning close-up view of the magnificent Grace Cathedral. The Night Tour is included in the Premium (24-Hour) and Deluxe (48-Hour) Tickets. Then, make your way across the grand Bay Bridge for picturesque views of the city skyline from Treasure Island, the World Fair site in 1939. After heading back to the city, continue along the Embarcadero to view the glittering lights of the Port of San Francisco.
4. San Francisco: City Tour with Alcatraz Entry Ticket
Get a comprehensive look at San Francisco and learn a bit of city history along the way. This 4-hour sightseeing tour travels by smaller bus/van through multiple neighborhoods, many with outstanding views. Your guide sheds light on Lombard Street, Haight-Ashbury, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, North Beach, and more. Also, you don't need to waste your time in line to buy tickets to one of the most frequently visited attractions in San Francisco- Alcatraz Island and the federal prison there. After doing the city tour, our driver/guide will bring you to Pier 33, Alcatraz landing.
5. San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Ferry & Alcatraz Tour
Get lots of choices for sightseeing in San Fransisco in one go — access to the hop-on hop-off city tour route with English commentary, a special night tour, a ferry ride with tickets to Alcatraz Island for a self-guided audio tour of the notorious prison. Benefit from audio guides available in a variety of languages at Alcatraz Island. With open double-decker buses and an English guide on each one, you can see just about everything and learn just as much. Get to all the most famous spots in the city. Pick out the ones that interest you as 48 hours is enough time to go back and visit your favorites again. The Official City Loop highlights include: • The Palace of Fine Arts• North Vista Point where you can take photos of Golden Gate Bridge• Golden Gate Park where you can enjoy the Japanese Tea Gardens• Haight-Ashbury district• San Francisco Downtown, Chinatown• The Civic Center• The Embarcadero• Fisherman's Wharf• Barbary Coast• The Financial District and the Ferry Building Take the Night Tour to cover many of the attractions from the other routes, but with a whole new perspective. It is not hop-on hop-off and departs from Fisherman's Wharf in the evening all year round with additional departures during the summer months.
6. San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Golden Gate Bay Cruise
Make your way around San Francisco with a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket. Hop off to explore the city's best highlights or stay on the double decker to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the city for two hours. Combine your ticket with a 1-hour Golden Gate Bay Cruise to sail around the famous San Francisco Bay. Golden Gate Bay Cruise Arrive at Fisherman's Wharf and look for the red and white colors of the "Red & White Fleet" to find your boat. Sail past the lively neighborhood of North Beach and take advantage of the bar onboard with drinks, snacks, and merchandise. Admire the famous swimming clubs of the Aquatic Park and the historic vessels at Hyde Street Pier. Enjoy idyllic views of Crissy Field and The Presidio of San Francisco before the stunning image of the Golden Gate Bridge comes into view. Cruise straight under the bridge as the sun shines and waves lap against the boat. Travel past the wildlife reserves of the Marin Headlands to reach the shores of Sausalito, once home to the Flower Children. With Angel Island State Park to your left, finish your cruise outside the infamous Alcatraz prison. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Exchange your voucher at any of the bus stops and get ready to discover the city of San Francisco. Discover local parks and architecture as you listen to the digital commentary, available in 10 languages. The route of the hop-on hop-off bus includes stops at iconic landmarks from Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, Golden Gate Bridge, and Little Italy. This flexible approach to sightseeing allows you to enjoy your day at your own pace.
7. San Francisco Double Decker Bus Night Tour
This live narrated 60-90 minute tour of San Francisco includes the most vibrant neighborhoods of the city, such as the Financial District, Chinatown, Nob Hill, and Embarcadero. Departing from Fisherman's Wharf, the tour covers all the major attractions of San Francisco during the evening hours, with spectacular views from the top of an original open top double decker Bus. Exact highlights may vary according to the season, weather conditions, and San Francisco's famous traffic, Chinatown, and Union Square, San Francisco's shopping Mecca. You will also go to Treasure island, across the Bay Bridge, to get spectacular views of the skyline of San Francisco. On your return, you will see the ferry building, Alcatraz Pier, Pier 39, and more on your way up Embarcadero. Depending on the time of the year, it may not be entirely dark on this tour, but you will either see the city glittering at night, or in the lovely light of dusk.
8. San Francisco: Farmers' Market & Ferry Building Food Tour
Dating back to 1898, San Francisco's iconic Ferry Building is a transportation hub and a landmark location for the Bay Area's best food artisans. It boasts three weekly farmers' markets and dozens of nationally-acclaimed vendors, restaurants, and chefs. Join the original Ferry Building Tour established in 2004 with a food industry professional as your knowledgable and engaged guide. Guests will sample handmade chocolate confections from Recchiuti and French macarons from Miette, named one of the top ten pastry shops in the world by Conde Nast Traveller. Out the Door's legendary Vietnamese spring rolls are a crowd favorite. Award-winning Mt. Tam cheese from Cowgirl Creamery, paired with sweet and sour loaves from Berkeley's Acme Bread are always a hit. Additional stops may include Humphry Slocombe, Epicurean Traders, local producer, Red Bay Coffee, as well as visits and conversations with several local farmers and producers at a farmer's market. This tour also includes the history of the stunning waterfront building, and it's a great choice for guests with limited mobility or those who don't want to do a lot of walking. With pre-arrangement, accommodations can be made for special dietary needs.
9. San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown & Bay Cruise
Start your tour near the Ferry Building with a view of what was once one of the busiest ports in the world. Then catch an iconic San Francisco cable car from a favorite stop and learn what makes this very unique public transport so special. Disembark atop Nob Hill and learn about the industrial tycoons who built the city as you wander through Huntington Park. Visit the beautiful gothic interior of Grace Cathedral. Enter the bustling neighborhood of Chinatown, the largest Chinese enclave outside of Asia and the oldest Chinatown in North America. Taste fresh fortune cookies and see hidden landmarks like the Tin How Buddhist Temple as you learn how the neighborhood went from being a seedy red-light district to one of the most vibrant enclaves in the city. For a little treat, pop into the legendary Golden Gate Factory for an insight into the art (and logistics) of fortune cookie making. Receive a special custom-made cookie to take home. Also get advice on where to eat if you want to come back to try the world-famous dim sum. Then, visit Lombard Street, called the "most crooked street in the world", Fisherman's Wharf, and Ghirardelli Square. See Fisherman's Wharf, explore the old docks, and smell the fresh bread in the famous Boudin Bakery. Take a pause at Ghirardelli Square for a sample of famous chocolate. After this, continue on to your final highlight of the day — a gorgeous bay cruise of the historic waterfront. Relax and tune into the included audio device to hear some fascinating tales. Admire beautiful views of the San Francisco skyline in every direction and sail past the famous Pier 39 sea lions, right under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz Island (the closest you can get without booking a ticket), a perfect end to a San Francisco day.
10. San Francisco: Alcatraz Island and Guided City Tour
Discover the notorious former prison of Alcatraz Island on a guided tour in San Francisco. Take a short tour of the city's beautiful waterfront, spend a few hours on the island, and enjoy a guided city tour of some of the city's famous neighborhoods during the afternoon. Following pickup, enjoy a 30-minute tour of San Francisco's waterfront where you will see notable landmarks such as Embarcadero, Levi's Plaza, and Fisherman's Wharf. Enjoy a brief coffee break at the Ferry Building. Next, make your way to Pier 33 where you'll board the ferry to start your Alcatraz Island tour. Listen to an audio presentation featuring recordings of inmates and guards that worked and inhabited the island. Explore "The Rock" where you will have time for a guided tour and some free time to explore. Take one of the late-morning ferries to San Francisco so you can join for the afternoon portion of your day tour. Cruise along San Francisco's waterfront and the Marina District, and then visit the Palace of Fine Arts. Explore the culturally rich neighborhoods of San Francisco. Learn about what made the Haight-Ashbury, Mission, and Castro districts what they are today and why they're important to so many. After a slow drive through Nob Hill and Chinatown, visit the charming Italian neighborhood of North Beach. Finally, enjoy a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge and pause along the cliffs to admire the beautiful views of the "city by the bay". Take in the spectacular beauty of Golden Gate Park before finishing your tour.
San Francisco: 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat
SF: Alcatraz Ticket w/ 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Night Tour
San Francisco: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour
San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Ferry & Alcatraz Tour
San Francisco Bay: Adventure Boat Tour
San Francisco Double Decker Bus Night Tour
San Francisco: Farmers' Market & Ferry Building Food Tour
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown & Bay Cruise
San Francisco: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Golden Gate Bay Cruise
Streets of San Francisco Electric Bike Tour
San Francisco: Alcatraz Island and Guided City Tour
San Francisco: City Tour with Alcatraz Entry Ticket
San Francisco: 2-Hour Private Convertible Jeep Tour
San Francisco: 2-Hour Private Group Tuk Tuk Night Tour
Alcatraz and Ferry Building Food Tour
San Francisco: 2-Hour Private Jeep Tour at Night
Top sights near Ferry Building
9 Madame Tussauds San Francisco
10 Castro Theatre
Things to Do in Ferry Building
1 Ferry Building Activities
2 Ferry Building Tours
3 Ferry Building Outdoor activities
4 Ferry Building Good for groups
5 Ferry Building Audio guides
6 Ferry Building Boats & yachts
7 Ferry Building Cruises & boat tours
8 Ferry Building Water activities
9 Ferry Building Sightseeing cruises
10 Ferry Building Solo travelers' tours
11 Ferry Building Wheelchair accessible
12 Ferry Building Family-friendly activities
13 Ferry Building Activities for couples
14 Ferry Building Romance & special occasions
15 Ferry Building Nature & adventure
16 Ferry Building Garden & park tours
17 Ferry Building National parks
18 Ferry Building Natural Attractions & National Parks
19 Ferry Building Day trips
20 Ferry Building Outdoor sports
Other Sightseeing Options in Ferry Building
Want to discover all there is to do in Ferry Building? Click here for a full list.
What people are saying about Ferry Building
This was a great tour of the city. Our guide was very knowledgeable and experienced about getting around the city and I enjoyed the history he shared. It was an intimate tour since it was just my 2 daughters and me. I was a little surprised that the tour was primarily a walking tour but we handled it fine and had a great time.
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown & Bay Cruise Reviewed by Elizabeth, 12/20/2022
I took my nephew who wanted a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge and I wanted to get a close look at Alcatraz and we got to do both!
San Francisco: 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat Reviewed by Makisig, 12/14/2022
Great route that covers all the major sights. A special highlight is the trip over the Golden Gate Bridge and the night tour.
San Francisco: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour Reviewed by Kathrin, 1/4/2023
Everyone was so helpful when we left something on the bus, and returned it to us. Thanks!
SF: Alcatraz Ticket w/ 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Night Tour Reviewed by Keith, 12/29/2022
I live SFO! First time riding a tour bus and it was so much fun and exciting!
San Francisco: 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat Reviewed by Rene, 12/14/2022