Top San Francisco Unique Experiences

Hop on a ‘70s-era VW bus and get to know the hippie past and hipster vibe that make up San Francisco today. Starting and ending at Fisherman’s Wharf, this 2-hour sightseeing tour takes you around the city, including Chinatown, North Beach, the Castro, the Mission, downtown and more. See the homes of The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, while listening to ‘60s classics. So settle into a neon-blue seat and dig your shoes into groovy shag carpet. Each bus accommodates up to just six people.

Take a journey around San Francisco's top sights in a retro way with this "painted ladies" tour by vintage Volkswagen bus decorated with long gorgeous eyelashes so you can't miss your tour vehicle. You'll pass by neighborhoods like Chinatown, Union Square, Pacific Heights, North Beach, Haight-Ashbury, the Marina, and Hayes Valley, plus see the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Civic Center, and more.

With its iconic hills, architecture, bridge and bay, it’s no wonder so many movies have been filmed in San Francisco. See filming locations from more than 55 productions—from blockbusters like ‘San Andreas’ to family favorites like ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’—on this movie sites tour from Fisherman’s Wharf. Watch clips on the tour bus as you pass by the real locations with an informative actor-turned-guide who shares stories about the city and cinema history.

Discover San Francisco’s dark side on a ghost-hunting tour, using a provided, personal EMF detector to scan haunted alleys, neighborhoods, and street corners. It’s not just ghosts. Exploring with a ghost-hunter guide means you’ll learn the city's scariest secrets and stories, too. As you walk through its nighttime streets, hear about everything from Gold Rush cemeteries to paranormal activity and unexplained deaths in the heart of San Francisco.

Get a taste of Northern California's famous wine country as well as its gastronomy on this full-day tour of Napa and Sonoma County. Your first stop is Oxbow Public Market for a pastry and cup of coffee. Then, enjoy wine tastings in Napa and Sonoma while learning about the history and viticulture of the area. You will also enjoy several food experiences or add on another wine tasting in Sonoma Square.

Stroll the narrow streets and back alleys of San Francisco's Chinatown on this walking tour with a small group. Stop by shops selling authentic Chinese crafts and pottery, as well as hard-to-find herbs and produce. A variety of tastings add up to a full lunch, including tea, fortune cookies, dim sum, and other treats. Listen to guided commentary and ask plenty of questions as you explore.

Take an open-air fire truck tour of San Francisco aboard a shiny red vintage fire engine. Be the talk of the town as you suit up in a firefighter jacket and hat for a fun ride with the whole family. Your professional driver narrates the tour from Fisherman's Wharf through the Presidio and across the city's world-famous Golden Gate Bridge to charming Sausalito. Fasten your seat belt for the drive of a lifetime on this small-group San Francisco fire engine tour, limited to 13 passengers.

Conquer San Francisco's urban jungle on this 3-hour urban hike. Trek your way up Tank Hill and Kite Hill, spots favored by locals for great city views, and stroll through hidden forests. Visit the Seward Street Slides to play like a local kid and take spectacular photos from the top of Twin Peaks. Between the forests, lush greenery and hidden pocket parks, you'll find it hard to believe you're in the midst of one of the country's busiest cities. Learn urban legends, history and culture from your local hiking guide.

Plan your itinerary for your private half-day San Francisco tour and travel in style in a restored vintage Volkswagen bus. Customize your tour to your interests, whether you want to cover city highlights like the Painted Ladies, Golden Gate Bridge, and Twin Peaks, or venture further afield to Muir Woods, Sausalito, or Half Moon Bay. The bus accommodates up to seven passengers, perfect for family and friends.

Visit the best of the San Francisco Bay Area's storied wine country and let someone else do the driving on this day-long small-group tour. Get picked up from your San Francisco hotel and get whisked out to wine country in a comfortable car. Stop at three acclaimed wineries, sample the wine (one tasting included at each winery), learn about the characteristics of each varietal and hear about the history of the area. Take in the lush scenery and enjoy the day of sipping wine and being transported across the Golden Gate Bridge.

If you’re going to do a sightseeing tour of San Francisco by bus, make it a memorable one. Book a 1970s-era Volkswagen bus for your private party of six and wind through the city’s top attractions with a personalized guide on a 4-hour tour. Travel into streets that larger vehicles cannot pass through as you explore Chinatown, North Beach, the Castro, the Mission, downtown and more. See the homes of The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, while listening to ‘60s classics. Hotel transport included.

Explore San Francisco with your camera on a half-day photography tour led by a photographer-guide. This tour provides time for photography at scenic locations like the Golden Gate Bridge, Baker Beach, Palace of Fine Arts, and the Painted Ladies. Your guide understands a photographer’s needs, and focuses on places that offer a visually interesting perspective on the San Francisco Bay Area’s landmarks, varied landscape, and sunset.

Enjoy epic aerial views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz, among other city highlights, on this 1-hour guided air tour. Fly from the suburb of Hayward in a Cessna with a pilot/guide at the helm, who will fill you in on the history and culture of the city through guided commentary in English or Spanish.

Explore San Francisco with a local insider and experience an extraordinary afternoon. This half-day tour takes you sightseeing around the city with a guide to offer commentary. Neighborhoods include Fisherman's Wharf, Presidio, Haight-Ashbury, Golden Gate Park, the Castro, and North Beach plus the Golden Gate Bridge. Free Wi-Fi is available aboard the vehicle so you can post your snaps to social media en route.

Explore two popular San Francisco neighborhoods and visit craft beer locations on this walking tour of Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach, adjacent districts in the northeast end of the city. With a guide, you'll stop at three bars to taste and learn about California craft brews.

Drink away the afternoon while learning all about craft beer during this 3.5-hour small-group beer crawl in San Francisco’s SOMA district. You’ll visit three local microbreweries and/or craft beer bars, guided by a professional local who will give you insider tips on each place. Light snacks will ensure you don’t drink on an empty stomach, and the small-group aspect allows for a more personalized experience. Have fun, see San Francisco, and learn something on this unique tour perfect for beer lovers.

Join a festive 1.5-hour tour of San Francisco’s holiday lights aboard a vintage open-air Mack fire engine. Hear commentary from your enthusiastic guide and holiday music as you travel to Fisherman's Wharf, the Embarcadero, Market Street, and Union Square to see festive holiday light displays at top sightseeing attractions. Ride with a small group limited to 12 people for a more intimate family-friendly experience of San Francisco. Have the option to wear the provided firefighter gear to stay warm and look great in photo ops!

Experience San Francisco like a true local on a sunrise photography tour. Have the city and it’s iconic sights to yourself before the crowds descend and take photos of the city’s many sights and scenes bathed in early morning light. Tour San Francisco’s famous beaches and landmarks, and see hidden secrets with your photographer guide. This tour is ideal for photographers at all levels from those just starting out to seasoned pros.

So many adventures to have in San Francisco with so few funds. If the pocketbook is feeling a touch light then consider these invigorating smartphone-guided scavenger hunts. The three-hour events force adventurers to solve clues and navigate the city streets; plus all the SF scenery you can absorb during the journey. Pricing is per individual but teams must book together to be in same adventure.

Avoid crowded buses and tiring walking tours with this e-bike rental in San Francisco. Explore the city at your own pace while easily seeing top attractions near the rental shop in the North Beach neighborhood. Your rental starts roughly 20 minutes away from the Golden Gate bridge by bike—take the short ride to Fort Point and cross the bridge in the zippy e-bikes for a full day of fun.

While standard tours reveal San Francisco’s sights, they can’t deliver the same meaningful experience that a local friend can. Step forward this private walking tour: hosted by a local passionate about their city. Tell them your travel wish-list before meeting for a walk tuned to your interests and enriched by their knowledge. Gain cultural insight, get transport, neighborhood, and restaurant tips; and find less-obvious sights—just as with a friend.

Whether you have a passion for wine or just want a day to relax, enjoy driving through Napa Valley with a professional guide. Stop at several of the major vineyards in this world-famous wine country. Take time to enjoy tastings and purchase new bottles for your collection. Kick back with friends or family, and let your guide do the designated driving.

Skip the selfies and ensure that you leave San Francisco with stellar photographs to remember your trip by. This private photography experience captures your most memorable moments in San Francisco's best locations to create your best souvenir. You will receive your high-resolution digital vacation photographs within five days of your shoot.

Sharpen your wilderness survival skills during a 5-hour class that takes place in the redwood forests of Marin County. Your knowledgeable instructor-guide shares core wilderness techniques including creating a shelter, starting a fire by friction, finding and preparing food, and identifying edible plants. Build the confidence and skills needed in a wilderness setting without the tools and comforts of the modern world. You’ll also learn techniques used by the native peoples of California on this fascinating day out in the woods.