San Francisco Driving Tour: From the Gold Rush to the Golden Gate

San Francisco, USA
Duration2h - 2h 30m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

San Francisco is known for its high tech financial center, iconic bridges, Victorian-style homes, immigrant communities and lush parks. But its stories of the visionaries and rebels behind some of its famous landmarks make a visit much more memorable.

On this driving tour, you’ll travel along San Francisco’s waterfront to both its lesser and better-known attractions before crossing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Professional tour guide and city insider, Brad Prickett, will be your guide. Along the way, he’ll reveal the backstories behind the city’s sites, and share interviews with historical figures to create an experience with far more depth and variety than you’d find in a stack of travel books. Drive at your own pace while listening to tales of the gold rush founders, the scandalous Samuel Brannan, innovator Levi Strauss, Alcatraz escape attempts, Fort Point soldiers, and Al Zampa of the Half Way to Hell Club.

What's included

  • Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • App for Android and iOS
  • Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
  • Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
  • Food and drink
  • Transportation

What to expect

  1. Ferry Building Marketplace
    Pass by
    We'll pass by the bustling Ferry Building, with its vibrant marketplace. Entry isn't included.
  2. Pier 39
    Pass by
    We'll pass by the iconic Pier 39, with its groups of seals lazing around in the sunshine.
  3. Fisherman’s Wharf
    Pass by
    We'll pass by the famous Fisherman's Wharf, with its picturesque boardwalk and great places to eat.
  4. Lombard Street
    Pass by
    We'll drive along Lombard Street, hearing about the city's early history.
  5. Pass by
    We'll drive by the Palace of Fine Arts, with its beautiful architecture and gorgeous setting. Entry isn't included.
  6. Presidio of San Francisco
    Pass by
    We'll drive passed the Presidio, and hear about the formative history of the area.
  7. Fort Point National Historic Site
    Pass by
    We'll drive past Fort Point, a beautiful lookout point with excellent vistas of the bay and bridge.
  8. Golden Gate Bridge
    Pass by
    We'll drive across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, with its one-of-a-kind views.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

This tour starts at 490 Brannan Street. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading

End point

The tour ends at Battery Godfrey.

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
$14.99 per group
Check availability & book
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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