Alamo Square has nice sets of Victorian houses, one of which is the famous postcard row that probably is the most photographed spot in all San Francisco. 7h. If you dont spend too much time taking photos and waiting in bathroom lines, you could visit all 7 sites we talk about in this article in under 3 hours. Take one of these to learn more about its famous residents, controversial stories and Italian roots. Most stops along the tour have animated videos allowing you to visualize what you cannot see, such as snapshots from different centuries or interior rooms. These beautiful, colorful homes exemplify Friscos funky culture and are a great way to start your journey. We'll climb to the top of Coit Tower and get a great look at San Francisco from above. Travel has always been my passion and work and with this Routes and Trips Travel Guide I want to inspire you to travel the world. This tour has been developed by local guides, curated by creative writers, and narrated by professional voice artists. Book this sunset cruise now for a relaxing and romantic tour of the San Francisco Bay. These experiences are best for self-guided tours & rentals in San Francisco: 4-Hour Slingshot Rental; Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rental with Sausalito Ferry Return; Golden . However, if you don't plan to spend much time at each attraction or stop, you can cut the time down significantly. The price is about $275 per person and does not include wine. Then take Washington Street towards the next park in the west, Alta Plaza. After the booking, you will receive an email with a link to the Action Tour Guide app and a unique password to access the tour within the app. View All . Explore California Academy of Sciences entrance tickets. Locals call it the blast from the past, and for good reasons. If youre not driving, use the steps for walkers that exist on both sides. Please arrange for a vehicle before you take the tour. The back of each card offers the address and a little information about each point of interest on the route. 3 Sausalito to Muir Beach. I've created one for each of our most popular districts. Looking at them you could imagine being in China. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Our post on walking the Golden Gate Bridge also includes several additional details about where to enjoy the best views of this landmark and things to do in the area. Well worth the price and what I also liked about the tour was how easy it was. And now, the Map That post is about driving around Central San Francisco, but now: time for the Golden Gate area . My tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. A large part of San Franciscos charm is in the little quirky details. If you want to keep in touch, follow Routes and Trips. Zip around on a Segway tour. You know that San Francisco is famous for its hills, right? There are a total of 19 stops to visit, and they are all in the same general location, so it shouldnt take longer than 1 - 2 hours to complete. Twin Peaks are also typically less crowded than the Coit Tower, which is always a plus. There are only really 7 stops on this self-guided tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, and you can expect the whole tour to take around 1 - 1 hours. Alternatives include taking a tour bus that goes along most of the route or renting a bicycle and doing it on bike, which takes approximately six hours but eliminates some of the difficulties of having to drive in the city. GoCar GPS Guided Tours: Best self-guided tour of San Francisco even for locals - See 1,140 traveler reviews, 219 candid photos, and great deals for San This self guided walking tour of NYC The Ultimate Self-Guided Walking Tour of San Francisco: we've made a printable map of the self-guided Walking Tour of Ages 5-90. 3. 2 reviews. The experience complies with government regulations, Areas frequented by visitors are regularly disinfected, Hand sanitizers are provided for staff and visitors, All gear/equipment is sanitized between use. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. View All Reviews. It's like having a local show you around. This website uses cookies to improve your browsingexperience and analyze the use of the website. You can zoom in and out the map and use it as your guidance when driving. From there, youll hear about the citys unique history and how it became one of the most progressive cities around. What follows is 1 of 17 walks from their book, "Walking San Francisco's 49 Mile Scenic Drive", edited and condensed for our website. Nob Hill looks like a wealthy area, which it is. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to be shown around the city. This San Francisco city tour begins with the Painted Ladies, one of the citys top attractions. Even when the Americans insist on driving up and down the steep 44 San Francisco hills, one street turned out too steep even to them. Although we dont have a self-guided tour yet, we do provide a GPS-enabled audio tour of the Castro District. If you are craving a burrito, be sure to visit La Taqueria or Papalote. Checkout Lombard Street, claimed to be 'the crookedest street in the world', containing 8 hairpin turns. As we drive past, we'll admire these striking buildings and learn about how they came to be painted in such vivid colors. Feeling hungry? All individual tours come with lifetime validity. On weekdays the Financial District is hectic but on weekends theres simply nobody. Recommend! San Francisco City Hall, Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl, San Francisco, California 94102, U.S. We went to places tourist didnt go. Just remember to bring a jacket it gets windy up there! If you want to travel, simply pay the conductor. This tour covers 14 stops in total, and almost all of them can be seen along Columbus Avenue as you walk North toward Fishermans Wharf. This means only a small number of sea lions stay here throughout the year. Nob Hill and the next hill, Russian Hill, have splendid views to the city and to the bay area: A San Francisco city tour on Russian Hill. SAN FRANCISCO TO LA SELF DRIVE MOTORCYCLE TOUR. Save even more - get up to 25% on select hotels when you book on the app. Want to work with us? Tour purchase is per vehicle (not per person), GPS-connected audio plays as you approach the next location. It wasnt just sightseeing it was a fun history lesson too. Mission: The Mission is home to our largest concentration of street art and murals. Later the 1906 earthquake took much of Nob Hill after which the wealthy house owners moved west to Pacific Heights and built their homes there. It's also where Pebble Beach Golf Club is located, a legendary course that has attracted the likes of Teddy Roosevelt and Sir Winston Churchill. Take your time driving through Monterey Bay, artsy Carmel and more. Then well guide you all around, making sure you see everything this historic place has to offer! Fishermans Wharf was and still is a fishing harbor, but its new main focus has changed from fishing industry to tourism industry. San Francisco by car: the old Ferry Building. Below are links to a few that might be helpful, and look for more on Google. Temporary new starting point address: Alamo Square Park, Steiner St, San Francisco. Lowest price guarantee Reserve now & pay laterFree cancellation. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative result from a recent antigen or molecular test may be required, please check the local requirements before your visit. Your tour will conclude here, but that isnt where the fun ends! The streets here are so quiet and leafy that you couldnt imagine this is in a huge metropolis. You will only notice when walking through its neighborhoods. No problem! Check availability. There are a total of 19 stops to visit, and they are all in the same general location, so it shouldn't take longer than 1 - 2 hours to complete. Photo stops will be made along this gorgeous drive. The SF self-drive tour follows a circular route through the city, so you can start at any point along the way. Lying in the sun side by side and diving into the waters when they get hungry. You can experience ourdrivingandwalking tours at your own pace and literally at any time of the day! 17-Mile Drive entrance fee. You can choose from either a self guided audio download or a printed map. If your time in San Francisco is limited, taking a driving tour of the city could be a good option for you. The Action Tour Guide app functions as a guide, an audio tour, and a map all in one. We experienced different methods of transport (avoiding those big hills!) Sail around Alcatraz and learn about this infamous island on the Escape the Rock boat tour! Begin this self-guided tour in the heart of San Francisco. Over 50 points of interest in San Francisco! After that walk through Chinatown, which has some of the best food in the city, making it the perfect spot for lunch. 2023 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. How many people know what San Francisco is like? With its famous golden doors, beautiful stained glass windows, and gorgeous icons, youll be amazed. Tour Types; Tours by Region; Tours by Activity; About; Contact; USA Guide; . Send us your resume, All Rights Reserved 2023 Real San Francisco Tours | Sitemap. Self-Guided Driving Tour. Segway Tours Looking for fun things to do with friends? Market Street is the main street that cuts through Downtown San Francisco, running from the Ferry Buildingto thePowell Street Cable Car Turntable. Then its on to Chinatown and Manilatown, where youll hear about both historic districts long, embattled history. San Francisco Aquarium of the Bay tickets. 3h. If you decide to add a few stops along the way, these cards will help you easily get back to your original route. SELF GUIDED AUDIO TOURS HAWAII. Download San Francisco Audio Tour Guide and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Explore the most photographed area of San Francisco, seen on the award-winning show Full House, the Painted Ladies are the iconic Victorian homes sitting on Alamo Square. Finally, finish your self-guided tour at the beautiful, historic, San Francisco Presidio (ideally with an ice-cream). See reviews and photos of the San Francisco City Self-Guided Audio Tour Through Golden Gate Bridge. Non-refundable. The best way to go on self guided walking tour of San Francisco is with City Walks. from. Los Angeles Oahu; Big Island; Maui; Kauai; Utah. $ 45 $ 34. The city has a lot of it and it is not always predictable. By 17 Mile Day Trips. It started when wealthy families started building their houses up on the hill after the cable car line was opened. To make driving easier, the most curved section of Lombard Street was made a one-way street (only down), and there is a strict speed limit (5 mph, 8km/hour). Our tour of Fishermans Wharf covers 13 stops and includes 8 great restaurants or foods you may want to enjoy while youre in the area. Here, youll get the inside scoop on how Hollywood uses this building as a stand-in for Washington, D.C.s Capitol building in all sorts of films. Along the way, your guide will share tidbits about SF's history and its landmarks. Closed Christmas and Thanksgiving Day. My tours offer you a step-by-step route to make it easy to get around. Drive carefully! You will also receive a full color map of the route. Next, youll head into the citys tech quarter, where youll spot big-name HQs like Uber and Twitter and get a crash course in how Frisco became the go-to spot for the most cutting-edge tech produced anywhere. Book a self-guided driving tour of San Francisco with route and audio instructions on your smartphone via an app. Get The Map. and will seek out other neighborhoods on our next trip! The app was super easy to use, and the content was really fun! Amsterdam Discover the iconic locations from Lombard Street and the Golden Gate Bridge to Pier 39. . Here you can see our San Francisco driving itinerary marked on a Google map. you could eat at a different NYC spot once a day for 22.7 years and .Central Park Bike Tour. 1. (A) Caltrain Station - aka, the OG San Francisco Station. And our professional guides will help you find each of the most notable landmarks in the neighborhood. This is a great time to visit California! That way youll still get to see the real San Francisco, even if youre not able to join us. Stop off wherever you want for as long as you want, and then get started again at your leisure! We spent a sunny Saturday driving around Central San Francisco and on Sunday we explored the Golden Gate area. This district is widely considered the home of the gay rights movement in the United States. Join us! It is the perfect way to learn more about the history of San Francisco at a time and pace that works for you! One of the major highlights in San Franciscos history was the Golden Gate International Exposition held at Treasure Island in 1939 to celebrate the building of both the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge, which had each only recently been completed at the time. If youd like to see jpg images of the 49 mile scenic drive map, you can find the downtown San Francisco route map, overview, and places to see at these links. Discover the hidden treasures of Central Park during this 2 hour guided tour. Be sure to also check out our free, guided walking tours of San Francisco. Today Haight Ashbury is a vibrant area with second-hand shops, cafes, bars and music shops. Parking, however, may cause problems, but we found good solutions for that which I will share. Plus, meet Claude the alligator, hang out with the African penguin colony and the 38,000 other live animals. It's all up to you! We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. Kevin, who was the guide, was great and it was so nice to be outside. From there, youll hear about the citys unique history and how it became one of the most progressive cities around. About Us. However, we do suggest you download the tour at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc before you head out for a completely immersive experience. Classic Car Tours. We are a program of the San Francisco Public Library. See an interesting view? 2 San Francisco to Sausalito. Perfect for photographers, the bridge offers stunning views of the city, even if the evening fog has already rolled in. The audio tour's auto-play feature tells you the stories behind the attractions as you experience them. San Francisco by car: driving itinerary on the map. Enjoy an immersive walk with amazing views and riveting stories of San Francisco and visit the notorious Alcatraz prison during this guided tour! These pretty Victorian houses together with bay views from the 44 hills make San Francisco what it is. After driving a long while up and down the incrediblysteep hills (yes, they are steep) we left the car for a few hours in a parking garage (Beach Street close to Pier 39 on the map) and explored the Fishermans Wharf area by foot. By the way, the carousel below has two levels: Pier 39 is always packed with people and unlike elsewhere in the city, has a good choice of restaurants where to have lunch. 1 Your California: San Francisco to Point Reyes tour begins. The current route takes you through large regions of the city and does allow views of both bridges but no longer goes all the way to Treasure Island. For your hotel stay, we also offer a free map of San Franciscos downtown area and central neighborhoods. No worries! San Francisco has water on three sides so you can imagine how useful the bridges were and still are. You will be taken through parts of the city that arent always all that pretty before you get back on route. This tour doesnt include entrance to attractions along the route. 2. He has traveled to over 30 countries, and has never found a place he loves as much as this one! Our self-guided San Francisco walking tour is 6 miles long and spans 8 unique San Francisco neighborhoods: Got a soft spot for the hippie-dippie days of the 1960s? Next, youll climb Telegraph Hill to look at the famous Coits Tower and some truly unbeatable city views. Its like this, and will be. London Did a wonderful tour with these guys while I was in San Francisco on business. Want to go back in time to the 1920's and 30's and the Golden Age of Hollywood? The tour departs from Fisherman's Wharf, following the San Francisco waterfront until the entrance to the Golden Gate Bridge bike's path. The onsite gallery hosts monthly exhibitions, as well as permanent work by current and past members. The trail is marked with gold medallions embedded within the sidewalks. As we continue driving, we'll dive into what makes SF the city that it is: it's past, it's present, and the promise of it's future. (B) PIER 39 - see giant sea lions snoring on the docks. >> Learn more about things to see and do in Japantown. Here's just a small sampling of what you'll see when you pilot your rental car around on my best damn driving tour of San Francisco: San Francisco as viewed from the East Bay. You can listen to the audio on your iPhone, iPad, Kindle or any other MP3 player. We still want you to have a great time here, so weve prepared these free self-guided tours that you can do on your own. Wil and Erin at Ride Free organised our whole trip along route 66 then the coast road to San Francisco. The Mission District. This is a self-guided tour; no guide will accompany you. POIPU AND KOLOA DRIVING TOUR $29.99. Totally 14 000 Victorians have been saved in the city after all earthquakes and fires that have destroyed a lot of the city, time after time. Should You Go on a Driving Tour of San Francisco? Are you interested in exploring the city of San Francisco without a large group around you? Then, stop at Pier 39 to see the seal lion colony and the two-level carousel at the end of the pier. My tours are one full day in each district. Check COVID guidelines and opening hours before your visit. To start exploring the Victorian quarters, first drive around Lafayette Park that has rows of pretty Victorians on all four sides. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there. Ferry cruises to the bay also start here. Since most of the locations on our self-guided tour of Fishermans Wharf are located alongside the water, you can expect this outing to take around 1 - 1 hours. Britt is a San Francisco Bay Area native, and has spent 25 years in this magical city. Fisherman's Wharf: Walk around one of our most popular districts. If youre planning to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, this could be an interesting addition to that activity. Welcome to the GPS-enabled offline driving tour of San Francisco, California by Action Tour Guide! Visit Tours-USA.com. This post provides a list of free self-guided tours of San Francisco that you can enjoy anytime, day or night, every day of the week. Damien was the best! San Francisco Miami CONGRATULATIONS!You are about to embark on an adventure filled self-guided tour of the neighborhoods of Mrida. Streets like this would never work in Europe where a lot of cars still have manual gears. This is an excellent alternative if you prefer to interact with a professional guide rather than an app on your phone. With 12 tours across the state, our value-for-money California bundle (priced at just $39.99) gives you the flexibility to see all the top sights in the state at your own pace. . There is a parking garage on Lombard Street if you're driving in, 2 mins from the shop. Interested in creating custom self-guided tours for your customers? In the 1960s the traditional middle-class residential area suddenly became the hotspot of the Flower Power generation. It should say Powell-Hyde (it has a brown sign). This trail connects important historical sites throughout the streets of SF. Pick back up tomorrow when youre refreshed! We provide customizable self guided driving vacations throughout United States, including car rentals, GPS, and hotel accommodations. This SF self-drive tour route is circular so you can opt to begin wherever is most convenient. I found the one in the picture on the left in the North Beach neighborhood. Sturgis Tour "The . He took into consideration our interests & made it very enjoyable. While a lot of people are happy just to see this beautiful bridge or even cross the historic structure, there is a lot more to see in the area which we cover on our self-guided tour. Our self-guided tour of Chinatown includes a map that you can . With TourCentric, you'll be completely immersed in the stories, sights, and sounds of San Francisco. Wil and Erin at Ride Free organised our whole trip along route 66 then the coast road to San Francisco. This San Francisco city tour begins with the Painted Ladies, one of the citys top attractions. California Street is so steep that it was almost too exiting for us to drive behind a cable car, stopping each time it stopped and starting uphill again each time it started. It is approximately 17 miles from the city of San Francisco, California. It still has an appeal and is well worth visiting when you are exploring San Francisco by car. Despite the bridges theres still a lot of ferry traffic on the bay. Some of the key attractions on the drive that can easily be enjoyed without getting out of the car include: Here are some of the attractions that the 49-Mile scenic drive will take you past but which may be worth getting out of the car and exploring in more depth: The 49-Mile scenic drive is a great experience and a terrific way to see a lot of what the city has to offer. Activated by your GPS location, you'll hear about gold rush founders such as the scandalous Samuel . This is where most department stores are, making the San Francisco Market Street one of the main shopping streets of the city. San Francisco: D English. They have a fixed menu that changes daily of 2 nine-course meals. Taking a driving tour of San Francisco (SF) can be a great way to explore the city if you are short on time or dont feel like hiking up one of SFs famous hills. Learn the history of this great city as you follow a navigated route in the app and listen to commentary. This tour is valid forever - from the moment of booking. During your walking tour, you will learn more about 20 of San Francisco's top attractions. Wine Tasting in Napa or Sonoma: If you love trying different wines, then a trip to either Napa or Sonoma is only an hour away. over San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and north into misty coast redwood forests. Note, this is a self-guided driving tour : You will need to arrange your own means of transportation; Add to cart. SIGN UPFOR OUR EMAIL TO RECEIVE YOUR FREESAN FRANCISCO PLANNING GUIDE. . Take in the open space - and famous St Francis Hotel - before heading down Maiden Lane, SF's old red-light district (now full of designer boutiques). So most old harbor buildings have been transformed to restaurants and shopping malls. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. I wanted to package my love of San Francisco into a Self-Guided Free Walking Tour and this is the result. No self-respecting local would be caught dead at Pier 39 (except to visit the resident seals), or the "visitor's center" at the Golden Gate Bridge, or Alcatraz ( many of us have never bothered to tour Alcatraz). Walking: At Clay Street, turn right, then go left to enter one of San Francisco's original city parks. These include the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the Transamerica Building. This app offers a fully-guided experience - just like a local giving you a personalized, turn-by-turn, fully-guided tour. And this little car can go where the tour buses can't. Best of all, the sightseeing adventure happens at your pace. Some of the best hotels near San Francisco City Hall include Hotel Whitcomb, Renoir Hotel, and the Hayes Valley Inn. We'll learn all about this building's strange history as we pass. Northern California Guided Motorcycle Tour. . Choose from driving one of our GoCars, Arcimotos, Scooters, or Vanderhalls. Got a late start? The trail is marked with gold medallions embedded within the sidewalks. The heyday of the Haight was the 1967 Summer of Love when thousands or young California dreamers flocked to the place and filled all quarters. Here you will find some of the best wine tasting trips to both of these regions. Learn more about both options on the museum's dedicated Barbary Coast Website. I've used these many times. A self guided driving tour we did with our friends.. read more. Choose the Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass for maximum flexibility and stress-free sightseeing! Our next San Francisco sight: the hippie suburb Haight Ashbury. Fishermans Wharf is known for its seafood restaurants (that exist in all price classes), cafes, shops, museums and other typical tourist attractions. 5 Travel to Point Reyes National Seashore. Each one covers many of the top attractions and points out the hidden gems you would have missed by walking the neighborhood on your own. GPS-activated audio app that plays on your phone. Buy now, travel whenevercoupon code on the next screen. With an automatic car its easier. Hit the road whenever you're ready, stop as often as you'd like, and just enjoy the journey! Did you find apk for android? For first-time visitors discovering the lay of the land or those who can't leave until they've seen it all, the 49-Mile scenic drive is a fantastic way to get acquainted with all of San Francisco. Scenic 49 Mile Drive - San Francisco. From here, we can explore the wonders of the nearby Ferry Building or make our way to Fisherman's Wharf for a glimpse of the infamous Alcatraz! The 49-Mile Scenic Drive map also is available from the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitor Information Center on the lower level of Hallidie Plaza at Market and Powell streets (near the cable car turnaround). Apparently, reservations are required . Great exercise- best way to see SF. We'll exit SF's Chinatown through the Dragon's Gate. Chinatown: Stroll down the colorful streets of Chinatown and see its historic temples, top dim sum restaurants, and amazing street art. We'll then be able to jump out of the car for an optional walk around this bustling neighborhood, exploring it's vast selection of foods, drinks, and desserts. Alamo Square Park, Steiner St, San Francisco, Tour of California Self-Guided Driving Bundle. Start this self-guided tour at the stunning Pantages Theater, before taking a stroll back through Hollywood history (via Amoeba Music Store) to some of the oldest studios in Los Angeles, where film-making began here. Most San Francisco seals travel south in summer to give birth to their pups and to be back here for winter. After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Action Tour Guide app, enter your unique password, and access your tour. Berlin >> Find additional self-guided tours plus some multi-day itineraries. That is why these two adjoining neighborhoods are another must-see for your driving tour. HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL . Explore all that San Francisco has to offer, from the twists and turns of Lombard Street, through the bustling streets of Chinatown, and to the top of Telegr. Its full of shabby-chic vintage stores, tattoo parlors, and beautiful Victorian houses for you to check out. The cable car ascends, passing Union Square and Nob Hill . Leave San Francisco feeling like a local. Frommer's also has a second audio tour that covers the San Francisco Waterfront. From tasting delicious food to feeling the hippy love, to exploring the haunted past of San Francisco, theres something there for everyone. From there, head east along Haight Street . As we get back to the tour and continue driving, we'll learn all about the city's rapid real estate growth and the housing crisis it currently faces. Get your Go City San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass, save up to 50% and take advantage of unlimited access to 25+ top attractions and a downloadable guide. . All individual tours come with lifetime validity. Washington DC. The Japantown District also offers a free self-guided walking tour. Expand All. 2023 Routes and Trips. But the main thing here are the sea lions: Here they are, San Francisco sea lions, basking on the docks. Haight Ashbury has another kind of history. We provide a map with each stop listed on our self-guided tour of North Beach to ensure that you wont get lost and itll be easy to spot each attraction. Nashville If you have ever watched Full House, you will know what we are talking about. And I like the pretty flower beds in between. Travel down the West Side Greenway and over the Brooklyn Bridge. After driving down from the freeway we got into a deep gorge with super high skyscrapers on both sides. Everyone can listen at the same time! The ultimate audio tour of San Francisco, this self-guided, app-based driving tour covers the city's most iconic attractionsfrom the Painted Ladies of Steiner Street to the Golden Gate Bridge. You will also see where some of the most famous people of the 60s lived including the Grateful Dead and Charles Manson. $14.99. Join us for a walk along the streets . As we drive, we'll learn about another iconic San Francisco feature: the cable car! City Guides, founded in 1978, is an independent 501c3 non-profit organization with more than 300 trained volunteers who lead FREE historical and architectural walking tours in San Francisco for over 35,000 locals and visitors each year. All rights reserved. This tour covers some of the most interesting sites in the historic Chinatown district of San Francisco. Blacksmithing Youth Classes. The curves enable driving down but the turns are too sharp for any longer cars and buses. A self guided driving tour we did with our friends.. read more Andrew H 10/26/2019.