San Francisco is a city full of beautiful sights. That’s why the hop on hop off bus is very handy in this busy city. Whether it’s the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge or Fisherman’s Wharf: you want to see these. One of the best ways to explore this city in one day (without completely emptying your wallet) is therefore the hop on hop off bus.
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Discover San Francisco in one day with the hop on hop off bus
The hop on hop off bus has become a popular way of traveling in many big cities around the world, and San Francisco is no exception. This bus offers you the opportunity to explore the city in a flexible and easy way. Whether you are interested in the historical sights, American culture or simply want to enjoy the beautiful view just outside the city (tip: also take the sunset tour), the hop on hop off bus is the ideal choice.
The first buses start driving from 10.00 AM from Fisherman’s Wharf. Are you sleeping on the other side of the city? Then it takes a while before the first bus arrives there. So check if you can do something in the area first before you get on the bus. Via the Big Bus App you can see the buses live driving around. There are also clear photos of what the bus stop looks like. Keep in mind that you need internet for this. I myself walked into a Vodafone store in San Francisco in the morning for an internet subscription. They install the SIM directly on your phone!
Main sights in San Francisco
The Golden Gate Bridge
One of the most iconic sights in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. With the hop on hop off bus you can get a breathtaking view of this impressive bridge. Get off at the designated stop and take beautiful photos while enjoying the view of the bay. This is one of the busiest stops of the bus.
Alcatraz Island
Another must-see attraction is Alcatraz Island, a former prison that has now become a popular tourist destination. With the hop on hop off bus you can be taken to the ferry terminal and from there take the crossing to Alcatraz Island. Explore the cell blocks and learn more about the fascinating history of this notorious prison.
Unfortunately I couldn’t do this tour myself because we only had one full day in San Francisco.
Attention: book your ticket to Alcatraz in advance. The tickets sell out quickly in high season. Do you have two days in San Francisco? Then you can buy a combined ticket with the bus.
Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf is a lively neighborhood full of restaurants, shops and attractions. With the hop on hop off bus you can easily travel to Fisherman’s Wharf and soak up the atmosphere of this bustling place. Taste delicious seafood, take a ride on the Ferris wheel and visit the famous sea lions at Pier 39.
My tip: end your day here. Then you can eat something nice here and then take the sunset tour from here.
Chinatown
San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest and one of the largest Chinatowns in the United States. With the hop on hop off bus you can explore this colorful and lively part of the city. Walk through the narrow streets, visit the markets and enjoy delicious Chinese dishes.
Tip: also step into one of the art-filled shops. You will see very nice paintings here, but also for example 2-meter Transformers.
Union Square
For shopping lovers, Union Square is a must-visit destination. With the hop on hop off bus you can easily be taken to this shopping area. Explore the boutiques, department stores and luxury shops in the area and enjoy a relaxed shopping experience.
Not going shopping? Then I wouldn’t stay here too long.
Painted Ladies
The Painted Ladies in San Francisco are an iconic attraction. These beautiful Victorian houses are known for their vibrant and colorful facades, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding architecture. The Painted Ladies are located in the area of Alamo Square (that’s also what the hop on hop off bus stop is called) and offer a beautiful view of the San Francisco skyline. You can get a coffee here, take a nice photo and move on.
Lombard Street
Lombard Street in San Francisco is world-famous as one of the curviest streets in the world. This iconic street attracts thousands of visitors annually. And you could tell. This was one of the busiest spots in San Francisco.
With its lush flowerbeds, lush gardens and charming Victorian houses, Lombard Street offers a picturesque view of the city. For photographers, this is a paradise with countless opportunities to take beautiful photos. Whether you want to explore the street itself or simply enjoy the view from the top, a visit to Lombard Street is a special experience, but personally I found it a bit overrated.
Attention: when you get off at the hop on hop off bus stop, you still have quite a way to walk uphill. If it’s very hot or if you have trouble walking, this is not pleasant.
How does the hop on hop off bus work?
The hop on hop off bus has different routes that take you to different parts of San Francisco. Each route has specific stops where you can get on and off. You can buy a ticket for daytime or combine it with the sunset tour. At each stop you get an audio guide that tells you interesting facts and stories about the sights you pass. In practice, you listen to a tape about the city with cheap earbuds. Do you still have wired earbuds? Bring them yourself.
Tips for exploring San Francisco with the hop on hop off bus
Here are some handy tips to get the most out of your trip with the hop on hop off bus:
- Plan in advance what you want to see and do: how much time do you have and what do you want to see? Visiting both Alcatraz and the whole city is difficult in one day.
- Bring a jacket: with the open bus it quickly gets chilly. It’s also much colder around the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz than in the city itself.
- Download the Big Bus App. Make sure you know the departure times of the buses, so you don’t have to wait unnecessarily long. Via the app you see all buses driving.
- How long does a full loop with the hop on hop off bus take? The duration of a full loop varies, depending on the route and traffic. Generally you can count on about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Also take the Sunset tour
With the Sunset Tour you also catch a tour at sunset time. You drive to Treasure Island and from here you enjoy a beautiful view of the city. The Oakland Bay Bridge is beautifully lit up at night. Make sure to bring a warm jacket or sweater, because it cools down quickly!
When you order a combination ticket for both the day tour and sunset tour, you get the best deal. We hadn’t done this even though we had done a day tour. We did get a discount on the tour in line, but a combination ticket would have been cheaper.
Good to know: this tour starts and ends at Fisherman’s Wharf. After that the bus goes back to their station. We were lucky that we could still ride a bit to Union Square where our hotel was too.
Alternative ways to explore San Francisco
Besides the hop on hop off bus, there are other ways to explore San Francisco. Biking is for example a popular option, because the city has many bike-friendly routes and paths. You also see more and more options like electric scooters. Another popular attraction is the old-fashioned cable car. You can also walk through the different neighborhoods of the city on foot, although the distances are too great to see everything. Like in every American city, you stand waiting at traffic lights a lot.
Conclusion: use the hop on hop off bus to explore San Francisco in 1 day
The hop on hop off bus is a great way to explore San Francisco. With the flexibility and convenience it offers, you can explore the main sights of the city at your own pace. Whether you are interested in the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown or Union Square, the hop on hop off bus takes you to all these fantastic destinations.
So book your ticket, board the hop on hop off bus and let yourself be surprised by the beauty of San Francisco.
