World City Guide

Tours of the City

Walking Tours
A good public transport system has made walking more a pleasure than a necessity and yet there is a walking tour for every taste. For those interested in discovering the gay community and environs, Cruisin’ The Castro (tel: (415) 550 8110; website: www.webcastro.com/castrotour) is a four-hour tour that includes lunch. Tours depart from Harvey Milk Plaza at Castro Street and Market Street, 1000-1400 and cost US$40.

The Foot! (tel: (415) 793 5378; website: www.foottours.com) tours explore some of the city’s most famous areas (including Nob Hill, Union Square, Chinatown and North Beach) and are led by professional comedians. Regular two-hour tours cost US$30 and departure points vary depending on the chosen tour. The two-hour Haight Ashbury Flower Power Walking Tour (tel: (415) 863 1621) takes the nostalgic visitor not only back to the 1960s and the famed Summer of Love but also further back to the Haight that was a Victorian resort destination. Tours cost US$15 and depart from the northeast corner of Stanyan Street and Waller Street, Tuesday and Saturday at 0930 (except Nov-Feb). Reservations are recommended for all walking tours.

Bus Tours
Gray Line (tel: (415) 434 8687; website: www.graylinesanfrancisco.com) offers a ‘Deluxe City Highlights’ three-to-four-hour tour, which takes in many key sites, including the Golden Gate Park and the bridge. It costs US$37 and reservations are required. There is a free shuttle pick-up service. Tower Tours (tel: (866) 345 8687; website: www.sftowertours.com) offers a similar three-to-four-hour tour for US$37, which includes a hotel pick-up shuttle service, with three daily departures. Both companies also have trips to Alcatraz, Marin Country and the Wine Country.

Other Tours
A boat tour of the Bay is a must, providing perhaps the best panorama of the city and a unique view of the Golden Gate Bridge. A number of tour operators offer departures from Fisherman’s Wharf. Blue and Gold Fleet (tel: (415) 705 5555, for tickets or 773 1188, for information; website: www.blueandgoldfleet.com) runs a daily narrated cruise, with regular departures from Pier 39. Tours last around one hour and cost US$20.

San Francisco Seaplane Tours (tel: (415) 332 4843 or (888) 732 7526; website: www.seaplane.com) depart daily from Pier 39 in the morning or Sausalito in the afternoon. Shuttle service to Sausalito is available. The half-hour tours cost US$129. A sunset tour with champagne lasts 40 minutes and costs US$140.