Explore
Log in

Mix & Save: San Francisco Grand City Tour + Escape from the Rock Cruise

Overview
Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge and through the rugged coastal mountains of Marin County. Experience the magnificent views of the San Francisco Bay while crossing the Golden Gate bridge.
Muir Woods National Monument, where ancient groves of Giant Redwoods (Sequoia Sempervirens) tower over Redwood Creek.
Sausalito, a gorgeous Mediterranean-style village with quaint shop, art galleries, and waterfront restaurants.
The Escape from the Rock Cruise (Alcatraz Alternative) will take you close to the infamous prison island that many have tried to escape from. You will circle the island twice, seeing it from all angles as well as the beautiful city skyline.
* Please note this tour does NOT land on Alcatraz Island or include the prison interior.
* Departure times are seasonal. Please contact us regarding departure times for your specific tour date.
* After the Escape from the Rock Cruise, participants will need to make their own way back to their lodging accommodations, or vehicles.
City: San Francisco
Sun 23 Feb
i
You can choose the date already on the booking website
Starting at $91.00
Sun 23 Feb
Starting at $91.00
Make a reservation
What's Included
Narrated Bus Tour of San Francisco with 4 photo stops opportunities
Escape from the Rock Bay Cruise around Alcatraz Island and the Bay of San Francisco
Additional Info
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The bay cruise does NOT let you on Alcatraz Island.
  • Wheelchair accessible. However, passengers in a wheelchair can be accommodated only if they can get on and off the bus on their own and if the wheelchair is collapsible.
  • Please check schedules for the Boat Tour on Blue & Gold website and pick the best departure time for you.
  • Face masks required for travellers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Face masks provided for travellers
  • Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitised between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Temperature checks for travellers upon arrival
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
  • Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
What To Expect
1
Union Square
Departing the heart of Union square, the coach makes its way to the Golden Gate Bridge. On your way to the Golden Gate Bridge, travelers will see: Union Square: Theatres, shopping, hotels
2
Van Ness Avenue
Van Ness Avenue: Famous for being used as a firebreak, by the US Army during the 1906 earthquake and fire.
3
Cow Hollow
Cow Hollow District & Marina District: Two affluent neighborhoods, attracting young professionals. Chic fashion boutiques, Pilates studios, juice shops, beauty salons. Many fine dining restaurants ranging from French Bistros to American Fusion Cuisine.
4
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
Designed by Bernard Maybeck Built as one of the 11 great exhibits in the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition, this fictional Greek-Roman inspired ruin was a crowd favorite. Built to be a temporary structure, when it came time to deconstruct the fair and demolish the exhibits, Phoebe Apperson Hearst stepped in and saved the colonnade and rotunda. The Palace stands as one of the fairs few surviving structures, and one of only two buildings remaining in the original location. The most prominent structure of the complex is the 162-foot high open rotunda, with a lagoon curving around one side. Many forms of wildlife have made their home near the lagoon, swans, ducks, geese, turtles, frogs and the ever present, racoon.
5
Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge: On a clear day, the Golden gate Bridge offers a panoramic view of the bay and the San Francisco skyline. “What Nature rent asunder long ago, man has joined today,” said chief engineer Joseph Strauss at the opening ceremonies in May 1937. Construction started: January 5, 1933 and was completed April 19, 1937. Total cost of construction rounded out to be 35 million dollars, equivalent to 798 million today. The Golden Gate Bridge runs 1.7 miles in length, its highest point stands 746-feet above the bay. Designated a Californian historical landmark June 18, 1987. At the time of its opening the Golden Gate Bridge was both the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world.
6
Presidio of San Francisco
The Presidio: A 1500-acre park on a former military post. Baker Beach, hiking, historic buildings house the Walt Disney Family Museum, eateries, homes, and businesses like Lucasfilm, with its Yoda Fountain.
7
Lands End
Land's End Ocean Beach: Atop Sutro Heights at the Land’s End lookout, we can view the vast Pacific Ocean. On the Left, in the distance we see the famous Cliff House restaurant. Looking right we see the Lands’ end park and trails. The stairs lead down to where Sutro Baths once stood. Now only the ruins remain. Lower- Here, among the ruins of the Sutro Bath House. Adolph Sutro, San Franciscan mayor from 1895 to 1897, built his palatial Mansion and the Sutro Bath House. Sutro Bath House opened 1896 and survived the 1906 catastrophe but succumbed to a fire in 1907. Descending Point Lobos Ave we pass the Historic Restaurant, Cliff House. This restaurant has been rebuilt 4 times do to fires. The last reconstruction was in 2004, now equipped with fire alarms. Making our way towards the Golden Gate Park we get a great elevated view of Ocean Beach.
8
Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park: Entering the west side of Golden Gate Park, we pass one of two windmills, designed by San Franciscan Alpheus Bull Junior, built in 1902 for $25,000, utilized as a h20 pump. Bison Paddock: Further in the park, we drive by the Bison Paddock. Home to authentic bison. Over the last 120 years more than 500 bison have been born in Golden Gate Park, helping to keep the species from extinction. Golden Gate Park opened in 1870, it is 1017 acres and 3miles long, averaging ½ mile in width. This park is 20% larger than NY’s Central Park. Architects: William Hammond Hall, John Mclaren, Calvert Vaux all played roles in creating the third most visited park in the United states.
9
Haight Street
Haight Street: The birth of the hippie movement or counterculture began in the 1960's, this district of San Francisco is where cultures and eras meld together. Haight Street was once home to revolutionaries, famous singers (Jimi Hendricks, Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia, Jefferson Airplane).
10
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks: Named for a pair of 922-foot-high summits, is a remote residential neighborhood with modern homes along winding streets. At the summit is “Sutro Tower”, a 977-foot tall TV and radio tower. Once you disembark bus, you will have ample opportunity to take photos of San Francisco, from one of the highest vantages the city has to offer. * San Francisco has unpredictable weather and at times fog will impede the viewing of San Francisco from atop Twin Peaks.
11
The Castro
The Castro District: Located in Eureka Valley, The Castro, is synonymous with the gay community (LGBT). The U.S. military had discharged thousands of gay servicemen from the Pacific theatre in San Francisco during World War II (early 1940's). Because of their sexuality many stayed in San Francisco The first gay bar in the Castro was called "Missouri Mule", opened in 1963. Castro St. was name after Jose Castro, a Californian leader of Mexican opposition to U.S. rule in California in the 19th century.
12
Market Street
Market Street: This is a major thoroughfare in San Francisco. We drive east from the Castro towards the Ferry Building. 3 miles in length this main artery of city transit has seen horse-drawn streetcars, cable cars, electric streetcars, electric trolleybuses etc. Antique Heritage Streetcars from all over the world transport passengers from The Castro to Fisherman's Wharf, connecting to the electrical line above and riding the tracks. Market Street runs through many districts: Castro, Noe Valley, Civic Center, Union Square, Financial District.
13
Financial District
Financial District: Among the skyscrapers that dominate the skyline (Transamerica Pyramid, Salesforce Tower), there is a wealth of tech business that coincides with, happy-hour hot spots and elegant late-night, date-night destinations. The Jackson Square Historic District features remnants of the Barbary Coast.
14
Chinatown
Chinatown: North on Grant Avenue, on the right, Old St. Mary’s Cathedral built in 1854 oldest Catholic cathedral west of the Rockies. Chinatown’s roots began in the 1849, during California’s “Gold Rush”. Word spread to China of the mythical “Gold Mountain” Gum Sahn. Chinese immigrants came to San Francisco seeking a new start. Many left the city proper to prospect for gold, while others remained in the city, creating a tight-knit community. Racial and cultural tensions separated Chinatown from the rest of the city. Chinatown became known as the City-Within-a-City. The 1906 catastrophe saw immigration records destroyed, many of the Chinese community aptly claimed citizenship and were able to bring their families from China. San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest and one of the largest in the U.S.
15
North Beach
North Beach: Steeped in history, The Beat Movement in the 50’s saw popular poet Jack Kerouac frequent the streets of North Beach. Adler Place was renamed Jack Kerouac Alley, Kerouac frequented a pub and café that was adjacent to the alley. North Beach has scores of Italian Restaurants and cafes to enjoy. At Broadway and Columbus, we see two beautiful buildings: The Sentinel Building, This, distinctive copper green Flatiron style building, was completed in 1907. Home to American Zoetrope film studio since 1972, cofounded by Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas. The distinct shape of the Transamerica Pyramid can be seen throughout the city, it is prominently displayed here in North Beach. Construction began in 1969, completed 1972. 853-feet tall or 48-stories. Tallest building in San Francisco until the completion of the Salesforce tower in 2018.
16
Pier 39
The bus transportation portion of the tour will end at Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf and your Escape from the Rock adventure will begin. Once you disembark the bus the driver will direct you to The Escape from the Rock Cruise landing where you can board the boat (Departure times are seasonal). “The Escape from the Rock Cruise”, will bring you close to the infamous prison island (Please note this tour does NOT land on Alcatraz Island or include the prison interior), that many have tried to escape from. You will circle the island twice, seeing it from all angles as well as the beautiful city skyline.
Show 13 more stops
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews (4)
574ligayam
Aug 2022
From the driver and the tour guide was excellent. The time all spending well. Hit all the places we wanted to see in this beautiful place. Learned much on this tour about San Francisco .
Response from Host
Sep 2022
Dear Customer, We’re so happy to hear you had a great experience at San Francisco Grand City Tour and Escape from the Rock Cruise. Your review made our day! Our whole team works very hard to keep our customers happy, but we can only do it thanks to amazing customers like you. Thanks again, and we hope to serve you again soon. Sincerely, Gray Line San Francisco.
GK309435
Dec 2019
City tour was amazing. BUT the 1.5 hour cruise got CANCELLED as we arrived that morning. VERY disappointing. Never got to see Alcatraz !!!! We received a partial invite, however, that is the minimum expected. It sounded like this happens all the time. The Alcatraz portion of the tour is "sub-contracted" out ... so no one is accountable. BEWARE !!!
Response from Host
Dec 2019
Dear GK309435, Thank you for sharing your opinion about our tour. On the one hand, I am delighted to see Rob made the tour entertaining and interesting explaining fun facts during the itinerary around the highlights of San Francisco. On the other hand, I am sad the ferry was cancelled. Unfortunately, the supplier cancelled the service and we could not offer that part; however, I am glad to see our staff provided a solution. Sincerely, Manager at Gray Line of San Francisco
Timothy_K
Aug 2019
The guide was very knowledgeable,personable, funny. The description online wasn't clear that Chinatown and Fishermans Wharf are just drivebys, not actually a stop. Also that the boat tour is a different company. As we were among last to load due to bus arrival at the Pier, it was standing room only for the whole boat tour. Also, its first come first served on the boat and its possible even with a ticket, you'd have to wait for a later boat. online it said transport back to hotels isn't included, but there is no transport back to tour starting point after the boat tour. Viator said public transportation is available but no help in how and where to access, and if cash pay is accepted. Only parking available at starting point is parking garages for $35 if you show you're going on the tour.

Related events

Events in the same area

Is your language English
If not, please select your preferred language from the list below.
English
English
Are you in New York City
If not, please select your city so we can show you local tours and experiences!
New York City
New York City