Alcatraz YES! Big Bus NO! Bus loop way to long, should be halved and have two loops. Last bus 5 pm which is very early for summer. Audio tour at Alcatraz was fabulous. Well worth doing. Big Bus has provision for audio in multiple languages, however they choose to have guides on board who as sprookong for tips at every opportunity. They think they are comedians which is very annoying when you would like some knowledgeable, factual information on landmarks. Wee waited 45 minutes for connecting Saucelitto bus and as they were a driver down did not have opportunity to get off and look around as there would not be a next bus. Driver was very interactive and knowledgeable. I believe that it would be better if he had a fixed mike to talk on as driving with one had around steep tight bends while holding mike in the other is really not acceptable. Give the bus a miss. Get the Alcatraz tour on its own. Other bus company's may be better.
Great experience! Even for a local in their own neighborhood this was a new, fun and different way to explore the city
absolutely loved both the tour of the city and the tour of Alcatraz. I found the city tour very informative and loved hearing all the history about the different parts of san fransisco. Alcatraz was of course my favorite and I am so glad they are using tour money to restore the Alcatraz facilities.