San Francisco Driving Tour: From the Gold Rush to the Golden Gate

2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
Offered in: English and 1 more

San Francisco is known for its high tech financial center, iconic bridges, Victorian-style homes, immigrant communities and lush parks. But its stories of the visionaries and rebels behind some of its famous landmarks make a visit much more memorable.

On this driving tour, you’ll travel along San Francisco’s waterfront to both its lesser and better-known attractions before crossing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Professional tour guide and city insider, Brad Prickett, will be your guide. Along the way, he’ll reveal the backstories behind the city’s sites, and share interviews with historical figures to create an experience with far more depth and variety than you’d find in a stack of travel books. Drive at your own pace while listening to tales of the gold rush founders, the scandalous Samuel Brannan, innovator Levi Strauss, Alcatraz escape attempts, Fort Point soldiers, and Al Zampa of the Half Way to Hell Club.

What's Included

Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
App for Android and iOS
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
Smartphone and headphones
Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
Food and drink
Transportation

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

This tour starts at 490 Brannan Street. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading

End point

The tour ends at Battery Godfrey.

Itinerary

Duration: 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approximately)
  • Ferry Building Marketplace (Pass by)

    We'll pass by the bustling Ferry Building, with its vibrant marketplace. Entry isn't included.

    Admission ticket free
  • Pier 39 (Pass by)

    We'll pass by the iconic Pier 39, with its groups of seals lazing around in the sunshine.

    Admission ticket free
  • Fisherman’s Wharf (Pass by)

    We'll pass by the famous Fisherman's Wharf, with its picturesque boardwalk and great places to eat.

    Admission ticket free
  • Lombard Street (Pass by)

    We'll drive along Lombard Street, hearing about the city's early history.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    We'll drive by the Palace of Fine Arts, with its beautiful architecture and gorgeous setting. Entry isn't included.

    Admission ticket free
  • Presidio of San Francisco (Pass by)

    We'll drive passed the Presidio, and hear about the formative history of the area.

    Admission ticket free
  • Fort Point National Historic Site (Pass by)

    We'll drive past Fort Point, a beautiful lookout point with excellent vistas of the bay and bridge.

    Admission ticket free
  • Golden Gate Bridge (Pass by)

    We'll drive across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, with its one-of-a-kind views.

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions
Supplied by VoiceMap Audio Tours

Tags

Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
Audio Guides
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Car Tours
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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