This fun fact-filled tour starts where SF's Italian-American fishing history, DiMaggio’s Restaurant, and some iconic street performers have all come and gone. From there we go out to the backside of the Wharf to get some nice cityscape and old boat views, while learning about Scoma's - the renowned old-school Italian restaurant that's always in style.

We double back past our starting point and stop by the iconic ship's wheel sign marking the heart of the area along with the steamed crab vendors and more classic Italian seafood restaurants.

At the Musee Mecanique, we'll discover a spot with "one of the world's largest privately-owned collections of coin-operated mechanical musical instruments and antique arcade artifacts." We stop long enough for you to play a game or two, so that you'll want to come back later!

We'll make another slight detour to scope out the historic Pampanito WWII submarine.

Then we take a zig zag to let you see and smell the original and world-famous San Francisco sourdough. If you want to pick up a loaf, we'll ask that you only do so if the store is not too crowded (which it often is). Or simply plan on coming back!

We'll pass the Historical Pier 43 Ferry Arch.

At the outer edge of Pier 39, we make another multi-sensory detour -- to see, hear, and smell! the California sea lions.

As "the premiere entertainment destination" at the Wharf, Pier 39 has all kinds of restaurants, shops, and family attractions - including a carousel, street performer shows, a mirror maze and a lot more... 

The tour ends here -- unless you are going to Alcatraz as part of a tour package. For such guests, the tour ends another 5 minutes down the way -- at Pier 33. On time and in the right place for you to take the ferry out to Alcatraz.

DAYTIME ROUND TRIP ALCATRAZ CITY CRUISES FERRY TO ALCATRAZ ISLAND INCLUDING CELLHOUSE AUDIO TOUR

DiscoverTown Tours is an Official Tour and Travel Partner of Alcatraz City Cruises

NOT SOLD SEPARATELY • SOLD ONLY AS PART OF A TOUR PACKAGE

Alcatraz Face Value: $45.25 Adults & Juniors (12+), $42.65 Seniors (62+), $27.55 Kids (5-11), Free for Ages 0-4

Discover America’s most infamous prison, with a chance to go inside the cells and feel the cold and dark life firsthand. Alcatraz operated as a federal penitentiary from 1933 to 1963, housing notorious criminals including Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, and Creepy Karpis. During the award-winning 45-minute cell house audio headset tour you will learn of escape attempts, riots, bizarre characters, and much more. Displays include prison life, guard controls, and how Frank Morris and 2 others made their infamous “Escape From Alcatraz.”

Alcatraz is continually one of the most popular tours in the country

• Video History Presentation – No Charge
• Audio Tour includes sound effects, interviews with prisoners and guards, and historic details
• The Cellhouse Audio Tour is available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
• Bookstore with information in many languages
• Permanent exhibit The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the United States
• Other rotating exhibits
• Visit the prison Recreation Yard, talk with Park Rangers, and walk the Perimeter Trail (note that parts of Alcatraz Island may be closed to the general public periodically – for repairs, wildlife protection, or other concerns) 
• Unlimited photo opportunities and great views looking back at the City or out to the Golden Gate Bridge

Please arrive 30 minutes early. No Hotel Pickup. Your tour begins with a 10-15 minute boat trip from Pier 33. Expect your stay on Alcatraz Island to be about 2-2.5-3 hours round trip). Boats return from the island every 30 minutes. You control the clock. 

• Big Bus’ primary red line loop tour goes over the Golden Gate Bridge and stops at the north end Vista Point for terrific views. Other key stops are located at or near: The Haight/Ashbury district, Victorian homes, Chinatown, North Beach, Union Square, Financial District, Golden Gate Park, City Hall, the Palace of Fine Arts, Lombard Street, and more.
• See Map Here
• Live Guides on every other bus.
• Recorded commentary in 10 languages is always available. English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Cantonese or Mandarin Chinese.
• Disposable headphones are included.
• Show your voucher on your phone (from DiscoverTown Tours) for a time-stamped ticket from Big Bus. This can be done with the driver at any stop or with the agents at Union Square on the NE corner of Geary and Powell or at the Big Bus Visitor Center at Stop #1, 99 Jefferson Street at Fisherman’s Wharf. Your ticket is activated when you first get on any bus. It will last the rest of that day.
• NO RESERVATIONS NEEDED. Buses run 10am – 5pm daily. Buses run every 20-30 minutes, or more often in summer. The complete loop lasts approximately 2.25 hours (with no hop-offs). You can start and finish the tour at any of the hop-on, hop-off bus stops.
• Mobile App with live bus arrival times
• As of 2023, the 1-Hour evening/sunset tour option is no longer included. This must be purchased separately.
• Open top buses can be chilly. A backpack with extra layers is recommended. Including a skull cap!
• For extra tips to make the most of the primary loop, go here.

Free Bike Rental

Rent for 1 hour, get 1 hour free.

Blazing Saddles offers Big Bus Tours customers 1 hour free with the purchase of a 1-hour bike rental. This deal is available from any Blazing Saddles shop, where the team will equip you with all the necessary gear and explain how to make the most of cycling in San Francisco.

Available as a bonus with all Alcatraz Combos...

and with Big Bus 1 Day Classic Hop-On/Hop-Off or Big Bus 2 Day Deluxe Hop-On/Hop-Off.

Compare Chinatown at $50 and up.

No reservations needed. Just present your Voucher (as a print-out or shown on your phone).

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1-Hour Chinatown Walking Tour:

Built up around what was the original town square of the village of Yerba Buena, that was later renamed San Francisco, Chinatown is a delight for history lovers and contemporary fans of the colorful and the unique.

See the crowded and bustling open-air meat and produce markets of Stockton Street; visit side alleyways that will take you back in time; and discover lions, dragons, pagoda roofs, and dangling lantern along Grant Street.

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Some uphill walking is involved. Tour departs from the Southeast corner of Union Square, at Geary and Powell Streets. 

Walking Tour Directions

1:00 pm Daily