traveltowith

Find the Best Activities & Hotels for Families, Couples, and Solo Travelers

About UsContactTerms & ConditionsPrivacy Policy
© 2025 Traveltowith. All rights reserved.
t
Search...
United States/Things to Do in San Francisco, with kids

Big Bus Tours San Francisco (with kids)

with kidswith babycouple tripsolo trip

How Kids-Friendly is Big Bus Tours San Francisco?

81%Kids-Friendly
View Map

What makes it 81% Kids-Friendly: Child fares, free Aquarium of the Bay entry, sea-lion and bridge stops keep ages 3–12 entertained, yet no onboard toilets and windy upper deck mean parents must plan extra breaks and layers.

Google
Reviews4.5/ 5
(from 8,381 reviews)
Ryan Hops on San Francisco Big Bus
12 min
Start from:
0:20
Ryan Hops on San Francisco Big Bus
5.2K views • 11 months ago
Big Bus Tours Hop On Hop Off San Francisco | San Francisco Big Bus Tour | San Francisco Travel Guide
18 min
Start from:
0:00
Big Bus Tours Hop On Hop Off San Francisco | San Francisco Big Bus Tour | San Francisco Travel Guide
9.4K views • 2 years ago

Positives:

  • Flexible Hop-On Hop-Off: Unlimited day and night routes let families explore at their own pace.
  • Family-Friendly Extras: Includes free Aquarium of the Bay admission and digital walking tours for kids.

Challenges:

  • No Onboard Restrooms: Buses have no toilets; plan rest stops at Fisherman’s Wharf or Ferry Building.
  • Windy Upper Deck: The open-top deck can be cold and loud; bring jackets and child ear protection.
Big Bus Tours San Francisco image 1
Big Bus Tours San Francisco image 2
Big Bus Tours San Francisco image 3
Big Bus Tours San Francisco image 4
Big Bus Tours San Francisco image 5
🏖️ Explore Big Bus Tours San Francisco with a local guide: GetYourGuide's 10 BEST Activities and Tours around Big Bus Tours San Francisco. Local guides know the hidden gems you'd otherwise miss, read what other travelers experienced, and book easily.

What is Big Bus Tours San Francisco?

  • An open-top, hop-on hop-off bus service operating throughout San Francisco
  • A network of routes linking over twenty major landmarks, from the Golden Gate Bridge to Fisherman’s Wharf
  • A sightseeing operator offering multi-lingual audio commentary and flexible 24- or 48-hour ticket options

What is so special about Big Bus Tours San Francisco for with kids?

  1. 48-hour pass with unlimited hop-on/off for easy family exploration
  2. Free Aquarium of the Bay entry and engaging walking tours for kids
  3. Access to top stops like Pier 39 sea lions and Fisherman’s Wharf snacks
  4. Open-top bus offers panoramic city and bridge views
  5. App tracking and flexible schedule keep waits short for young children

Recommended visit duration: 1-2 days

Why 1-2 days visit duration is ideal for with kids: A 48-hour pass lets you hop on and off at family-friendly stops over two days without rushing.

(View Big Bus Tours San Francisco on Map)

Kids-Friendly Activities in Big Bus Tours San Francisco

Aquarium of the Bay:

Visit touch pools and view local sharks, rays, and jellyfish.

Tip: Show your Explore Ticket for free entry and head straight to the touch pools before crowds arrive.

Pier 39 Sea Lions:

Watch playful sea lions basking on floating docks.

Tip: Arrive mid-morning when the lions are most active and the dock is less crowded.

Fisherman’s Wharf:

See street performers and sample clam chowder in a sourdough bowl.

Tip: Hop off at the Red Route stop and let kids pick snacks from different vendors.

Golden Gate Bridge Viewpoint:

Snap family photos at the bridge overlook.

Tip: Use the upper deck early in the day for clear views and warm jackets to stay comfy.

Palace of Fine Arts:

Stroll around the lagoon and see classical colonnades.

Tip: Let kids run on the lawns and watch the ducks before catching the next bus.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Big Bus Tours San Francisco

  1. Use the Big Bus App: Track bus locations in real time to reduce waiting times with kids.
  2. Start Early: Catch the first bus to secure upper-deck seats and avoid mid-day crowds.
🏖️ Tour Big Bus Tours San Francisco like a local: GetYourGuide's Top 10 Activities and Tours in Big Bus Tours San Francisco. Local experts uncover hidden treasures you'd never find alone, browse authentic traveler reviews, and book your perfect adventure hassle-free.

Reviews of Big Bus Tours San Francisco

Powered by Google
Christin Arvola

Christin Arvola

Oct 2025

Absolutely worth it – an unforgettable experience! We booked the 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off tour including the Sunset Tour and Alcatraz via GetYourGuide, and everything went perfectly! The organization was smooth from start to finish, and every single team member we met was incredibly friendly and helpful. A special shoutout goes to Miss T – she was absolutely amazing! Her energy, humor, and passion...

AnnieBee

AnnieBee

Oct 2025

Great way to get an overview of the whole city with the convenience of hopping off to explore. The app shows the location of the buses on the loop. Mohamed at the first stop (by the Wharf/Skywheel) was so welcoming and gave us tips on where to sit for the best view! We chose the 48 hr bus tour with Alcatraz tour. It included a sunset bus tour with beautiful views of the city at night!

Chandra Holloman

Chandra Holloman

Sep 2025

I picked the 48 hour tour and it was a great deal. The driver, I can’t remember his name but he gave us candy before we took off, on the night shift was amazing. He was an active participant in our trip to treasure island so I had the ability to see my daughter and son in-law. Today Joseph was great. He was friendly and full of energy. Everyone needs to try The Big Bus San Francisco

Laine Alan

Laine Alan

Sep 2025

Great way to see the city from all angles. The tour covers almost all of the great SF tourists spots, with ample time to explore, as there is always another bus coming. Multiple pickup locations throughout the city. Save the hassle of driving and parking, just hop on and off, you can do so as much as you like. Digital tickets are a major convenience, via the app, you can also purchase tickets at v...

G

G

Aug 2025

Fantastic trip and a great few hours touring San Francisco. Multiple hop on/off stops with regular buses to pick up. Highlights. Painted ladies, Golden Gate Bridge, Ferry building, however all brilliant. A highlight for me and a must for those visiting Fisherman's wharf.

When is the best time to visit Big Bus Tours San Francisco (San Francisco, United States)?

Summer mornings often have fog—save the bridge view for midday. In winter, bring layers for breezy upper-deck rides.

✈️ Ready to go? Check the latest flight deals to San Francisco on Trip.com

Explore These Activities

Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)

ItemCost (Approx.)
48-Hour Explore Ticket Adult (x2)USD 153
48-Hour Explore Ticket Child (x2)USD 76
Total EstimatedUSD 229

Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve

Map of Big Bus Tours San Francisco

Address: 99 Jefferson St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA

Map will load when you scroll here

Scroll down to view the interactive map

Looking for other Things to Do besides Big Bus Tours San Francisco (San Francisco)?

← See other Things to Do in San Francisco (with kids)

About Big Bus Tours San Francisco

Opening Hours

Monday:10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Tuesday:10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Wednesday:10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday:10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Friday:10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday:10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Sunday:10:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.

Website

Official Website

Average price

US$ 44.88
Book on GetYourGuide

Explore Popular Things to Do

🇺🇸 United States, with kids

Things to Do in Hawaii, with kids
Hawaii
Things to Do in New York, with kids
New York
Los AngelesSan FranciscoLas VegasSeattleAustinNiagara Falls

🇨🇦 Canada, with kids

Things to Do in Vancouver, with kids
Vancouver
Things to Do in Toronto, with kids
Toronto
Things to Do in Montreal, with kids
Montreal
VictoriaCalgaryQuebec CityOttawaNiagara Falls

🇮🇪 Ireland, with kids

Things to Do in Dublin, with kids
Dublin
Things to Do in Cork, with kids
Cork
Things to Do in Galway, with kids
Galway

🇬🇧 United Kingdom, with kids

Things to Do in London, with kids
London
Things to Do in Edinburgh, with kids
Edinburgh
Things to Do in Manchester, with kids
Manchester

🇮🇹 Italy, with kids

Things to Do in Rome, with kids
Rome
Things to Do in Florence, with kids
Florence
Things to Do in Milan, with kids
Milan

🇫🇷 France, with kids

Things to Do in Paris, with kids
Paris
Things to Do in Nice, with kids
Nice
Things to Do in Lyon, with kids
Lyon

How You Can Support Us

If our website helps you, please support us by booking your travel needs through this link: Book Flights, Hotels, Activities on Trip.com - New App User Promo up to 10% OFF. We may earn a small affiliate commission - at no extra cost to you!

It's a simple way to help us keep the site running and improving for everyone. Thanks for your support!

Average price

US$ 44.88
Book on GetYourGuide
traveltowith
HomeDestinationsAbout
San Francisco, United States

searching for