mom

Hello, When we go do a destination for the first time we like to do a city tour on our first day to help is get a little more oriented and see all the things we have read about. Has anyone taken the Grayline City Tour in San Francisco; and if so did you enjoy it? Any recommendations? Thanks !!!!

apseals

I have brought groups of exchange students to SF for many years and always use the Grayline City Tour with side trip to Alcatraz as an introduction to the city. We take the first tour in the morning (usually a Monday) before sites tend to get crowded. I have had the same guide on this tour route for the last three years and he is very good. If you are not interested in Alcatraz, I think you can just book it when you arrive through your hotel. If you are interested in Alcatraz, you have to book in advance by say at least a week or two. You can do that on the web or by calling them. The only problem with advance reservations for the City Tour part is that you are locked into a day and if the weather is bad or foggy then you will not see much at Twin Peaks, Cliff House and Vista Point which is on the North side of the GG Bridge.

As far as the actual tour goes, the stop at the Tea Garden/Golden Gate Park is never long enough but you can always revisit spots that have interested you on the tour on your own.

I hope this helps. Feel free to email me if you have any other questions. Have a great trip.

mom

Thank you! Just the perfect information I was needing. We have used Gray Line in the past in other cities and have always been pleased, so I felt sure San Francisco would not be an exception. We are going to do the Alcatraz on a separate day as I had thought the same thing about the weather. I will however purchased the Alcatraz tour in advance so that we will not be disappointed. We will just take our chances on the weather that day. Again, thank you.

apseals

Have a great trip and I hope the weather cooperates for you. As far as an Alcatraz tour goes, there are several. We have used the Blue and Gold Fleet. They offer tours daily as well as an Alcatraz tour in the evening that departs Thur.-Sun around 4 and is back by 7PM. The things that is different about this tour is that you have a "live" person conducting it and not the "guide on tape" that is the norm. I have not used the evening tour but have heard nice things about it.

sfo

There's a walking tour of the Famous Urine Stains of Union Square. My favorite is the one is front of the Maxwell Hotel in the shape of Richard Nixon's head.

xxx

Wok Wiz has a great walking tour of Chinatown with lunch included.

George

The fire-engine tour, which takes you over to Sausalito for a Golden Gate photo-op (not sure whether it still does that,) is fun. Not comprehensive, but the view's great!