• Union Square - Starting from the vibrant heart of Union Square, the coach heads towards the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Along the way, travelers will experience:
  Union Square: Theatres, shopping, hotels.

• Van Ness Avenue - Van Ness Avenue:
  Renowned for its role as a firebreak by the US Army during the 1906 earthquake and fire.

• Cow Hollow - Cow Hollow District & Marina District:
  These are two upscale neighborhoods that attract young professionals. They feature chic fashion boutiques, Pilates studios, juice shops, and beauty salons. There are also numerous fine dining options, ranging from French Bistros to American Fusion Cuisine.

• Palace of Fine Arts Theatre - Designed by Bernard Maybeck
  Originally built as one of the 11 grand exhibits for the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition, this fictional Greek-Roman inspired ruin was a favorite among visitors. Although intended as a temporary structure, Phoebe Apperson Hearst intervened to preserve the colonnade and rotunda when the fair ended. The Palace remains one of the few surviving structures from the exposition, and one of only two buildings still in their original location. The most notable feature is the 162-foot high open rotunda, with a lagoon curving around one side, home to various wildlife such as swans, ducks, geese, turtles, frogs, and raccoons.

• Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge:
  On a clear day, the Golden Gate Bridge offers breathtaking views of the bay and the San Francisco skyline. Chief engineer Joseph Strauss remarked at the opening ceremonies in May 1937, “What Nature rent asunder long ago, man has joined today.” Construction began on January 5, 1933, and was completed on April 19, 1937, with a total cost of $35 million, equivalent to $798 million today. The bridge spans 1.7 miles in length, with its highest point standing 746 feet above the bay. It was designated a Californian historical landmark on June 18, 1987. At its opening, the Golden Gate Bridge was the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world.

• Presidio of San Francisco - The Presidio:
  A 1,500-acre park on a former military post, featuring Baker Beach, hiking trails, and historic buildings that house the Walt Disney Family Museum, eateries, homes, and businesses like Lucasfilm, with its Yoda Fountain.

• Lands End - Land’s End Ocean Beach:
  From the Land’s End lookout atop Sutro Heights, visitors can view the vast Pacific Ocean. To the left, in the distance, is the famous Cliff House restaurant. To the right are the Lands’ End park and trails, with stairs leading down to the ruins of the Sutro Baths. Adolph Sutro, San Francisco’s mayor from 1895 to 1897, built his grand mansion and the Sutro Bath House here. The Sutro Bath House opened in 1896, survived the 1906 disaster, but was destroyed by fire in 1907. Descending Point Lobos Ave, we pass the historic Cliff House restaurant, which has been rebuilt four times due to fires, with the last reconstruction in 2004, now equipped with fire alarms. As we head towards Golden Gate Park, we enjoy an elevated view of Ocean Beach.

• Golden Gate Park - Golden Gate Park:
  Entering the west side of Golden Gate Park, we pass one of two windmills, designed by San Franciscan Alpheus Bull Junior, built in 1902 for $25,000, and used as a water pump.
  Bison Paddock:
  Further into the park, we drive by the Bison Paddock, home to authentic bison. Over the past 120 years, more than 500 bison have been born in Golden Gate Park, helping to prevent the species from extinction. Golden Gate Park opened in 1870, covering 1,017 acres and stretching 3 miles long, with an average width of ½ mile. This park is 20% larger than New York’s Central Park.
  Architects:
  William Hammond Hall, John McLaren, and Calvert Vaux all contributed to creating the third most visited park in the United States.

• Haight Street - Haight Street:
  The birthplace of the hippie movement or counterculture in the 1960s, this district of San Francisco is where cultures and eras blend together. Haight Street was once home to revolutionaries and famous musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia, and Jefferson Airplane.

• Twin Peaks - Twin Peaks:
  Named for its pair of 922-foot-high summits, this is a remote residential neighborhood with modern homes along winding streets. At the summit is “Sutro Tower,” a 977-foot tall TV and radio tower. Once you disembark the bus, you will have ample opportunity to take photos of San Francisco from one of the highest vantage points the city offers. * San Francisco has unpredictable weather, and at times fog may impede the view from atop Twin Peaks.

• The Castro - The Castro District:
  Located in Eureka Valley, The Castro is synonymous with the gay community (LGBT). During World War II (early 1940s), the U.S. military discharged thousands of gay servicemen from the Pacific theater in San Francisco. Many stayed in San Francisco due to their sexuality. The first gay bar in the Castro was “Missouri Mule,” opened in 1963. Castro St. was named after Jose Castro, a Californian leader of Mexican opposition to U.S. rule in California in the 19th century.

• Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market - Market Street:
  This is a major thoroughfare in San Francisco. We drive east from the Castro towards the Ferry Building. Spanning 3 miles in length, this main artery of city transit has seen horse-drawn streetcars, cable cars, electric streetcars, and electric trolleybuses. Antique Heritage Streetcars from around the world transport passengers from The Castro to Fisherman’s Wharf, connecting to the electrical line above and riding the tracks. Market Street runs through many districts: Castro, Noe Valley, Civic Center, Union Square, and the Financial District.

• Financial District - Financial District:
  Amidst the skyscrapers that dominate the skyline (Transamerica Pyramid, Salesforce Tower), there is a wealth of tech businesses, along with happy-hour hot spots and elegant late-night, date-night destinations. The Jackson Square Historic District features remnants of the Barbary Coast.

• Chinatown - Chinatown:
  Heading north on Grant Avenue, on the right, is Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, built in 1854, the oldest Catholic cathedral west of the Rockies. Chinatown’s roots began in 1849, during California’s “Gold Rush.” Word spread to China of the mythical “Gold Mountain” Gum Sahn. Chinese immigrants came to San Francisco seeking a new start. Many left the city proper to prospect for gold, while others remained, creating a tight-knit community. Racial and cultural tensions separated Chinatown from the rest of the city, leading to its reputation as a City-Within-a-City. The 1906 disaster destroyed immigration records, allowing many in the Chinese community to claim citizenship and bring their families from China. San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest and one of the largest in the U.S.

• North Beach - North Beach:
  Rich in history, the Beat Movement in the 1950s saw popular poet Jack Kerouac frequent the streets of North Beach. Adler Place was renamed Jack Kerouac Alley, where Kerouac often visited a pub and café adjacent to the alley. North Beach boasts numerous Italian restaurants and cafes to enjoy. At Broadway and Columbus, we see two beautiful buildings: The Sentinel Building, a distinctive copper green Flatiron style building, completed in 1907, and home to American Zoetrope film studio since 1972, co-founded by Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas. The distinct shape of the Transamerica Pyramid is visible throughout the city, prominently displayed here in North Beach. Construction began in 1969 and was completed in 1972. At 853 feet tall or 48 stories, it was the tallest building in San Francisco until the completion of the Salesforce Tower in 2018.

• Pier 39 - The bus tour concludes at Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, where your Escape from the Rock adventure begins. After disembarking the bus, the driver will direct you to The Escape from the Rock Cruise landing, where you can board the boat (departure times are seasonal). “The Escape from the Rock Cruise” brings you close to the infamous prison island (please note this tour does NOT land on Alcatraz Island or include the prison interior), allowing you to circle the island twice, viewing it from all angles, along with the beautiful city skyline.

• Narrated Bus Tour of San Francisco
• 5 photo stops opportunities
• Escape from the Rock Bay Cruise
• Cruise around Alcatraz Island
• Explore the Bay of San Francisco

• Gratuities
• Hotel pick up and drop-off
• This tour DOES NOT land on Alcatraz Island

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and journey through the untamed mountain landscape of Marin County. Soak in the awe-inspiring sights of the San Francisco Bay as you traverse the Golden Gate Bridge. Visit the Muir Woods National Monument, a home to the towering ancient Giant Redwoods (Sequoia Sempervirens) that overlook Redwood Creek. Discover Sausalito, a beautiful village mimicking Mediterranean style, adorned with charming shops, art-filled galleries, and restaurants by the waterfront. Experience the Escape from the Rock Cruise (an alternative to Alcatraz), which takes you near the notorious prison island that many attempted to abscond from. The cruise orbits the island two times, letting you appreciate it from every imaginable angle as well as the stunning skyline of the city.
This tour does NOT involve stepping onto Alcatraz Island or exploring the prison from within. Departure schedules vary with seasons. Reach out to us for specific tour date departure timings.
*At the end of the Escape from the Rock Cruise, attendees are required to arrange their own return to their place of stay or vehicles.

• The bay cruise does NOT let you on Alcatraz Island.
• Wheelchair accessible. However, passengers in a wheelchair can be accommodated only if they can get on and off the bus on their own and if the wheelchair is collapsible.
• Please check schedules for the Boat Tour on Blue & Gold website and pick the best departure time for you.
• Stops with Photo opportunities at: Golden Gate Bridge, Palace of Fine Arts, Twin Peaks, Land’s End Ocean Beach (Sutro Baths) & Mission San Francisco de Asis (Mission district)

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