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Tours/San Francisco/San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace

San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace

3.9(10)San Francisco3–4 hours
VIATOR4.0(7)TRIPADVISOR3.7(3)
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
+12 photos
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace
San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace

At a glance

Duration
3–4 hours
Price from
$17 / person
Location
San Francisco, United States
Rating
3.9 / 5 · 10 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Private
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Adventures with Action
Meeting point
Start on Steiner St at Alamo Square Park, San Francisco. This is the suggested starting point; we’re not affiliated with nearby businesses, and their staff won’t have tour info. The audio starts automatically—check your email/text for setup (best done on Wi-Fi). Valid forever.

Description

Explore all that San Francisco has to offer, from the twists and turns of Lombard Street, through the bustling streets of Chinatown, and to the top of Telegraph Hill! This comprehensive self-guided audio tour of San Francisco covers everything from the Painted Ladies to the Golden Gate Bridge. This self-guided driving tour allows you to explore San Francisco with maximum flexibility and value. Purchase one tour per car. Everyone can listen at the same time! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

Schedule & prices

Runs
Every day
Next available
Wed, Oct 14
Adult (ages 5+)
$17

From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.

Tour Options

San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace

Itinerary

Painted Ladies
Pass by

Our San Francisco exploration begins at one of the city's most iconic stops: the Painted Ladies! As we drive past, we'll admire these striking buildings and learn about how they came to be painted in such vivid colors. As we continue driving, we'll dive into what makes SF the city that it is: its past, its present, and the promise of its future. NOTE: The tour is over 17 miles long, with more than 43 audio stories, and takes about 3-4 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

San Francisco City Hall
Pass by

Our drive through San Francisco brings us past a magnificent marble building: the San Francisco City Hall! As we drive, we'll learn all about how this city was founded and why it grew.

Lombard Street
10 min

Next, our SF tour brings us to the famous Lombard Street. For one block, this road turns into the “most crooked street in the world!” You’ll make EIGHT hairpin turns within that one block! Drive carefully!

Telegraph Hill
10 min

Next, we'll head up one of SF's famous hills: There’s a phenomenal view of the bay and of the city skyline once you’re up there.

Pass by

We'll climb to the top of Coit Tower and get a great look at San Francisco from above. As we get back to the tour and continue driving, we'll learn all about the city's rapid real estate growth and the housing crisis it currently faces.

Pass by

Our tour of SF brings us to one of the city's most active neighborhoods: Chinatown. As we drive, we'll learn all about the impact of Chinese and Asian immigrants on San Francisco.

Pass by

As we drive towards Chinatown, we'll pass a strange sight: a huge, glass pyramid. We'll learn all about this building's strange history as we pass.

Pass by

Next, we'll see two iconic symbols of San Francisco's Chinatown: the Chinatown Mural and the Old Chinese Telephone Exchange.

Pass by

We'll then be able to jump out of the car for an optional walk around this bustling neighborhood, exploring its vast selection of foods, drinks, and desserts.

Pass by

We'll exit SF's Chinatown through the Dragon's Gate. As we drive, we'll learn about another iconic San Francisco feature: the cable car!

Dragon's Gate
Pass by

The Dragon Gate is a south-facing gate at the intersection of Bush Street and Grant Avenue, marking a southern entrance to San Francisco's Chinatown, in the U.S. state of California.

The Embarcadero
Pass by

As we make our way to the waterfront, we'll dive into San Francisco's maritime history... and its (literal) gold-digging past. This will finally bring us to the Embarcadero. From here, we can explore the wonders of the nearby Ferry Building or make our way to Fisherman's Wharf for a glimpse of the infamous Alcatraz!

5 min

Embark on this iconic trip over San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge from the Embarcadero at either the Ferry Building or Fisherman's Wharf. As we follow the waterfront, we'll learn all about "the most famous bridge in the world" and how it almost didn't exist!

Union Square
10 min

Nestled in the heart of San Francisco, Union Square stands as a historic beacon, echoing tales of yesteryears. A fusion of art and flair, this vibrant epicenter boasts iconic landmarks, from its famous Dewey Monument to the surrounding theaters that have entertained generations. With a plethora of upscale shops, art galleries, and bustling cafes, it’s more than just a square—it's a cultural melting pot, reflecting the city's rich tapestry of innovation and tradition.

Fisherman’s Wharf
10 min

As we turn the corner along the waterfront, we'll catch our first glimpse of SF's Golden Gate Bridge. We'll learn all about the money problems, construction problems, aesthetic problems, engineering problems, creative problems, and even life-endangering problems that this bridge overcame.

Crissy Field
Pass by

We'll pause at Crissy Field for phenomenal views of the Golden Gate Bridge. During this break, we'll understand why this "golden" bridge is red, what it's massively popular opening week was like, and how it's a modern marvel of transportation today.

Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
Pass by

Now it's time to actually cross over the bridge! We'll pass the Golden Gate Welcome Center on our way over, learning all about this bridge's epic construction history. As we cross, we'll also understand why this is a favorite setpiece for Hollywood!

Pass by

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a modern and contemporary art museum located in San Francisco, California. A nonprofit organization, SFMOMA holds an internationally recognized collection of modern and contemporary art, and was the first museum on the West Coast devoted solely to 20th-century art.

Pass by

San Francisco is a technology hub without rivals, and the upcoming Uber and Twitter headquarters prove it! As we drive through the city, we'll learn all about San Francisco's relationship with technology, Silicon Valley, and more.

Golden Gate View Point
Pass by

Our scenic tour towards, and across, SF's Golden Gate Bridge ends on the other side, at the Golden Gate View Point.

What's included

Included
Just bring your car and phone; the app guides your tour.
Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
Private tour experience for your family, in your own car.
Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
One purchase covers everyone in your car, not per person.
Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
Access your tour in our separate audio tour app after booking.
Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.
Not included
No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.

Traveller Ratings

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

3.9
10 reviews
5
3
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
0

How it compares in San Francisco

  • Starting price $17 is 79% below the typical $82 for tours of similar length in San Francisco

Excurgo comparison of 961 Viator tours, recalculated daily.

Important Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
  • Private tour: Explore in your own vehicle without crowded buses or large tour groups.
  • At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
  • Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
  • Good value: One purchase covers everyone in your vehicle, not each person separately.
  • More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
  • Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
  • Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
  • Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
  • Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
  • The app’s audio will play through your car’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto display, while the app’s map will display on your phone. You can connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth to listen to the commentary through the car stereo.

Cancellation

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

1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund

Frequently asked questions

How long does this tour take?

San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace lasts about 3–4 hours. The itinerary has 20 stops.

How much does this tour cost?

Prices start at $17 per person for this San Francisco experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.

What days does this tour run?

According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day.

Can I cancel this tour for free?

Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Start on Steiner St at Alamo Square Park, San Francisco. This is the suggested starting point; we’re not affiliated with nearby businesses, and their staff won’t have tour info. The audio starts automatically—check your email/text for setup (best done on Wi-Fi). Valid forever. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.

What languages is this tour offered in?

The experience is available in EN.

Is this a private or a group tour?

It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 1 travellers can book together.

Will my booking be confirmed immediately?

Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.

Is this tour worth it?

Travellers rate it 3.9 out of 5 across 10 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Adventures with Action.

Reviews(10)

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

$17/ person
3.9(10)
Duration3–4 hours
LanguagesEN
ConfirmationInstant
Check availability on Viator →
Booked and paid on Viator.com
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

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

No booking fees from Excurgo
Payment and confirmation are handled by Viator
Excurgo support

Excurgo earns a commission from Viator when you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.

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