San Francisco Pass: Save up to 50% – Includes Big Bus Tours

Planning a trip to San Francisco and considering a city pass? There’s no shortage of options, but today we’re taking a close look at the San Francisco Pass offered by Go City. It promises access to more than 25 popular attractions, plus the convenience of a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, all bundled into one digital ticket. Whether you’re after the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the vibrant neighborhoods, or family-friendly spots like the California Academy of Sciences, this pass might be worth a second look.

What we love about this pass? First, the flexibility — you can choose from 1, 2, 3, or 5-day options, making it adaptable whether you’re in town for a weekend or a longer stay. Second, the ease of use — everything is stored on your mobile device, so no need to carry around physical tickets, and most attractions offer direct entry with your pass.

That said, there are some trade-offs. A handful of reviews mention that some attractions are not available as advertised or require pre-booking, which means planning ahead is crucial. Also, some users had issues with the app or vouchers not being recognized, so be prepared to troubleshoot if needed. This pass is best suited for travelers who want to maximize their sightseeing without the hassle of buying individual tickets or worrying about missing out.

If you’re someone who enjoys a mix of sightseeing, museums, and scenic tours, and you’re comfortable with a bit of planning, this could be a great way to experience San Francisco. However, if you prefer a more relaxed, unstructured trip or are traveling outside the peak seasons, you might want to explore other options or buy tickets individually for specific attractions.

Key Points

• Flexibility in duration — choose from 1, 2, 3, or 5 days depending on your schedule
• Includes Big Bus hop-on-hop-off tour — an easy way to see many top sights
• Access to 25+ attractions — from museums to boat cruises and bike rentals
• Mobile ticket convenience — no need for physical passes
• Some attractions may require advance reservations — plan accordingly
• Mixed reviews about app reliability and voucher recognition — be prepared for potential hiccups

In-Depth Look at the San Francisco Pass Experience

If you’re like us, you probably want an experience that maximizes sightseeing and minimizes stress. The San Francisco Pass seems to aim for that sweet spot, combining a broad selection of attractions with the simplicity of digital entry. Let’s break down what this pass offers and what it really means for your trip.

How It Works: Buying, Using, and Accessing

Once you purchase your pass — which costs about $104 per person, depending on the duration — it’s immediately available on your mobile device. You don’t need to worry about paper tickets or vouchers; just save your digital pass and show it at your chosen attractions for quick entry. The digital guide included helps navigate the process, offering instructions and information on each site.

This approach is pretty handy, especially if you’re planning to visit multiple places in a few days. The pass is valid for consecutive days, so your sightseeing can be flexible. Remember, most attractions allow only one visit per day, so if you want to revisit a spot, you’ll need to plan accordingly or buy additional tickets.

What’s Included: Attractions and Tours

The highlight is the Big Bus Tours — specifically, the hop-on-hop-off Classic tour with a 1-day ticket included. It covers the core sights from Fisherman’s Wharf to the Golden Gate Bridge, with stops that let you explore at your own pace. Many reviews praise this as a great way to get an overview of the city without the hassle of navigating public transport.

Beyond the bus tour, the pass grants access to over 25 attractions, which include:

• The California Academy of Sciences, a sprawling museum with an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history exhibits
• The Aquarium of the Bay, where you walk through tunnels filled with marine life
• The Blue & Gold Fleet boat cruises — including the “Escape from the Rock” trip circling Alcatraz
• The Exploratorium, a science museum filled with hands-on exhibits
• The San Francisco Zoo, home to over 2,000 animals
• The SFMOMA, the largest modern art museum in the country after its expansion
• The USS Pampanito, a WWII submarine museum
• The de Young Museum and the Legoland Discovery Center, appealing to art lovers and families alike
• The Walt Disney Family Museum, for Disney fans
• Unique experiences like GoCar GPS-guided tours and The Flyer flying theater

And many more, including some offbeat options like haunted walks and the historic USS Hornet aircraft carrier.

What You Can Expect at Each Stop

Big Bus Tour: Expect a comfortable, open-top bus with audio commentary. The hop-on-hop-off format means you can jump off at major sights and explore at your leisure. The reviews note that the bus drivers are helpful and friendly, which really enhances the experience.

California Academy of Sciences: Named a “New Wonder of the World” by Conde Nast Traveler, it’s a must-see for science enthusiasts or families. It features an aquarium, planetarium, and various interactive exhibits. Spending around 3 hours here is typical, and many visitors find it both fun and educational.

Aquarium of the Bay: Walk through tunnels with sharks, rays, and schools of fish. With only an hour typically needed, it’s a manageable stop that offers some great photo opportunities and learning about marine ecosystems.

Bay Cruises: The “Escape from the Rock” cruise is about 90 minutes, sailing under the Golden Gate and circling Alcatraz. As this is a boat tour, you’ll get fantastic views of the city skyline and the iconic prison, plus interesting stories about escape attempts.

Exploratorium: This museum of science and art is engaging for all ages. The interactive exhibits encourage tactile learning, and the 1.5-hour experience is often enough to get a good feel for it without rushing.

Bike Rentals and Tours: The all-day bike rental from Blazing Saddles is a highlight for many. Riding across the Golden Gate to Sausalito offers breathtaking views and a sense of adventure. Expect to start in Fisherman’s Wharf and follow dedicated bike paths through scenic areas.

Other Attractions: From art museums to historic ships, the pass covers a wide range of interests. The USS Pampanito, for instance, provides a tangible glimpse into WWII history, while the de Young Museum offers impressive art collections.

Authentic Traveler Feedback: What’s Working and What’s Not

Many reviews praise the pass’s value for money. Several mention that they saved over $100 by bundling tickets, and the convenience of using a single digital pass makes the trip smoother. The Big Bus Tour gets rave reviews for being a great way to see the city and get oriented.

However, some travelers face frustrations. A recurring issue is that not all attractions are available as advertised. For example, one reviewer was disappointed that “fishing” was unavailable, despite it being a key reason for purchasing the pass. Others found that certain activities required advance reservations, which meant they had to plan meticulously to avoid missing out. Several reviews mention that the app sometimes doesn’t work or the pass is not recognized at attractions, causing delays or disappointment.

Some travelers also felt that the voucher system was confusing or that they never received a physical card, only a small piece of paper or a digital code, which caused concern about legitimacy. A few experienced difficulties with app functionality, especially when trying to access or show their passes.

Practical Advice: Is This Pass Worth It?

The pass offers great flexibility for those who like to pack in many sights over a few days. If you plan your itinerary well and book reservations in advance, it can definitely save money and time. But be aware that some popular attractions may have limited availability or require pre-booking, so check ahead to avoid missing out.

The value really depends on how many attractions you wish to visit. Visitors who manage to hit multiple sites daily and use the included tours will find this a cost-effective way to explore without the need to buy individual tickets.

The app reliability and accurate attraction availability are areas to watch out for. If you’re comfortable troubleshooting or planning around the app’s limitations, you’ll likely have a smooth experience. Otherwise, it might be better to buy tickets at individual sites or focus on the free or walkable parts of the city.

The Sum Up

The San Francisco Pass by Go City is an appealing option if you want a convenient, all-in-one ticket for many of the city’s top sights. Its flexible duration and inclusion of the popular Big Bus Tour make it especially suitable for first-time visitors eager to get a rundown of the city.

While some attractions may require pre-planning or reservations, most travelers find the pass offers good value for money, especially if they take advantage of multiple sites in a short period. The digital format simplifies the process, although app issues and voucher confusion have been reported, so staying organized and having backup plans helps.

If your trip is packed with sightseeing, museums, and scenic tours, and you’re comfortable managing reservations, this pass could streamline your experience and save some cash. However, if you prefer a more relaxed pace or are wary of potential app hiccups, consider buying tickets individually or exploring other options.

The San Francisco Pass is best suited for active explorers and first-timers who want to make the most of their time without the stress of ticketing logistics. It’s a practical, money-saving tool that can enhance your trip — just be prepared for a bit of pre-trip planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the pass include transportation?
Yes, it includes access to the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Classic Tour, which is a convenient way to see many sights around the city.

Can I visit each attraction more than once?
Generally, you can visit each attraction once per day. If you wish to revisit spots, plan accordingly or purchase additional tickets.

Is the pass valid for multiple days?
You can choose from 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days, giving you flexibility based on your stay.

Do I need to make reservations ahead of time?
Some attractions recommend or require advance reservations, so check the digital guide for instructions and plan your visits accordingly.

What if an attraction isn’t available or is closed?
Availability can vary; some attractions might be temporarily closed or have limited hours. Always verify ahead and check the most recent info on the Go City app.

Is the pass suitable for families?
While not specifically marketed as a family pass, many attractions like the aquarium, zoo, and Legoland are family-friendly, and the flexibility suits groups with children.

What do reviews say about app reliability?
Mixed. Some users had trouble with the app or voucher recognition, so it’s wise to keep your confirmation details handy and be patient if technical issues arise.

How much can I expect to save?
Many travelers report saving over $100 compared to purchasing individual tickets, especially if they visit multiple attractions.

Are there any attractions not included?
Yes, food and drinks are not included unless specified. Also, some attractions might require an additional fee or reservations.

How do I start using the pass?
Purchase online, save the digital pass to your device, and show it at the entrance of participating venues. The digital guide will help you plan your route and reservations.

If you’re heading to San Francisco and want a way to see a lot without the hassle, the Go City San Francisco Pass is worth considering — just keep an eye on reservations and app functionality. Happy exploring!