Everything you need to know about Go City’s San Francisco passes

Cable cars, bay cruises and world-class museums—unlock San Francisco’s greatest hits with one easy app and two flexible ways to explore.

Published: October 28, 2025
Golden Gate Bridge

Planning a trip to San Francisco? Think hills with personality, fog that rolls like theater, and neighborhoods that each feel like their own little world. Between Golden Gate Park’s greenery, waterfront energy at Fisherman’s Wharf and quiet corners in the Presidio, there’s a lot to fit in. That’s where Go City San Francisco comes in—with two flexible pass types and access to 30+ attractions, tours and experiences, it helps you see more for less. First-timers, weekenders, families and locals playing tour guide all find it handy—because it bends to your plans instead of the other way around.

The basics: what is the Go City San Francisco pass?

 

Go City San Francisco passes provide easy, money-saving ways to visit multiple attractions for one price. Just choose the pass type that suits your style—All-Inclusive or Explorer—and you’re all set for adventure.

All-Inclusive Pass

  • Choose a 1, 2, 3 or 5-day pass.
  • Best for packing in lots of sightseeing across a short window—great for first visits or energetic getaways.
  • Visit as much as you like from the included lineup for each day your pass is active (once per attraction).
  • Valid for consecutive calendar days starting with your first attraction scan-in, so start early to get the most out of each day.

Explorer Pass

  • Choose 2, 3, 4 or 5 attractions.
  • Perfect for a relaxed pace, repeat visitors, or anyone who wants to focus on a specific handful of favorites.
  • You’ll have 30 days to use your choices from first activation, which fits well with longer trips or flexible schedules.
  • Easy to build your own lineup—mix museums, cruises, tours and family fun without locking into daily quotas.

Both passes live on your phone, unlock fast entry at included attractions and deliver serious savings compared to buying entrance tickets separately.

Buying and activating your pass

 

  1. Buy online: Purchase from the official Go City website or app to get instant delivery and the latest pricing.
  2. Download the Go City app: Your pass appears automatically via the link in your confirmation email. Use the app to browse attractions, opening hours, maps and booking links.
  3. Activate when you’re ready: Your pass activates the moment it’s scanned at your first attraction. All-Inclusive runs for the number of consecutive calendar days you choose; Explorer stays valid for 30 days from first use.

Using your pass

What’s included?

Alcatraz

With 30+ attractions, tours and experiences, San Francisco’s highlights line up nicely. A little taste of what you can do with your pass…

Bay views and boat trips

 

See the city from the water on a classic Golden Gate Bay Cruise. You’ll sail under the bridge, glide past waterfront landmarks and circle Alcatraz while listening to stories of the city’s wild past. Want to add a little more drama? The Escape from the Rock cruise includes colorful and lurid tales of the prison island as you orbit its seawalls—landing tickets aren’t included, but the views and narration are fantastic. Sunset departures add that golden glow across the bridge and Marin Headlands, with plenty of photo ops and fresh Pacific air.

Museums and culture

 

The California Academy of Sciences packs an aquarium, rainforest dome and planetarium under one living roof—great for kids and nerdy adults. Don’t miss the Philippine coral reef tank or the immersive planetarium shows. Meanwhile, the de Young Museum and Legion of Honor bring fine art across eras and continents. Climb the de Young’s observation tower for sweeping city and park views before you wander the galleries. The Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio tells the story of Walt’s early experiments, animation breakthroughs and film magic. It’s intimate, insightful and set in one of the city’s prettiest neighborhoods.

Family fun at the wharf

 

Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39 spotlights local sea life with walk-through tunnels where sharks and bat rays glide overhead. Step outside afterward to greet the resident sea lions basking on the docks.

The San Francisco Flyer and 7D Experience bring motion seats, high-energy visuals and arcade-style thrills to the waterfront—great quick hits between meals and marina strolls.

Parks, bridges and fresh air

 

Grab a full-day bike rental and follow the waterfront path through Crissy Field, over the Golden Gate Bridge and down to Sausalito. Ferry back if you fancy a one-way ride, or pedal round-trip if your legs are game. Alternatively, the hop-on hop-off Big Bus is an easy way to link the sights without tackling the hills. Ride open-top between Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach, the Haight and Golden Gate Park while getting the lay of the land.

For a quirky twist, book a GoCar GPS storytelling tour and steer your zippy little car past must-see viewpoints and colorful street scenes—complete with on-board narration.

Plan ahead

 

A little prep goes a long way in San Francisco. Cluster your day by neighborhood to save time (and calves). Fisherman’s Wharf pairs naturally with Aquarium of the Bay, a bay cruise and a quick ride on the historic streetcars. Golden Gate Park bundles the California Academy of Sciences, the de Young and leafy paths for a bike spin. The Presidio works well with the Walt Disney Family Museum, scenic overlooks and easy trails.

Start early, especially with an All-Inclusive Pass. Some museums close on Mondays; many attractions open later on weekends. If you’re biking over the bridge, check wind forecasts and layer up—the weather can swing from sunny to foggy in minutes. Public transit is your friend: Muni buses, light rail and the California or Powell cable car lines help you skip parking headaches. Finally, skim the app the night before to confirm hours and booking notes; that quick check might just save you a lot of last-minute scrambling on the day!

Reservations

Go City San Francisco app

Some popular spots need timed-entry or advance reservations, especially on weekends and holidays. You’ll find everything you need in the app—look for the ‘reservations’ tag on each attraction. Typical examples include California Academy of Sciences time slots, GoCar tours and certain bay cruises in peak windows. If you don’t see a booking requirement, you can go straight to the entrance and scan your pass. Plans changed? Cancel or reschedule through the same booking links to free up your slot for someone else.

What’s the main advantage of Go City San Francisco passes?

 

  • Genuine savings compared to buying separate tickets at each attraction.
  • Flexibility to choose a day-based All-Inclusive Pass or a pick-your-favorites Explorer option.
  • Instant mobile admission with the Go City app—no queues for paper tickets.
  • A single app to check hours, directions, booking details and more.
  • Freedom to try new experiences you might skip if paying full price per attraction.

Is buying a pass worth it?

Pier 39 sea lions in San Francisco

For most travelers, yes. Between bay cruises, top-tier museums, family-friendly fun on the waterfront and easy ways to get around, you can cover a lot of ground without overspending. Pick the pass that mirrors your travel style, plan your neighborhoods, snag any required reservations and start scanning. You’ll spend more time soaking up Golden Gate views and less time juggling tickets—and that’s a San Francisco win in our book.

Let’s say you get a 3-day All-Inclusive Pass and choose: 

Day 1

  • Big Bus hop-on-hop-off tour ($66)
  • California Academy of Sciences ($59)
  • Walt Disney Family Museum ($25)

Day 2

  • Golden Gate bay cruise ($39)
  • Exploratorium at Pier 15 ($39.95)
  • Aquarium of the Bay ($28)

Day 3

  • Mission district food and culture tour ($39)
  • Half-hour GoCar rental ($26)
  • San Francisco Museum of Modern Art ($30)

That’s more than $350 worth of tickets on a $179 pass. In other words, solid savings of over $170 and around 50% on a whole load of Frisco fun!* 

*prices accurate as of October 2025

Step up your sightseeing with Go City®

We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. 

See more, do more, and experience more with Go City® - just choose a pass to get started!

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Things to Do in San Francisco in Summer

Arguably the best time to visit, San Francisco in summer is full of fun and festivities. From superb museums to street fairs, grab your sunglasses and head on down.
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San Francisco in July

July sees San Francisco’s tourist season get into full swing, with schools on vacation planet-wide and the city’s fine weather and funky festivals drawing in the crowds from here, there and everywhere. It’s peak season and therefore the priciest time of year to visit, but a trip to San Francisco in July still has much to recommend it. Visiting San Francisco in July Average Temperature: 54–66°F • Average Rainfall: 0 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 10 hours/day Umbrellaphobes, rejoice! July is one of San Francisco’s driest months with an average of, um, zero days’ rainfall, meaning the chances of being poked in the eye by an unruly golf umbrella or – worse still – looking on helplessly as the cable car pulls away with your precious bumbershoot still on board, are close to non-existent. What you can expect is mild weather with plenty of sunshine, tempered by occasional fresh sea winds and a healthy dose of the Bay area’s famous fogs. 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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Alcatraz Island in San Francisco
Blog

San Francisco in May

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Down in the trendy Mission district, it’s all kicking off as the two-day Carnaval Festival rolls into town. This riot of color and sound celebrates the arts and traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean through lively street performances, flamboyant costumes and some of the best street food this side of the Mexican border. Beer and cannabis gardens help you stay mellow and there is, of course, a grand parade through the streets. Cinco de Mayo Also held in The Mission (we’re sensing a pattern here), the Cinco de Mayo festival celebrates Mexican and Central American culture and is held annually on – as the name suggests – the 5th of May. Families bring picnics and deckchairs to immerse themselves in the action in and around Valencia Street, where food vendors hawk spicy treats and live bands get the party started with mariachi, salsa, merengue music and more. There are costumed dancers, artists, magicians and street performers galore, and even a petting zoo to keep the kids entertained. Bay to Breakers Bay to Breakers is a 12k fun run that usually takes place on the third Sunday of May. Weaving its way east to west from the Embarcadero to Ocean Beach, it takes in nine of the city’s neighborhoods. Fun-loving San Franciscans have gamely established a tradition for donning fancy dress during the race, which means you can expect to see overgrown chickens, shambling pantomime horses and huge conga-lines in which teams of 13 or more runners tether themselves together for the duration of the race. In other words: it’s great fun. Get involved yourself: it includes many fun sections like Golden Gate Park, where you might even get to spot the resident buffalo. On the other hand, Hayes Street Hill is an absolute beast that rises over 200 feet above sea level and will challenge even the most seasoned runner. 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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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