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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Relaxing Things to do in San Francisco
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Relaxing Things to do in San Francisco

Often, vacations can feel like a sprint to see and do everything in your limited time. In a new city or country, you want to immerse yourself in as much local culture as possible. But with only a handful of days there, fitting it all in can be stressful. But it needn't be. After all, vacations should also be about relaxing. So, if you want to take your foot off the gas, check out our picks of the best relaxing things to do in San Francisco and take it easy! Including: Hop-on, hop-off Bus Tour Aquarium of the Bay San Francisco Bay Cruise Exploratorium San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and more! Hop-on, hop-off Bus Tour If you're only in town for a few days, you may want to see all the sights in one afternoon. If you think that sounds stressful, think again. Because on this hop-on, hop-off bus tour of San Francisco's most recognizable landmarks, the pressure's off. The way these tours work is that a fleet of buses run every day, with each passing the same landmarks. That means that if you want to get out and explore any of them, you can! Just hop off, take a look around, and then hop on the next bus that shows up. Your ticket lasts the whole day, so you can really take your time. So, what landmarks will you be checking out? Well, there's the famous Golden Gate Bridge & Golden Gate Park, Chinatown, North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, and plenty more! If you're looking for relaxing things to do in San Francisco, take your camera and hop on this landmark bonanza bus tour! Aquarium of the Bay What could be more serene and relaxing than wandering beneath the waves, wondering about all the exotic species that call it home? Not much, we thinks. So, if you're looking for chill things to do in San Francisco, why not visit the Aquarium of the Bay? Just go on a weekday, lest the crowds of tourists ruin the vibe. More than 20,000 marine animals live, laugh, and love within the Aquarium of the Bay's many tanks and underwater biomes. From otherworldly stingrays to cute, fuzzy otters, you'll struggle to find a more diverse crowd of water-dwelling wonders anywhere else. But perhaps the jewel in the Aquarium of the Bay's crown is its massive underwater walking tunnels. Take a stroll down them, and you'll be surrounded by wonderful flora and fauna. Each is over 300ft long, and they'll let you get up close and personal with myriad exotic species. San Francisco Bay Cruise If seeing the city by bus or underwater doesn't float your boat, why not see it all from atop the very waves themselves? On this cruise across the San Francisco Bay, you'll see the city's skyline from a different perspective - and a few surprises to boot! Get your snappers at the ready because the sea lions that call Pier 39 home are ripe for photography! Then, witness one of the modern wonders of the world as you sail up and under the Golden Gate Bridge. Next, a trip to Alcatraz Island will set you straight. The prison might be long-shut, but seeing the imposing island by boat is enough to send shivers down your spine. And finally, a jaunt past Angel Island will leave you wondering what life was like for immigrants back in the day. This hour-long cruise is a great way to see it all without having to lift a finger. Exploratorium Inquisitive minds apply within. If you're looking for a relaxing way to expand your mind while getting hands-on with some mind-blowing interactive exhibits, stroll cooly and calmly to the Exploratorium. The Exploratorium brings the weird and wonderful to life. Featuring a metric ton of what can only be described as 'scientific art', it aims to inspire and educate in equal measure. Wander its wonderful halls, and you'll discover parabolic mirrors, see microscopic cells blown up to massive proportions, and even touch a tornado, if you can believe that. Perfect, relaxing fun for kids and big kids alike; if you've got the little ones in tow, just let them loose and take a seat. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Art lovers will get a chill kick out of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Featuring modern masterpieces from modern maestros, it's one of the most lauded modern art museums in the country. And, after a recent expansion, it's also the biggest. So, set a few hours aside to see it all! Mainstay exhibits are now joined by the Doris and Donald Fisher Collection, as well as a fresh variety of special exhibitions featuring topics like graphic art, contemporary sculpture, modern film, and more. Fans of Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and other contemporaries will love it. But, like most museums, you're best bet is to head there on a weekday morning to beat the crowds. That way, you'll ensure your visit is one of the best relaxing things to do in San Francisco! Mission District Food and Culture Tour And finally, after a relaxing journey through things to do in San Francisco, you may have built up a bit of an appetite. Thankfully, this Mission District food and culture tour will hit the spot. If you've never been to San Francisco's Mission District before, you're in for a treat. It's the city's Latin Quarter, featuring walls bedazzled with beautiful murals, plenty of laid-back bars, and a ton of Mexican restaurants and street food vendors selling all manner of delicious treats. So, why not take a tour, learn about the area's culture and history from a knowledgeable guide, and go try some of it for yourself? With four food stops on the tour, you'll have plenty of time to tuck into tacos, flatbreads, guac, salsa, and fajitas. And those were our picks of the best relaxing things to do in San Francisco. Of course, you may want to up the ante at some point during your visit. Thankfully, Go City gives you access to some of the most exhilarating experiences in San Fran! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see the city's best bits for one low price.
Dom Bewley
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10+ Things to Do for Halloween in San Francisco

Thinking about spending this Halloween in San Francisco? Check out a few of these festive attractions to get you in the holiday spirit. From tours and parties to special family-friendly events, there’s something for everyone on this list. Keep in mind that some events may require reservations; research the attractions you are interested in. You may need to purchase tickets before you go. All of these attractions are great for families with kids, but exercise caution when it comes to spooky stuff and small children. The San Francisco Dungeon If you want to see something truly spooky and horrible this October, head to the San Francisco Dungeon, where the weird and wild of San Francisco's history come out to play in force. Wander through several lively exhibits with costumed actors, enjoy amazing recreated historic sites, and be more than a little scared by some of the horrific things going on in these recreations. Getting In: San Francisco Dungeon tickets are included with the Go San Francisco® pass. SuperNatural Halloween at California Academy of Sciences This festive family event sees the California Academy of Sciences transformed into a spooky scientific dreamland. From traditional activities like pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating to extra surprises like face painting and magic shows, this event has everything that makes Halloween special. Scientists will also be on hand to demonstrate the “spooky” scientific phenomenon and to encourage the educational element of the event. It’s bound to be a great time for the whole family! Getting In: Admission to SuperNatural Halloween is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Francisco pass. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the event website. General admission to the California Academy of Sciences is included with the Go San Francisco pass. The Great Pumpkin Fest at California's Great America This is one for the younger kids at California's Great America. See Planet Snoopy transformed into the gentle Planet Spooky, where kids 12 and under can trick-or-treat with the whole PEANUTs gang in costume. Various activities include a fun hay maze, creative pumpkin decorating, a play-in-able pumpkin patch, and the chance to watch talented pumpkin-carvers practice their craft. A daytime event, this is great for really little ones who aren't ready for after dark scares. Planet Snoopy is transformed into Planet Spooky where kids 12 & under can show off their costumes as they trick-or-treat along with Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the PEANUTS friends. Getting In: Admission to The Great Pumpkin Fest is only $26 for Go San Francisco pass customers. Monster Bash & Haunted Hornet Halloween Hoopla Children’s Creativity Museum The 15th annual Halloween Hoopla at the Children’s Creativity Museum, this popular family event is ideal for kids 10 and under. Filled with interactive performances, festive displays, and seasonal crafts, the Hoopla is a great way to spend an educational and fun afternoon in the beautiful Yerba Buena Gardens. Everyone will enjoy dancing, funny clowns, palm readings, and even more festive activities. Kids can even design their own trick-or-treat bags! Getting In: Admission to the Halloween Hoopla is free. Ghost Tours Spooktacular Halloween Party Japantown Peace Plaza This free, kid-centric event takes place in one of San Francisco’s most charming public squares. Kids will be able to enjoy trick-or-treating, festive crafts, and seasonal games, in addition to Halloween décor and artistic displays. The carnival-like atmosphere continues with additional offerings like a bouncy house, temporary tattoos, and even seasonal face painting. Come in costume! Getting In: Admission to the Spooktacular Halloween Party is free. Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch 1620 7th Ave. Are you a local looking for a convenient place to pick a few pumpkins, or a visitor trying to celebrate the holiday in a new town? Either way, Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch should be your go-to stop for all things pumpkin related. Choose from a wide variety of pumpkins – including some rare varieties not found elsewhere. Go on a hayride through San Francisco, or explore a hay maze. You can even score some gourds, Indian corn, and apple cider. Getting In: Admission to Clancy's Pumpkin Patch is free. Let's Recap So there you have it. Our list of some festive and spooky things to do for Halloween in San Francisco this year. Remember, a number of these options are available on the Go San Francisco pass, where you can save up to 55% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Please note, the Halloween events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go San Francisco pass. Consider adding a few of these fun options to your mid-fall getaway itinerary.
Katie Sagal

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