Should I buy Go City’s San Francisco pass or get individual tickets?

So, you’re planning a San Francisco adventure — cable cars, sea lions, bay views and a list of must-see spots as long as Lombard Street. You’ll want to see the city’s biggest hitters, of course: the California Academy of Sciences, Aquarium of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. And costs will soon stack up.

But which offers better value and convenience: individual tickets or a Go City San Francisco pass? We’ll look at the pros and cons of both options but – spoiler alert – unless you’re planning on visiting precisely one museum, grabbing a burrito and calling it a day, a San Francisco pass is almost always going to be the better deal. 

Firstly, what is a sightseeing pass?

Sightseeing passes – like the Go City San Francisco pass – are all-in-one tickets that give you access to stacks of top attractions for one upfront price. So, instead of paying separately for each museum, tour or historic site, you just show your pass and breeze right on in.  

Just think of it as your golden ticket to multiple San Francisco attractions, with everything you need all stored in one handy app.

The pros of using a pass

Easy upfront budgeting 

Because who enjoys bean-counting on vacation? That’s right: no-one With Go City San Francisco, you pay a single discounted price for a whole host of top tours, attractions and activities, meaning you can lock in costs up front. So: no surprises and more cash left over for actual fun. Costs tend to mount up quickly when buying individual tickets on the go, and it’s easy to lose track of what you’ve spent. You’ll have no such trouble with a sightseeing pass.

Find hidden gems

You’ve already got the Golden Gate Bridge and a ride on the historic cable cars locked in. But the Go City San Francisco pass includes entry to all manner of under-the-radar attractions you might otherwise miss. We’re talking the de Young Museum and Legion of Honor, cute self-drive city tours and the Walt Disney Family Museum.

Everything in one place

With the pass, everything’s kept in one place. So no printouts, no 57 open tabs, no trying to remember what time the Aquarium of the Bay closes. It's sightseeing made simple: just download the app, flash your pass at the door and you’re in. 

Total flexibility 

California Academy of Sciences or the Exploratorium at Pier 15? Golden Gate Bridge sightseeing by boat or bike? Decisions, decisions, decisions. With a Go City San Francisco pass you can do it all, and can often make your mind up on the day. Just check the app for availability and note that popular attractions may require advance booking (easily done via the app, natch). 

Pass perks

Pass attractions often come with great little perks that you might not get when buying individual tickets. Bonus adds like skip-the-line entry, gift shop discounts and other freebies will make you feel like a proper VIP.

The pros of individual tickets 

The Go City San Francisco pass won’t be for everyone. If your plan is a bit more free and easy, with urban exploring and café hangs at the top of your to-do list, you might prefer to pay as you go instead.

No upfront commitment

If you’re expecting to visit one, maybe two paid attractions tops, single tickets keep things simple and cost-effective. You only pay for what you use.

Minute‑by‑minute spontaneity

There’s zero commitment when you pay as you go, and you can decide to visit – or not visit – a paid attraction as the whim takes you. Do keep in mind though that popular spots can sell out or cost more at peak times.

Let's compare...

How much are you actually saving? 

Here’s an example of what a standard 2-day San Francisco itinerary might cost with individual tickets: 

Day 1

• Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour: $66
• California Academy of Sciences: $59
• Ghost-hunting tour of Chinatown: $49

Day 2

• One-day Muni pass (cable cars): $14
• Exploratorium at Pier 15: $40
• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art: $30
• Golden Gate bay cruise: $39

That’s a total cost of $297. Now compare that to a 2‑day San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass, priced at $139. In this example, you’d save about $158 or around 53%*, and you might still have room to squeeze in another attraction or two along the way, potentially boosting your savings even further.

Don’t forget – the pass also includes the handy app, extra perks and peace of mind that you won’t need to buy expensive tickets on the fly. 

*prices accurate as of January 2026

Final verdict: should you go for the pass?

We think you should. After all, if you’re vacationing in San Francisco, it seems likely you’ll want to take in a few prime attractions (and believe us, you definitely should). The cost of buying individual tickets soon mounts up whereas, with the Go City San Francisco pass, the more you see the more you’ll save. Costs stay predictable and your whole itinerary (and tickets) live in one easy app. That means less admin, and more time for San Francisco sightseeing.

Looking for more San Francisco inspo? Discover all the things you can do with a whole week to spend there and read our complete guide to the different types of San Francisco pass available.

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!