Even though San Francisco is a relatively small city, spanning only 7 miles by 7 miles, the number of attractions and famous sites in this mighty town could take weeks to discover. Luckily, the wise folks at Gray Line’s City Tour have done all the hard work for you and created a Hop on Hop off bus tour that covers the majority of important places in you’ll want to see while in San Francisco.
So, if you plan on visiting San Francisco during spring break, we have great news for you. Thanks to all their hard work, you don’t have waste your vacation time getting lost trying to find the places you want to see. All you have to do is jump on one of their Hop on Hop off buses and they’ll drive you around while you sit up high with an excellent view of the cityscapes. And, just like the names says, you can hop on, then hop off when you want to check out a place, then just hop on the next City Tour bus that comes by. What’s great is that City Tour has a fleet of fabulous double-decker buses that arrive and depart frequently throughout the day.
Along with giving you and your family a stress-free tour of San Francisco, each bus comes equipped with a knowledgeable tour guide who shares with you the history of the places you are visiting and the neighborhood you’re driving through. Some of the attractions you get to see and learn about include the Golden Gate Bridge, Haight-Ashbury District, Alamo Square—the home of the famous Painted Ladies homes, Chinatown, and Fisherman’s Wharf.
One of the most popular packages this spring is the 48 Hour Hop On Hop Off Pass and San Francisco Zoo Admission Combo which includes two free exclusive guided walking tours “Gold Rush Daze Walking Tour” and “Love, Peace & Haight Walking Tour” along with tickets to the 7D Experience on Pier 39 and of course, the world famous San Francisco Zoo.
The Gray Line City Tour is the only Hop on, Hop off bus service that visits the zoo and this package is ideal for families who plan on being in San Francisco for at least two days and want to experience the awesome creatures at the San Francisco Zoo.
Perched on the edge of San Francisco and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the San Francisco Zoo is an oasis to over 2,000 exotic, endangered and rescued animals. Some of the fantastic habitats you get to observe include the splendid Leanne Roberts African Region and the Valentine Family Savanna.
There, your family gets a glimpse into this lush multi-species landscape with giraffes, zebras, kudu, ostriches, storks, and more. At the Hearst Grizzly Gulch, you can get super close with rescued grizzly sisters Kachina and Kiona. Penguin Island is home to the largest colony of Magellanic penguins outside of the wild. One of the gems of the zoo is the historic 1921 Dentzel Carousel and the 1904 miniature Little Puffer Steam Train that are loved by visitors of all ages. Some of the programs you can attend include Red Panda Talk, Grizzly Bear Feeding, Penguin Feeding, and Hatchery Tour.\
Credit Photographer: Marianne Hale
To get the most out of this package, plan on spending one or two days touring on the Hop on Hop off bus throughout San Francisco and enjoy the trip across to Sausalito and the two free walking tours. For the final part of this package, head to the Zoo, where you and your family will get lost in the joys that can only be found when interacting with animals.
All of the fantastic tours can be booked online. Or, give Gray Line a call at 415-353-5310 and they will be more than happy to set up your tours for you!
Written By: Teresa Rodriguez
