Tours of San Francisco Frequently Asked Questions

Can’t find what you want to know about Gray Line San Francisco Tours?

Call (415) 353-5310 or try these frequently asked questions covering our current offerings, where to meet your tour group, when we visit your favorite locations, and how you can maximize your San Francisco trip.

General Gray Line of San Francisco Questions 

Are your coaches clean and well-maintained for safety?

• You will travel in state-of-the-art luxury coaches, which are regularly maintained and inspected by a team of dedicated mechanics. These professionals adhere to rigorous safety regulations established by the California Highway Patrol and the US Department of Transportation.

Do you have restrooms on the bus?

• All full-size coaches are equipped with restrooms for your convenience. However, our “mini-coaches” do not have restroom facilities. Don’t worry though, along the routes taken by our smaller coaches, there are several rest-stop opportunities available for your convenience.

Where do you pick up?

• We offer convenient pick-up options from two different departure locations in San Francisco, both within walking distance of the majority of hotels in the city.

• Departure #1 – Union Square (Downtown) – 478 Post St., San Francisco, CA 94102
• Departure #2 – Fisherman’s Wharf – 2805 Leavenworth St., San Francisco, CA 94133

Do you pick me up at our hotel?

• No, you have the flexibility to choose between the two departure locations based on the area where you are staying. In San Francisco, the majority of hotels are typically found either in Fisherman’s Wharf or downtown.

Do you pick up in Oakland or San Jose?

• No, regrettably, we do not offer pick-up services in those specific areas. However, you have the option to take BART from Oakland or CALTRAIN from San Jose and travel to our departure location situated in Union Square.

Do you take us back to our departure point after the tour?

• For the tours that we operate directly, we ensure that you are returned to the same location where we initially picked you up. However, please note that if you purchase a packaged tour that includes an additional activity following the bus tour (such as  City Tour + Alcatraz, Muir Woods + Sausalito Ferry return, City Tour + Bay Cruise, etc.), you will be responsible for arranging your own transportation back to your hotel or place of stay.

Have you been rated by customers? If so, what is your rating?

• You can find the ratings for each tour on our website. These ratings are independently audited by Feefo, ensuring that only customers who have actually taken our tours are able to provide feedback and rate their experiences.
• Additionally, you can also review our latest certificates from TripAdvisor, which have awarded us with the Certificate of Excellence in 2020, 2021, and 2023.

Is lunch included in your tours?

• While lunch is not included in our tours, we do make a stop at a scenic area for lunch during full-day tours.

What method of payment do you take besides cash?

• We accept most major credit cards as a form of payment.

Are San Francisco cable cars free?

• No, San Francisco Cable Cars are not free for Adults. Children under the age of 4 ride for free. Riders over the age of 4 can expect to pay $8. Senior, disabled, or riders with Medicare can expect to pay $4. All tickets are only valid for one-way rides and are not transferable between cable car lines. Lastly, all tickets must be purchased ahead of time. For more information regarding tickets, visit San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authorities page about cable cars.

What are the best tours for first-time visitors to San Francisco?

• For first-time visitors to San Francisco, we recommend a Golden Gate Bridge tour, a city tour, or an Alcatraz Island tour. Better yet, most tour operators in San Francisco offer tours that combine all these sites into one tour! Check out our San Francisco Grad City Tour & Alcatraz Island tour or our San Francisco City Tour & Bay Cruise.

What are the most popular tours in San Francisco?

• Most popular San Francisco tours include Golden Gate Bridge tours, Alcatraz Island tours, Muir Woods tours, wine tours, walking tours, and bike tours.

What are the best day trips from San Francisco?

• You can never go wrong with getting out into nature or to wine country! Our Napa Valley, Yosemite, or Muir Woods tours are perfect day trips.

What are some day trips from San Francisco that are suitable for outdoor enthusiasts?

• We recommend our Muir Woods tour or our Yosemite tour for our outdoor enthusiasts. Both tours focus on getting visitors outside and into nature.

What are some day trips from San Francisco that are suitable for families with young children?

• Our most family-friendly tour is our San Francisco Grand City Tour & Aquarium at the Bay – who doesn’t love the aquarium!

San Francisco City Tour Questions

Do we remain inside the bus for the entire tour, or can we walk around specific points of interest?

• During our itinerary, we typically make 4 to 5 different stops. These stops can vary in duration, ranging from quick 10-minute photo stops to approximately 20 minutes spent at iconic locations like the Golden Gate Bridge.
• In addition to the aforementioned stops, our San Francisco tour may also include visits to other notable attractions such as Twin Peaks, Golden Gate Park, Palace of Fine Arts, Land’s End, and City Hall/Civic Center.

Do you have restrooms on the bus?

• All full-size coaches are equipped with restrooms for your convenience. However, our “mini-coaches” do not have restroom facilities. Don’t worry though, along the routes taken by our smaller coaches, there are several rest-stop opportunities available for your convenience.

Muir Woods Tour and Sausalito Tour Questions

How much time is allowed in Muir Woods during the Muir Woods tour?

• To ensure that all tour operators have the opportunity to visit Muir Woods National Park, bus tours are allowed a maximum of 90 minutes to stay at the park. This time limit is in place to accommodate multiple tour operators and maintain a fair and efficient visitation system.
• During the allocated 90 minutes at Muir Woods National Park, you will have the option to explore various hiking paths available. We recommend taking the Bridge 4 loop walk and returning to the departure point. This particular route allows you to make the most of your time and enjoy the scenic beauty of the park.

How long do we stay in Sausalito?

• If you choose the option to return by bus, the approximate travel time back is around one hour.
• If you intend to extend your stay in Sausalito, we highly recommend booking the option to return by ferry. This choice grants you the freedom to enjoy your time at your own pace, and you can later embark on a delightful ferry journey back to the beautifully-restored Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street in San Francisco.

How long is the Muir Woods tour?

• The entire trip has an approximate duration of about four hours.

What’s unique about Sausalito?

• Sausalito is a charming seaside village known for its picturesque setting and breathtaking views of the San Francisco skyline and “City Front.” It offers a delightful shopping experience and a wide range of excellent restaurants where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch during your visit.

Napa Sonoma Wine Country Tour Questions

Are wine tastings available and, if so, are they included in the ticket price?

• Yes, wine tastings are included as part of the experience and are covered by the tour price.

How long is the Wine Country tour?

• The tour has an approximate duration of about four hours.

How many wineries are included in this tour?

• During the tour, you will have the opportunity to visit a minimum of three wineries situated in the renowned wine-producing regions of Napa and Sonoma in California.

May we take our children along?

• Children are warmly welcomed on this tour, as the vineyard walkabout provides an exceptional learning experience that is suitable for all ages.

This is a full-day tour. Will we have time to eat lunch?

• Yes, the tour includes a planned 90-minute stop after the second winery visit. Following this stop, we will either make a stop at Sonoma Square or Downtown Napa, depending on the specific itinerary being followed.

Will we be able to walk through the vineyards?

• The tour incorporates a guided walk-through of an active vineyard, accompanied by a knowledgeable vintner who will provide insights into the wine-making process, starting from planting and extending all the way through harvest and bottling.

Monterey, Carmel & 17-Mile Drive Questions

Do we see pebble Beach the world-famous golf course?

• Certainly! Our tour includes a scenic drive through the famous 17-Mile Drive. Along this route, you’ll have the opportunity to see iconic attractions such as the Pebble Beach Golf Course, which is situated along the 17-Mile Drive.

How long do we spend in Carmel and Monterey?

• In each of these charming and historic locations, you will have the opportunity to spend over an hour leisurely strolling along streets lined with beautiful Cypress trees or exploring the once-vibrant Cannery Row, which holds significance in Steinbeck’s writings.

How long is the drive to Monterey?

• This is a full-day tour with a duration of approximately 11 hours. The drive to the area takes approximately 2 hours, offering opportunities for photo stops along California’s stunning and picturesque coastline. During the tour, you will visit historic Monterey and the charming town of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

We want to visit the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Do you stop there?

• Yes, admission tickets to the Aquarium will need to be purchased online from the Monterey Bay Aquarium.