Best San Francisco Cultural Tours in 2026

San Francisco , California

From $ 39.00

You haven’t fully experienced San Francisco until you’ve taken a Bay Cruise. This popular 1-hour excursion heads underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatraz Island, past Angel Island State Park, and alongside the city's waterfront. Take advantage of fantastic photo ops and panoramic views. An audio tour is available on your smartphone, tablet or other WiFi-enabled device and includes a slideshow of historical photos. This ticket allows you to skip the box office line and go straight to the gate.

San Francisco , California

From $ 37.00

Please note: this walk is not at all strenuous. Obviously there's some stairs but this is done at a leisurely pace and suitable for almost everyone. This breathtaking 2 mile walking tour of San Francisco's hidden stairways is the #1 rated Airbnb Experience in the Bay Area. See gorgeous mosaic tiled steps and hear the stories behind them, then take in stunning 360° views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park and downtown San Francisco. You'll also discover beautiful neighborhoods and gardens that tourists rarely see...you might even go home with a succulent! I'll provide commentary, context and some history along the way. Generally SF is dry May-October. There can be fog in the summertime, mostly in the morning. Temps rarely above 70F (21C) or below 50F (10C). Rain may cancel. Instagram account to see more photos: @hiddenstairssf #hiddenstairssf Message me if you have questions!

San Francisco , California

From $ 32.00

- Explore the city with San Francisco's most hilarious, imaginative and EXCITING storyteller! - Enjoy original FOLKLORE and FAIRYTALES told by Clyde Always: a professional storyteller, published poet and decade-long resident of the City by the Bay. Hear about witches & wisemen, hobos & hipster-emperors. Bring your imagination! - Get to know these three famous neighborhoods: the Mission, the Castro and the Duboce Triangle. - Get insider knowledge of the best eateries, parks, shops and more. See beautiful street-art, landmarks and architecture. Experience the City like a local. - BEWARE! Some of the information presented will be highly UNBELIEVABLE. Have fun sorting the fact from the fiction. -A 2.2 mile (3.5 km) walk with no hills. One public restroom along the way. - Please note: this tour is NOT for the whole family. Script includes profanity and you might see a nudist or two. - Guaranteed to entertain, enliven and uplift. An experience you'll always remember.

San Francisco , California

From $ 37.00

The Haight-Ashbury neighborhood was the center of the counter-culture movement and the Summer of Love. I'll bring its bohemian history to life and even share some dark secrets from its distant past. I'll bring you to the homes of the musicians that lived here and you'll marvel at the colorful murals and beautiful Victorian houses along the way. Oh, I'll also introduce you to the world's greatest record store! *PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TOUR DISCUSSES DRUG USE AND MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUNGER GUESTS*

San Francisco , California

From $ 18.97

Our representative will pick you up from your hotel in Alexandria. Then we proceed to see the Qaitbay Citadel which was built on the site of the Ancient pharaohs (lighthouse) of Alexandria then to Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Named after the Mameluke Sultan Al- Asharf Qaitbay, the Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria is considered one of the most important defensive strongholds in the Mediterranean Sea. Visit the citadel that used to formulate an important part of the fortification system of Alexandria in the 15th century A.D. Then you drive along the Cornish to see the whole city passing over bridge of stanly land mark of modern Alexandria then drive back to your hotel.

San Francisco , California

From $ 9.99

Take in San Francisco's historic waterfront with a tale of its creation, and looming demise with this walking tour along the Embarcadero. • Find out how rising seas and increasing storm surges are predicted to flood streets, and the infrastructure above and below, and what the future might look like • Hear from producer Claire Schoen who creates award-winning stories in sound for radio and podcasts • Do it all in 90 minutes or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.

San Francisco , California

From $ 34.00

Visit iconic landmarks with a local guide as you discover hidden gems along the waterfront. Hear captivating stories about San Francisco's dramatic boom and bust history. Learn about the Gold Rush and how Cable Cars were invented. See our playful colony of sea lions and famous rolling fog. Along the way you'll sample delicious treats like Ghirardelli Chocolate and Boudin's Sourdough, all while your guide shares fascinating tales of the city's colorful past. You can enjoy this walking tour on its own, or choose to upgrade with a Golden Gate Bay Cruise for even more adventure! Our Golden Gate Bay Cruise is truly like none other. Let Captain Sal Alioto regale you with stories only a 3rd-generation local could share as you take in stunning views of the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges on his historic Monterey Clipper. Bay Cruise only available for ages 7 and older. Walking tour is open to all ages. Come join us!

San Francisco , California

From $ 11.99

Explore San Francisco's historic Japantown at your own pace on this self-guided audio tour. Japanese-American local Kristin Eriko Posner will guide you through the neighborhood, sharing little-known stories on how history shaped the food, culture, and landscape of the oldest Japantown in the U.S. This geo-tagged audio tour is best between 10:30am - 3:30pm on Wednesday-Saturdays, when all of the businesses on the tour are open. However, it can be taken at any time, on any day. Most stops are open until 6pm. The tour is ready whenever you are and the audio plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline.

San Francisco , California

From $ 39.00

Learn about the incredible and vibrant history of the most famous gayborhood in the world: San Francisco's Castro District! We'll learn about the lives of the activists and other political leaders who made it possible for Harvey Milk to be elected the first openly gay politician in the United States- while experiencing the Castro's shift from a quiet family neighborhood to a culturally LGBTQ+ district. We'll also visit the first memorial to honor the gay men killed in the Holocaust, in addition to the LGBT History museum before discussing the pivotal role played by the lesbian nurses during the HIV/AIDs epidemic. Our time together will end with a visit to Harvey Milk's camera shop, residence, and campaign headquarters- all of which were featured prominently in the 2008 film "Milk".

San Francisco , California

From $ 6.99

On this ghoulish adventure you’ll explore the haunted neighborhoods of Union Square, Nob Hill, the Barbary Coast, Chinatown, see their haunted spots and hear their tales of the afterlife. This tour is guided by the voice of an experienced spooky Professional British Narrator and hauntingly creepy sound effect to set the mood for this ghostly walk through the streets of San Francisco. Simply go to the Westin St Francis's front door, press start tour, and put your phone in your pocket. Our App's technology will guide you step by step from there. As we walk, I’ll share with you the haunted locations and their spooky stories. You’ll learn about Chinatown’s dark past. The history of the 1906 earthquake. The gold rush era. The Jazz age. The Barbary Coast. And much more! It’s a tour of history, tragedy, mayhem and of course, ghosts. This is not a tour for the faint of heart. The tour begins outside the Weston Saint Francis. If you dare!

San Francisco , California

From $ 39.00

I am a San Francisco native with six generations in the City. I have written three books about San Francisco and record a San Francisco factoid video almost every day. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community who is also an activist and organizer, I offer a perspective into this dynamic neighborhood that few others can.

San Francisco , California

From $ 31.99

Explore California's Best with Shaka Guide's California Audio Tour Bundle! Discover Lake Tahoe's clear waters, Joshua Tree's otherworldly landscapes, Yosemite's majestic beauty, Death Valley's unique geology, and many more! With our GPS audio tours, you're guided to hidden gems and iconic sights. Explore at your own pace and let the journey begin! Whether you're traversing the serene landscapes of Lake Tahoe, exploring the unique desert terrain of Joshua Tree, marveling at the stark beauty of Death Valley, or admiring the majestic peaks and waterfalls of Yosemite, Shaka Guide ensures a rich and informative journey. Book your California adventure today! *Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*

San Francisco , California

From $ 5.99

This is a self guided audio tour of San Anselmo, a unique town nestled in the heart of Marin County. Originally called Junction due to the meeting of several railroad lines, the town slowly grew from a few ranch houses and farms to the vibrant community we see today. You'll learn about some of our early residents, and about the influences the railroad and the San Francisco earthquake had on the growth and development of our town. By the end, we hope you will have a better appreciation of why our residents truly treasure living in this community.

San Francisco , California

From $ 7.99

Are you looking for a way to explore San Francisco's Chinatown without joining a tour group? Take this self-guided tour led by David Hu, a local and 5th generation Chinese American and 4th generation Japanese American. This tour through one of North America's oldest districts unveils cultural richness and culinary treasures. Visit four special eateries, including the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory and Good Mong Kok Bakery. Explore Chinatown's significance and Bruce Lee's ties to it, and discover stories of the Chinese Exclusion Act's impact. From shopping at Canton Bazaar to exploring the Wok Shop, this tour offers a delightful blend of history, culture, and gastronomy. Get unlimited use of this tour before your booking date and after it. You can use the virtual tour option at home, too. Once you have booked, you will receive instructions and a unique code to download the tour. The app displays directions to the starting point; when you’re in the right place, tap start.

San Francisco , California

From $ 20.00

Tour a turn-of-the-century Beaux Arts masterpiece designed by renowned architect Albert Pasis. Featuring a frescoed interior, famous stain glass windows and one of the last operational Murry-Harris organs this is one of the most beautiful rooms in San Francisco. One-of-a-kind tour of interior led by trained guides. You will lean about the history of Jews in San Francisco's gold rush, and see many of the religious artifacts of this still vibrant community and have a chance to revel under the dome of this amazing house of worship.