San Francisco: Tourism by Land, Sea and Air
San Francisco's tourism options are so numerous and varied that it's hard for a tourist to know where to begin when they spend a few days in the city by the bay. Some tourists like to wander a around a new city with a guide book while others prefer to take an organized, guided tour. Visitors who prefer guided tours will find a variety of excursions available, thanks to the San Francisco tourism community, which fosters and supports the local tour companies.
San Francisco Walking Tours
In San Francisco, tourism is a part of everyday life. San Franciscans are accustomed to sharing the city's world famous streets and cable cars with international visitors the year around, and small groups on walking tours are nothing out of the ordinary.
Walking tours of the city offer tourists a uniquely local perspective of the city's neighborhoods. Theme tours are a current trend, with guides offering tours that focus on history, architecture, saloons, colorful San Francisco characters, earthquakes, restaurants, and sporting venues, to name just a few.
The streets of San Francisco are notoriously steep, so sensible walking shoes and a fair amount of stamina are required. Most tours run year-round, rain or shine, and take around 90 minutes to two hours to complete. After your tour ends, reward yourself with cocktails and dinner at one of San Francisco's biggest tourism draws: its fabulous seafood restaurants.
San Francisco Bay Cruise Tours
San Francisco's location on the Pacific Ocean makes it an ideal locale for a day cruise around the bay, and San Francisco tourism cruise companies offer a variety of options for tourists who want to see the city from sea level. San Francisco tourism options for cruise tours include a 90-minute sailing cruise, passing by Alcatraz Island and under the Golden Gate Bridge or an hour-long cruise passes Fort Mason, the Marina District, an exclusive yacht club, and Alcatraz. Several guides offer meal cruises, so visitors can enjoy cocktails, dinner, a dinner dance, or brunch from aboard a luxurious yacht in the San Francisco Bay. Fourth of July cruise tours even include fireworks.
San Francisco Helicopter Tours
Tourists who prefer an aerial view of the city can splurge on a helicopter tour of San Francisco, the bay, and the surrounding neighborhoods. Pilots do double duty as tour guides, describing local landmarks and attractions as they cruise the airspace above the city. Several helicopter tours are destination tours ending with lunch in Napa Valley or Sausalito. All one-way tours offer shuttles to return tourists to their point of origin.
In conclusion, the San Francisco tourism industry has done an outstanding job of promoting its local tour guides. Whether you see San Francisco on foot, on sea, or in the air, the city is certain to enchant you with its beautiful vistas, its fabulous restaurants, and its rich history.
