San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace Discount Tickets

Get your discount tickets for the San Francisco Self-Guided Audio Drive: Explore at Your Own Pace, save up to 12% !

Overview

Explore all that San Francisco has to offer, from the twists and turns of Lombard Street, through the bustling streets of Chinatown, and to the top of Telegraph Hill! This comprehensive self-guided audio tour of San Francisco covers everything from the Painted Ladies to the Golden Gate Bridge. This self-guided driving tour allows you to explore San Francisco with maximum flexibility and value. Purchase one tour per car. Everyone can listen at the same time! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Start on Steiner St at Alamo Square Park, San Francisco. This is the suggested starting point; we’re not affiliated with nearby businesses, and their staff won’t have tour info. The audio starts automatically—check your email/text for setup (best done on Wi-Fi). Valid forever.

Language Offered

English-AUDIO

Itinerary

1. Painted Ladies
Our San Francisco exploration begins at one of the city's most iconic stops: the Painted Ladies! As we drive past, we'll admire these striking buildings and learn about how they came to be painted in such vivid colors. As we continue driving, we'll dive into what makes SF the city that it is: its past, its present, and the promise of its future. NOTE: The tour is over 17 miles long, with more than 43 audio stories, and takes about 3-4 hours to complete. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.
2. San Francisco City Hall
Our drive through San Francisco brings us past a magnificent marble building: the San Francisco City Hall! As we drive, we'll learn all about how this city was founded and why it grew.
3. Lombard Street
Next, our SF tour brings us to the famous Lombard Street. For one block, this road turns into the “most crooked street in the world!” You’ll make EIGHT hairpin turns within that one block! Drive carefully!
Duration: 10 mins
4. Telegraph Hill
Next, we'll head up one of SF's famous hills: There’s a phenomenal view of the bay and of the city skyline once you’re up there.
Duration: 10 mins
5. 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd
We'll climb to the top of Coit Tower and get a great look at San Francisco from above. As we get back to the tour and continue driving, we'll learn all about the city's rapid real estate growth and the housing crisis it currently faces.
6. International Hotel
Our tour of SF brings us to one of the city's most active neighborhoods: Chinatown. As we drive, we'll learn all about the impact of Chinese and Asian immigrants on San Francisco.
7. Transamerica Pyramid
As we drive towards Chinatown, we'll pass a strange sight: a huge, glass pyramid. We'll learn all about this building's strange history as we pass.
8. Magical Ice Cream
Next, we'll see two iconic symbols of San Francisco's Chinatown: the Chinatown Mural and the Old Chinese Telephone Exchange.
9. Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
We'll then be able to jump out of the car for an optional walk around this bustling neighborhood, exploring its vast selection of foods, drinks, and desserts.
10. Cable Car Hotel
We'll exit SF's Chinatown through the Dragon's Gate. As we drive, we'll learn about another iconic San Francisco feature: the cable car!
11. Dragon's Gate
The Dragon Gate is a south-facing gate at the intersection of Bush Street and Grant Avenue, marking a southern entrance to San Francisco's Chinatown, in the U.S. state of California.
12. The Embarcadero
As we make our way to the waterfront, we'll dive into San Francisco's maritime history... and its (literal) gold-digging past. This will finally bring us to the Embarcadero. From here, we can explore the wonders of the nearby Ferry Building or make our way to Fisherman's Wharf for a glimpse of the infamous Alcatraz!
13. Ferry Building
Embark on this iconic trip over San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge from the Embarcadero at either the Ferry Building or Fisherman's Wharf. As we follow the waterfront, we'll learn all about "the most famous bridge in the world" and how it almost didn't exist!
Duration: 5 mins
14. Union Square
Nestled in the heart of San Francisco, Union Square stands as a historic beacon, echoing tales of yesteryears. A fusion of art and flair, this vibrant epicenter boasts iconic landmarks, from its famous Dewey Monument to the surrounding theaters that have entertained generations. With a plethora of upscale shops, art galleries, and bustling cafes, it’s more than just a square—it's a cultural melting pot, reflecting the city's rich tapestry of innovation and tradition.
Duration: 10 mins
15. Fisherman’s Wharf
As we turn the corner along the waterfront, we'll catch our first glimpse of SF's Golden Gate Bridge. We'll learn all about the money problems, construction problems, aesthetic problems, engineering problems, creative problems, and even life-endangering problems that this bridge overcame.
Duration: 10 mins
16. Crissy Field
We'll pause at Crissy Field for phenomenal views of the Golden Gate Bridge. During this break, we'll understand why this "golden" bridge is red, what it's massively popular opening week was like, and how it's a modern marvel of transportation today.
17. Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
Now it's time to actually cross over the bridge! We'll pass the Golden Gate Welcome Center on our way over, learning all about this bridge's epic construction history. As we cross, we'll also understand why this is a favorite setpiece for Hollywood!
18. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a modern and contemporary art museum located in San Francisco, California. A nonprofit organization, SFMOMA holds an internationally recognized collection of modern and contemporary art, and was the first museum on the West Coast devoted solely to 20th-century art.
19. Uber Headquarters
San Francisco is a technology hub without rivals, and the upcoming Uber and Twitter headquarters prove it! As we drive through the city, we'll learn all about San Francisco's relationship with technology, Silicon Valley, and more.
20. Golden Gate View Point
Our scenic tour towards, and across, SF's Golden Gate Bridge ends on the other side, at the Golden Gate View Point.

Inclusion

Text transcripts of audio narration & Self-paced format (start/pause/resume anytime)

Pre-recorded audio commentary (downloadable or streamable)

This is a GPS-powered, self-guided audio tour that works through an app

Lifetime access (no expiration) with Customer support (chat/email)

This tour is NOT a ticket to any attraction or site

Suggested walking/driving itinerary with stop-by-stop directions

Offline GPS-enabled route map

NO in-person guide or physical equipment (bring your own device & headphones)

Exclusion

Entrance fees, in-person guide, headphones, transport, parking, food,Wi-Fi or cellular data, rentals

Cancellation Policy

Check mark icon Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
  • 0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

How To Access: After booking, you’ll get an email and text with setup instructions and password (search “audio tour” in emails and texts). • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password sent by email and text. • MUST download the tour while in strong wifi/cellular. • Works offline after download.

How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.

Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.

Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you

Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car

New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want.

Audio Setup: Connect your phone to your car's stereo system using Bluetooth, USB, or AUX. For the best experience, consider using headphones for walking tours. Audio playback is compatible with Apple CarPlay, with navigation features coming soon. Support for Android Auto is also on the way.

The tour requires a supported mobile device for navigation. Please use an iPhone with iOS 15 or later, an Android device with Android 9 or later, or an iPad/tablet with GPS and cellular service.

Supplied by Adventures with Action

Reviews

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Based on 9 reviews

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