The Ultimate San Francisco Self-Driving Audio Tour Experience

Embark on a self-guided driving tour of San Francisco’s iconic landmarks, from Lombard Street to Chinatown. Explore at your own pace with the Tour Guide App. No expiration!

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Painted Ladies - Our San Francisco journey kicks off at one of the city’s most iconic landmarks: the Painted Ladies! As we drive by, we’ll marvel at these stunning buildings and discover the story behind their vibrant colors. As we continue our drive, we’ll delve into what makes SF the city it is: its history, its present, and its future potential.

NOTE: This 10-mile-long tour covers the essentials of San Francisco in 2-3 hours.

  • San Francisco City Hall - Our drive through San Francisco takes us past a magnificent marble structure: the San Francisco City Hall! As we pass by, we’ll learn about the city’s founding and its growth.
  • Lombard Street - Next, our SF tour brings us to the renowned Lombard Street. For one block, this road transforms into the “most crooked street in the world!” You’ll navigate EIGHT hairpin turns within that single block! Drive with caution!
  • Telegraph Hill - Next, we’ll ascend one of SF’s famous hills: There’s an incredible view of the bay and the city skyline once you reach the top.
  • Coit Tower - We’ll climb to the top of Coit Tower for a spectacular view of San Francisco from above. As we resume our tour and continue driving, we’ll learn about the city’s rapid real estate growth and its current housing crisis.
  • International Hotel - Our tour of SF takes us to one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods: Chinatown. As we drive through, we’ll learn about the impact of Chinese and Asian immigrants on San Francisco.
  • Transamerica Pyramid - As we head towards Chinatown, we’ll pass an unusual sight: a massive, glass pyramid. We’ll uncover the intriguing history of this building as we go by.
  • Magical Ice Cream - Next, we’ll see two iconic symbols of San Francisco’s Chinatown: the Chinatown Mural and the Old Chinese Telephone Exchange.
  • Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory - We’ll then have the option to step out of the car for a walk around this bustling neighborhood, exploring its wide array of foods, drinks, and desserts.
  • 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!
  • 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.
  • The Embarcadero - As we head to the waterfront, we’ll dive into San Francisco’s maritime history and its gold rush past. This will lead us to the Embarcadero. From here, we can explore the wonders of the nearby Ferry Building or head to Fisherman’s Wharf for a glimpse of the infamous Alcatraz!
  • Ferry Building - Embark on this iconic journey 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 about “the most famous bridge in the world” and how it almost didn’t come to be!
  • 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.
  • 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 about the financial, construction, aesthetic, engineering, creative, and even life-threatening challenges that this bridge overcame.
  • Crissy Field - We’ll pause at Crissy Field for stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. During this break, we’ll understand why this “golden” bridge is red, what its massively popular opening week was like, and how it’s a modern marvel of transportation today.
  • Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center - Now it’s time to actually cross the bridge! We’ll pass the Golden Gate Welcome Center on our way over, learning about the bridge’s epic construction history. As we cross, we’ll also understand why this is a favorite setpiece for Hollywood!
  • 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.
  • 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 about San Francisco’s relationship with technology, Silicon Valley, and more.
  • 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.
What's Included
  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
  • Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
  • Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
  • Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
What's Not Included
  • Foods & Drinks
Additional Information

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 to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
  • How to start the tour: 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. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
Location
1700 Ellis St
Ellis Street
After booking the tour, search your email for the phrase "Set up your self-guided tour now." Follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.0
(4 Ratings)
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1 star
E8941ybpatricias
Jul 22, 2020
Golden Gate Bridge Tour - Loved it, easy to follow. Love listening to the history of San Francisco and the varies spots the commentary would come on. Great for a self guided tour. Can go at your own pace.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sue_s
May 10, 2024
Cool tour - Cool concept. Cheaper than a hop on hop Off bus. Wished it suggested best times. We got stuck in a lot of rush hour traffic. Would like more specific directions esp if you are in a new city
Review provided by Viator
Margaret_s
Aug 17, 2022
Good tour, excellent audio, great concept, sometimes hard to get to right place - It was a rocky start to the tour as it assumed we had approached the starting point from the opposite direction. It wasn’t always clear how to find the next stop as we were wanting to do it all in order. The audio that did play when we were in the right place was excellent.
Review provided by Viator
Deborah
Jul 21, 2022
Navigation poor - Information was great, but navigating from spot to spot was difficult. Had to use another app to navigate which required two phones. Maybe another city would be better than San Fran.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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