The Bottom Line
The Go San Francisco Card is a convenient way to experience the city. Good for more than 45 different attractions, activities, and day-trip tours, it can help with itinerary planning, as well as time-saving (avoid ticket lines). However, the return-on-investment isn't as high for one- or even two-day use. The longer the trip, the better the card is, as far as savings and not feeling stressed in getting to everywhere today.
- Good for over 45 Bay Area things-to-do.
- Additional savings on dining/shopping.
- Flexibility to change plans with minimal lead time.
- Free, full-color San Francisco Guidebook (with maps/sample itineraries).
- Savings proportionate to days of use.
- Some attractions located out of city.
Description
- Wallet-sized card offers free admission to Bay Area attractions.
- Good for museums, bay cruises, day-trip tours, and excursions; one visit per attraction per day.
- Choice of 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-, or 7-day increments.
- Price: Adults $45 - $139, children (3-12) $29 - $89 (one- to seven-day pass).
- Included in hotel and vacation packages.
Guide Review - Go San Francisco Card: Pass to City Attractions
Overall, the card offers a good selection of things-to-do. If this is your first time to the city, naturally you'd like some guidance on where to go. The goal is to not waste time and the Go San Francisco Card, if anything, helps narrow down your choices. For instance, you can check the Golden Gate Bridge off your list with a bay cruise ($21). And with a Gray Line Trolley Hop ($18), you can visit a number of destinations in an hour, including Nob Hill, North Beach/Chinatown, and Ghirardelli Square (right at Fisherman's Wharf).
But there are only so many hours in the day, and if you're only in the city for one day, then it's probably best to just plan ahead and visit a few specific attractions. Time being of the essence, to really get the most out of the Go Card in a single day, you will need to visit at least four choices. Check out these one-day itineraries.
Quite a day's work, isn’t it?! But the benefit of the card certainly increases the longer you're in the city, since you're able to space out your days better (and not be so pressed for time). In cases such as these, the Go Card can prove very useful - with up to 30% or more savings.
* S.F.'s skyline by David Goldberg. Photo © San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau.
