More about: GoCar Tours in San Francisco
The GoCar tour of San Francisco is an essential activity when visiting the city. These small vehicles allow you to see a lot of places within the city without having to walk or use public transport.
Go Cars, once named the best invention of the year, have become one of the best ways to visit many of San Francisco's must-see attractions, as they are a great way to explore the city's most iconic sights.
San Francisco GoCar Tour
Guided tour of San Francisco in a GoCar with a 2-hour itinerary
Explore San Francisco in a mini car with GPS and integrated audio guide. See the city's most iconic sights on a pre-planned 2-hour route.
This GoCar tour with a fixed route is perfect if you are looking for a guided tour with a set duration. For 2 hours, you can drive around San Francisco in a small two-seater car with built-in GPS and pre-set routes. The vehicle includes audio guides that will tell you interesting facts and history about the places you will visit, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Crissy Field and the Presidio.
The tour starts at Fisherman's Wharf and the car is delivered with everything ready: helmet, full tank, map and GPS navigation. Although you can deviate from the route if you wish, the pre-designed itinerary ensures an efficient and comprehensive tour.
Recommended if... you want a comfortable and organised tour of San Francisco without having to worry about planning the route.
San Francisco Tour by GoCar
Self-guided tour of San Francisco in a GoCar with flexible duration
Rent a GoCar by the hour and explore San Francisco at your own pace. Choose how long you want to drive and stop wherever and whenever you want.
With this flexible option from GoCar, you can explore San Francisco in complete freedom. Choose between 1, 2, 4 hours or even a full day rental, and create your own route with the help of GPS. The car includes an audio narration that will explain the history of the city and its most famous landmarks.
You can stop at any time, drive along the coast, cross the Golden Gate Bridge or climb the hills at your own pace. A helmet is included and there are no mileage restrictions, giving you complete freedom to experience the city your way.
Recommended if... you prefer to improvise your itinerary and discover San Francisco with maximum flexibility.
How to book a Go Car Tour
Booking a GoCar Tour in San Francisco is very easy, and you can choose between two options depending on the type of experience you prefer. If you are looking for a pre-planned route with a 2-hour tour of the most iconic sights, you can opt for this GoCar tour with a fixed itinerary, ideal for those who want a guided experience without having to worry about planning the route.
On the other hand, if you prefer to have complete freedom to explore the city at your own pace, you can choose this flexible hourly rental option. With this option, you can drive for 1, 2, 4 hours or all day, make as many stops as you like and follow the audio commentary that takes you to the most important sights in San Francisco.
Both options can be booked online with immediate confirmation. Simply select the date, time and number of participants, and you will receive all the information directly in your email so you can enjoy your minicab experience in San Francisco.
Duration of the Go Car Tour
The duration of the GoCar tour in San Francisco varies depending on the option you choose. If you prefer a pre-organised tour, you can opt for the 2-hour closed route tour, where you will follow a set itinerary with audio guides and GPS. This option is ideal if you are short on time and want to make sure you see the highlights without straying off course.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a more personalised experience, you can choose the hourly rental tour, where you decide how long you want to drive. You can choose from 1, 2, 4 hours or even a full day, allowing you to stop wherever you want, take photos at your leisure and enjoy San Francisco at your own pace.
Whichever option you choose, the GoCar includes GPS, audio narration and a helmet, so you can experience the city in complete comfort and freedom.
Tips for a Go Car Tour a Go Car Tour
- Keep the weather in mind and dress in layers, as the weather in San Francisco is changeable and very unpredictable. Also, you may feel quite cold while driving, as the vehicles are completely open.
- Children can participate if they are 4 years old or older and only if their head fits in the helmets provided by the Go Car service.
- I do not recommend deviating from the established tour route. Some of the most fun detours are included in the tour.
- Don't expect to go at breakneck speeds, as the small vehicle can only reach up to 56 km/h.
- The Golden Gate Bridge is a route you cannot take with a Go Car because it is not allowed, but you can get to Fort Point, a place from where you can access the bridge on foot. If you want to cross the bridge in another way, I recommend booking a bike tour of San Francisco that includes it.
- You must take into account the maximum height and weight restrictions to enjoy the ride. These are 1.9 metres in height and 226.6 kg in weight for both passengers.
- This trip is not recommended for pregnant women, nor can you take it if you have back problems.
- One of the advantages of this tour is that it is accessible for wheelchair users and you can also bring assistance pets.
- In the event of an accident, the price does not include the cost of damages, so please drive carefully, as if anything happens to you or the car, you will have to pay an additional fee ranging from £19 or more.
How much does the Go Car cost in San Francisco?
The price of the Go Car is per car, not per person. The reservation also includes an audio guide that you can take with you on the tour.
With this in mind, renting this type of vehicle for the tour can cost between £72 and £143, and of course, it is only suitable for two people per vehicle.
The price of the vehicle rental and tour also includes an 8.75% environmental compensation fee, which is a tax paid for both refuelling and recycling the vehicle's tyres.
Some vehicles run on gas instead of petrol. In this case, fuel is also provided when you book the tour and is included in the initial price.
What are the places I shouldn't miss on a Go Car Tour?
During the tour, you'll see San Francisco's most iconic monuments, sculptures and landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge.
You'll also see some of the city's major parks, pass by the pier and visit Downtown and Chinatown.
Regardless of which tour you choose, here are some of the places you won't want to miss on your journey. I would definitely include this activity among the best tours and excursions in San Francisco.
Ghirardelli Square
This is the old chocolate factory located very close to Fisherman's Wharf. The factory used to occupy all three floors of the building, but today it is a place full of shops and restaurants.
As you pass by, you can listen to your audio guide to learn everything you need to know about how the building used to operate. If you like, you can stop to explore the place and buy some interesting souvenirs to take home.
Fort Mason Centre
This is a place where the performing arts come together, including dance, theatre, art installations, musical performances, and recreational and educational events for everyone in the bay area. It is also home to various arts organisations that offer locals and visitors a wide range of recreational activities and shows to enjoy.
This place is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, one of the most visited national parks near San Francisco.
Fort Mason Centre is a must-see if you're travelling in your Go Car. You can stop here to take all the photos you want, especially of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Fort Point National Historic Site
This fort welcomes visitors to the Golden Gate Bridge on its south side, making it a great place to stop and take amazing photos before continuing your Go Car tour. This site is located just below the bridge and in its heyday was part of the defences of San Francisco Bay.
If you want to stop here, you'll be pleasantly surprised by what you find inside. A large collection of uniforms, weapons and other items from the American Civil War have been preserved intact to this day.
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate needs no introduction. It is one of the most iconic places you will ever visit and one that you will want to see with excitement when you are in your Go Car, but I must warn you that you cannot attempt to cross it at any time. These vehicles are not allowed to cross the bridge.
If you want to admire the Golden Gate, you can do so from below, or you can stop the car and walk up to take some great photos. It is the icon of the bay and the entire city, so you need to take the time to see it and appreciate it.
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
An ideal place to take dreamy postcards, this historic site will impress you with its attention to detail. The Palace of Fine Arts was built around 1915 and its main purpose is to display works of art from the World's Fair.
Around 1965, the monument underwent some reconstruction to improve its design and reinforce its infrastructure. In 2009, it was reinforced against earthquakes to make this fortress even more unbreakable.
Fisherman's Wharf
The famous pier has more than just history. Fisherman's Wharf is a section of the entire pier where most of the pier's attractions are located, one of the most famous being Pier 39.
Previously, during the Gold Rush and in the early 20th century, the site was part of what was known as Barbary's Coast, an incredibly dangerous red-light district at the time.
Today, little or nothing remains of that dark history. The place offers some of the best views of San Francisco.
Ocean Beach
Next to Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach is one of the city's most entertaining attractions. In fact, visiting this beach is one of the favourite activities of locals among their top summer destinations.
If you stop here, you'll be able to take great photos of the bay and, above all, appreciate the immensity of the Pacific Ocean. Feel free to stay as long as you like and, depending on the weather and how brave you are, take advantage of the opportunity to dip your feet in the water.
Presidio of San Francisco
The Presidio of San Francisco is one of the city's most iconic landmarks, featuring a large structure that served as a military barracks for many years.
It also includes a national cemetery where countless soldiers who gave their lives in wars throughout history are buried.
The Presidio is also home to the Walt Disney Museum, oneof the best museums in San Francisco.
Although I don't recommend using your Go Car tour to visit the museum, it is highly recommended if you have a little more time. For now, you can take some photos and spend a few minutes there.
Crissy Field
This is one of the most iconic and fun parks in San Francisco. Due to its height, it offers beautiful panoramic views of the entire city, as well as a fantastic view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
I recommend stopping at Crissy Field for a few minutes to rest and take all the photos you want from every possible angle. It's also very close to the Presidio.
Legion of Honour
This museum is dedicated to the more than 3,000 Californian soldiers who lost their lives during the First World War.
The monument honouring these victims is built as a replica of the Palace of the Legion of Honour in Paris. Inside, you can see a large number of works of art from all over the world.
Lombard Street
The route you're sure to enjoy the most is Lombard Street. At the last stop of your trip, you can drive down this winding street from the top to the bottom. It's an adrenaline-filled experience that you'll definitely want to repeat.
When taking this drive, be sure to drive carefully and understand that this is a regular traffic route, so you must be aware of other vehicles coming down the hill.
Why is a Go Car Tour recommended?
I recommend taking a Go Car Tour in San Francisco because, in addition to seeing new places, you'll have a lot of fun driving this little car.
Plus, the experience gives you the opportunity to do things that you might not be able to do on foot, by car or by bike in San Francisco.
One of the experiences you'll enjoy most in this little car is driving down Lombard Street. This experience is definitely not the same if you do the tour on foot, by bike or in a private car. It's also a great experience if you're travelling alone or as a couple.
This option allows you to have a select, private tour if you're travelling with someone else, as most traditional tours require at least four people to book a private tour. But the Go Car only seats two people, so it's ideal for those cases.
On the other hand, it's an experience you can enjoy at any time of year, although I would particularly recommend including it among the things to see and do in San Francisco in summer, as the warm weather can help you enjoy the scenery even more.
What are the advantages of taking a guided Go Car tour vs. a self-guided Go Car tour?
The great thing about Go Cars is that you can take a guided or self-guided tour without much difference between the two, because in the end it's just you and your mini car driving around San Francisco.
The difference is that some Go Cars offer a guided audio tour that explains the route you should take and provides details about each place you visit. This innovative service makes you feel as if you are with a tour guide who is showing you San Francisco little by little.
Of course, you can also just rent a Go Car and take the tour you want without an audio guide, but I recommend this type of tour if you have already visited San Francisco and feel familiar with the city but want to learn new things.
Whatever the case, Go Car is an experience I would recommend whenever you go to San Francisco, because there is definitely no more fun and adrenaline-filled way to explore the city than in one of these little cars.