Major Attractions Charter Bus Rentals

Gold Gate Bridge is a Must

Any visit to San Francisco is incomplete unless you include a visit to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. It's a grand feat of engineering with a dramatic aesthetic. There are plenty of photo opportunities, whether you choose to walk the bridge, take a short nearby hike, arrange a guided tour, or simply absorb the sweeping views of the Bridge against the backdrop of the azure blue ocean and the City skyline beyond, visiting Golden Gate National Recreation Area could have your group snapping photos for hours.

Golden Gate Bridge Charter Bus Drop-off and Pickup

There are two bus drop-off points for charter bus groups. To enter at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, at the south end, your bus will pull up to a designated bus loading zone. To enter from the North, your bus will take US-101 to the Vista Point Parking Lot. Charter buses can usually park nearby, either at Crissy Field or Fort Point. Buses are not allowed to idle or park while unloading or loading passengers, so your group should be ready to embark quickly, especially on weekends. Just text your driver when your visit is complete and you will be picked up at your drop-off spot. Southbound buses will be charged a toll to enter the Recreation Area.

Ferry Over to Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary has a notorious past as a maximum-security prison. It housed such well-known criminals as Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. From its perch in the middle of San Francisco Bay, your group will get fantastic views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge. The short 15-minute ferry ride to get there is fun, too.

Alcatraz Island Charter Bus Drop-off and Pickup

Your charter bus will drop everyone off and pick everyone up at Pier 33, near Fisherman’s Wharf, at Alcatraz Landing. This is located between the intersections of Embarcadero & Bay Streets and Embarcadero & Sansome Streets. Your group should arrive about 30 minutes before your ferry is scheduled to depart. It is also recommended to purchase ferry tickets well in advance of your anticipated arrival. At the end of your adventure, consider exploring Fisherman's Wharf since it is so close by.

Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf is an Ocean of Fun

Even if fresh seafood at the many eateries along Fisherman’s Wharf doesn't appeal to you, you'll be drawn in by the lively energy of this shopping, people-watching, barhopping, and entertainment district. Pier 39's boardwalk headlines the Wharf with a crowd-pleasing maritime marketplace. Be sure to hang out at Pier 39's K-Dock to watch wild California sea lions put on a free show in the San Francisco Bay below.

Pier 39 Charter Bus Drop-off and Pickup

Getting around San Francisco in a motorcoach requires drivers to follow precise procedures, and this includes loading and unloading at specific spots at Fisherman's Wharf. For Pier 39, charter buses often let passengers off at the Passenger and Taxi Loading Zone on Beach Street between Stockton and Powell Streets. Fisherman's Wharf offers short-term, metered waiting spaces for tour buses, near the Pier 39 parking garage; and on the north and south sides of Beach Street at Mason Street.

Roam Around the Presidio

A group stroll along this beautiful public park at the foot of Golden Gate Bridge is a treat for both hikers and history buffs. Open spaces in this former U.S. Army post let you roam on foot or by bike, enjoy coastal overlooks and panoramic views, and visit military installations. The kids can romp at Chrissy Field, and everyone will enjoy the mile-long shore of Baker Beach. The Presidio is also home to the Walt Disney Museum, where you can delve into the evolution of animation as well as the life of Disney himself.

Presidio Charter Bus Drop-off and Pickup

The main passenger drop-off and pickup zone for the Presidio is at Main Post along Lincoln Boulevard, next to the Presidio Visitor Center. Charter buses are limited to 15 minutes for loading and unloading here. Note that surrounding residential streets are narrow, so drivers should stick to main roads such as Lincoln Boulevard, Lombard Street, and Marina Boulevard. For travel within the park, your group can hop on the Presidio GO Shuttle to access all the different sites.

Take it to the Top at Coit Tower

This 1930's art deco tower juts upward from the Telegraph Hill neighborhood as the key feature in Pioneer Park. Inside, depression-era murals adorn the walls. Climb its 13 flights of stairs or take the elevator up (followed by a short final set of stairs) to an observation deck with 360-degree views of San Francisco Bay. Afterwards, consider dining at a deli or café in nearby bohemian-flavored North Beach, known as Little Italy. Visit the historic Saints Peter and Paul Church where photos were taken of Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe after they were married.

Coit Tower Charter Bus Drop-off and Pickup

Charter buses can typically drop off and pick up your group on either of two zones. Off-site, your charter bus driver will park and wait for your group at a designated commercial parking lot nearby. Here are your three drop-off options:

1) The east side of Columbus Avenue near Washington Street

2) White or yellow passenger loading zones along The Embarcadero near Levi's Plaza (around Pier 27 or 100 Lombard Street)

3) No steps required on this route! You can be dropped off at Washington Square in North Beach. From there, take the Muni #39 Coit bus that takes your group all the way to the Coit Tower entrance.

STAIRWAYS TO REACH COIT TOWER
Keep in mind that from either of the first two drop-off points mentioned above, there is a quick walk to begin a steep climb up Telegraph Hill to get to Coit Tower. Choose one of two stairways that start within one block of each other and involve 300 to 400 vertical feet. They are strenuous, yet fascinating in their own way. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water.

Greenwich Steps
Start at the intersection of Sansome Street and Filbert/Greenwich Streets. You'll be treated to dramatic San Francisco Bay and Treasure Island views as you rise. Nearing the Tower, the steps are charmingly brick. Locals more often use this path to work out.

Filbert Steps
Start on Sansome Street. You'll wind through hidden, terraced gardens and quaint cottages. Slightly steeper than the Greenwich Steps, construction consists of more modern concrete and steel.
 

Get a Cultural and Culinary Immersion Experience in Chinatown

The historical and cultural influences of San Francisco’s Chinatown cannot be underestimated. Its 24+ square blocks reflect the soul of America's Chinese community. Here you can experience authentic cuisine, from Cantonese dim sum to Sichuan noodle dishes to Shanghainese delicacies and more. You can also visit America's oldest Chinese temple, Tien House Temple, and the famous Dragon Gate archway, a highly photographed landmark.

Chinatown Charter Bus Drop-off and Pickup

The east side of Columbus Avenue near Washington Street, across from the Transamerica Pyramid, is a primary charter bus drop-off and pickup zone in Chinatown. An alternative is the white zone—where drivers can stop for up to five minutes to load and unload—on 329 Columbus Avenue. Your driver will relocate to an off-site bus parking lot while your group explores this unique community.

See Art in a New Light at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

World-class contemporary masterworks and amazing architecture in the center of downtown's South of Market (SoMa) district often stuns visitors to SFMOMA. Marvel at pieces by the likes of Jackson Pollock, Henri Matisse, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, and others, and a whole floor dedicated to photography. Of the seven exhibition levels, the massive ground-floor galleries are totally free to the public.

SFMOMA Charter Bus Drop-off and Pickup

There are designated white zones on Third Street and Mission Street for charter buses to drop-off and pick up passengers. This is right next to the museum. Your charter bus driver can park in Lot A/Pier 48 at 74 Mission Rock Street at Oracle Park in areas designated for charter buses and oversized vehicles

What You Should Know About Charter Bus Travel in San Francisco

• Advance reservations for loading and unloading passengers and parking near or at major attractions may be required. Coordinate with your driver before your trip to ensure this is done.
• Certain neighborhoods ban motorcoaches altogether. The narrow roads are often impassable by larger vehicles, so they are prohibited.
• Some areas have strict no-idling laws and require permit-only loading and unloading.
• Loading and unloading zones may have time limits, usually five or ten minutes, up to a maximum of 30 minutes.
• Charter bus drivers should observe the white zones, yellow commercial zones, and designated tour bus zones for passenger loading and unloading of passengers and any luggage.

Book Your San Francisco Charter Bus Rental Today

Any visit to San Francisco is a visit to remember. Whether you're planning a family union trip or convention travel, need wedding transportation or buses for school trips, rely on San Francisco Charter Buses for the most reliable and stylish group travel. Our huge fleet of San Francisco minivans and charter buses is guaranteed to have a model to fit your group, and our array of amenities promises maximum comfort. This includes ADA-compliant features at no extra charge. Call (415) 818-1619 now for a free, no-obligation price quote. Day trips, multi-day excursions, and long-distance trips beyond the Bay Area... we do it all! We'll help you put together an itinerary that exceeds your wildest dreams. Call today.