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

Key facts

What's included

Itinerary

1. Stop 1 Pass by

   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. Stop 2 Pass by

   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. Stop 3

   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!

   10 minutes

4. Stop 4

   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.

   10 minutes

5. Stop 5 Pass by

   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. Stop 6 Pass by

   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. Stop 7 Pass by

   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. Stop 8 Pass by

   Next, we'll see two iconic symbols of San Francisco's Chinatown: the Chinatown Mural and the Old Chinese Telephone Exchange.

9. Stop 9 Pass by

   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. Stop 10 Pass by

    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. Stop 11 Pass by

    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. Stop 12 Pass by

    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. Stop 13

    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!

    5 minutes

14. Stop 14

    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.

    10 minutes

15. Stop 15

    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.

    10 minutes

16. Stop 16 Pass by

    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. Stop 17 Pass by

    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. Stop 18 Pass by

    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. Stop 19 Pass by

    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. Stop 20 Pass by

    Our scenic tour towards, and across, SF's Golden Gate Bridge ends on the other side, at the Golden Gate View Point.

Meeting point & pickup

Meet at the starting 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.

Cancellation & confirmation