What sites do we see? Where will we stop and get out?:

EThe itinerary for my tours depends on the day and the interest of the guests on board. I try to make it the best experience of the City just that day and for the people on board just that day.

We will always stop at the Golden Gate Bridge and at a city skyline view point like Twin Peaks, Tank Hill or Alamo Square.

Beyond that, I like to drive through some historic neighborhoods like Chinatown, North Beach (Little Italy), the Haight-Ashbury, Pacific Heights and the Mission. We will stop and hop out of the van for short walks in these neighborhoods if there is time and interest.

If there is time and guest interest, I also like to stop at some special "secret" spots. These include the Fortune Cookie Factory in Chinatown, the the Moraga Street mosaic-tiled stairs in the Sunset, the Seward Slides in Eureka Valley, the Balmy Alley murals in the Mission, inside Fort Point under the Golden Gate Bridge or abandoned fortifications around the Marin Headlands above the Golden Gate Bridge.

If there is time and guest interest, I like to drive down Vermont Street, the "real crookedest street" in the City, or down a section of 22nd street that is the steepest in the City.

Most guests are going out to Alcatraz or to other activities in the afternoon, so I also make a stop where folks on the tour can buy some lunch. Most frequently, this is a full-service deli and grocery store in the Mission District called Guss' Community Market. If there is time and guest interest, I will often stop at Pizza Shop or Marcellos for pizza slices, or at El Farolito, La Corneta or La Taqueria for burritos.

Cancellation Policy:

Full payment is required at the time of booking for all tours.

For the San Francisco City Urban Adventure, a full refund is available up to 24 hours in advance. After that point, no refunds are allowed. I understand that flights get delayed, traffic happens and plans change. I can reschedule your tour at any time without penalties or fees - subject to availability.

For the City Urban Adventure plus Alcatraz, the Alcatraz ferry company requires me to finalize my ticket list ten days in advance. A full refund for this tour is available up to 10 days in advance. After that point no refunds are allowed. I understand that flights get delayed, traffic happens and plans change. I can reschedule the city tour portion of the experience at any time without penalties or fees - subject to availability. Rescheduling Alcatraz may require purchasing new tickets at their face value ($41 for adults, $25 for kids under 12).

For the Morning in Marin, a full refund is available 72 hours in advance. After that point, no refunds are allowed. I can reschedule the land portion of the experience up to 72 hours in advance without penalties or fees - subject to availability. I can not reschedule trips within 72 hours. Flights may be canceled or flight routes altered at Seaplane Adventures sole discretion due to weather or federal airspace mandates/restrictions. If the seaplane portion of the trip is canceled due to weather, that amount ($219pp for adults) will be fully refunded.

For the SF City Tour and Bay Boat Tour Combo, a full refund is available up to 24 hours in advance. After that point, no refunds are allowed. I understand that flights get delayed, traffic happens and plans change. I can reschedule your tour at any time without penalties or fees - subject to availability.

For private tour bookings, I put time and effort into planning your unique private tour experience from the day that you book, so 20% of the reservation amount is not refundable. The remaining 80% is refundable up to 24 hours before departure. After that point, no refunds are allowed.

What time is pickup?:

Generally pickup will be in the morning between 9 am and 9:45 am, but the time changes depending on the number of pickup stops and where your location is on the route. Please note that we will contact you at your hotel the day before to advise an exact time or please feel free to reach out to us the day before your tour at bookings@fogcuttertours.com

There is no availability on the date I wanted on the website?:

Do not hesitate to contact bookings@fogcuttertours.com if you don't see your preferred date available! During the summer the tour is offered 6 days a week and in the winter the tour is offered 3-4 days a week. The tours fill up quickly and cancelations are rare, but they do happen.

Do you do custom tours?:

Yes! I try to customize every public tour to be the best experience for the group on board and the happenings in the city just that day. If you are looking for a fully customized experience for your party, I offer private tours at a flat rate of $250/hr. I can put together a fully custom experience with pickup, dropoff and tour itinerary all tailored to your needs.

The Alcatraz Tour is not available on the day I want to do it?:

I order a limited number of Alcatraz tickets to package with my city tours. if the Alcatraz package is NOT available on the day your are travelling, you can book my morning city tour and get Alcatraz tickets direct from Alcatraz City Experiences. Book their cruise for the 2pm ferry or later, and I can drop you at the ferry landing in time to catch your boat.

Where is the pickup for the tour?

Right from your hotel or other accomodation! If you are staying at a downtown San Francisco hotel we can arrange pickup directly from your hotel. If you are staying out of the city we can arrange for pickup in a downtown location. If you will be driving in or using a taxi or rideshare plan to meet at the Hotel Riu Plaza in Fisherman's Wharf. There are several flat-rate lots in the area where you can leave your car while you are on tour and be close by when you finish up at Alcatraz. If you will be using BART, plan to meet at the Hyatt Regency on Drumm Street directly above the Drumm Street exit from the Embarcadero BART Station

Do you provide transportation back to our hotel at the end of the tour?

We will be dropping you off at the pier to take the boat out to Alcatraz where you can visit at your leisure returning on any of the boats running every 30-minutes. When you return to the pier there are many transportation options to make your way back to your hotel or out to dinner. Fogcutter Tours will not be waiting at the pier for transportation. Please let us know if you would like a dinner recommendation!

Will lunch be provided?

The cost of lunch is not included in your tour, however, we will stop at a lovely market where you can purchase lunch. We usually go to Gus’s Community Market on Harrison Street in the Mission District. The market offers many fresh locally sourced snack, lunch, coffee and beverage options that should meet any dietary needs.

How long will the tour last?:

The city portion of the tour is about 4 hours in length with a stop for lunch. If you book the Alcatraz package, the tour finishes at the pier where you will catch the boat out to Alcatraz. The boat ride is about 15 minutes and you are welcome to come back on any of the boats running every 30-minutes. People generally spend about two hours on the island before making their way back to their hotels. That makes a total of seven hours for the day.

Is your tour wheelchair accessible?:

The tour vehicle for the coming summer is an open-sided customized 12-passenger Nissan NV van. This does not have a wheelchair lift or ramp and would require two steps up into the seating area. I can fit a folding wheelchair into the back cargo area. Of the larger bus companies, Big Bus has some buses with wheelchair lifts. You can reach out to them at InfoSF@bigbustours.com. Additionally, we did find this blog entry that has some interesting insights: http://wheelchairtraveling.com/wheelchair-traveling-san-francisco-travel-wheelchair-seniors-disabled/.

Do you offer special rates for agents?:

We do! We are thrilled that you are coming to San Francisco and can’t wait to show you around. Please contact bookings@fogcuttertours.com.

What should I wear?:

The weather in San Francisco is variable and the sides of the van are open, so dress accordingly. April and May as well as September and October tend to be our warmest months. June, July, and August are foggy and colder than you might expect. Our rainy season runs from November through to March.

All year round, sunglasses and sunblock are recommended. Dress in layers that you can add or subtract over the course of the day. We have blankets and heavy jackets on the bus for your use as well.

Can I bring food or beverages with me for during the tour?:

You are welcome to bring snacks on tour. We will make a stop at a well-stocked market where you can buy lunch, snacks, coffee and more before heading out to Alcatraz on tour. Alcohol is not allowed on Alcatraz island.

Is the tour suitable for all ages?:

We happily welcome all ages on our tours and offer discounts for kids. Children under five will need a car seat. Please bring your own or contact us to arrange something. When there are kids on board we try to take special care to spark their interest with stops at neighborhood parks or other places of interest.

Do you get out of the bus on the tour?:

Yes! We will get out of the bus to take photos at least at the Golden Gate Bridge, a city view point and at our stop for lunch. I also like to stop and get out a few times for quick neighborhood walks or at other sites depending on guest interest on any given day.

Should I Leave a Tip?:

I love what I do and the single best way you can show your appreciation is by referring my tours to your friends (and coworkers and family and neighbors) and by leaving a review on TripAdvisor or Google Reviews. Gratuities are not required, but they are customary in the American tour industry. I very much appreciate something in the $10 per person range or more if you feel the experience has been special. If the experience has not been to your liking, I really appreciate your direct feedback.