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For a few days by the bay

San Francisco Essentials Pass 2026

Three entries chosen freely from a short list with a bay cruise, museums, the zoo and a full-day bike rental.

Adults $74 · Children (3–12) $54

Up to $43 less than separate tickets

Buy Essentials Pass What's included?
Bay cruise boat under the Golden Gate Bridge

The San Francisco Essentials Pass at a glance

The San Francisco Essentials Pass is the smallest Go City package for the city. You get three entries and choose them from the same list, with no set groups. It includes the Red & White Fleet Golden Gate Bay Cruise, the Exploratorium at Pier 15, the Aquarium of the Bay, the USS Pampanito submarine at Fisherman's Wharf, SFMOMA, the Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio, the San Francisco Zoo and a day bike from Blazing Saddles.

All of the Essentials Pass sights are also in the Explorer Pass. The Essentials Pass is the shorter list at the lower price. It works if your three wishes are on it. The California Academy of Sciences, the hop-on hop-off bus and the boat tour under both bridges only come with the Explorer Pass and up.

The pass is valid for 30 days from the first scan. You can return it to Go City free of charge for up to 90 days after purchase, as long as it is unused.

The attractions you can choose from

None of the sights requires a reservation; you show the code from the Go City App straight at the entrance or the rental desk. The rental bike is only worth it on a dry day with time to spare, because it is valid for the whole day.

Choose 3 of 9

  • Golden Gate Bay Cruise on Red & White Fleet
    Golden Gate Bay Cruise on Red & White FleetWithout pass: $39
  • Exploratorium at Pier 15
    Exploratorium at Pier 15Without pass: $39.95
  • All-Day Comfort Bike Rental by Blazing Saddles
    All-Day Comfort Bike Rental by Blazing SaddlesWithout pass: $35
  • The Walt Disney Family Museum
    The Walt Disney Family MuseumWithout pass: $30
  • San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
    San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)Without pass: $30
  • USS Pampanito
    USS PampanitoWithout pass: $25
  • San Francisco Flyer & 7D + Laser Maze!
    San Francisco Flyer & 7D + Laser Maze!Without pass: $39
  • Aquarium of the Bay
    Aquarium of the BayWithout pass: $31.75
  • San Francisco Zoo & GardensWithout pass: $34

Adult prices without a pass, as listed by Go City. Checked: 09.10.2026.

Work out your own selection

Tick what you want to visit. The calculator shows what the same entries would cost if bought separately.

Choose 3 attractions

Separate tickets
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Essentials Pass
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Difference
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Based on the adult prices Go City lists for each attraction.

How to use the San Francisco Essentials Pass

  1. Buy online

    You book with Go City and receive a confirmation by email.

  2. Set up the app

    Download the Go City App, enter your confirmation code, and the pass is on your phone. Setting it up does not activate it yet.

  3. Reserve time slots

    For most attractions the QR code at the entrance is enough. Where a time slot is needed, you book it in the app.

  4. Scan at the entrance

    Your first scan starts the 30 days of validity.

Go City multi-attraction passes for San Francisco

Go City sells several passes in this city. The Essentials Pass is the smallest of them.

Explorer Pass

from $89

  • 2–5 attractions, chosen freely from a longer list
  • For anyone with more places in mind or who decides on the go
See Explorer Pass

Essentials Pass

from $74

  • 3 attractions of your choice
  • Valid for 30 days from your first visit
  • For a short trip with a clear wish list
Buy Essentials Pass

All-Inclusive Pass

from $109

  • 1–5 consecutive days, as many attractions as you like
  • For full sightseeing days with lots of stops
See All-Inclusive Pass

What the San Francisco Essentials Pass does not cover

  • Alcatraz is not in any of the passes Go City sells. It is best to book the crossing directly and early with Alcatraz City Cruises, the official operator.
  • You pay for Muni, cable cars and BART yourself. The 1-day Muni pass is only available as an attraction in the Explorer and All-Inclusive Pass.
  • The California Academy of Sciences, the de Young Museum with the Legion of Honor and the Asian Art Museum belong to the Explorer and All-Inclusive Pass.
  • The Big Bus hop-on hop-off, the guided bike tour over the Golden Gate Bridge and the bridge-to-bridge boat tour are not in the Essentials Pass either.

When the pass is not worth it

If the California Academy of Sciences or the hop-on hop-off bus is on your list, you need the Explorer Pass, even though it costs more for three sights. And if your San Francisco plans are mostly Alcatraz, walking the Golden Gate Bridge and the hills of North Beach, the pass has you paying for entries you do not need.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the San Francisco Essentials Pass valid?

The 30 days start with your first scan at an attraction. Buying it and setting it up in the app do not count yet.

Can I return the pass?

Yes, when bought directly from Go City, within 90 days of purchase, as long as you have not used it. After the first scan there is no refund.

Is Alcatraz included?

No, Alcatraz is not in any of the passes Go City sells. You buy tickets separately from the official operator, Alcatraz City Cruises, ideally well before your trip.

Is the bay cruise the same as the bridge-to-bridge boat tour?

No. The Essentials Pass includes the Red & White Fleet Golden Gate Bay Cruise. The longer trip under the Golden Gate and Bay Bridge belongs to the Explorer and All-Inclusive Pass.

What do children pay?

Children aged 3 to 12 get their own, cheaper pass; from 13 the adult price applies. Children get into SFMOMA for free even without a pass, so it is better not to use one of their entries there.

Are cable cars and Muni buses included?

No. Public transport is not included in the Essentials Pass. A 1-day Muni pass is only on the list for the Explorer and All-Inclusive Pass.

How does the bike rental work?

You collect the bike with the pass at Blazing Saddles and keep it for the whole day. It is not a guided tour; that is only in the Explorer and All-Inclusive Pass.

Do I have to choose the three sights when I buy?

No. You decide as you go, and the scan at the entrance counts as an entry.

Keep your three entries by the water

The bay cruise, the Aquarium of the Bay and the USS Pampanito are all at Fisherman's Wharf, with the Exploratorium a little further along at Pier 15. If you would rather go to SFMOMA or ride a bike, swap one of them and use the calculator above to compare.

Adults $74

Buy Essentials Pass

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