In San Francisco, three products compete for the name “pass”: the Go City pass (Essentials, Explorer, All-Inclusive, shown on 24 October 2026 from $74, $89 and $109), the San Francisco CityPASS (4 attractions out of 8, $89.95 per adult, valid for 9 days) and the Visitor Passport from Muni, the city transit operator, which gives unlimited access to buses, streetcars and cable cars ($15 for one day). Alcatraz appears in neither the Go City page nor the CityPASS list that we checked.
This San Francisco pass guide is based on the Go City, CityPASS and SFMTA websites. It compares the three and gives the method for working out which one really saves you money. For the rest of your stay, see our San Francisco guide, our Alcatraz page and the California guide.
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San Francisco pass: key facts
- CityPASS: 4 attractions of your choice out of 8, to be used over 9 days from the first visit.
- Go City: Essentials (3 activities), Explorer (number of your choice) or All-Inclusive (unlimited over a chosen duration).
- Muni Visitor Passport: 1, 3 or 7 days, cable cars included; not valid on BART or to San Francisco airport (SFO).
- Alcatraz: book separately, with the official concessionaire.
The San Francisco CityPASS
The CityPASS is a ticket booklet: you choose 4 attractions out of 8.
- The 8 attractions: California Academy of Sciences, Blue & Gold Fleet bay cruise, Exploratorium, Aquarium of the Bay, San Francisco Zoo and Gardens, SFMOMA, Walt Disney Family Museum, de Young Museum + Legion of Honor.
- Validity: 9 days from the first visit or reservation, included; you have one year after purchase to start.
- Price on 24 October 2026: $89.95 per adult (age 12 and over), $69.95 per child (ages 4-11), plus a $2 fee per ticket.
- Not included: cable cars, offered as a separate option.
The Go City San Francisco pass
| Version | How it works | Validity | Starting price shown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials | 3 activities from a list of must-sees (including a Golden Gate cruise and the Aquarium of the Bay) | 30 days after activation | from $74 |
| Explorer | Number of activities of your choice | 30 days after activation | from $89 |
| All-Inclusive | Unlimited activities for the chosen duration | Chosen duration | from $109 |
Activities cited: California Academy of Sciences, Exploratorium, Walt Disney Family Museum, Asian Art Museum, the USS Pampanito submarine, the USS Hornet aircraft carrier, the Bridge to Bridge cruise, a 1-day Big Bus tour, a GoCar tour, bike rental, and walking and cycling tours. A 1-day Muni pass appears among the activities: the page does not say whether it counts as an activity; check before you buy if you are counting on it for cable cars.
As with other Go City cities, three rules matter more than the list of attractions: the pass is activated on first use; the versions based on a number of activities must be used within 30 days of activation; and a pass that has not been activated can be refunded within 90 days of purchase, according to the city page checked on 24 October 2026. Also read Go City’s general terms before paying: some attractions require an advance reservation, which may count as activation.
CityPASS or Go City: the comparison
| Criterion | CityPASS | Go City |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | 4 fixed entries out of 8 | 3 activities, a chosen number or unlimited |
| Validity after first use | 9 days | 30 days (Essentials, Explorer); chosen duration (All-Inclusive) |
| Price (adult) | $89.95 + fees | Starting prices from $74 to $109 depending on version |
| Strengths | Major museums (SFMOMA, de Young), simplicity | Wider choice: cruises, bikes, buses, museum ships |
| Alcatraz | Not listed | Not listed |
Getting around: the Muni Visitor Passport
Muni, the municipal network run by the SFMTA, sells a Visitor Passport valid for 1, 3 or 7 consecutive days, which expires at 11:59 p.m. on the last day. It gives unlimited access to the Muni network, cable cars included. The SFMTA page shows $15 for the 1-day passport (MuniMobile, paper or Clipper) and mentions discounts on MuniMobile. It is not valid on BART, on other networks or for getting to SFO airport.
Is the San Francisco pass worth it? The method
Selling sites highlight a “save up to…” percentage. That figure assumes an ideal program. The only calculation that matters is yours:
- List the paid visits you would make anyway, day by day. A sight visited “because it is included” is not a saving.
- Note the official price of each entry on the venue’s website, for your planned date (rates often vary by day and by purchase channel).
- Add them up, then compare with the pass price shown by the issuer for the same number of people and the same duration.
- Keep a margin: if the gap in favor of the pass is slim, single tickets remain more flexible (rain, tiredness, change of plans).
- Count transport separately: the Muni Visitor Passport (cable cars included) is often the benchmark; BART to the airport is extra.
Decision table
| Your stay | Logical choice |
|---|---|
| Major museums + a cruise, relaxed pace | CityPASS (4 choices over 9 days) |
| Many varied activities over 1 to 3 days | Go City All-Inclusive, to compare |
| 2 or 3 specific activities | Go City Essentials or single tickets |
| Mostly neighborhoods, hills and cable cars | No attractions pass; Muni Visitor Passport |
| Alcatraz on the program | Book separately, whichever pass you choose |
Buying a pass for San Francisco
Buy from the issuer (Go City, CityPASS) or from a reseller that clearly names the product. Check: the version, the up-to-date list of attractions, the attractions that require a timed reservation, the validity after first use, service fees and the refund policy. For the Visitor Passport, go through MuniMobile, Clipper or SFMTA sales points.
Common mistakes
- Believing Alcatraz is included in an attractions pass.
- Paying for single cable car rides several times a day instead of buying a Visitor Passport.
- Using the Visitor Passport to get to SFO: it is not valid there.
- Counting activities that are free or that you will not do.
Frequently asked questions
Which pass should I choose in San Francisco?
The CityPASS if you want 4 major attractions (museums, a cruise) over 9 days; Go City if you want more variety or an intensive pace; none if you prefer neighborhoods and cable cars.
Is Alcatraz included in the CityPASS or Go City?
No, according to the pages checked on 24 October 2026: Alcatraz is in neither the CityPASS list of 8 attractions nor the Go City San Francisco page.
Are cable cars included?
Not in the CityPASS. The Muni Visitor Passport includes them. Go City lists a 1-day Muni pass among its activities.
How much is the Muni Visitor Passport?
$15 for one day on the SFMTA page on 24 October 2026; it also comes in 3-day and 7-day versions.
How long does the CityPASS last?
9 days from the first visit, which must start within one year of purchase.
Our sources
- Go City, “San Francisco” page (gocity.com/fr/san-francisco), checked 24 October 2026.
- CityPASS, “San Francisco CityPASS” (citypass.com/san-francisco), checked 24 October 2026.
- SFMTA, “1-Day Visitor Passport” (sfmta.com), checked 24 October 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026. Prices, contents and conditions may change: check the issuers’ websites before you buy.