In our last article, we took a look at the Go San Francisco Card, a discount pass that offers access to over 45 different Bay Area attractions. By contrast, CityPass offers free admission to only five select San Francisco attractions, but for my money, I think it's the better deal. That is, if you're staying in the city.
The Pass
With CityPass, you can bypass ticket lines, get free transportation, and enjoy discounts up to 49% on the most popular attractions. For San Francisco, these would be the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Aquarium of the Bay, California Academy of Sciences, and your choice of the Exploratorium or de Young Museum/Legion of Honor.
Also, with an S.F. CityPass, you get a pocket-sized guidebook, handy directions, and recommendations (always helpful for the first-time visitor). You also get a bay cruise, plus a Muni passport for an entire week, enabling you to ride San Francisco's buses, metro cars, and cable cars free of charge. Consider that one cable car ride is $5 alone. With a CityPass, you can take a ride every day, equivalent to 2/3 the price of the pass ($59).
Helps You Plan
One main difference of a CityPass is that it zeroes in on a city's most popular attractions, assuming that first-time visitors will likely want to visit these picks. While a pass like the Go San Francisco Card is beneficial because of its flexibility, the CityPass in my opinion helps you plan your week better. The attractions included take you all over the city and with the guidebook, helps you explore the area to its fullest.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (South of Market)
Aquarium of the Bay (Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, the waterfront)
California Academy of Sciences (Golden Gate Park)
Exploratorium (Palace of Fine Arts, Marina District)
de Young Museum (Golden Gate Park)/Legion of Honor (Lands End)
Bay Cruise (Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz)
Cable Cars (Nob Hill, Financial District, Chinatown, North Beach)
Save 49%
With other attractions passes, you may spend your time trying to find ways to spend the price of the pass. With CityPass, its value is pretty much returned with the Muni passport.
And, by visiting any of the attractions, you're close to getting your money back entirely -- especially with a visit to the California Academy of Sciences, the greenest museum on Earth. General admission to this wonderful museum is $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for youths, and $14.95 for children (7-11). The CityPass is only $59 for adults, $39 for kids.
Bottom Line
Cost of a CityPass: $59
Value of the Pass: $115.40
Difference: Nearly 50% savings. When visiting San Francisco, you'll likely be purchasing a Muni passport, as it's your ticket to navigating the city. A 7-day passport costs $24. With CityPass, you get it for "free," plus admission to a bay cruise (a $22 value) and four other terrific S.F. attractions. To me, that adds up to one good deal!
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