San Francisco offers fantastic vistas for those who are willing to strap on the seatbelt and go up on a helicopter tour.
After all, landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island and the San Francisco Bay Area are best seen from a helicopter.
This is the reason why helicopter rides and seaplane flights are one of the most popular tourist activities in SFO.
In this article, we share everything you must know before you book your San Francisco helicopter tour.
Table of contents
Golden Gate Helicopter Adventure
As you fly through the skies, gaze upon the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge and the Golden Gate National Reserve with tour narration from your pilot.
Soar above the coast past Baker Beach and the Pt. Bonita Lighthouse, over to the Ocean Beach as you make your way over the Crissy Field, Downtown San Francisco, Oracle Park, and the infamous Alcatraz Island prison.
You will also get a 360-view of the historic Angel Island – the Immigrant Gateway to the West.
This tour can accommodate shuttle service upon request.
Duration: The tour is available in two durations- 30 minutes and 1.5 hours
Timings: 11.30 am, 12.15 pm, 1 pm, and 3.15 pm
Tour provider: San Francisco Seaplane Tours
Departure point:
30-minute tour: 242 Redwood Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941, USA.
1.5-hour tour: 288 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
Cost:
30-minute tour: US$379 per person
1.5-hour tour: US$409 per person
San Francisco and Alcatraz Helicopter Tour
California coast along San Francisco or the legendary Golden Gate Bridge, everything flows below you as you are on this guided helicopter tour.
Soar over Crissy Field, downtown San Francisco, Alcatraz prison, and Oracle Park – home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team.
Shuttle service is available upon request.
This tour is sums up San Francisco like nothing else!
Duration: 20 minutes
Timings: 11.30 am to 2.30 pm
Tour provider: San Francisco Seaplane Tours
Departure point:
With shuttle: 288 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA.
Without shuttle: 242 Redwood Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941, USA.
Cost:
With shuttle: US$349 per person
Without shuttle: US$319 per person
Seaplane tours over San Francisco
If you prefer Seaplanes over helicopters, SFO offers them as well.
Check out some of the best seaplane flights available for tourists. These seaplane trips guarantee a window seat.
Seaplane flight with Champagne
This is a 40-minute trip over SFO in an Alaskan Bush plane.
If you want some romance in the air but would prefer a seaplane, this tour is your best bet.
At least two people are needed for this trip to be confirmed.
Cost of heli tour: US$379 per person
Seaplane over SFO + Alcatraz visit
This very highly rated combination tour of two of the most popular tourist activities in San Francisco.
You fly over Alcatraz and other SFO attractions in the morning and in the afternoon, get onto a ferry from Pier 33 and visit Alcatraz Island.
Cost of heli tour: $230
Golden Gate Bridge from the air
In this 30-minute Seaplane flight, you fly directly over the Golden Gate Bridge for stunning photo opportunities.
The large windows of the Alaska Bush Seaplane make for good sightseeing.
Cost of heli tour: US$289 per person
Restrictions strictly followed
Weight limits apply for safe and comfortable helicopter rides over San Francisco.
Passenger exceeding the permissible weight limit will require purchasing an additional seat.
A minimum and maximum number of passengers are required on these tours, failing which, it will be canceled.
Infants and children are allowed onboard, but infants must sit on the caregiver’s lap throughout the flight.
Not wheelchair accessible.
A valid photo ID is required.
No pets are allowed onboard except service animals.
Check-in at least 45 minutes early.
Flight times are approximate based on winds, weights, and conditions.
Seating arrangements may often be in the hands of the tour organizers for a safe and stable flight.
Exclusions of the air tour
San Francisco heli tours do not include hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Photos for souvenirs and refreshments are excluded from your ticket.
Your ticket price is also not inclusive of gratuities.
Accessibility to the tour
The tours are completely accessible to guests with disabilities.
The aircraft, transportation, and surfaces are completely wheelchair accessible, preventing any inconvenience for the guests.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before your tour date.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, a 100% percent cancellation fee is applicable.
No changes are allowed within 24 hours of the experience’s start time.
Helicopter tours require good weather.
If the tour is canceled due to poor weather or non-fulfillment of the minimum number of passengers, you may be offered a different date or a full refund.
Recommended Reading
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# Why helicopter tours are an excellent tourist activity
# FAQs about Helicopter tours