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.
This article covers everything you must know before you book a San Francisco helicopter tour.
Table of contents
Golden Gate Helicopter Adventure
On this 30-minute tour, gaze upon the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge and the Golden Gate National Reserve with expert narration from your pilot.
Soar above the coast past Baker Beach and the Pt. Bonita Lighthouse, over to the Ocean Beach.
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.
Timings: 1 pm, Friday to Monday
Tour provider: San Francisco Seaplane Tours
Cost of the tour: US$379 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 20-minute 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. You will be picked from 288 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA.
This tour is sums up San Francisco like nothing else!
Timings: 11.30 am to 2.30 pm, Friday to Monday
Tour provider: San Francisco Seaplane Tours
Cost of the tour:
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.
Experience the best of the city and also witness the beautiful towns of Tiburon and Belvedere Peninsula.
There is something for everyone as the Champagne will be substituted by apple cider for guests aged 20 years old and younger.
Cost of the tour: US$379 per person
Golden Gate Bridge from the air
On this 30-minute Seaplane flight, you fly directly over the Golden Gate Bridge for stunning photo opportunities.
Glide over Fisherman’s Wharf and spot chic restaurants and shops down below.
Angel Island, Alcatraz, Tiburon, Belvedere, and Sausalito never looked more beautiful!
The large windows of the Alaska Bush Seaplane make for good sightseeing.
You can choose the option providing shuttle services for more convenience.
Cost of the tour
Tour with Meeting Point in Mill Valley: US$289 per person
Tour with Roundtrip Shuttle from Fisherman’s Wharf: US$319 per person
Departure point of heli tours
The San Francisco heli tours depart from the heliport next to Sausalito’s Richardson Bay.
Address: 242 Redwood Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941, USA. Get directions
The heliport is near public transportation.
There is free parking available at the heliport base.
The tours end back at the meeting point.
There are multiple take-offs daily, so book early to get your preferred time slot.
Restrictions strictly followed
Weight limits apply for safe and comfortable helicopter rides over San Francisco. Passengers must not weigh over 240lb (109 kg) to board the flights.
Passenger exceeding the weight limit will require purchasing an additional seat.
A minimum and maximum number of passengers are required on these tours, failing which, they will be canceled.
Infants and children are allowed onboard, but infants must sit on the caregiver’s lap throughout the flight.
San Francisco helicopter rides are 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
Helicopter tours in San Francisco do not include hotel transfers and food and drinks.
Photos for souvenirs and gratuities are excluded from your ticket.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least three days before your tour date.
If you cancel within three days before the experience’s start time, a 100% percent cancellation fee is applicable.
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
# How to prepare for first helicopter flight
# What to wear for helicopter tour?
# How to overcome fear of flying?
# Helicopter tour – how long to wait after scuba diving?
# Why helicopter tours are an excellent tourist activity
# FAQs about Helicopter tours