California
Signature City San Francisco
Program No. 21052RJ
Immerse yourself in the story of San Francisco alongside experts as you explore Alcatraz Island, learn about the fire of 1906, stroll the markets of Chinatown and see iconic landmarks.
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Participant Reviews
Based on 24 Reviews
SHOWING
Road Scholar tour to San Francisco was an excellent experience and I consider taking another tour in the future.
— Review left May 3, 2025
We learned an enormous amount about San Fransisco and it history and current state, and beauty, plus we had a great group of interesting people and an energetic approachable group leader
— Review left April 25, 2025
From the minute I came out of the BART station at Powell St. my San Francisco experience came to life. Hopping on a cable car, I was taken to our hotel for the next 5 days, the Stanford Court, a five star hotel. Located at the crossroad of the cable car line, this meant access to the city was easy.
Every morning we had great speakers, telling us the history of the area and our guides were exceptional, especially Ken, who took us through ChinaTown and then Nob Hill. The natural wonders go without speaking and the man-made (Golden Gate Bridge!) are amazing. My fave was Alcatraz. Got to spend as much time there as one would want.
All in all, this was an excellent trip. Highly recommend this (but, it is quite hilly, be prepared for a bit of a workout).
— Review left February 6, 2025
Very enjoyable and informative trip. Barbara was an excellent group leader, knowledgeable and considerate of everyone's needs. Lodging was lovely. Speakers were outstanding. Club Fugasi performance was entertaining and memorable. Only a few minor issues . We were only able to ride cable cars once due to VP Harris staying at hotel nearby. Also the Wine Train was disappointing. We only got to travel a very short distance and spent the majority of the time sitting idle on the tracks waiting for them to get a new engine. It felt like a waste of most of a day.
— Review left December 16, 2024
Great program! Our guide, Barbara, was friendly and helpful. Local "experts" gave us lots of interesting information about city landmarks, and walking tours were arranged of City Hall, Nob Hill, and ChinaTown. I especially enjoyed the Napa Valley wine train on Thanksgiving Day and the show "Dear San Francisco" at Club Fugazi.
We stayed in a nice hotel, but the downside to that location was lack of eateries in the area. The hotel offered a buffet breakfast (same food every day) and a small dinner menu. There is no on-site "market" or vending machines for snacks, drinks, etc.
— Review left December 3, 2024
For my 74th birthday I treated myself to this Road Scholar program. I am a reluctant traveller and stay very close to home. Because of the ease and quality of this program, my mind has been changed and I'm looking at attending another program for birthday 75! Elizabeth
— Review left November 30, 2024
Great insight into San Francisco's History. Great lecturers that love their city and share it with Road Scholar participants. I highly recommend this tour.
— Review left June 19, 2024
This trip was a wonderful opportunity for me to revisit the city where I once lived. Our group leader, Mary McCoy, was so competent and lovely as she led us around the city. The whole experience made an unforgettable memory for me!!
— Review left November 11, 2023
This city has been given a bad reputation by the media, and I wanted to see the situation for myself (having lived in the area as a young person). What I discovered was a vibrant, active city full of positive, enthusiastic people really proud of their history and sensitive to the impressions of tourists. They really want their city to shine.
— Review left November 10, 2023
A remarkable experience! I'm looking forward to my next adventure with Road Scholar.
— Review left August 10, 2023
Amazingly in just one week we hit all the biggies like "the BRIDGE", Alcatraz, Chinatown, Cable cars, the Embarcadero and the sea lions on Pier 39, plus unexpected spots like the Palace of Fine Arts, panoramic views from hilltops and an informative tour commentary. Club Fugazi was a delightful surprise. The Fiske House owners charmed us with their generous welcome to a historic structure that they somehow kept as a livable home. Minor glitches: to tour 28 around you need a bus, but unless you sat in front or beside a window, you only saw less than half of the places described in the commentary. The speakers, all experts on their topics were sometimes less prepared with their equipment. OK, I'm picky, but these glitches are avoidable time wasters. Loved taking public transportation as much as possible. And kudos to our patient group leader, who also shares a wealth of tidbits about the city. Looking forward to my next city break in Detroit.
— Review left April 21, 2023
This trip was a great experience. Road Scholar managed to provide an interesting overview of the city and its history using a various types of activities.
— Review left April 14, 2023
Great program, great accommodations and Mary was a fantastic leader. That is why we travel with Road Scholar.
— Review left April 13, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. It was a fun, educational experience.
— Review left December 5, 2022
This program gave me a lot of insight to the history and development of San Francisco. It is a compact city whose boom town history and cultural complexity offer much interest. It seems to be continually reinventing itself.
— Review left December 3, 2022
The program is basically very good (would give it 4.5 stars). The hotel (the Hyatt Regency) is excellent. It is centrally located and has a bountiful buffet breakfast where Road Scholars are not secluded in a windowless conference room or basement. Two things you should be aware of though: 1) If you want free time for museums, etc., plan extra days on your own before or after the program. The free afternoon that was mentioned in the online program itinerary did not materialize; the performance that was listed for that evening turned out to be a matinee instead. Free time that day began at 4:30 PM when it was getting near dusk (in late Nov.) and the museums were near closing time. 2) Also note that if you take the Thanksgiving week departure that includes the Napa Valley Wine Train on Thanksgiving Day, other than a sparkling wine welcome drink, wine is not included with the entree and is at your own additional expense. A suggested tip of $10-15 to your waitress/waiter for that particular train meal is also not covered by Road Scholar.
— Review left December 1, 2022
Road Scholar's trip to San Francisco offered a very good overview of the city and its many offerings. The program gave a taste of the city where one can search for more information on specific topics.
— Review left November 3, 2022
I have a service dog and wondered how/if RS would accommodate this. Everything went FANTASTIC!!!
— Review left July 3, 2022
I liked the website. The pre-trip summary task tabs were a little bit confusing. Add an actual progress bar and some tip bubbles on how to fix pre-trip issues.
— Review left June 30, 2022
GREAT introduction to San Francisco! You get to visit a lot of highlights which will make my next trip there easier to plan. Good hotel and guides!
— Review left June 24, 2022
We have recently completed our first trip with Road Scholar - Signature City - San Francisco. It was thoroughly enjoyable and imminently educational. We are now already reviewing the catalogs to plan our next Road Scholar experience. Thank you Road Scholar team for introducing us to the world of organized educational travel.
— Review left October 15, 2019
What a fabulous trip! San Francisco had been on my bucket list for some time. I would feel very comfortable returning to this city in the future. Our accommodations at the Hilton San Francisco Financial District were very comfortable, and the staff were wonderful. Hats off to Road Scholar for selecting this hotel!
Our tour leaders, Julie & Jerry Yaffee, were the best! What a great pair, well prepared, patient, and kind. We felt we were in very good hands under their leadership. We also felt very comfortable exploring on our own since we had a wonderful introduction tour of the city with a map that was easy to follow.
Thanks for all of the wonderful memories from the Golden Gate area to Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz, City Hall, Chinatown, and the infamous Beach Blanket Babylon which was a fabulous, unforgettable theater experience! Bravo!
— Review left May 1, 2019
I posted photographs already on the Ambassador site. It was a great program!
— Review left April 28, 2019
This was a great program! We truly were presented with a wonderful overview of San Francisco. Our hotel was in a perfect location. The group leaders and instructors were awesome.
— Review left April 20, 2019
