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Our
San Francisco tours are different.
For guests that really want to experience San Francisco, this is the best way to go. It's like a self-driving tour without having to drive.BACK |
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Our wine country tours are great... ...because our guests can enjoy this world famous wine region to the fullest without the need of a dedicated driver. Many Visitors drive their own car because they want an unrestricted and individual experience. But they should have a dedicated driver who can't join the wine tasting. And that's not fun, specially if it's only two people. With our tours we preserve the high individuality and free style while everyone can sample the many delicious wines. We'll take our guests there and bring them back happy and safe.BACK Many of our guests have never been to the wine country and do not have very specific wine preferences. For them we have a wonderful tour that shows them a good introduction with a variety of vineyards in style and setting. The route gives a great overview of the beautiful countryside. There is time for lunch in a rustic setting under walnut trees or if preferred a choice of more elegant restaurants. We visit four to six wineries of different size and ambiance depending how the day goes and the tour develops. Some guests like to take it slower at each winery, others like to see more different vineyards. We NEVER rush our guests or expect them to follow a time schedule.BACK We prepare customized tours for guests with specific wine or vineyard requests. Let's say we have guests in search of the "perfect" Zinfandel red wine. Their tour is then precisely customized to accommodate their preferences including private meetings with some wine makers. We arrange private wine-food pairing demonstrations in intimate settings or visits to vineyards that are not open to the general public or by appointment only. Silver Lion Service is delighted to invite our guests to one complimentary VIP wine tasting. Additional tastings are optional. Some wineries offer free tastings while others charge $5 to $20 per person.Some apply the charge towards purchases. BACK |
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Marin County... ...north of San Francisco on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge has much to offer. Quaint villages and beautiful countryside make this a tour destination that should not be missed.
There is Sausalito, the lovely town right on the water of the bay with breathtaking views, good restaurants and fun shops.
The highest point of the "Marin Headlands" provides the most beautiful view of The Golden Gate and San Francisco. BACK
Not far is the Muir Woods National Monument tucked away in a valley where the famous redwood trees are protected.
Mt. Tamalpais offers some of the most beautiful easy hiking areas on the coast so close to San Francisco. Exhilarating views of the rugged coast below are unforgettable.
A suggestion: Let's go to the coast at Marin County, enjoy the grandest views and have a wonderful gourmet Picnic. You will be surprised that this is possible so close to busy San Francisco. To finish the day off, we could have a beer or wine at a romantic pub.BACK
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Lake Berryessa... ...is a large stow lake with wonderful warm and clean water in the summer month. You certainly will appreciate swimming, water sports, BBQ boating when San Francisco is cold and fogged in. While the city might be a chilling 60 F the lake area might bake in a toasty 95F. The ride to the lake is beautiful and takes around an hour and a half. The setting is truly californian with deep blue water, yellow golden dry grassy rolling hills spotted with dark green oak trees. The sky is usually radiantly blue with a sun that makes California so great. BACK
At the lake we rent a pontoon boat with comfy seats, a roof, access to the wonderful water and a BBQ. We'll bring food based on your preferences, steak, chicken, hot dogs or just vegetarian. Of course we have beer or wine and alcohol free beverages. Go, take a refreshing swim, then some sun tanning. We have towels on board and other items that makes this day comfortable and fun. Late afternoon we return the boat and make our way back to San Francisco which might still be covered by fog and gray. You will be happy you went on this tour. BACK |
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Bodega Bay... ...is the quiet village at an inlet connected to the Pacific Ocean. Here, because of the mystic setting, Alfred Hitchcock filmed the movie "The Birds" Some areas are still recognizable after almost 40 years. The beaches here are rugged and beautiful. The ride is about 2 hour with some stops and takes us through some fabulous country sides. On arrival we check out that little Fisherman's Wharf and some shops. Then we could hike a little, discover a remote cove with dramatic rock settings. A nice local lunch at one of the seafood restaurants will hit the spot. Then we continue the drive along a different route and finally end up in San Francisco again. This tour can be combine with the tour to Pt. Reyes. |
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Point
Reyes National Sea Shore... ...is a paradise for hikers as well as bird watchers and beach lovers. Reaching far out into the Pacific the tip of this peninsula is an ideal setting to watch the gray whales in the spring and fall. The scenery and the historic lighthouse in a dramatic setting is worthwhile a visit. During the spring and fall migration of the wales many can be seen in close range.
When the fog rolls in this area gets mystic even a little creepy. That has inpired film makers to set thir stories here in this area. Most famous is the horror movie "The Fog" where this lighthouse is features.
At the south side of Pt. Reyes lies the calm Drake Bay and Beach. Here Captain Sir Francis Drake ancored to repair his ship |
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Gold Country... 1848 John Sutter found gold. 1849 the secret spilled and a furious gold rush broke out. Today there is still gold but not enough for large mining operation. The region is really beautiful and offers many small charming towns and villages still reflecting the past. Antique shops, cute boutiques, cozy restaurants and lots of hideaways waiting to be discovered will make this tour another highpoint of any California visit.
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Sacramento and the Delta... Sacramento is California's capital and the largest city in the central valley. The beautifully restored historic part of the city, Old-Sacramento is a fun place to visit. The "Wild West" ambiance, fun bars and outdoor restaurants, shops along the authentic board walks makes it a fun place to visit. There are two more attractions: one is the restored Delta King Paddle Wheeler serving as a hotel, bar and restaurant. The other attraction is the State Rail Road Museum with many original historic trains and locomotives. In the summer month some trains are used for short runs to provide rides in these authentic rail road cars. BACK |
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Monterey & Carmel..... John Steinbeck comes to mind. It's with good reason that this tour destination is so popular. Monterey is an inviting fishing town with several historic areas. Carmel is just gorgeous. The Monterey Aquarium could be a destination by itself with it's fantastically beautiful displays of the world under the waves. The aquarium was featured in the StarTrek movie "The Voyage Home". The 17 Miles drive takes the visitor to two of the most famous golf courses in unbelievably beautiful natural settings. This tour will make it a long day -it takes a 2 hrs drive from San Francisco - but it will be another highlight of any vacation to California. BACK
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Half Moon Bay & Santa Cruz... Tour description will be displayed very soon.
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 SF MOMA Museum of Modern Art |
Museums Tour ... Tour description will be displayed very soon.
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San Jose & Silicone Valley... Tour description will be displayed very soon.
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Most Beautiful San Francisco vistas... This is our newest tour. We take our guests to several spots where the view of San Francisco is like out of the picture book. The pictures of many postcards and photo books of San Francisco have been taken from these locations. But being there is of course much more beautiful. First we visit the Coit Tower, then Treasure Island, Twin Peaks, Marine Headlands and Sausalito. Then we invite you on a 2 hour bay cruise where you see Alcatraz and Angel Island close up. Further away we'll pass by San Quentin state prison. When we enter the North Bay you might be amazed how large this area is. We have time for lunch before the boat returns to San Francisco. This view of San Francisco from the boat you will never forget. BACK
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Yosemite National Park... This might be stretching it as a one day tour but it's possible. This tour requires 8 to 10 hours of total driving time. We have time 4 to 6 hours to enjoy this magnificent park. We depart San Francisco at 8am and drive for 2 hours, have a break at a nice spot, then continue another 2 hours to the park. There we show you the Glacier Point, high up on top where you have a grand view of the valley and the entire region. Then we stop at the Great Sequoia redwood trees. Finally we arrive in the Yosemite Valley for really breathtaking vistas of the straight up cliffs almost a mile high. The valley has restaurants and supermarket for a variety of lunch options. Around 5 to 6 pm we begin our return ride with another stop en route which will bring us back to San Francisco around 10 pm. Long day but very well worth it. BACK
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Beach Picnic ... This tour is great if the weather is not too cool or windy. We select one of several beach options based on current weather and traffic conditions. In any case the ride is very picturesque. On arrival - after about an hour drive time - we set up "camp". Out come the camping furniture, snacks, drinks, perhaps some music. It is a relaxing day on the Pacific Ocean at spots very few visitors would find. That's good because it will be peaceful and un-crowded. Of course according to our concept you decide how long you want to stay. Eventually we pack it all up again and return to San Francisco. If we see a pretty view or a fun pub or restaurant on the way we might stop. Why not, it's vacation and it's a great day. But you decide. BACK
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Free Style Tours... ...think of a tour you would take with a good friend or a relative you are visiting here in the Bay Area. Your friend would take you to many places but you both would stop here and there, change the route make deviation based on your interest and mood. Suddenly you see something interesting and you both decide to drive by. Or you get an appetite for some delicious lunch and you decide to stop at a nice place far away from the touristy area. Your tour would be really free and flexible, without having other people around you don't know. Let's say this is the ideal tour for you, exactly what you are looking for, but you don't have a friend or relative in San Francisco. That's where we come in. Consider us as your friend. We will take you on tours no others offers (to our knowledge). BACK
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Our Tour Vans... Why don't we use stretch Limousine? ............. Our tour transport is a 7 passenger Dodge Caravan. We wanted to crete a limousine style, but it did not make sense to us to use a limo for sightseeing tours. Limos have dark tinted windows, passengers sit with their back towards the window and it's not easy and quick to get in and out frequently. They are not that great with all the hills in San francisco, and it's really tough driving down Lombard Street (the corkiest street). Our Dodge Caravan gives a private ambiance like Limos. We serve snacks and refreshments and we have a full sound system (guests are invited to plug in their own iPod). The van is nicely appointed with clean, comfortable pillows, fresh cut flowers and of course real glassware (never plastic). The un-tinted windows are always crystal clear. The large sliding side door makes it very easy to get in and out; with so many frequent stops during our tours. BACK
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Finally
there... 
