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San Francisco Electric Tours unique vehicle provides a fun alternative to a walking tour of some of The City's most popular neighborhoods. The Segway® Human Transporter is the perfect way to have a walking tour experience while covering considerably more distance than you could walk in the same amount of time.
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Click images to enlarge
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Reservations are required for this tour and there are a few restrictions that I'll cover in a minute, but first I'd like to describe my experience with my San Francisco Segway Tour.
Like many others I'd heard about the Segway and its inventor Dean Kamen. There were the news articles about his many earlier inventions including his IBOT — an electric wheel chair that could climb stairs while keeping the occupant in a stable position.
Lessons learned and technology developed for the IBOT went into a decade of development for the Segway HT (Human Transporter). I remembered reading a Time Magazine article a year before the Segway was available to the public, that really piqued my interest. The Segway was described as a machine that was an extension of the human body.
There was also a photo and brief article in the December 2004 issue of Wired magazine titled Scooter Polo showing Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak and other members of the Bay Area Segway Enthusiasts Group playing polo on the machines. Segway groups have also sprung up in Boston, New Hampshire, Utah and New York City.
When I learned that a company was planning to provide San Francisco Tours utilizing the Segway, I was anxious to experience what I had heard so much about. This is the story of my experience.
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 My adventure began on a mid January day found sunny but cool weather and four other excited people to join me and our guide Carla as we cruised the streets of San Francisco.
The tour begins with 20–30 minutes of training on riding the Segway. It's very easy to ride and we all caught on right away. The machine really does soon feel like a natural extension of your body. Well before the end of the three hour tour controlling the Segway had become completely automatic, requiring virtually no thought.
When the Segway is powered up it automatically balances itself. A few minutes after you begin riding it you are totally comfortable standing on the two wheeled machine. Unlike a bicycle it does not have to be moving to balance.
San Francisco Electric Tours stresses safety and made sure that everyone could automatically stop on a dime. This is important because pedestrians have a tendency to not notice that you're on a vehicle and will step in front of you. Helmets and vests are provided and required, though your chances of falling down are probably much higher on foot than while riding a Segway.
Our tour through Fisherman's wharf began and we proceeded to our first stop near the Fisherman's and Seamen's Chapel where our guide Carla shared some information on the Chapel, the wharf and San Francisco's fishing fleet.
As we continued on our tour toward Aquatic Park the wireless handsets provided with each Segway allowed our tour guide to continue to share information about the Wharf and any potential obstacles, such as potholes, to be aware of.
 When we arrived at Aquatic Park we made the first of several stops where we actually got off the Segways to take pictures and stretch our legs. Lots of people along the way expressed interest in our mode of transportation and the owner of this Harley Davidson motorcycle was no exception.
After learning about Hyde Street Pier and the Dolphin Club we mounted up and drove past the Maritime Museum and Bocce Ball courts out on to the Municipal Pier where we rode all the way to the end. This is probably as close as you can get to Alcatraz Island without boarding a boat.
While we enjoyed the view of Alcatraz, Hyde Street Pier, Ghirardelli Square and the San Francisco skyline our tour guide provided historical information.
 By this point we were all very comfortable riding our Segways. One of the interesting things I noticed when reviewing the pictures I shot is that the Segways never look like they are moving. In the photo of my fellow tour participants and Carla side by side on the Municipal Pier they are moving about eight miles per hour (I had gone ahead to set up for the picture) but everyone is so relaxed that you might believe they were standing still.
 We had gone up and down a few small inclines on our way to the fishing pier but nothing like the hill we climbed as we left the pier and headed for Marina Green. I was very glad to be on a powered vehicle and was amazed at how quickly and easily the electric motors moved us up the hill.
With a little prior research on the Segway website I had learned about the many dual and redundant backup and safety systems incorporated in the device. They also have the capability of regenerative braking which recharges the batteries when you go down hill as we confirmed by checking our battery levels before and after a hill climb or descent.
 A stop at Greens Restaurant at Fort Mason gave us a chance to recharge our own batteries with a snack and hot or cold drink. I had heard good things about Greens but had never been there.
 The restaurant has a great interior space and some interesting furniture carved from a very large piece of wood. Greens is a well know San Francisco vegitarian restaurant with a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Marina Green also has great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. We made another stop there before beginning the return trip.
Following a slightly different route back allowed Carla to share additional information about San Francisco and gave us an opportunity for us to ride the Segways in different terrain.
There are a lot of ways to see San Francisco but this is one that I highly recommend!
Like a walking tour you are at street level where you can take in all the smells, sights and sounds but you're able to cover a lot more territory. Riding the Segway is a lot of fun and an experience you won't forget.
As mentioned at the beginning reservations are required. Riders must be between the age of 12–65 and weigh between 100 and 250 pounds (46–113 Kilos).
Tour departs Daily Nov–Mar 9:15, 1:15pm & 4:30 pm (Night Tour Fri, Sat ONLY)
Apr–Oct 9am, 12:45pm, 4:30pm, & 7pm (Night Tour Wed–Sun ONLY)
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Adult/Child – only $70
Adult/Child – only $70
Similar to day tour but departs 4:30pm or 7:00pm, Nov–Mar 4:30pm, Apr–Oct 7pm
Questions or additional tour details
Call 866 641-8687 Ex. 12
local 415 447-8442 Ex. 12
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Tour explores the San Francisco waterfront including Fisherman's Wharf, Marina Green, Fort Mason, and the Marina.
Training takes 30-40 minutes, tour is two hours long (total: 2 1/2 hours.)
Tour stops for refreshments and lots of photos.
Ages 12 and up. People under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Tours are limited to 9 riders and reservations are required.
Riders must be over 100 pounds and less than 250 pounds.(46-113 Kilos) Be able to easily and quickly step on and off the Segway without assistance, which requires physical abilities similar to climbing and descending stairs without any assistance or use of a handrail. Rider must be able to operate the steering control with his or her left hand.
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Includes:
20-30 minute training on how to safely operate the Segway ® guided narration
Excludes:
Meals, beverages, admission fees or souvenirs.
Terms:
The operator reserves the right to upgrade, alter or terminate any or all of our tours due to security, weather or acts of god. This tour should be booked at least 72 hours in advance of your tour date. Confirmation for this product will be received within 24 hrs. of booking. If you are booking within 24 hours of your tour, please call 1-866-641-8687 8am-5pm Pacific Time after placing the online order. Tour is operated in English unless otherwise stated.
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