San Francisco C3 vs Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass
San Francisco C3 and Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass are both choice passes: you pick a set number of attractions from each list. One adult pays from USD 81.95 for C3 and from USD 74 for Go City Essentials, checked October 2026.
We price 8 attractions on one or both of them, and both include 4. Only C3 has California Academy of Sciences and Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay Cruise; only Go City Essentials has Red and White Fleet Golden Gate Bay Cruise and USS Pampanito.
On the 3 plans worked out below for 2 adults, C3 costs less on all 3. The figures are arithmetic on published prices, not a rating of either pass.
C3, adult from
USD 81.95
Go City Essentials, adult from
USD 74
Priced on both
4 of 8
Prices checked
October 2026
The two passes on 3 plans
2 adults, no children, a packed pace of up to 4 visits a day. Each plan takes the attractions with a published price that either pass includes: our first visit picks first, then the dearest. Real cost is the pass for the group plus the tickets it leaves at the gate.
San Francisco C3 and Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass on each plan, for 2 adults in USD
Prices checked October 2026. US gate prices are before sales tax. Worth The Pass compares published prices on the date shown. Passes change what they include; check the seller's page before you buy.
Options and prices side by side
Every option each seller lists. The last column is the engine's break-even for one adult, with the cheapest attractions on the pass first.
Choice of attractions, sold by CityPASS. Prices for one person in USD, checked October 2026, before the USD 2 fee per ticket CityPASS adds at checkout and the math counts.
San Francisco C3 options and prices in USD, checked October 2026
Choice of attractions, sold by Go City. Prices for one person in USD, checked October 2026.
Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass options and prices in USD, checked October 2026
Option
Adult
Child
Pays off for one adult
3 picks, valid 30 days
USD 74
USD 54, child 3 to 12
After any 3 of its priced attractions
What each one includes
8 attractions in our San Francisco data are on one or both passes, dearest at the gate first. Adult gate prices in USD, checked October 2026; the terms are our summary of what each seller states. US gate prices are before sales tax.
Attractions on San Francisco C3 and Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass, with adult gate prices in USD
California Academy of Sciences and Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay Cruise. 2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 176 for the group. C3 costs USD 156.10 less than Go City Essentials for this plan: USD 167.90 for the group, pass and gate tickets together.
Close callRanked 1 of 6 for this plan
San Francisco C3
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 176 for the 2 attractions listed below.
Next on this plan: San Francisco CityPASS, Close call; it costs USD 7.90 more than the gate (4% of the gate total).
3 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 2 of its 3 picks.
USD 8.10less than the gate, 4% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 176
With San Francisco C3USD 167.90
Pass USD 167.90
It pays off already for this plan.
2 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
California Academy of SciencesUSD 98
Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay CruiseUSD 78
Paid at the gate
Nothing: the pass covers the whole plan.
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 83.95
Includes the USD 2 fee CityPASS adds per ticket at checkout.
Skip itRanked 6 of 6 for this plan
Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 176 for the 2 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: San Francisco C3, Close call; it saves USD 8.10 (4% of the gate total).
3 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 0 of its 3 picks.
USD 148more than the gate, 84% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 176
With Go City San Francisco Essentials PassUSD 324
Pass USD 148 still at the gate USD 176
Add any 3 more of the included attractions with a ticket price and this pass pays off.
Covered by the pass
Nothing in this plan.
Paid at the gate
Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay CruiseUSD 78
California Academy of SciencesUSD 98
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 74
5 things
California Academy of Sciences, Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay Cruise, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Red and White Fleet Golden Gate Bay Cruise and San Francisco Zoo & Gardens. 2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 378 for the group. C3 costs USD 18.10 less than Go City Essentials for this plan: USD 305.90 for the group, pass and gate tickets together.
Worth itRanked 3 of 6 for this plan
San Francisco C3
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 378 for the 5 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: San Francisco CityPASS, Worth it; it saves USD 116.10 (30% of the gate total).
3 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 3 of its 3 picks.
USD 72.10less than the gate, 19% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 378
With San Francisco C3USD 305.90
Pass USD 167.90 still at the gate USD 138
It pays off already for this plan.
3 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
California Academy of SciencesUSD 98
Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay CruiseUSD 78
San Francisco Zoo & GardensUSD 64
Paid at the gate
Red and White Fleet Golden Gate Bay CruiseUSD 78
San Francisco Museum of Modern ArtUSD 60
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 83.95
Includes the USD 2 fee CityPASS adds per ticket at checkout.
Worth itRanked 4 of 6 for this plan
Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 378 for the 5 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: San Francisco CityPASS, Worth it; it saves USD 116.10 (30% of the gate total).
3 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 3 of its 3 picks.
USD 54less than the gate, 14% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 378
With Go City San Francisco Essentials PassUSD 324
Pass USD 148 still at the gate USD 176
It pays off already for this plan.
3 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Red and White Fleet Golden Gate Bay CruiseUSD 78
San Francisco Zoo & GardensUSD 64
San Francisco Museum of Modern ArtUSD 60
Paid at the gate
Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay CruiseUSD 78
California Academy of SciencesUSD 98
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 74
Everything: 8 things
California Academy of Sciences, Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay Cruise, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Red and White Fleet Golden Gate Bay Cruise, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, Aquarium of the Bay, The Walt Disney Family Museum and USS Pampanito. 2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 548.96 for the group. C3 costs USD 17.14 less than Go City Essentials for this plan: USD 476.86 for the group, pass and gate tickets together.
Worth itRanked 3 of 6 for this plan
San Francisco C3
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 548.96 for the 8 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: Go City San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass, Worth it; it saves USD 172.96 (31% of the gate total).
3 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 3 of its 3 picks.
USD 72.10less than the gate, 13% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 548.96
With San Francisco C3USD 476.86
Pass USD 167.90 still at the gate USD 308.96
It pays off already for this plan.
3 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
California Academy of SciencesUSD 98
Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay CruiseUSD 78
San Francisco Zoo & GardensUSD 64
Paid at the gate
Aquarium of the BayUSD 60.96
Red and White Fleet Golden Gate Bay CruiseUSD 78
San Francisco Museum of Modern ArtUSD 60
USS PampanitoUSD 50
The Walt Disney Family MuseumUSD 60
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 83.95
Includes the USD 2 fee CityPASS adds per ticket at checkout.
Worth itRanked 5 of 6 for this plan
Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass
2 adults, 3 days at a packed pace, gate total USD 548.96 for the 8 attractions listed below.
First on this plan: Go City San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass, Worth it; it saves USD 172.96 (31% of the gate total).
3 attractions. The only option for your trip. It uses 3 of its 3 picks.
USD 54.96less than the gate, 10% of the gate totalfor this plan
Gate tickets for the planUSD 548.96
With Go City San Francisco Essentials PassUSD 494
Pass USD 148 still at the gate USD 346
It pays off already for this plan.
3 visits in 3 days fits a packed pace of 4 a day.
Covered by the pass
Red and White Fleet Golden Gate Bay CruiseUSD 78
San Francisco Zoo & GardensUSD 64
Aquarium of the BayUSD 60.96
Paid at the gate
Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay CruiseUSD 78
California Academy of SciencesUSD 98
San Francisco Museum of Modern ArtUSD 60
USS PampanitoUSD 50
The Walt Disney Family MuseumUSD 60
Pass price per person
Adult x 2USD 74
The sellers' own pages
Passes change what they include. Read each seller's terms before you buy.
Which costs less, San Francisco C3 or Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass?
One adult pays from USD 81.95 for San Francisco C3 and from USD 74 for Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass, checked October 2026. The price alone does not settle it. For 2 adults at a packed pace: 2 things: C3 costs USD 156.10 less; C3 Close call, Go City Essentials Skip it. 5 things: C3 costs USD 18.10 less; C3 Worth it, Go City Essentials Worth it. Everything: 8 things: C3 costs USD 17.14 less; C3 Worth it, Go City Essentials Worth it. Tick your own plan in the San Francisco calculator to see which comes out lower for you.
What does San Francisco C3 include that Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass does not?
San Francisco C3 includes 2 attractions with a published price that Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass leaves out: California Academy of Sciences (USD 49) and Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay Cruise (USD 39). Prices for one adult at the gate, checked October 2026.
What does Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass include that San Francisco C3 does not?
Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass includes 2 attractions with a published price that San Francisco C3 leaves out: Red and White Fleet Golden Gate Bay Cruise (USD 39) and USS Pampanito (USD 25). Prices for one adult at the gate, checked October 2026.
Do San Francisco C3 and Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass have child prices?
San Francisco C3: USD 64.95, child 4 to 11. Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass: USD 54, child 3 to 12. Enter each child's age in the calculator: the band that applies is shown next to each price.
How long are San Francisco C3 and Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass valid?
San Francisco C3 comes in 3 picks, valid 9 days. Go City San Francisco Essentials Pass comes in 3 picks, valid 30 days. The math fits your visits into those days at 2 a day relaxed or 4 a day packed.
