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If you’ve ever spotted a sign in San Francisco with a flying white seagull soaring across a blue sky, you’ve seen the iconic marker for the 49-Mile Scenic Drive. But what is this mysterious loop around the city? And where exactly does it go?
Buckle up, because we’re diving into the fascinating story behind this route—and how parts of it are still a highlight on our San Francisco Private Jeep Tours.
The year was 1938. San Francisco had just pulled off an engineering miracle by completing both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge—right in the middle of the Great Depression. And now the city was preparing to welcome the world to the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island.
But organizers had a dilemma: how to encourage all those visitors to leave the island and explore the rest of the city?
Enter the Down Town Association, a group with a knack for PR brilliance. They mapped out a 50-mile route that passed through San Francisco’s most scenic neighborhoods and attractions. But here’s the clever part—someone realized that San Francisco is 49 square miles and that the Gold Rush happened in 1849. And thus, the 49-Mile Scenic Drive was born.
The first signs were simple black and yellow triangles. But in 1954, a contest led to a rebrand, and local artist Rex May designed the now-iconic seagull logo. The bird still graces poles all over the city—but fair warning: fans love them so much, they tend to disappear.
Fun Fact: The seagull design is so popular that you can buy official replicas at local shops.
The route forms a counter-clockwise loop through the city, starting and ending at Civic Center Plaza. It winds through over 50 major attractions, from scenic parks to bustling neighborhoods and sweeping viewpoints.
Many of these stops are included on our San Francisco Private Jeep Tour, so you can experience the best of the Drive without getting lost or stuck in traffic.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the amazing highlights along the route—with Jeep tour connections and pro tips for each one:
What you’ll see: City Hall, SF Public Library, Asian Art Museum
Jeep Tour Tip: Great place to start your city exploration—plus, City Hall is a popular wedding photo spot
On the Drive: The route winds through this historic neighborhood
Pro Tip: Grab a mochi donut or ramen on your next visit—it’s a food lover’s haven
Attractions: Dragon Gate, Portsmouth Square, City Lights Bookstore, Coit Tower (nearby)
Seen on Tour: Yes! We roll through Chinatown, past Columbus Avenue, and highlight iconic Coit Tower
Fun Fact: North Beach is SF’s “Little Italy,” and home to the Beat Poets scene
On the Drive: Turns north toward Fisherman’s Wharf and Mason Street
Seen on Tour: Absolutely! You’ll pass Aquatic Park, Hyde Street Pier, and possibly spot sea lions at PIER 39
Route Detail: Zigzags through residential streets to reach this architectural gem
Jeep Tour Highlight: A top stop for photo ops—especially around the lagoon and rotunda
On the Drive: Enters at Lombard Street, winds through the Main Post and past Fort Point
Seen on Jeep Tour: Yes! Enjoy views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Lucasfilm HQ, and historic military buildings
Pro Tip: Look for Andy Goldsworthy’s art installations tucked into the woods
On the Drive: Follows El Camino del Mar with dramatic coastal views
Jeep Viewpoint: Peek at celebrity homes and pause at the Legion of Honor Museum
Drive Route: Reaches the wild western edge of the city
Pro Tip: On foggy days, it feels like the edge of the world. Perfect for dramatic photos
On the Drive: Loops through 5 miles of gardens, lakes, and museums
Jeep Tour: We cruise past highlights like the Conservatory of Flowers, de Young Museum, and California Academy of Sciences
Note: Parts of JFK Drive are now pedestrian-only, so the original route is altered
Route Highlight: The best city view—hands down
On Jeep Tour: We take you up to the top for a panoramic photo stop. Bring a jacket—it’s windy
Route: Travels past Mission Dolores and through historic LGBTQ+ and Latinx neighborhoods
Jeep Tour Tip: Hear stories of civil rights, culture, and murals along the way
Experience San Francisco Like Never Before – Book Your Private Jeep Tour Now!See the city’s top sights on your terms with a Private Jeep Tour! Your personal guide takes you to San Francisco’s must-see locations, ensuring unforgettable views and photo stops—including a breathtaking drive across the Golden Gate Bridge.
Don’t just visit—experience San Francisco in style! Spots fill fast—Book your Jeep adventure today!
Let Someone Else Drive: Trust us—it’s much more fun when you’re not trying to read confusing street signs or miss turns. That’s why our Jeep guides handle the route for you
Bring Layers: San Francisco weather can change fast. A sunny start in the Mission could end in a foggy finish near the Golden Gate
Ask Questions: Our local guides know the legends, history, and juicy stories that bring each stop to life
Snap It All: From quirky signs to sweeping views, this drive is packed with photo-worthy moments. Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram
It’s Not Actually 49 Miles: The official route is closer to 46.3 miles
The Sign is Iconic: Designed in 1954, it’s so beloved that people (sadly) steal them
Wrong-Way Corrigan Opened It: Aviator Douglas Corrigan, famous for flying to Ireland by accident, drove part of the original route in reverse to open it in 1938
Real Estate Connection: The route once ended at a home expo on Treasure Island, where you could pick out your dream house
It Helped Invent Fisherman’s Wharf as a Tourist Attraction: Before the 49-Mile route, it was mostly an industrial area
While the classic Scenic Drive was made for drivers in the 1930s, today’s San Francisco traffic, road closures, and one-way streets make following it… well, let’s say “challenging.”
Our open-air San Francisco Private Jeep Tour is the modern answer:
You get a local guide who knows the route—and the shortcuts
You’ll see attractions from the Drive and beyond—no GPS stress
With stops for photos, history, and fun facts, it’s an upgraded version of the original experience
Technically, yes—but parts have been altered or made pedestrian-only. Our Jeep tours offer a modern, guided alternative
It begins and ends at Civic Center Plaza, but our Jeep Tour follows many parts of the route on our custom tour.
Driving solo? Expect 3+ hours with traffic and stops. On a private Jeep tour, we cover the highlights in 2 or 3 hours—without getting lost
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local who never knew what those signs meant (we’ve been there!), experiencing the 49-Mile Scenic Drive with a private Jeep tour is a fun, flexible, and fact-filled way to explore San Francisco.
Book your San Francisco Private Jeep Tour today!
