go cart tour san francisco

GoCar Tours

Hours updated over 3 months ago

Review Highlights

“ One bit of advice, when you get to Lombard Street , your hands will hurt from squeezing the brakes. ” in 32 reviews

“ Although we didn't reserve a car in advance, we were lucky enough to get a Car with a gps and audio system. ” in 119 reviews

“ I celebrated a birthday by renting 5 GoCars for a group of 10 and we drove all over SF. ” in 28 reviews

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Location & Hours

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431 Beach St

San Francisco, CA 94133

Jones St & Taylor St

Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach/Telegraph Hill

Serving San Francisco Area

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Amenities and More

About the business.

Business owner information

Nathan W. and Alasdair C.

Business Owner

It's a tour guide...a talking car...a trusty co-pilot...and a local on wheels. GoCar is the first-ever GPS-guided storytelling car - and it's available to rent right now! Leave your guidebook behind and see the San Francisco, San Diego, and Miami most visitors never see. Hop into a GoCar and let this little yellow car take you on a guided tour of these fantastic cities. Your clever talking car navigates and shows you the way - but that's not all. As you enjoy the drive, it takes you to all the best sites and tells the stories that bring these cities to life. These cars are smart. An on-board computer and a GPS-system do the thinking so you can actually relax and take in the beautiful cities. The GoCar takes you to spectacular places few visitors get to see. It's like having a local show you around. And this little car can go where the tour buses can't. …

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Could I use my own bike helmet?

You must wear a DOT approved motorcycle helmet to participate. If you have one, you are welcome to use it. However, a standard bicycle helmet is not approved for use with our vehicles. Please note that all our helmets are sanitized in between… more

Are you able to take your pets on this tour car?

Many people have taken dogs on tour with them. They have to either sit on the passenger's lap or in the passenger seat. They cannot sit on the driver's lap. Any traveller with a pet must exercise extra caution - you must ensure the dog stays in… more

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Overall rating

515 reviews

I was trained to drive a car because I even drove people in my car. I haven't driven a car since about 2019 now. Today I was looking for activities on this Sunday March 24, 2024. I found Go Cars on Viator. My father would probably not do this activity or really approve. He might silently smirk and chuckle. If I showed him a photo... It took 1 hour and 35 minutes to take a loop from Beach St near the Wharf all the way to the Presidio near the bridge and under the tunnel and over through...but it's a bit far..It's tiring to drive the "Go Car" around the Presidio..maybe as if it's a scooter at Crissy Field. I parked the Go Car at Sports Basement and wanted new shoes and some gummies. I wonder who would sit in this Go Car with me any day. I am sure who I would sit with...would you let your nephew go out in a Go Car? You have to possess a driver's license and I do believe it is a "car." It has handle brakes and you have to push it backwards to reverse. The control system takes an intro. It's better get support and feel better so that you are safe on the road. I did get honked at twice..I saw 2 Go Cars at a time at the intersections. It's funny! It's unbelievable! It's an experience. I waited a long time to go. You can go any day of the week whether you are a local or a tourist. There's no race track. It goes to the Presidio and Crissy Field..The audio says things like it was an airfield. I am writing a college essay on tourism activities using public transportation. Survey says it involves close family members. I am a tran-sport-tationist. hahah

Even though we were early, it took forever to get checked in and ready to go. We were already 30 minutes behind our scheduled time when we started. However, my go car broke down. After a few minutes to push it out of the way, try to restart it, I called the number. They had me repeat all the things I had already done, then said a replacement car would be there in 25 minutes. After 35 minutes (and trying to restart again), I called, and now they were 10 minutes out. After another 10 minutes and still no replacement (so now 45 minutes after they said 25 minutes), I was able to restart the go car. I presume it had overheated or something and finally cooled off. However, since we had planned for 3 hours (for the 2 hour tour), and we were now about an hour and a half behind schedule, we just rushed back to return the car and make our afternoon appointments. When we returned, we again had to wait in line to make sure we weren't charged extra for being late, but then wanted a partial refund since we only got to do half the tour and spent most of the time waiting on the side of the road for a replacement that never arrived. All they would offer is more time with the car, which we didn't have and we had cut out the far side of the city anyway, which we wouldn't be able to get back to in the make up time anyhow. Could have been great, but instead was a miserable waste of time and money.

Whether it's your first visit to SF or thousandth, this touring activity will be enjoyable! Make sure to book your reservations ahead of time bc it does get busy and if it's anything like today was (understaffed & booked out) you'll want to allow at least 30 mins to complete the check in process. I'd also recommend booking at least 2 hours for your experience to give you the option of stopping/exploring as well as bringing a portable speaker to play your music.

Although I've lived in California for years, I'll never turn down an opportunity to be a tourist! This was an amazing activity to learn more about the city in a fun and unique way. Things to note: - The vehicle itself is so fun to drive! - We signed up for a 3-4 hour tour, and although we thought it was enough time, we ended up finishing right before our time was up. - There's lots of places to stop on the route, most picturesque, so make sure you pace yourself. - It is slightly expensive, but you know that when you're booking. It's a unique experience, so I don't mind as much. - The vehicles don't go as fast as normal cars, so it's definitely a little intimidating to be driving alongside the road. At times, we felt guilty that we were slowing down traffic haha. - Parking in the area is terrible, so if you're trying to get to GoCars, I'd recommend any other mode of transportation.

I have been wanting to do this for so long and it is not in all locations. We used a Go City Pass so we had to call and make reservations. We called on the day of and we were able to make a reservation. The Go City pass only gives you 30 minutes. If you do 60 minutes it's about $48 more. They make you watch a safety instructional video and then they show you how to drive. The car has a GPS but it is delayed so it is not the best. The paper map is somewhat easy to read. The 30 minute ride will lead you to Lombard Street, but the traffic alone made our experience 60 minutes so we had to pay the additional $48 but it was worth it, because we had so much fun. Other drivers root for you and cheer you on. It can go pretty fast. It is as if you are driving a motorcycle as the car has no pedals.

Went here for my birthday as a Bay Area local and had a wonderful time exploring. There's always more to learn! Family friendly. The staff was very nice and accommodating. The music that played during some of the driving parts was amusing. I would recommend go car highly!

Go car at Fort Point

This was hella fun. I'm a sf local and native so we always made fun of folx who did this. But Jose was Hella chill and provided great service for us I. Understanding hot to use this vehicle. I would highly recommend and use the gps too. View were great restroom inside and great video tutorial

A must activity to experience even if you're a local or a tourist. It was so fun and different than riding a car or bus. We enjoyed getting cheers from bystanders as well. Thank you for such a fun experience! P.S. Make sure to book your reservation through the phone or online! They do charge a deposit fee in case something happens to the vehicle but nonetheless, the money comes back to your account once the vehicle has been returned.

Whenever I have family visiting or friends I highly recommend this excursion in SF. Fun and safe way to explore and just relax. Pro tip: I'd recommend getting a city pass from gocitypass.com it's literally half off for two people for an hour so instead of paying $85 it's about $60-80 for TWO people. Make sure to listen to the video carefully because it's easy to get lost and go over time. Note, they have a GPS screen and audio available where an automated voice talks you through the history of spots you drive by. IMPORTANT: make sure when you return you ask them to walk you through billing/time stamps because every single time I've gone I've almost gotten scammed. They say the clock won't start until you get off the property. Example, I left the lot at 12:01pm I know this because I set an hour timer on my phone and I returned it with a minute to spare. When I asked the worker to check my receipt they said it'll get emailed to me and any additional charges would get added to my card. I mentioned no, I'd like to see my time stamp and when he checked it said I had the car since 11:40am which was actually when I signed the waiver in line. I had to explain to them that the hour shouldn't count for when I check into GoCars. Without debate, he changed it in their system but if I had not asked, I would've gotten charged an additional $50!!!! This also happened the last time I came. I don't mind coming back because I make sure to note it down and take record for myself but they should seriously look into changing their system!!!!

See all photos from Tiffany W. for GoCar Tours

We got the 3 hour tour from Groupon Through golden state park and drove by tons of beaches, golden gate Bridge (you do NOT cross Golden Gate Bridge *) ++ MORE Ended up being out for 3.5 hours Easy checkin, next time I will rent for the day because it takes you through multiple awesome neighborhoods where you can explore restaurants/ shops/ thrift stores/ park / botanical gardens etc etc ... the park is huge !!!!! Rented 2 cars, you have to have DL We had our 12 and 16 year old with us. No reverse so careful on uturns .

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Town Car Service

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All Day Special: Choose Your Own Adventure!

**SAVE UP TO $234** on an ALL DAY TOUR. Experience all of the options of the GoCar tour at a flat rate for the entire day! Just have the car back by the close of business!

• Duration: 5 Hours (approx.)

Wake Early: Save Big! Early Bird Tour

Come early to take advantage of up to an hour extra of touring!

• Duration: 3 Hours (approx.)

Golden Gate Bridge & Back Loop

Let GoCar take you off the beaten path through many of San Francisco’s iconic parks like the Presidio and Crissy Field on the way to the Golden Gate Bridge.....

• Duration: 2 Hours (approx.)

Golden Gate Park & More

In this tour, you will see everything on the Bridge and Back Tour with the addition of an extended loop that will take you past the homes of the rich and famous.

Chinatown Downtown Loop

Let GoCar guide you through San Francisco’s culturally fascinating Chinatown, the iconic and lavish Downtown Union Square district, Fisherman's Wharf and.....

• Duration: 1 Hours (approx.)

Painted Ladies & Haight-Ashbury Tour

In this tour you will see everything on the extensive 3 hour tour plus you will take the options that include a winding detour to the top of Twin Peaks.

• Duration: 4 Hours (approx.)

GoCar and Seaplane Combo

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge to explore the Marin Headlands and Sausalito and get a unique experience from the sky with Seaplane.

GoCar & GoRide Combo

Have an odd number of people in you group? Take one GoCar for two people and a UBCO Motorcycle for the third. Both come equipped with the same GPS tour technology so you can stay together for the 2 hour version of our tour.

ESPORT ALL DAY- Beyond the Golden Gate Bridge

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and explore the Marin Headlands and Sausalito.

ESPORT Early Bird Beyond the Bridge Tour

Come early to take advantage of up to an hour extra of touring! Your destination is this quaint bayside town just beyond the City via the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. This compact tour, in state-of-the-art EV technology.

ESPORT 2hrs- Beyond the Bridge - Marin Headlands

Your aim is to cross the Golden Gate Bridge (GGB) going north into the Marin Headlands, a pristine park and wilderness on the city’s doorstep. Return home via Crooked Lombard street if you wish. Amazing views and memories come as standard

ESPORT 3hrs- Beyond the Bridge - Sausalito Tour

Your destination is this quaint bayside town just beyond the City via the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. This compact tour, in state-of-the-art EV technology, is for the adventurous explorers who crave speed and adventure

ESPORT 4hrs - Beyond the Golden Gate Bridge - Marin Headlands & Sausalito

You will explore the old Army Forts just North of San Francisco, after crossing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge into the Marin Headlands. Then venture to the quaint Bayside town of Sausalito for a seaside rendezvous

1 HOUR UPGRADE TO ESPORT OR VSPORT

1 HOUR TOUR UPGRADE TO E SPORT OR V SPORT

SkyStar Wheel and GoCar 3 hours

In this tour, you get a free ride on the SkyStar Wheel in Fisherman's Wharf. You will see everything on the Bridge and Back Tour with the addition of an extended loop that will take you past the homes of the rich and famous.

SkyStar Wheel and GoCar 4 hours

In this tour you you get a free ride on the SkyStar Wheel in Fisherman's Wharf. You will see everything on the extensive 3 hour tour plus you will take the options that include a winding detour to the top of Twin Peaks.

SkyStar Wheel and GoCar All Day

Get a free ride on the SkyStar Wheel in Fisherman's Wharf! In this tour you pay 5 hours and get the ALL DAY TOUR. With all the options of the GoCar tour at a flat rate for the entire day! Just have the car back by the close of business!

Twilight Special! 3 hours at price of 2

Special deal! Take advantage of up to an hour extra of touring!

Muir Woods - ESPORT ALL DAY

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The 5 Best Places For Go Karting In San Francisco

Are you looking for some fun in San Francisco? If yes, then you should definitely consider going to one of these awesome Go Karting locations.

The city has a rich history of go-kart racing. In fact, the first-ever go-kart race was held at the Golden Gate Park Raceway back in 1947.

Today, there are over 30 tracks across the country where you can enjoy go-karting.

San Francisco is home to several great go-karting venues. There are many main areas where you can enjoy go-karting in the city.

These include the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and Ocean Beach. Each location offers something unique and exciting.

Umigo Go Kart Racing

State: California

City: San Francisco

Type: Indoor

Karts: Gas-powered

Karts Top Speed: 40mph

Requirements: 48″ for juniors and 58″ for adults

Onsite Food And Beverages : No

Entertainment: No

Party And Group Bookings: Yes

Merch Shop: No

Pricing: 1 race is $30. 3 races are $100.

Company Overview: Umigo Racing is one of the best Indoor Karting Centers in Northern California. This is exactly why you should try it out for yourself with your friends and family.

Race Track Overview: Each race is around 8 minutes long. There are multiple Track Layouts.

There are two types of racing within the Formula Drift series: Best Position Racing and Fastest Lap Racing.

Both races are held at different tracks around the country. Each driver starts the race from the back of the pack.

Drivers must complete three passes through each course before moving on to the next track.

The first pass is worth half points, the second pass is worth full points, and the final pass is worth double points.

Types of Go-Karts: Their Karts are all gas-powered, as opposed to the Electric Karts of K1 Speed. Karts are able to hit 40mph.

Party And Group Bookings: Group Events can be booked in advance, and you can book Private Racing for very Reasonable Pricing.

Age And Height Restrictions : Must be 48 inches or over for juniors, and 58 inches or over for adults to partake in the racing tracks.

Kinsmen Kart Club

Type: outdoor

Track: multiple

Karts: electric powered

Karts Top Speed : 45mph

Requirements: races depend on classes, which depend on age.

Onsite Food And Beverages: Yes

Party And Group Bookings: No

Pricing: membership is $225 – $275 during the mid-season or $30 a day practice.

Company Overview: KKC is a karting club located in the town of Dixons. They offer different levels of membership depending on your driving experience and skill level.

You will be required to complete an application form and pay a deposit before you get access to the track.

Once you are approved, you will receive a welcome pack containing information about the club and the track. If you are interested in joining the club, visit their website for more details.

Racing events are held regularly, members get a discount at the racetrack.

Race Track Overview: The tracks are actually open to practice and use every day of the week for the crazy go karters out there.

Types of Go-Karts: There are 8 particular bends to go through with their amazing karts, and they’ve been hosting for 35 years, so you know their karts are worthy of racing on the best tracks out there!

Foods And Beverages: Because families come to this club, there are refreshments and food available to cater to adults and children throughout the day.

Party And Group Bookings: Since it’s a membership-based club, you don’t need to book sessions, you’ll know what you can attend based on your membership package.

Age And Height Restrictions: Must be above the age of 5 to race or take part. Parents must make sure their child is driving an age-appropriate kart.

Blue Max Kart Club

Karts Top Speed: 45mph

Requirements: must be a member

Pricing: membership cost $325 or $30 a day for kart owners.

Company Overview: Blue Max Kart Club offers a great experience for those looking to get started in racing. Practice sessions are held every weekday at 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, and 4 pm.

Race Track Overview: 6 races are typically held during the year, with unlimited practice available on their quality tracks. This club is an official racing track, makes it fantastic for racing on for fun!

If you plan on getting into racing, this is a great place to start.

They even offer lessons for beginners! You should always check if there are any discounts available when you book a slot at a track.

Types of Go-Karts: You can actually practice with your own go-karts at this racing track company!

Just bring yours along, and they can accommodate you and offer you the time and luxury of racing on their quality tracks.

Food And Beverages: Club memberships like this usually offer refreshments of sorts at their facilities to accommodate members.

Party And Group Bookings: Members don’t have to pay for the day passes etc. however their cost will be higher than other membership clubs for go-karting.

This is the only form of booking or extra deals you can get with this club.

You can choose to rent a kart for an hour or two, or if you prefer, you can purchase a membership. Prices range from $25-$75 per session.

There are also discounts for multiple sessions.

If you are looking for something specific, like a special class, make sure to ask before booking. You can also contact the track directly to see what kind of deals they might offer.

Always double-check the information on their website. Some tracks may not give refunds if you cancel your reservation within 24 hours of making it.

Age And Height Restrictions: There don’t appear to be any particular restrictions as such, but most likely there is a height requirement for younger children or teenagers.

Karts: Electric powered

Karts Top Speed: 45mph for regular karts. 20mph for juniors.

Entertainment: Yes

Pricing: 1 race is $25.95. 2 races are 46.94, and 3 races are $59.95

Company Overview: K1 Speed is an indoor kart racing facility located in San Francisco.

Their prices range from $25-$59 per race, depending on the number of laps you wish to complete.

Karting is a great way to get your adrenaline pumping while enjoying a challenging race. Karting is usually done at an indoor track, where you can see other drivers as well as the track itself.

It is a very exciting sport and many people enjoy watching others compete.

If you’ve ever wanted to try out kart racing, there’s an opportunity to get your first taste of the sport at a local racetrack.

You may even be able to participate in an indoor league to see if you like the sport before you invest in a real kart.

K1 Speed San Francisco offers indoor go-kart racing in a fun environment.

It is located near many major highways and freeways including I-80/I-580, US 101, CA 1, CA 24, CA 85, CA 238, and CA 280.

The closest BART station is the Coliseum Station. For those living in the greater Bay Area, it is also close to the San Francisco International Airport, the San Francisco Ferry Building, and the Port of Embarcadero.

Race Track Overview: Since their tracks are all indoors, you can enjoy them any time of the year without the implications of worrying about the weather forecast. It won’t ruin your day!

They actually have three centers in San Francisco alone for you to enjoy. The bends are challenging and narrow around 4-5 corners to really throw you off course!

It offers up to 4 different tracks, each ranging from 1 mile to 2 miles in length.

Each track is equipped with LED lighting, allowing races to run 24/7. There are also multiple race classes available, including Junior, Adult, and Senior.

Types of Go-Karts: Their go-karts are strictly electric powered for safety reasons and because it’s an indoor track, the speeds aren’t high, however, this is ideal for a fun activity like go-karts.

There are many types of karts available, ranging from beginner karts to pro-level racing machines.

Some karts even allow drivers to remote control the vehicle.

Most karts are electric-powered, but there are also gas-powered models. The top speeds of the karts range from 30mph to 60mph.

Food And Beverages: Since they cater to parties and even bridal parties, they cater for refreshments and food too!

Entertainment: Since it’s an indoor track, there are other games and stations available for you to get use of as well as the amazing go-kart tracks all year round.

Arrive & Drive Racing is an online multiplayer game that allows players to compete for head to head in real-time.

There are two modes of play available: Race and Time Attack.

In Race mode, players must complete laps around a circuit within a certain amount of time. If the player fails to finish the course in time, he/she loses points.

In Time Attack, players must beat the clock while completing a series of laps. Each lap counts towards the total number of seconds required to complete the challenge.

Both modes allow players to compete against each other and against the clock.

To get a taste of what it feels like, check out the Arrive & Drive Go-Kart Racing Package at K1 Speed, San Jose.

They offer this package daily, except when we close due to weather conditions or special events.

Party And Group Bookings: Most likely the answer is yes, as most go-karting places accommodate groups of people for sessions where they can race against each other.

K1 Speed San Francisco is a great place to host parties, corporate meetings, birthday parties, bachelor parties, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, holiday parties, family reunions, and other social gatherings.

It is also a great place to hold your next race party. If you’re looking for something different to do, indoor go-kart racing at K1 speed is the ticket!

Age And Height Restrictions: Juniors must reach the height of 48 inches to take part, and adults must be 58 inches or more to take part.

SSI Racing Team

Type: Outdoor and indoor

Karts Top Speed: 100mph

Requirements: Kids can train, so the age restriction should be age 10

Onsite Food And Beverages: No

Pricing: $120 for 4 stroke karts. Non-shifter karts are $950. Or $160 per session (2 hours)

Company Overview: SSI Racing is a school for drivers. They start with go-karting and prepare their students for racing. Their classes are virtual, and you can drive them online.

They also offer a mobile simulator set up for their customers to practice at different tracks. If your kid wants to become a professional driver, it’s worth checking out.

Race Track Overview: Since this is a school for driving, they have some challenging corners and tests to really help you improve your racing skills for the possibility of developing in motorsports.

Types of Go-Karts: They have 4 stroke karts which start at $120, and non-shifter 2 stroke style karts which start at $950, but can go up to 100mph with a 125cc.

Entertainment: They have indoor training available in the form of racing simulations!

Party And Group Bookings: you can book for training sessions and classes with this club, so keep that in mind when booking for yourself or others

Age And Height Restrictions: Kids are able to take part and train in sessions in the indoor and outdoor tracks and classes, most likely there are more restrictions for the outdoor track than there are for the indoor simulations.

Final Thoughts

These are good options if you want to learn how to drive go-karts, but do not necessarily need to race. The prices are reasonable, and the staff is helpful at all the facilities.

We hope that this article has given you the information you need to know about these amazing racetracks and how to get involved with some fantastic races!

If you enjoyed this article, you might enjoy our post on ‘ The 5 Best Places For Go Karting In Houston ‘.

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San Francisco Mayor Gives Panda Diplomacy a Try

In a city still struggling to recover from the pandemic, Mayor London Breed hopes giant pandas will lift the spirits — and the economy — of San Francisco.

By Heather Knight

Reporting from San Francisco

Facing a tough re-election fight in San Francisco, Mayor London Breed has already proposed building a soccer stadium in place of an underused mall , adding a college to the hollowed-out downtown and filling the city’s quiet streets with lively night markets.

But now, Ms. Breed has a new idea to reverse the city’s post-pandemic woes: giant pandas.

She returned Sunday from China wheeling a luggage cart through San Francisco International Airport with stuffed toy pandas brimming from the tops of her bags. Her biggest coup overseas was securing an agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association to have pandas take up residence at the San Francisco Zoo for the first time.

“Everyone is truly excited about pandas,” Ms. Breed said at the airport. “It represents so much joy.”

The arrival of the black-and-white superstars could be an economic boon for a city hit hard by the pandemic.

They could also give Ms. Breed a personal boost as she tries to shore up support among the frustrated electorate in San Francisco. Voters, particularly those of Asian descent who make up about 37 percent of the population, have told pollsters that they do not approve of the job the mayor is doing, and Ms. Breed and her challengers are fighting hard to win them over.

Securing the pandas would also be a marked contrast from last year, when two adult pandas and their 3-year-old cub were moved out of the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and flown back to China aboard a FedEx Boeing 777 called the Panda Express.

Pandas had lived at the National Zoo since 1972, when they were offered as a diplomatic gesture from China after President Richard M. Nixon and Patricia Nixon, the first lady, fawned over pandas on a 1972 trip to Beijing.

Speculation was that China was taking back its pandas because of rising tensions with the United States. A zoo in Atlanta is now the only site in the United States housing pandas, though the San Diego Zoo is set to receive a pair, perhaps as soon as this summer.

The San Francisco pandas will come later — the city hopes by early next year — pending fund-raising for a new panda enclosure. Engineers from Beijing have already visited the zoo to assess the site.

Pandas have only played tourist in San Francisco before, stopping in 1984 and again in 1985 as part of a global tour — back when Dianne Feinstein was mayor and Joe Montana played quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. A lot has changed since then, but not the pull of precious pandas.

Ms. Breed described seeing a panda in the flesh for the first time in a wildlife park in Shanghai. The female panda walked, ate, picked things up and seemingly looked right at Ms. Breed.

“It was as if she wanted to have a conversation,” Ms. Breed said.

The city’s first Chinese American mayor, Ed Lee, had pushed to bring pandas to the San Francisco Zoo before his death in 2017.

The idea advanced after San Francisco hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in November.

President Xi Jinping of China met with President Biden at an estate south of the city to discuss major issues including artificial intelligence, Taiwan and fentanyl — but not pandas. Mr. Xi surprised administration officials that night when he said at a dinner with business leaders that he wanted to continue the panda partnership with the United States, singling out California in particular.

In February, the China Wildlife Conservation Association reached a lending agreement with the San Diego Zoo. That same month, Ms. Breed and scores of local Asian leaders sent a letter to Mr. Xi, urging that San Francisco receive pandas.

The announcement came as the San Francisco Zoo faces another round of scrutiny over its operations. Last week, while Ms. Breed was in China, The San Francisco Chronicle published an investigation into the zoo , describing how some employees said they were concerned about animal welfare and worker safety at the 95-year-old institution.

The zoo has faced years of turmoil. In 2000, teenagers, wanting to impress their girlfriends with unusual Christmas presents, stole two koalas before police recovered them. On Christmas in 2007, a Siberian tiger escaped from her enclosure and killed a 17-year-old boy and injured two of his friends who had been taunting her. In 2014, a baby gorilla was crushed by an enclosure door and killed. A ring-tailed lemur was kidnapped from the zoo in 2020.

Vitus Leung, deputy director of the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens, said in a statement that the zoo undergoes inspections from several regulatory bodies, including the United States Department of Agriculture, and “we do not have any noncompliance issues.” He also said that the zoo had been certified for the next few years by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums after an extensive accreditation process.

“Chinese engineers and panda experts have visited the San Francisco Zoo twice and, after a thorough review of many areas and departments of the Zoo, have determined that we are ready to receive Giant Pandas in the near future,” Mr. Leung said.

Carmen Chu, the city administrator, was part of a delegation of roughly 30 officials and business leaders who accompanied Ms. Breed to China. The delegation “not only worked the panda element” but also pushed for more direct flights from China to San Francisco. Before the pandemic, there were 50 such flights each week, but now there are just 20, Ms. Chu said.

She said San Francisco leaders not only wanted to secure a pair of pandas but hoped to see them produce cubs. Unlike so many San Francisco families that move to the suburbs after babies come along, this one would remain in the city — at least until China calls them home.

Heather Knight is a reporter in San Francisco, leading The Times’s coverage of the Bay Area and Northern California. More about Heather Knight

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