Enjoy watching the San Francisco skyline from a different perspective while sailing on a cruise ship. The San Francisco Bay has several cruises where the boats sail across the two bridges, Alcatraz Island and few other places. If you embark on a 1.5 hours to 2 hours cruise, you will also be taken to the Oakland Bay Bridge. The San Francisco cruise boats will sail past the Alcatraz, the Ferry Building, Angel Island, and Coit Tower.
Enjoy watching the San Francisco skyline from a different perspective while sailing on a cruise ship. The San Francisco Bay has several cruises where the boats sail across the two bridges, Alcatraz Island and few other places. If you embark on a 1.5 hours to 2 hours cruise, you will also be taken to the Oakland Bay Bridge. The San Francisco cruise boats will sail past the Alcatraz, the Ferry Building, Angel Island, and Coit Tower.
Some of the cruise boats have audio guides in multiple languages which will tell you about the various attractions. Some also offer drinks and snacks at extra cost and have live music on board. While most bay cruises leave from Fisherman's Wharf or Pier 39, few also leave from Pier 3 near the Ferry Building.
Highlights
• Enjoy a 1.5 hour long cruise ride that will take you all around the San Francisco Bay.
• Sail along San Francisco waterfront, Alcatraz island and past the Golden Gate Bridge and the Oakland Bay Bridge.
• Experience gliding in a catamaran for 1.5 hours and enjoy spectacular views of San Francisco Bay.
• Hop on to a fisherman boat and learn about the various attractions the skipper.
• Watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean and see the lights lit the city of San Francisco.
How To Reach
Most cruises leave from the Fisherman's Wharf or Pier 39.
- By Car: Pier 39 is 3.1 mi from the city centre, it will take 18 min via the Van Ness Ave route.
- By Bus: Take a bus to Salesforce Transit Center which is 1.8 miles away from Pier 39. You can reach the location from the bus station with a 12-minute drive.
- By Light Rail: Take a light rail to Montgomery Street station which is 1.8 miles away from the destination. You can reach the activity location from the train station with a 12-minute drive.
- By Cable Car: Take a cable car to California St & Battery St which is 1.4 miles away from Pier 39. You can reach the place from the cable car station within a 9-minute drive.
Best Time To Visit
Since the Bay Cruise operates year-round, you can take a cruise at any time of the year.
- Best Season: The best season to go on a bay cruise in San Francisco is during September to November due to pleasant weather conditions.
- Best Day of the Week: The best day of the week to go on a bay cruise is on a Monday or Tuesday when the crowd is fewer.
- Best Time of the Day : The best time of the day to go on a cruise is during sunset, due to the beautiful panoramic views.
Other Essential Information
- Before heading out for a cruising experience, check out the weather forecast to ensure your cruising experience is good.
- Even on a warm sunny day, it can be chilly and windy on the waters, so it is better to carry an extra layer along during the experience.
- Some cruises do not have options of food and drink on board but they allow you to take along your food and drink.
- If you are on an audio tour, ask for headphones as both the boat and the wind can be noisy.
Enjoy A San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Tour
This 1.5 hour long bay cruise will take you all around the San Francisco Bay and will sail under both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Oakland Bay Bridge. It will also take you close to Alcatraz Island, so you will be able to take a closer look at it. The cruise has audio guides in multiple languages which will tell you about the landmarks that you are passing by.
Delight in a San Francisco Brunch Cruise
Embark on a 2 hour long cruise where you will be sailing around San Francisco Bay while sipping delightful drinks and enjoying a sumptuous brunch. During these two hours, you will be sailing past both the Golden Gate and the Bay Bridges and go past Alcatraz Island and along the San Francisco waterfront. Enjoy watching the San Francisco city skyline along with its popular attractions such as the Aquatic Park, the Palace of Fine Arts, Chrissy Field.
Go for a San Francisco Catamaran Day Cruise
Sail around the San Francisco Bay for 1.5 hours in a catamaran. Glide over the water and listen to the sound of gulls and wind while looking at the spectacular views. The catamarans are limited to only 12 people, so enjoy your ride with only few people. You can either ride outside and enjoy the cool air or sit inside in a wind-protected area. Audio guide is available in 8 languages to inform you about the attractions that you pass by.
Try out a San Francisco Fishing Boats Cruise
Take an hour-long cruise in a small fishing boat which is docked at the marina on the main street of Fisherman’s Wharf. Simply hop on one of them and they will take you out under the Golden gate Brisge and around Alcatraz. The skipper of the boat will give you a live narration about the attractions you pass, making your journey more interesting.
Revel in a Sunset Cruise
Catch the spectacular view of the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean on a 1.5 hour sunset sail. Watch the city lights slowly come up as the Golden Gate bridge glows in the light of the setting sun. Few of the famous landmarks which you will witness from water are the Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, Crissy Field, the Bay Bridge, Mount Tamalpais, Fort Mason and Angel Island.