Cruises and Boat Rides in San Francisco

One of the must-do activities on your list of things to see and do in San Francisco is a good boat trip. From short one-hour rides to excursions to Alcatraz Island, San Francisco offers some great attractions to visit from the sea.

If you' ve been excited by the idea of hopping on a cruise, ferry or catamaran to see San Francisco from the water, then stay and read all the recommendations I have for you.

This type of tour takes you around San Francisco Bay and its most interesting places for a little more than an hour and a half.

This is one of the most comprehensive boat tours you'll find, despite its short duration. It takes place during the day and the itinerary depends on the company you book your experience with.

What I can assure you is that it is a tour that is worthwhile from start to finish. You'll board the ferry at the San Francisco waterfront to the pier, and from there you'll take a full route to the area around Angel Island. You'll pass under the Golden Gate Bridge, where you'll be able to take some amazing postcards to remember.

When you arrive at Alcatraz Island, you will have the opportunity to look at the island from all angles while listening to a special tour by guides from the island who will tell you about the most iconic experiences of the escapes from what was once a maximum security prison.

This tour is an activity that I recommend you do with your family, friends or your partner. As a last option I would suggest you to take the kids, considering the amount of terrible stories you will hear when you go through Alcatraz.

Interesting details

• Price: You can get this option for a price starting at 43 euros per person. Children under 4 years old get in for free.
• Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: You have to get to the pier on your own. The ride around the bay is by ferry.
• Advantages of this option: Among the advantages of this experience is the fact that it is suitable for wheelchair users. Children can travel on the boat, as long as they are on the lap of their representatives. Assistance pets are allowed on board. Transport is available nearby.
• Disadvantages of this tour: Food and soft drinks, as well as alcoholic beverages, are not included in the price. However, they can be purchased on board for an additional fee.

A sunset sail around the bay is one of the things to see and do in San Francisco at night that is impossible to miss. There's nothing better to start your evening in San Francisco than a romantic and peaceful sunset tour on a sailboat.

Of course, it's also a great plan to do with friends or your family. Part of what you'll see on this tour is the sunset over the bay and how the lights of San Francisco come to life as the night wears on. This tour is generally short in duration, because its main purpose is to take you to see the most spectacular views of the sunset from the sea.

Details of interest

• Price: From 109 euros per person.
• Duration: 2 hours.
• Means of transport: You will have to get to Pier 39 on your own, so public transport is available. Once at the quay you will board a sailing boat to continue the tour.
• Advantages of this option: Pets are welcome. It is possible to travel with children and bring cars, although children are not allowed to travel in the car. Alcoholic beverages are served only for those over 21 years old. There will be a maximum of 18 passengers on board.
• Disadvantages of this tour: Not suitable for wheelchair users. The tour may be cancelled due to bad weather and without prior notice.

This is a tour that lasts about three hours and is undoubtedly one of the most exquisite boat trips you can take in San Francisco. It is an evening where you can enjoy an intimate dinner and then a special dance aboard a cruise ship across the bay.

During the cruise you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Angel Island, Shark Island and Sausalito. Of course you can also see Alcatraz while on board. But the highlight of the experience is undoubtedly the moment when you cross the Golden Gate at sunset. Definitely a unique experience.

Among the dishes you can enjoy on this evening cruise are citrus salad and English-style clam chowder. For appetizers, choose from an artisan cheese plate of San Francisco cheeses, or a portion of salmon cakes accompanied by yoghurt and lemon sauce.

Interesting details

• Price: From 148 euros per person.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Means of transport: You will have to get to the pier on your own. Once there, you will board a sailing boat to complete the route.
• Advantages of this option: Includes three-course dinner, as well as drinks such as iced tea, hot tea, water and alcoholic beverages. It is wheelchair accessible. Tables are assigned in advance.
• Disadvantages of this tour: Dress code is strict and you cannot wear jeans. The experience may be cancelled if the minimum quota of passengers is not met or if the weather is bad.

In the daytime, there's nothing better for getting around San Francisco than a sailboat cruise around the bay. The tour is short, so you can just see the most interesting places in the bay without spending too much time on it.

This is an ideal tour if you are passing through the city. It is definitely an activity that I would include among the things to see and do in San Francisco in one day. In just an hour and a half you will have the chance to see iconic landmarks such as Angel Island, Alcatraz and Sausalito from the sea.

This experience differs from the Bay Cruise in that this is a fast paced, more people friendly experience where you won't get to know in detail the stories surrounding the old Alcatraz prison. This quick tour will give you a different perspective of the city and will let you take lots of pictures, especially of the Golden Gate.

Unlike the cruise that focuses on telling you all about the monuments you will see, this tour is one of the things to see and do in San Francisco with children, as they love to embark on an aquatic adventure where they are not overloaded with information.

Interesting details

• Price: From 56 euros per person.
• Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: You have to get to the pier on your own, luckily you have many transport options nearby. Once at the pier you will board the sailing boat, on which you will finish your hour and a half adventure.
• Advantages of this option: It offers you audio guide in several languages. You can take prams with you. Assistance animals are allowed on the trip.
• Disadvantages of this tour: It is accessible only for manual wheelchairs, but the toilets are not wheelchair accessible. Drinks and meals are not included but can be purchased on board. You cannot bring drinks or food from outside the boat.

The bridge to bridge cruise is a great option. It's a one-and-a-half hour tour that takes you across San Francisco Bay from bridge to bridge. Not only the Golden Gate Bridge is a great attraction in this picturesque area, but also the Bay Bridge.

Not only will you be able to enjoy the great panoramic view from both bridges, but you will also be able to see Alcatraz Island, Treasure Island and AT&T Park. All must-see attractions in San Francisco. While on the tour you can enjoy an audio experience about the construction and engineering details of both bridges.

Details of interest

• Price: From 43 euros per person.
• Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: You will have to get to the Embarcadero on your own, using either public transport or private car. Once you arrive at the pier, you will board your cruise ship to complete the journey.
• Advantages of this option: Commentary and guide in different languages, including Spanish. Crew trained to provide medical attention to passengers in case of emergency. It is fully accessible for wheelchair users. Assistance pets are allowed. Prams are allowed on board. Maximum 14 people per trip.
• Disadvantages of this tour: Drinks and meals are not included, although you can purchase them for an additional cost on board.

A leisurely Catamaran ride is just what you need after an intense day doing the best bike tours in San Francisco, or touring the city by foot, public transport or private car. The point is that on this hour and a half tour you'll get a chance to look out over the Golden Gate Bridge and other Bay Area attractions.

If you're lucky, you may even see the sea lions in the bay resting or basking in the heat of the summer weather. During the tour around the entire bay you will be able to see the most breathtaking sunsets while cruising past interesting sights such as Alcatraz Island.

It's a ride you can do with family, friends or your partner to appreciate the lights that flood the city's sky, which form part of San Francisco's best sights. It's a great way to end the day on a high note or to open the night on the right foot.

Details of interest

• Price: From 75 euros per person.
• Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: You must get to the pier on your own to board the catamaran. Public transport is available right up to the pier. Once you have boarded the catamaran you can continue your trip on it.
• Advantages of this option: Audio guides available in different languages, including Spanish. A complimentary drink is included and you can also buy drinks on board. Assistance animals and prams are allowed.
• Disadvantages of this tour: You must bring your own headphones to listen to the audio guide. Drinks and food brought from outside the boat are not accepted. Wheelchairs are only partially accepted, as manual wheelchairs are required to fit the boat.

This is an experience expressly dedicated to the chilling stories of Alcatraz. On this cruise you will depart from the San Francisco pier and make your way around the island, where you will be able to see it from every possible angle.

The purpose of this adventure is to get to know each of the stories that flood the place. This tour is different from others because it focuses solely on the stories that haunt Alcatraz Island. In addition to the cruise, you will have the opportunity to disembark on the island and get a glimpse of the old prison from the inside.

Details of interest

• Price: Depending on the tour you book, you can get it from 93 euros.
• Duration: From 2 to 4 hours.
• Means of transport: You must get to the pier on your own. From there you can board the ferry and continue your journey to the island.
• Advantages of this option: It is suitable for wheelchair users. Seats are available for children and babies. Prams are accepted.
• Disadvantages of this tour: Drinks and meals are not included but can be purchased on board the ferry.

Depending on the type of tour you book, it may be shorter or longer. In the case of daytime boat tours, they are usually an hour and a half to three hours at the most, if it's a quick tour.

You also have the opportunity to book a half-day cruise that will take you around the entire San Francisco Bay and surrounding landmarks. In case you choose an evening sunset cruise, you have to take into account the departure time.

Sunset boat tours usually last a little over three hours, although it also depends on what is included. If you hire a simple ride just to watch the sunset, it can be as short as an hour and a half. But if you opt for one that includes dinner and dancing, it can be as long as three to three and a half hours.

The best advice I can give you to make your boat ride a success is to arrive at least 20 minutes before departure so that you can board the boat on time. Another thing to consider is the clothes you will be wearing. Regardless of the weather, I recommend wearing a jersey to protect you from the strong winds at sea.

The weather in the water is usually colder, no matter if it's summer or winter, that's why my recommendation is to dress in layers and closed shoes, this way you avoid excessive cold when you are in the sea. However, I recommend you to be aware of the weather when you visit San Francisco.

Also regarding the strong wind, you can't forget to take your sunglasses with you, no matter if it's summer or winter, you always have to take your good sunglasses with you on these boat trips. If you are travelling with children, try to bring something to entertain them during the trip.

If you or the children tend to get seasick or nauseous on a boat, the best choice is not to take the boat trip option. But if you do venture out, it is advisable not to eat main dishes before or during the trip to avoid unpleasant feelings in your stomach.

Taking a boat tour in San Francisco is a must-do activity. It's always a thrill to go to San Francisco and embark on a cruise that takes you sailing from bridge to bridge. You can 't deny that the experience of seeing Alcatraz is unique and of course it's worth taking a boat ride to get there.

Besides, the city of San Francisco is much better seen from the sea. Especially if you go at night, this tour will leave you with postcards to remember. The lights of the entire city breaking the darkness of the night is a spectacle that can only be seen from the sea.

Another attraction that is best seen from the water is definitely the San Francisco Bay Bridge, which connects the city with Oakland. The light show that illuminates the bridge's cables can only be seen at its best from a boat.