The 7 Best Cruises and Boat Rides in San Francisco

One of the activities you can't miss on your list of things to see and do in San Francisco is a nice boat ride. From short one-hour trips to excursions to Alcatraz Island , San Francisco offers wonderful attractions to visit from the sea.

If you're excited about the idea of boarding a cruise ship, ferry, or catamaran to see San Francisco from the water, then read on for all my recommendations.

This type of tour takes you around the entire San Francisco Bay and its most interesting sights in just over an hour and a half.

This tour is one of the most comprehensive you'll find by boat, 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 not to be missed from start to finish. You will board the ferry on the San Francisco coast to the pier, and from there you will take a complete tour around Angel Island. You will pass under the Golden Gate Bridge, where you can take amazing photos to remember your trip.

When you arrive at Alcatraz Island, you'll have the opportunity to see the island from all angles while listening to a tour specially designed by island guides 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 doing with your family, friends, or partner. As a last option, I would suggest taking the children, keeping in mind the number of terrible stories you will hear as you pass through Alcatraz.

Details of interest

• Price: This option is available for a price ranging from $43 per person. Children under 4 years old enter free of charge.
• Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Transportation: You must make your own way to the pier. The tour around the bay is by ferry.

Taking a sunset cruise around the bay is one of the things to see and do in San Francisco at night that is impossible to miss. There is nothing better than starting your evening in San Francisco with a romantic and peaceful sunset cruise on a sailboat.

Of course, it is also a great plan to do with friends or 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 progresses. This tour is usually short, because its main purpose is to take you to see the most spectacular sunset views from the sea.

Details of interest

• Price: From $109 per person.
• Duration: 2 hours
• Transportation: You will need to make your own way to Pier 39, which is accessible by public transportation. Once at the pier, you will board a sailboat to continue the tour.

This is a three-hour tour and 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 followed by a special dance on board a cruise ship touring the bay.

During the tour , you will enjoy breathtaking views of Angel Island, as well as Tiburon Island and Sausalito. Of course, you'll also be able to see Alcatraz from on board. But without a doubt, the highlight of the experience is when you pass through the Golden Gate Bridge at dusk. Definitely a unique experience.

Among the dishes you can enjoy on this night tour are citrus salad and clam chowder in the best English style. If you want appetizers, you can choose a board of artisanal San Francisco cheeses or a serving of salmon cakes accompanied by yogurt and lemon sauce.

Details of interest

• Price: From $148 per person.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Transportation: You must make your own way to the pier, where you will board a sailboat to complete the tour.

During the day, there's nothing better than exploring the San Francisco area on a sailboat cruise around the bay. The tour is short, so you can see the most interesting places in the bay without spending too much time.

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

This experience differs from the bay cruise because it's a quick trip, allows more people on board , and doesn't go into detail about the stories surrounding the former Alcatraz prison. This quick tour will give you a different perspective of the city and allow you to take lots of photos, especially of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Unlike the cruise, which focuses on telling you everything about the monuments you'll see, I highly recommend this tour as one of the things to see and do in San Francisco with children, as they love embarking on a water adventure without being overwhelmed with information.

Details of interest

• Price: From $56 per person.
• Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Transportation: You must get to the pier on your own, but luckily there are many transportation options nearby. Once at the pier, you will board the sailboat, where you will end your hour-and-a-half adventure.

The bridge-to-bridge tour is an option that is not to be missed. It is a 1 .5-hour tour that takes you across San Francisco Bay from bridge to bridge. Not only does the Golden Gate Bridge add to the appeal of this picturesque area, but so does the Bay Bridge.

Not only will you enjoy the great views from both bridges, but you'll also see Alcatraz Island, Treasure Island, and AT&T Park. All of these are must-see attractions in San Francisco. During the trip, you'll enjoy an audio experience detailing the construction and engineering of both bridges.

Details of interest

• Price: From $43 per person.
• Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Transportation: You will need to make your own way to the Embarcadero, either by public transportation or private car. Once you arrive at the pier, you will board your cruise ship to complete the trip.

A peaceful catamaran ride is just what you need after a busy day on the best bike tours in San Francisco, or exploring the city on foot, by public transport or by car. On this 1.5-hour tour, you'll have the opportunity to see the Golden Gate Bridge and other attractions in the bay.

If you're lucky, you'll see sea lions resting or cooling off in the summer heat in the bay. During the tour around the bay, you'll see the most impressive sunsets while sailing past interesting tourist spots such as Alcatraz Island.

This is a tour you can take with family, friends, or your partner to appreciate the lights that flood the city sky, which are some of the best views of San Francisco. The tour is ideal for ending the day on a high note or starting the night off on the right foot.

Details of interest

• Price: From $75 per person.
• Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Transportation: You must arrive at the pier on your own to board the catamaran. Public transportation is available that will take you right to the pier. Once you board the catamaran, you can continue your journey on it.

This experience is specifically designed to explore the chilling stories of Alcatraz. On this cruise, you will depart from the San Francisco pier and arrive at the island's surroundings, where you will be able to see it from every possible angle.

The purpose of this adventure is to learn about each of the stories that permeate the place. This tour differs from others because it focuses solely on the stories surrounding Alcatraz Island. In addition to the cruise, you will have the opportunity to disembark on the island and learn a little about the old prison from the inside.

Details of interest

• Price: Depending on the tour you choose, prices start at $93.
• Duration: From 2 to 4 hours.
• Transportation: You must get to the pier on your own. From there, you can board the ferry and continue your journey to the island.

Depending on the type of tour you book, it will be longer or shorter. Day boat tours usually last between an hour and a half and three hours at most, if it is a quick tour.

You also have the option of booking a half-day cruise that will take you around San Francisco Bay and important sites in the surrounding area. If you choose a night tour to see the sunset, you'll need to take the departure time into account.

Sunset boat tours usually last a little over three hours, although this also depends on what's included. If you book a simple trip just to see the sunset, it may only last an hour and a half. But if you opt for one that includes dinner and dancing, it can last up to three or three and a half hours.

The best advice I can give you to make your boat trip a success is to arrive at least 20 minutes before departure so you can board on time. Another thing to keep in mind is what to wear. Regardless of the weather, I recommend wearing a sweater to protect yourself from the strong sea breeze.

The weather on the water is usually colder, regardless of whether it is summer or winter, so I recommend dressing in layers and wearing closed-toe shoes to avoid getting too cold when you are out at sea. In any case, I recommend checking the weather forecast for San Francisco before you visit.

Also, because of the strong wind, don't forget to bring your sunglasses. Whether it's summer or winter, you should always bring a good pair of sunglasses with you on these boat trips. If you're traveling with children, try to bring something to entertain them during the trip.

If you or your children tend to get seasick or nauseous on a boat, it is best not to take a boat trip. But if you still want to go ahead, it is advisable not to eat heavy meals before or during the trip to avoid unpleasant feelings in your stomach.

Taking a boat trip in San Francisco is a must. It's always exciting to go to San Francisco and embark on a cruise that takes you from bridge to bridge. You can't deny that the experience of visiting Alcatraz is unique, and it's definitely worth booking a boat trip to get there.

What's more, the city of San Francisco looks much better from the sea. Especially if you go at night, this trip will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. The lights of the entire city breaking through the darkness of the night is a sight that can only be seen from the sea.

Another attraction that looks much better from the water is definitely the San Francisco Bay Bridge, which connects the city with Oakland. The light show illuminating the bridge's cables can only be appreciated in all its glory from a boat.