San Francisco Bay Tours: My 10 Favorite Boat Cruises on the SF Bay

There are so many great San Francisco bay tours and boat cruises that it can be hard to find the perfect one.

I love taking these cruises. Since I live just over a mile from Fisherman's Wharf, I head down a couple of times a month to cruise the SF Bay. I never get tired of it and allows me to stay up-to-date with changes.

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1. Golden Gate Bay Cruise

Tour Length: 60 minutes

Cost: $38 for adults, $32 for youth (12 - 18) and seniors, $27 for kids 5 - 11)

Tickets: Book your tickets

What's to Love: As I mentioned in my intro, this is by far the most popular cruise and a go-to for many first-time visitors. It offers a great overview of the SF Bay both from a sightseeing and history perspective. 

These San Francisco boat cruises leave from Fisherman's Wharf several times a day. That's another reason why they are so popular—because they run the most often.

Company Options: These San Francisco bay tours are offered by both the Blue & Gold Fleet and the Red & White Fleet. I've been on the water with both companies several times and they both offer great service.

The only difference is that the Blue & Gold Fleet provides their narration over loudspeakers on the boat while Red & White Fleet hands out individual headsets. 

One benefit to the headsets with Red and White is that they offer narration in several languages, so this is something to consider if English is your second language.

Cruise Route: Both SF cruise companies follow almost the same route.

The boat cruise leaves from Fisherman's Wharf and starts out along the northern waterfront. You head west past several SF sights including Fort Mason, the Marina District and the Palace of Fine Arts.

You will then ride by Fort Point National Historic Site as you head to the main attraction: the Golden Gate Bridge.

After you float under the Golden Gate Bridge, you turn around for a second time under the bridge.

You will head to the northern side of the bay. You'll pass Sausalito, Angel Island and take some time cruising past Alcatraz Island. 

Tickets and Tour Times: You can catch one of these San Francisco bay tours several times a day.

In the summer, each company offers about a dozen boat cruises per day. In the winter, it's about 7 to 9 (more on the weekends). 

Your ticket is good for any cruise for that day. When you arrive, you will line up for the cruise and those in front will board first.

Don't stress too much (unless it's a really busy holiday weekend) as they usually don't fill up all the way. People also move around the boat quite a bit, so you don't really need to be first in line to get a good spot.

You can buy tickets for these cruises either online or in person.

>> Find tickets for this cruise on GetYourGuide

2. San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise

Tour Length: 90 minutes

Cost: $48 for adults, $36 for youth (5 - 17)

Tickets: Book your tickets for this cruise today! 

What's to Love: My second recommendation for San Francisco bay tours is the Bridge to Bridge Cruise. It offers an additional half-hour on the water, and more extensive views of the city, for just a few more bucks per ticket.

Company: This one is run by the Red and White Fleet. It's a popular option, but only runs a few times a day. 

The ticket time is usually flexible, too. You can stop by their dock at any time to confirm which tour you can go on for the day of your ticket.

Route: The first part of this San Francisco bay tour covers the same route as above. However, instead of heading back after circling Alcatraz, you will continue east past downtown SF and take a trip under the Bay Bridge.

You will also cruise past Treasure Island and the Ferry Building, so you really get to see more of San Francisco.

As with the Bay Cruise, the narration for the Bridge to Bridge Cruise is on personal headsets. You can choose from one of 16 languages on their headsets too.

>> Find tickets

3. San Francisco Champagne Brunch Cruise

Tour Length: 2 hours

Cost: $149 for adults, $122 children (4 - 12)

Company: The San Francisco Champagne Brunch Cruise is a great option from Hornblower (now run by City Cruises).

What's to Love: This is one of my favorite San Francisco bay tours because you get to cruise around the bay in the morning while enjoying food and champagne.

The brunch buffet varies a bit throughout the year to allow for seasonal changes. Some of the items you will find include fresh baked breads, a variety of salads, French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, herb crusted beef, ham with country mustards, and so much more.

To drink, of course, their house champagne (as well as coffee, tea, water and soda). 

Route: You will cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, near Alcatraz, near the Bay Bridge, and past other top sights along the SF waterfront. 

This is a really fun cruise and worth the extra money for a delightful experience.

NOTE: This San Francisco boat cruise picks up at Pier 3, which is NOT in Fisherman's Wharf, but instead close to the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero.

>> Find tickets for all cruises on Viator

4. Twilight or Sunset Cruise (Depending on the Season)

Tour Length: 2 hours

Cost: $58 for adults, $38 for youth (5 - 17)

Company: The Twilight and Sunset Cruises are offered by the Red and White Fleet. 

Differences: The difference between these two San Francisco bay tours is the time of year. 

The Twilight Cruise is offered during the winter months (roughly early November through mid-March).

It's called a Twilight Cruise since the sun will already be down by the time the cruise is underway, giving you amazing views of the lights on the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, San Francisco, and all around the SF Bay.

The Sunset Cruise is offered the rest of the year (roughly from mid-March through early November). They adjust the departure time for this San Francisco boat cruise in order to have you on the water during sunset.

You will get some great views of the sunset as long as the fog has not decided to make its way into the bay before the sun goes down.

What's to Love: I love this evening cruise as they also serve a nice buffet of appetizers. You can enjoy a drink or two on board (available for purchase at the bar). There is also a musician on board playing some light music in the background. 

It makes for a really nice evening on the water with family, friends, or your romantic partner.

Route: Both cruises follow the same route. They first head along the northern shoreline, then under the Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatraz, past Treasure Island, under the Bay Bridge and then back to Fisherman's Wharf.

Tickets and Tour Times: These cruises only leave once a day (and only Thursday through Sunday during the winter months), so your ticket will be for a specific time.

>> Find tickets for this fun cruise

5. Escape from the Rock

Tour Length: 90-minute tour

Cost: $47 for adults, $37 for youth (12 - 18) and seniors, and $34 for kids (5 - 11) 

Company: The Escape from the Rock cruise is run by the Blue & Gold Fleet.

Route: It follows the same path as the other SF Bay Cruises for the first 60 minutes. The difference with this one is that it offers an additional loop around Alcatraz as well as more stories about this famous island and its inmates.

What's to Love: In addition to hearing about SF's history, you will also hear more about Al Capone, Robert Stroud "The Birdman of Alcatraz," and those who tried to escape.

Tickets and Tour Times: This one is very popular, but it only runs a couple of times a day.

NOTE: Some people get confused by the name and think that it will stop on Alcatraz for a visit. It does not. It simply cruises around the island a couple of times, so you get some great views and photos.

This one is a good one if you missed your chance to get tickets to Alcatraz or if you want to see it closer up from the water.

If the timing of this cruise works for you, I would select this one over the standard 60-minute bay cruise as it gives you some great insight into Alcatraz.

>> Find tickets for this cruise on GetYourGuide

6. Wine Tasting on the Bay

Tour Length: 90 Minutes

Cost: $85 for adults

Company: This awesome cruise is aboard Wine Therapy. Unlike the larger tour vessels mentioned above, the boat for this tour is a more intimate 45-foot classic yacht with seating both indoors and out. 

What's to Love: This floating wine bar is a blast and allows you to sip on your local wine as you soak in the views from around the SF Bay.

Route: Your cruise starts and ends at Pier 39. You'll then head toward the Golden Gate Bridge, circle close to Alcatraz, enjoy the downtown San Francisco skyline, and then head back to where it all began.

Tour Times: This San Francisco bay tour is offered most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only. There are usually one or two departures in the afternoon between the hours of 2 pm and 5 pm. Check your desired date for exact times.

NOTE: The wine is by the glass and is not included in the price of the cruise.

>> Find out more and check for availability

7. Dinner Dance Cruise

Length: 2.5 to 3 hours

Cost: From $134 per person; children under 3 free

Company: Hornblower (now operating under City Cruises) features San Francisco boat tours like this one for special occasions. 

They have larger boats in order to accommodate tables for their dinner dance cruises and they also have a higher price tag because so much more is included with this ticket.

What's to Love: The Dinner Dance Cruise is one of their most popular cruises, featuring a four-course seated meal during which you get some decent views of the bay from almost all of the seats in the dining room. 

After dinner, you can head outside for more views of the SF Bay, enjoy a little dancing on one of their upper decks, or just sit back to listen to the music.

As for drinks, tea, coffee, water, and soda are included with your ticket. During the entire tour, you can purchase beer, wine, and cocktails at their full bar.

NOTE: These cruises do require that you dress up a little bit. No jeans are allowed, and they require business casual dress. It's the perfect pick for a romantic date night or upscale dinner.

Tickets & Tour Times: This tour runs a few nights a week (usually throughout the week in the summer and around the weekends in the winter). 

There usually aren't discounts for these San Francisco bay tours, but I do highly recommend booking your tickets early. They sell out during the busier travel seasons and holidays. 

Keep in mind that the Hornblower/City Cruises tours leave from Pier 3 near downtown SF, NOT in Fisherman's Wharf.

>> Visit GetYourGuide for more details and to check for ticket availability

8. Whale Watching

Tour Length: Varies from about 2.5 hours to 7 hours

Cost: Varies, but starts at $120 for adults and $100 for students, seniors, and military

Companies: San Francisco Whale Tours is the main commercial tour operator that sails daily from Pier 39 between April and December.

The Oceanic Society, a non-profit that funds marine research and conservation programs, operates a longer all-day tour only on weekends between April and December.

What's to Love: I'm cheating a little by adding whale watching tours to my favorite San Francisco bay tours because most of the time you will be on the Pacific Ocean. However, you will cruise through the bay to get to and from the ocean.

These are some of my favorite San Francisco boat tours because the waters right outside the bay are very active most of the year with migrating whales, dolphins, birds, and other sea animals.

These boat cruises are so much fun that it would be a shame to miss your chance to head out for some whale watching.

Tickets and Tour Times: The Golden Gate Whale Watch is the standard 2.5-hour summer whale watching tour that leaves from Pier 39 up to four times a day from April to October. It will take you under the Golden Gate and then up the coast a ways past Bolinas and Point Reyes.

The Golden Gate Whale Watch "and Beyond" is the 4-hour winter tour that runs from November to December. It only heads out once a day and only a few days a week. Even though there are fewer people around at this time, I find this one of my favorite times to head out whale watching. 

The Oceanic Society's Farallon Islands Whale Watching Tour leaves from the Marina Yacht Harbor every Saturday and Sunday between April and mid-December. It departs at 8:30 am and returns at 4 pm. Coffee and tea are provided, but guests should bring their own food.

9. Sunset Luxury Catamaran

Tour Length: 90 minutes

Cost: From $93

What's to Love: I recommend this tour as an alternative to the first Twilight/Sunset Cruise I mentioned for a few reasons.

First, the catamaran is smaller, but still has plenty of space. This means you get a more intimate experience, either to get to know people better or spend more quality time with your romantic partner.

Second, this one is more casual. Third, they include one complimentary drink with your ticket.

Like the other San Francisco bay tours, they have both indoor and outdoor seating. However, this catamaran has additional canvas trampoline nets for the more adventurous!

If you love the water and want to spend a relaxing evening cruising around the bay, then this is the tour for you! 

Route: It follows the typical path with two trips under the Golden Gate Bridge, a cruise around Alcatraz, and a chance to see all of the wonderful sights along the water.

Tickets and Tour Times: This tour runs just once per night and the departure time changes by season to give you the best chance to catch the sunset. It runs from early March to the end of November.

>> Find tickets to this fun catamaran tour

>> Find some additional night tours on both land and on the water

10. Special Event Cruises

Tour Length: Varies

To close out my list of the 10 best San Francisco bay tours: all of the special event cruises. There are several throughout the year, but below I highlight the dates that offer an extra special experience.

Fireworks Cruises

Dates: New Year's Eve (12/31) and Fourth of July (7/4)

For these two celebrations, dozens of San Francisco boat tours head out on the water for prime viewing of the fireworks shows.

Find Out More: NYE Cruises | Fourth of July in San Francisco

Air Show Cruises

Dates: Usually the first or second week of October

Fleet Week is another time of the year when you will find some special San Francisco cruises. They head out on the water for the very popular air show that features the Blue Angels.

Cruises are usually offered at the time of the air shows on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Fleet Week. Some cruises are also offered during the Blue Angels' practice runs. 

Learn More: Tips for enjoying Fleet Week in San Francisco

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