Amanda Knapp
San Francisco is known for its rolling hills and iconic architecture, and one of the best ways to take in the city's unique skyline is from the middle of the Bay on a boat tour. There are many options for boat tours in San Francisco, from standard 60-minute bay cruises to sunset cruises, dinner cruises, and even whale-watching tours. Alcatraz Island is one of the city's most iconic sights, and a cruise to the former prison is a popular attraction. The best time of year to take a boat tour in San Francisco depends on what you are looking for. If you want to see the city skyline, the best time is during the day. However, if you want a unique perspective of the city at night, a nighttime cruise would be ideal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tour Length | 1-2 hours for sightseeing trips; 2 hours for brunch, lunch or dinner tours; 5 hours for boat and walking tours; 3 hours for boat and biking tours; 24-hour window for bus and boat hop-on hop-off tours; 4 hours for private tours with a captain; 2-3 nights for multi-day boat tours |
| Ticket Price | $35 per person for 1-hour tours on multi-level tour boats; $60-$100 per person for 1.5-hour tours on sailboats or RIB boats; $100-$180 per person for boat tours with a meal; $120-$130 per person for 6-hour boat and walking combo tours; $112 per person for 3-hour boat and biking combo tours; $100 for 1-hour hop-on hop-off boat and bus tours; $600 per group for some private boat tours; $1,200 per hour per group for private boat tours without a captain or amenities; $900 per group for 3-day multi-day boat tours |
| Departure Point | Embarcadero area; Pier 33 to Pier 43.5; East Harbour piers; Yacht Harbour |
| Best Time for Wildlife Spotting | May to October for whales and dolphins |
What You'll Learn
Sunset cruises
When to Go
What to See
There are several landmarks that are particularly spectacular from the water at sunset, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, the Bay Bridge, and McCovey Cove. Many cruises also offer views of the city skyline, Angel Island, Sausalito, and Tiburon.
Cruise Options
There are a variety of sunset cruise options available, from intimate luxury catamaran or sailboat experiences to larger vessel tours. Some cruises offer a romantic and serene experience, while others combine sightseeing with a meal or drinks. Some cruises also include a visit to Alcatraz or a helicopter tour for a bird's-eye view of the city.
Tour Operators
Several tour operators offer sunset cruises in San Francisco, including Red & White Fleet, Blue & Gold Fleet, Adventure Cat, and Hornblower Cruises & Events. These tours typically depart from Pier 39 and last around 90 minutes to 2 hours.
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Alcatraz night tours
San Francisco is a city known for its rolling hills and iconic architecture. One of the best ways to see the unique skyline is from the middle of the Bay on a boat tour. There are boat tours for every type of visitor, from history buffs to those who just want some fresh air.
Alcatraz Island is one of San Francisco's most iconic sights and a cruise to the former prison is a unique experience. The Alcatraz Night Tour provides an engaging evening experience with special programmes. This tour includes a personally narrated boat tour around the island, guided tours from the dock to the main prison building, and the "Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour". The 45-minute Cellhouse Audio Tour is included with the purchase of an Alcatraz tour ticket. Several programmes and presentations are offered only at night, and visitors may choose to attend one or two during their evening. The sunset and breathtaking views of San Francisco as night falls make this a truly exceptional experience.
The Alcatraz Night Tour is available from Tuesday to Saturday, with check-in times varying throughout the year. From Tuesday to Saturday, check-in times are 5:55 PM, 6:30 PM, and 7:05 PM through November 2. From November 3 through March 2025, check-in times are 3:50 PM and 4:45 PM.
Alcatraz City Cruises is the only authorised operator that provides tickets and transportation to Alcatraz Island. You can book tickets by calling (415) 981-ROCK (7625) or 855-538-7558.
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Bridge-to-bridge cruises
The Red and White Fleet's Bridge-to-Bridge Cruise is a 90-minute tour of San Francisco Bay that sails under both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge. The cruise offers open seating, so you can roam around the boat and catch views from all sides. It departs from Pier 43 1/2 in Fisherman's Wharf, with several daily departures all year round.
On the cruise, you'll get to see the following landmarks:
- Golden Gate Bridge
- Bay Bridge
- Alcatraz Island
- Coit Tower
- Transamerica Pyramid
- Salesforce Tower
- Palace of Fine Arts
- San Francisco Ferry Building
The cruise includes an award-winning audio tour, available in 12 to 16 languages, that provides narration about the building of the bridges, the geology of San Francisco Bay, and the earthquakes that occasionally shake the city. You'll also learn about the city's unique natural history, architecture, and Native American culture.
Tickets for the cruise are $48 per person, with youth tickets (5-17) costing $36. Children aged 4 and under receive complimentary admission but need to be ticketed for capacity control. It is recommended that you arrive 30 minutes prior to departure, and boarding is on a first-come, first-served basis. You can book your tickets online and select a specific date, but the tickets are valid for up to 365 days after purchase, so you can choose which day you want to take the cruise later.
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Whale-watching tours
San Francisco is known for its rolling hills and iconic architecture, and one of the best ways to take in the city's unique skyline is from the water on a boat tour.
Nature lovers can charter ships for private whale-watching excursions. San Francisco Whale Tours and SF Bay Whale Watching offer private wildlife-viewing voyages beyond the Golden Gate, where you might find elephant seals, dolphins, porpoises, seabird colonies, and sightings of blue, humpback, and grey whales.
The Oceanic Society also offers unforgettable whale-watching trips to see humpback, blue, and grey whales, as well as dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, seabirds, and other wildlife. Their trips are led by an expert naturalist who provides in-depth information and assists with spotting and identifying whales and other wildlife. Their Farallon Islands Whale Watching tour is a 7.5-hour expedition under the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallon Islands. They also offer a 3-hour naturalist-guided sunset whale-watching cruise from Half Moon Bay in search of migrating grey whales and other wildlife.
Cap'n Jacky has been leading San Francisco whale-watching tours for nearly 50 years, departing from the iconic Fisherman's Wharf.
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Hop-on hop-off boat and bus tours
Hop-on hop-off tours are a great way to explore San Francisco and its surrounding areas. You can choose to stay on the bus or boat for the entire route, or you can hop off at any designated stop to explore further and then hop back on when you're done.
Bus Tours
Big Bus Tours offers hop-on hop-off bus tours of San Francisco. The tours include:
- Day Tour (Red Route): Operating from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, this route takes you to all of San Francisco's must-see landmarks and attractions. Buses run every 15 minutes.
- Sunset Tour (Blue Route): This route allows you to see the sights of San Francisco by night. There is one tour per evening.
Big Bus Tours also offers a variety of ticket options, including 1-day and 2-day passes, as well as tickets that include additional attractions such as a Chinatown walking tour, bike rentals, or admission to Alcatraz.
Boat Tours
There are several companies offering hop-on hop-off boat tours in San Francisco. Here are some of the most popular options:
- Red & White Fleet: Their Golden Gate Bay Cruise is a one-hour tour that departs frequently and offers a great overview of the city. They also offer a longer Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise, which takes you under both the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges and past landmarks such as Coit Tower and Oracle Park.
- Blue & Gold Fleet: This company offers an hour-long Bay Cruise that sails past the shoreline, offering views of the city and the rolling hills of Marin County. Their longer Escape from the Rock tour takes you under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz.
- Alcatraz Cruises: This tour company combines a cruise with a walking tour of Alcatraz Island. The tour is led by park rangers and includes an audio guide available in 11 languages.
- Adventure Cat: Offering small tours on a catamaran, Adventure Cat provides a more customisable experience. In addition to the main sights, you can get up close and personal with sea lions at Pier 39.
In addition to these, there are also several bus and boat tour combinations available, such as the 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Golden Gate Bay Cruise offered by GetYourGuide, and the 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour offered by Skyline Sightseeing.
Best Time for Boat Tours
When it comes to the best time for a boat tour in San Francisco, it really depends on your preferences. If you're looking for good weather, late spring to early fall is generally the best time to visit San Francisco. The city's microclimates can make the weather unpredictable, but you're most likely to have warm, sunny days during these months.
If you're looking for a more relaxed experience, consider taking a boat tour during the week, as weekends tend to be busier. Additionally, opting for a sunset cruise can offer a more romantic and atmospheric experience.
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