The San Francisco Bay is a breathtaking natural harbor that offers unparalleled views of the city. San Francisco is a diverse city with a blend of Asian, European, and Traditional American cultures. A cruise of San Francisco Bay is a great family event and a perfect romantic outing at sunset.
You won’t lose interest during your San Francisco bay tour with sights such as the intriguing Alcatraz prison to the expansive Golden Gate Bridge. The west coast city of California is an amazing place to visit during your United States trip.
If you are looking for magical sunsets and a memorable experience, then San Francisco bay tours is just for you. With various options, choosing the cruise for you will be an effortless and pleasant experience.
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Highlights:
- Amazing views of the San Francisco skyline
- Sail under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge
- Take in the views of the famous Alcatraz Island
Know before you book:
- Cruises only occur in good weather
- Plan your day carefully if visiting in winter as the days are 5 hours shorter than in summer
- It gets cold in winter, so dress appropriately
The San Francisco Bay is 60 miles long and 2 to 12 miles wide, making it one of the finest bays in the world. The Golden Gate Bridge was constructed in 1937 and stretches across the Bay for 1,7 miles, making it an iconic part of San Francisco history.
This city is far more than this legendary bridge and has the world’s second-largest Chinatown outside Asia. This unique part of town only truly took shape after a damaging earthquake in 1906, highlighting the highs and lows this city has experienced.
The history of this city is defined by several things, including the famous Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz is the island where America’s most dangerous criminals were taken between 1934 and 1963.
Whether you visit San Francisco for the delicious food, enthralling history, or beautiful views, you will enjoy every moment. If you want to experience the city from the sky, look at these San Francisco helicopter tours.
San Francisco Cruise Prices
SF Bay cruise prices start at $34 USD and can reach up to $180 USD, depending on the package.
The most affordable cruise includes a skip-the-line ticket and a fully narrated tour. The most expensive cruise consists of a three-course meal and dance floor to enjoy, all with the stunning sunset falling behind the San Francisco skyline.
Compare prices across the ticket providers below:
San Francisco Bay Cruise Times
Operating hours vary depending on the fleet the cruise is booked with and the time of year. The tours available all run from Monday to Sunday.
Generally, all trips run between 10 am and 8 pm during the summer months, and the cruises run from 10 am to 6 pm during the winter months. The change is due to the daylight available during the summer and winter.
April to September: 10am – 8pm
October to March: 10am – 6pm
Best Time to Go on San Francisco Bay Tours
The best time to go on a boat cruise in San Francisco Bay depends on what you want to experience. If you want to see all the city’s sights then during the day is best, but if you want a romantic cruise, the sunset tours in summer are ideal.
April and September are the ideal months to go on a cruise as the weather is pleasant and more hours are available for you to take in the city sights. However, even though the sunsets are missing during winter, the twilight cruises are still a great opportunity to see San Francisco from another perspective.
The Fleets For San Francisco Boat Cruises
There are two fleets that offer different services when going on boat tours of San Francisco Bay.
The Blue and Gold Fleet is the most affordable fleet used for cruises. With 21 boats offering snack bars and audio guides in nine languages, you’ll be able to see the sights of San Francisco in comfort. The Red and White Fleet offers a fully kitted food and drinks lounge and an audio tour in 18 languages.
No matter which fleet you choose, you’ll have unforgettable memories of a fantastic cruise. Other cruises offered are on private cruise ships and yachts that are not a part of a fleet; they also provide in-person guides with a more personal touch.
San Francisco Boat Tours
With various boat tours, San Francisco is a city with plenty to see from the water. The cruises on offer range from one to three hour tours and take you past all the main sights of San Francisco.
With these skip-the-line tickets, you’ll enjoy a luxurious cruise in comfort and without hassle.
1 Hour San Francisco Bay Cruise
This fantastic one-hour audio-guided tour is on board San Francisco’s Gold and Blue Fleet. The cruise has an excellent guided tour that gives in-depth explanations of all the major landmarks across the city.
The tour offers indoor and outdoor seating, depending on if you want to feel the fresh wind on your face or sit in the comfort of the cabin. This SF Bay tour is accessible for those with mobility issues and wheelchair users, making it a complete experience everyone can enjoy.
The short tour is ideal for families and tourists looking to learn about the city and see the spectacular views on show.
- Audio guided tour in nine languages
- Complimentary souvenir map
- Skip-the-line access to the boat
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Meals and drinks (available for purchase)
- Gratuities
The tour will take you past the historic Pier 39 sea lions and along the beautiful San Francisco waterfront. The boat will sail you under the Golden Gate Bridge and around the infamous Alcatraz Island.
To top things off, you will have great opportunities to take mesmerizing photos of the San Francisco skyline and a souvenir map to remember this unique experience.
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San Francisco Premier Dinner & Dance Cruise
If you want a lavish night out, then this dinner and dance cruise is for you. Take in the delightful San Francisco sunset all from the comfort of this luxury boat. After a lovely three-course meal from locally sourced produce, enjoy a vast array of music played by the boat DJ.
After all the dancing and food is over, step outside to the rooftop deck to admire the scenic views of San Francisco. It is important to note that the cruise is available to all individuals, including those who require wheelchair access.
- Three-course meal with drinks
- Port fees and taxes
- Music and dance floor
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Alcoholic beverages (available for purchase)
- Menu enhancements (available for purchase)
The cruise is not all fine dining and dancing, as you cruise around some of San Francisco’s top sights. Enjoy the glowing sunset falling behind Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, Tiburon, Sausalito, The Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco skyline.
Please note this cruise has a dress code of upscale to business casual. This cruise is ideal for those wanting to take in the picturesque views of San Francisco and enjoy a romantic meal.
Check Price & BookSpecification: San Francisco Bay Cruise | Best Tours & Sunset Views
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Jose_V –
Wonderful service, friendly staff, staff worked like a well oil machine, very prompt, dj was great, good music , plenty of room for dancing great selection of drinks,
Robert –
The cruise started at 11am. We traveled west along the shore line and the narrator described all the pertinent landmarks including the Presidio, the forts and the Palace of Fine Arts. We passed the Golden Gate Bridge and the view was amazing. On the way back we saw Sausalito, Angel Island, Alcatraz and more of the San Francisco cityscape. This cruise should be a requirement for any first time visitor.
Pahge –
The whole family enjoyed and it was overall a really good time. I would definitely recommend and so many people were taking pics when we were close to the bridge as well as under the bridge. We were allowed food/drinks as well. The ship was clean. 5 stars, no complaints!
Amy –
What a wonderful experience! It was a perfect experience to share with my dad! The guides were very nice. I also liked that there was not to many people in the boat. It was so cool to go around Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate Bridge. I kind of wish it was a little bit longer.