People say one of the best views of San Francisco is from the water, but I have always wanted to see it myself. I had taken a boat to Alcatraz before, but I needed to get the full San Francisco Bay experience. Many of my favorite attractions are visible from a boat – the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the Palace of Fine Arts, and more.
During a recent trip, I took the opportunity to go on a San Francisco Bay Boat Tour that included going under the Golden Gate Bridge with Red and White Cruises. I was glad I did.
Let me tell you more about my experience so you can decide if you want to do one of the San Francisco boat tours when you visit.
Note: We went on our cruise on November 11, 2018. Our pictures look hazy, but that is actually the smoke from some of the California wildfires. Our thoughts are with all those affected.
The view as we left Pier 43 1/2.
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San Francisco from the Water
San Francisco Bay is the heart of the city, so a boat tour is a convenient and fun way to get an overview and a glimpse of some of the most popular attractions. Try to choose a day where the weather is clear. Sometimes, it can be foggy in the morning but will clear up as the day goes on. Be sure to bring your camera as the views will be spectacular.
Here’s a one-week San Francisco itinerary to help you see more of this amazing city.
Note: This post contains affiliate links please see disclosure for more information.
One of the windsurfers we saw during our San Francisco boat ride.
Leaving the Pier
Boarding the boat is first-come-first-served, so we got to the Pier about 20 minutes before our scheduled cruise. They started boarding just before it was time to leave. As you board, there is a photographer that will take your picture with the boat. If you like it, the photo is available for purchase for $15 after completing the tour.
Once onboard, you get your audio tour equipment – headphones and a small radio. The narration is available in 16 different languages. I thought the audio tour was very informative. Even though I have been to San Francisco many times, I still learned a few things.
Inside the Red and White Fleet Boat.
Once you have the audio tour, you choose your deck and seat. The boat has three levels with both indoor and outdoor space on each level. We decided to go for the top deck which is all outdoors. I think the best views are from the left side of the boat. Don’t stress too much about where you sit, though, as everyone moves around during the tour.
The boat left the dock and we headed north towards the Golden Gate Bridge. We learned about some of the famous ships that are permanently docked in the San Francisco Bay, such as The Balclutha – a three-mast ship built in Scotland in the 1880s.
If you are lucky, you may be able to spot some of the bright orange swim caps of the Dolphin Swim Club. They go for swims in the bay daily! We didn’t see any swimmers but we did see a few windsurfers.
The top deck of our boat.
Highlights of Our San Francisco Bay Boat Tour
While it’s always fun being on the water, the main reason you go on a boat cruise in the San Francisco Bay are for the views! Let’s talk about the places we saw during our tour.
Golden Gate Bridge
My favorite part of a San Francisco Bay boat trip is going under the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a beautiful bridge and an iconic feature of San Francisco. It is nice to see it from all angles! (You may remember I biked over the Golden Gate Bridge on a previous trip.)
The view as we headed towards the Golden Gate Bridge.
The audio guide was full of interesting facts about the bridge. The fact that stood out for me is that they are constantly painting it. Once the crew gets to the other end of the bridge, it is time for them to start over. We saw the scaffolding they use. I would not want that job!
Alcatraz Island
Next, the boat cruise passed by Alcatraz Island. I have visited Alcatraz Island several times before because I think it is such a fascinating place. (If you can, I highly recommend the Alcatraz night tour.) Still, I learned a few things from the tour narration. For example, I didn’t realize that the lighthouse on Alcatraz Island was the first in California.
Alcatraz Island is such a fascinating place!
Angel Island
We could also see Angel Island from the boat. It’s a place that has always intrigued me and I have been wanting to visit it. I knew it was a great place for hiking and biking, but I didn’t know much about the history.
Angel Island is a beautiful area with lots to do!
The stories I heard about Angel Island on the audio guide were very moving. Originally, Native Americans lived on the island. It was known as the Ellis Island of the West. Many immigrants (especially Chinese) were detained here. I strongly believe immigrants are an important part of the fabric and history of the United States and the way these immigrants were treated was disgraceful. I don’t want to see history repeating itself.
Note: We were finally able to spend a day exploring Angel Island. Read more about the things to do and see on Angel Island.
Bay Bridge
We didn’t go under the Bay Bridge, but we still got a good view of it. It’s now actually two bridges and a tunnel. Hearing the story of the 1989 earthquake gave me chills. I can’t imagine how it would have felt to be on the bridge or have loved ones on that bridge when it collapsed.
One of the large ships we passed on our boat tour. Look closely and you can see the Bay Bridge in the distance.
Back at the Pier
Right on schedule, we arrived back at Pier 43 ½. They run a tight ship and ask that you leave the boat right away so that they can reload for the next trip. We thought we would try to take a few pictures as we were waiting for the line to go downstairs to move.
Well, lesson learned. One of the crew members waved his hand in front of the camera to prevent us from taking a photo and told us we needed to leave. So be sure to take all the pictures you want to before the boat gets back to the dock. Also, note that they close the restrooms ten minutes before the end of the cruise.
Anisa and her friend Diane. Look closely and you can see Alcatraz in the background.
Getting to Pier 43 ½
It’s best to take public transportation to get to your Red and White Fleet Cruise. The Bay & Taylor Street Cable Car will take you within four blocks of Pier 43½ or the MUNI F-Line streetcar stops one block away.
I do not recommend driving as traffic and parking can be difficult, but if you do, park across the street from Pier 43 ½. Then you can ask the Red and White Fleet to validate parking for one hour.
About Red and White Fleet
The Red and White fleet was founded back in 1892! It’s a family-owned company. The boats depart from Pier 43 ½. Their boats are also available for private charters for up to 600 guests. The boats have both indoor and outdoor space.
You can find out more about the Red and White Fleet and book a tour here.
Our San Francisco Bay Tour Boat
San Francisco Cruise Tour Options
We took the Golden Gate Bay Cruise which is a one-hour tour where you can see the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the San Francisco waterfront. Depending on the day, there are 8-18 departures. You can check the schedule here.
The Red & White Fleet does have other San Francisco bay tours. If you have more time, you can do the 90-minute long Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise which goes under both the Golden Gate and the Bay Bridges. It also goes around Alcatraz.
In the evenings, they offer a Sunset Cruise which goes by Alcatraz, Angel Island, Tiburon, Sausalito, and under the Golden Gate Bridge. On that two-hour tour, they also have appetizers, drinks, and live entertainment.
Are Boat Tours in San Francisco Worth it?
Yes, you definitely need to do one of the San Francisco Bay boat cruises during your visit.
We had great views of the sights and learned so much about the history. Plus, I got a few ideas for things to do on future trips to San Francisco. The boat is big enough to make it a smooth ride. It’s nice that there is an inside area in case it gets chilly.
I recommend choosing the Red and White Fleet. The Golden Gate Cruise is reasonably priced at $34 for adults and $25 for kids (5-17 years old). Additionally, several of the Red & White cruises are part of the San Francisco Go Card which helps you save on 25% of the top attractions in the city. Click here for more information.
Alternatively, if you plan on going to the Aquarium of the Bay too, you can save money on both with this combination ticket.
Have you ever done any San Francisco boat trips?
-Anisa
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Expert Tips for Your San Francisco Bay Boat Tour
- Take public transportation to get to Pier 43 ½.
- Don’t worry too much about getting a specific seat on the boat. Everyone moves around during the cruise.
- During your visit to San Francisco, you should also try to visit Golden Gate Park, the Walt Disney Family Museum, and SFMOMA.
Disclosure: We would like to thank the Red and White Fleet for inviting us to take their San Francisco Bay Cruise so that we could share the experience with our readers. All opinions are our own.
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Last Updated on March 6, 2023
The wildfires are just awful. I was in the city yesterday afternoon and was outside for about an hour all up and today I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. It looks like you coped a fair bit of smoke during your boat ride too, I hope you were feeling ok afterwards.
I’ve done the ferry ride out to Alcatraz and back, and I really loved looking back at San Francisco from the water. I think they’re right about it being the best way to see the city 🙂 I’ll have to check out a boat tour next time I’m up there! #WeeklyPostcard
Yes, the fires are terrible. The smoke didn’t bother us but I have heard it has gotten worse. I hope they get the fires under control soon.
I hope you get a chance to do the boat tour. We really enjoyed the narration on this one.
Wow, that smoke! We were in SF and left the day you took that cruise. We did a sunset cruise on a catamaran around San Francisco bay – it was stunning. I think a boat trip is such a wonderful way to see the city and the bay.
Sammie – I have heard the smoke has gotten worse. Glad you got to do a sunset cruise, that sounds lovely too.
I have flown over San Francisco (with layovers at that airport) and thought to myself, “I really need to stay for a visit sometime.” The bay area even looks beautiful, from above. Thanks for sharing your experience, seeing the bay from the ocean! My thoughts and prayers are also with those affected by the horrible fires.
#TheWeeklyPostcard
Kimberly- Yes you need to visit San Francisco, there is so much to see there.
Such a cool tour! I’ve never been, but I’ve heard great things about SF bay boat tours.
#TheWeeklyPostcard
Thanks, yes we had a great time. I hope you get the chance to do one
Boat tour looks really interesting..my sister stays in San Fransisco..so I would surely take the tour when I visit her
Thanks Madhu. I hope you get a chance to go on the tour!
I think you can get the best vies of SF from many places thanks to all the hills! I’ve done a boat tour too and loved it. My favorite part was going under the GGB.
Thanks for hosting!
Cristina – Yes, there are some great views from the hills too. I also like the view from Coit Tower. It’s a beautiful city, nice to take in the view from different perspectives.
SF really knows how to do a good tour, doesn’t it? I think this one is a great option if a visitor has a limited amount of time, but still wants to see the “greatest hits.” Thanks for sharing!
Heather – Yes! It’s a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time.
This is such a fun tour! Marty and I did the same tour our first time to San Francisco, and loved it. I so enjoyed seeing the city from the water. Thanks for the great tips!
Michelle – So glad to hear you enjoyed it too!
I did a similar tour when I was in SF years ago and loved it so much! It’s so cool to be close to the Golden Gate Bridge, sail around Alcatraz and see the sea lions. Really loved exploring the city in general and can’t wait to go back next summer!
Daisy – Yes so much to see on this short boat ride in the San Francisco bay
The coldest I’ve ever been in California was on a boat tour of the way. The skyline is beautiful though. I really enjoyed it, minus the cold bay winds. I’ve been itching to go back to the bay area and see my friends and family… and your photos aren’t helping. 😉
Sara – Yes it does surprise me how cold it can get in San Francisco! I agree it is worth it to see the city. Glad to hear you enjoyed the photos.
I’m sorry to hear you got caught up in the wildfires. I’m living in Berkeley right now and I hope it clears up soon, not just for those in the Bay Area but also for those caught in the middle of the fires. I am glad you enjoyed your boat ride despite the smoke. It looks like it does an excellent job of showing you all of the highlights and giving you some history of San Francisco! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Brooke – Yes, I feel terrible for those affected by the fires. We did enjoy the tour.
San Francisco is my favorite city in the USA. I can never get enough of it. This S.F. Bay boat tour was among the things we did when we first visited San Francisco, some 28 years or so ago. We never did the Alcatraz night tour. You made me curious about it.
Anda – It is a beautiful city! Next time you go, try the night tour, just be sure to book in advance as it is quite popular.
What amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island from the boat! I love the idea of an audio tour to learn more about the history of the bay. It was so interesting to learn they are constantly painting the Golden Gate Bridge. I had no idea. I would not want that job either! I like that the Red and White fleet has been around so long and is a family-owned company. Looks like a must-do when visiting San Francisco!
Cynthia – Thank you! Yes, it was a great tour. I hope you get the chance to do it when you visit San Francisco.
I have to agree that the San Francisco Bay Boat Tour appears like an excellent way to see San Francisco. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Dorothy – Great minds think alike!
I so wanted to do this in San Francisco when I’ve been there but have always run out of time. Looks lovely!
Jill – It was a great experience. I hope you get the chance to do it.
This is something we need to do! It’s been so long since I went on a boat tour around San Francisco that I don’t remember much more than seeing Alcatraz and the bridges. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time on our last trip to San Francisco, so I’m taking the time to write this down now for our next Bay Area trip. Sounds like you had a great tour – Can’t wait to do it ourselves!
Thanks Rob. I hope you get to do it on your next trip!