Top San Francisco Day Cruises - page 2

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Golden Gate Whale Watch

4.4

(430)

from $77

Special Offer

Escape from the Rock! Cruise around Alcatraz

Experience Alcatraz from the water while uncovering the stories that made “The Rock” one of America’s most infamous prisons. Rather than simply viewing the island from afar, hear firsthand accounts from former guards and inmates through a smartphone audio guide as you cruise around Alcatraz. Along the way, enjoy views of San Francisco Bay landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, with skip-the-line boarding for a seamless experience.

Escape from the Rock! Cruise around Alcatraz

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Likely to Sell Out

Travelers take an audio tour of the infamous Alcatraz jail in California.

Save time and money and explore both San Francisco and Alcatraz on this 2-in-1 tour. Enjoy a coach tour with a knowledgeable local guide. Learn about the City by the Bay through visits to top attractions such as Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, the Presidio, and the Palace of Fine Arts. Then, hop aboard a ferry for a scenic ride to Alcatraz and explore with the award-winning audio walking tour.

Combo Tour: Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Grand City Tour

6 hours 30 minutes

4.2

(2,229)

from $150

San Francisco Prison Cruise: Narrated San Quentin Passage

Step beyond the history books and witness the gripping reality of modern justice. While thousands view Alcatraz from afar, The San Quentin Passage takes you further north into the San Pablo Bay for an exclusive, live-narrated encounter with California’s oldest and most notorious active prison. As you cruise alongside the imposing Victorian-style cell blocks and high-security guard towers of San Quentin State Prison, your live expert guide will pull back the curtain on life "behind the walls." You'll hear haunting and true accounts of the prison’s 19th-century origins, the high-stakes environment of its famous Death Row, and the stories of the infamous inmates who have called this fortress home.

San Francisco Prison Cruise: Narrated San Quentin Passage

2 hoursFree Cancellation

3.5

from $40

The ultimate San Francisco duo: Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge after your private Tuk Tuk city tour adventure.

Explore San Francisco your way on this unforgettable Private Tuk Tuk City Tour + Bay Cruise Combo. Ride in an eco-friendly electric Tuk Tuk as your expert local guide leads you through iconic neighborhoods including Chinatown and Little Italy, with colorful streets, hidden gems, and rich history along the way. Climb the city’s famous hills with ease and stop at the Golden Gate Bridge for unforgettable photos. Wind down the legendary curves of Lombard Street, cruise through Fisherman’s Wharf, and take in stunning skyline and waterfront views. Your 2, 2.5, or 3-hour private tour includes fun, fully narrated storytelling and plenty of Instagram-worthy photo stops. After your city adventure, continue the experience on a scenic 1 hour San Francisco Bay cruise with views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the city skyline. Private tours are ideal for up to six guests per Tuk Tuk. The perfect way to see San Francisco by land and sea in one incredible day.

Bay Cruise plus San Francisco Private Tour Lucky Tuk Tuk

3 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

5.0

from $231

What sets this tour apart? It’s the only experience that lets you see San Francisco from both the streets and the sea — all in one seamless, private adventure. Skip the big buses and explore in a bright green open-top Jeep with your own local guide. Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, stop for real photos, cruise down Lombard Street — the “Crookedest Street” — and explore iconic neighborhoods like Chinatown, North Beach, and the Presidio. The route is flexible and tailored to your group. Then step aboard a 1-hour Golden Gate Bay Cruise. Sail under the bridge, circle Alcatraz Island, and enjoy stunning skyline views from the water. Upgrade: Add 1 hour for the full city route — Golden Gate Park, Haight-Ashbury, Ocean Beach, Painted Ladies, plus everything in the 2-hour tour. Private tour for up to 6 guests. We handle the logistics so planning is easy and stress-free.

San Francisco Bay Cruise and Private City Tour in One Day — Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge in an open-top Jeep, explore iconic neighborhoods, sail under the bridge and around Alcatraz.

Bay Cruise with Private San Francisco City Tour Max 6

3 hoursFree Cancellation

5.0

from $238

Muir Woods Express with Golden Gate Bridge Visit

4 to 5 hours

4.9

(34)

from $85

Fisherman's Wharf Hidden Gems Tour + Golden Gate Bay Cruise

This is not your typical Fisherman’s Wharf tour. Forget the souvenir shops and the barking sea lions of Pier 39, you can visit those on your own. Instead, we invite you to step away from the neon signs and "tourist traps" to discover the gritty, authentic, and hidden history of San Francisco’s northern waterfront. From military outposts to the birth of sourdough, join us for a deep dive into the stories that truly shaped the City by the Bay. Our journey spans from the industrial legacy of Ghirardelli to the historic ramparts of Fort Mason, uncovering the deep-rooted fishing heritage and immigrant stories that define the neighborhood's true soul.

Fisherman's Wharf Hidden Gems Tour + Golden Gate Bay Cruise

2 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

4.9

(13)

from $44

Alcatraz Muir Woods with Sausalito Express

4 to 7 hours

4.4

(29)

from $153

If you have limited time in San Francisco, check off the city's must-see attractions in one day with this combo sightseeing and Alcatraz tour. Take in the sights on a 2-hour bus tour, from Chinatown and Haight-Ashbury to Golden Gate Park and Fisherman's Wharf. You'll also cruise across the San Francisco Bay for a tour of Alcatraz Island that takes you inside historic cell blocks that once held notorious gangsters and criminals — no advance ticket needed.

Alcatraz and City Tour Express

1 to 2 hours

3.0

(4)

from $190

Likely to Sell Out

Golden Gate Bay Voyage on Historic Yellow Boat

Step aboard a rare piece of San Francisco’s working history on The Golden Gate, a 1928 Monterey fishing boat captained by born-and-raised San Franciscan, Captain Sal Alioto. Passed down through generations of his Sicilian-American family, this vessel offers an intimate journey along the city’s iconic northern waterfront. Departing from the small wharf behind Tarantino’s at Fisherman’s Wharf, you'll drift through Aquatic Park, past historic ships at Hyde Street Pier, and take in sweeping views of Fort Mason, the Marina Green, and Crissy Field. Sail by the St. Francis Yacht Club and the Wave Organ, with its eerie music if the tide is right. Spot the Palace of Fine Arts inland and Alcatraz on the horizon before reaching the tour’s grand finale - the Golden Gate Bridge - seen from a perspective few ever experience. This soulful cruise blends personal storytelling with breathtaking views, offering a unique connection to the Bay’s rich maritime legacy.

Golden Gate Bay Voyage on Historic Yellow Boat

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.9

(11)

from $74

Alcatraz Prison Tour + San Francisco Bike Rental

5 to 9 hours

4.0

(1)

from $138

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What are people saying about San Francisco

San Francisco Bridge-to-Bridge Cruise (90 Minutes)

Krista_H, Apr 2026

The trip was well worth...

The trip was well worth the time and cost. The crew was friendly and helpful. The bathrooms were the roomiest and cleanest I’ve ever encountered in a ship of this size. We were not able to climb the stairs to sit on top that day. The downstairs seating was comfortable, and the views outside good. I would recommend being sure to request the listening devices to hear the narration. We did not see them when we boarded and only noticed them when the upstairs passengers came down and returned theirs. There was a loudspeaker on the lower deck and we could hear most of the time, but sometimes the engines were too loud to hear over them. We have a good experience and were very glad we went.

2-Hour Sunset Sail on the San Francisco Bay

Katie_P, Mar 2026

Sunset Sail Through the Bay

My husband and I did a sunset sailing tour in San Francisco, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. Even though there were other people on board, the seating is arranged in a way that feels more private—kind of a horseshoe layout—so it still felt like an intimate experience. What we really loved is that it wasn’t a guided tour with constant narration. It made the whole experience feel more relaxed and romantic since we could just enjoy the moment and talk with each other without interruptions. Captain Dave was great—very knowledgeable and clearly focused on keeping everything smooth and safe. The first mate, Mike, was also fantastic. He was super attentive, offered to take photos for us (which we really appreciated), and made sure we had everything we needed, including drinks. The two included drinks were a nice touch, with options like wine, beer, soda, and water. The route was beautiful—we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatraz, and back to Pier 39—and the timing was perfect. The sunset gave us all the stages, from golden light to full sunset, and it lasted right around two hours. Overall, it was such a special experience, and we would absolutely do it again.

City Cruises San Francisco: Premier Brunch Cruise

Jenny_G, Jan 2026

A must

Booked a brunch cruise through Viator with my two girlfriends and it was EVERYTHING! Bottomless mimosas, a carving station, glazed Atlantic salmon, eggs, bacon, sausage, chicken, salads, pastas, and a dessert table that was insane—cheesecake, red velvet & French toast?! Yes please 😍 Don’t let the cloudy morning fool you—the sun came out and the views were gorgeous. We got the best photos and had the best time. Such a fun and delicious experience. Highly recommend!

2hr. INTERACTIVE Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay

tnovosard, Sep 2025

This sailing trip was...

This sailing trip was incredible! The crew was super friendly and even let us help sail the boat, which made it so much fun. The views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay were unforgettable. Such a cool mix of adventure and relaxation—highly recommend if you’re ever in SF,

Alcatraz Ticket + Ferry with North Beach Walking Tour + Options

Matt_S, Aug 2025

Fantastic Tour, Outstanding Guide

My family of 4 took the Fisherman’s Wharf Tour with Alcatraz through Viator, and our guide was Jaime Lasher with ExperienceFirst. We’ve done a lot of tours through Viator in many cities around the world, and Jaime stood out as one of the best guides we’ve had. Born and raised in SF, and a graduate of Berkeley, Jaime really knows the SF area, and takes the tour guide role seriously. The tour is not a canned presentation, but a walking narrative of SF through his own eyes, based on years of first hand experience and research. I used to live in SF, so I’ve been to Fisherman’s Wharf many times, but on our tour, I learned so much about the area that I’d never heard before. For my wife and kids (age 7 and 9), almost all of the content was new. Jaime brought The Wharf to life, explaining not only the history, but how the area has evolved over the last decade. I enjoyed talking to him in between tour stops, asking questions, and getting first-hand perspective of the city. Jaime offers multiple tours around SF, and if possible, I’d recommend trying to land him if you can. The guide makes all the difference, and he is one of the best. Alcatraz was nice too, but the Wharf Tour was the highlight of the experience.

San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise

Alicia_K, Aug 2025

Fun relaxing cruse on bay.

It was a delightful hour and a half cruise on catamaran. Plenty of room to stretch out on the deck of the boat. It was not crowded. Went out to the Golden Gate Bridge, and then boat turned around and came back near the Oakland Bay bridge, then docked. You can go down into the cabin and buy a soft drink or a snack. But I really like with it. There was no loud pounding music while we were sailing. Just on the way back the last half a hour they played some gentle soft 70s rock. I really appreciated that because it was so relaxing. The bathroom was easy to access. I would do it again and had a wonderful relaxing time