Top San Francisco On the Water

See San Francisco’s most famous waterfront landmarks from the water on a bay cruise that combines iconic views with onboard flexibility. Sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, pass Alcatraz Island, and take in panoramic views of the city skyline while listening to stories and insights through an app-based audio guide. With skip-the-line boarding and indoor and outdoor viewing areas, it’s an easy way to experience the bay from a different perspective.

Enjoy a different perspective and admire San Francisco and its surrounding sights from the water on a San Francisco Bay sailing cruise. Onboard a catamaran, sail past the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, legendary Alcatraz Island, and the hamlet of Sausalito. Take advantage of great photo ops while you soak up the sea breeze during this scenic tour.

Explore one of California's most iconic settings from the beauty of San Francisco Bay. This narrated Golden Gate Bay cruise journeys alongside Alcatraz and Angel Island State Park, past the shores of Sausalito and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. You can choose to view the sights from inside your boat or out on deck.

Guarantee your seat aboard the Privateer, your sailboat, when you prebook a scenic cruise along the San Francisco Bay. As you set off on the water, you'll enjoy sightseeing at the most beautiful time of day—sunset. Coast along and look out for local landmarks like Alcatraz, the Sausalito shoreline, and the Golden Gate Bridge, all with two drinks of your choice in your hand.

This 90-minute cruise set to music will take you from PIER 39 and passes by San Francisco icons, such as the famous California Sea Lions and the Golden Gate Bridge. As the sun sets on the San Francisco Bay and the lights come up in the city, you'll continue to take in the many sights while you go by Angel Island, Sausalito, Tiburon, and the world famous Alcatraz Island. There is no better seat on the Bay to see one of the most beautiful cities in the world turn on its lights. If the timing doesn't work, select from one of our other amazing cruise options available during the day! Don’t miss this breathtaking experience from the best seats on the Bay!

Take a relaxing afternoon sailing cruise aboard a traditional sailboat on the San Francisco Bay. Cruise past landmarks such as Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, the Sausalito waterfront, and Golden Gate Bridge, and see the San Francisco skyline on your way back to Pier 39. As an added bonus, enjoy two included beverages, from wine to soft drinks.

Bypass the line and head directly to the gate with your prebooked tickets for this San Francisco Bay sightseeing cruise. This sunset cruise takes you across the bay with outstanding views of the city skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz Island. Relax while background music sets the tone. Watch the sunset or select a city lights cruise during winter months.

Give yourself the best chance of spotting whales off San Francisco’s coast with a whale-watching cruise from Fisherman’s Wharf. Benefit from your naturalist guide's insights into marine wildlife while the crew members make use of their local knowledge to lead you toward gray, humpback, and blue whales, as well as seals, sea lions, and seabirds.

Learn to surf in Pacifica, a picturesque town on the California coast just south of San Francisco. Your expert instructor covers all basics so that you can begin to catch some waves. Learn how to read the ocean, paddle out, pop up, balance and ride the waves, along with the etiquette of the surf world. Start practicing on the beach and in shallow waters before heading further out, with the assistance of your instructor available throughout your 3-hour lesson. Choose a morning or mid-day lesson that suits your schedule, with all necessary equipment provided.

An interactive adventure, this tour is time-efficient and takes you on a sailing adventure on the San Francisco Bay. Hop aboard a private yacht with a USCG licensed captain. Sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, cruise along the San Francisco waterfront, and marvel at Alcatraz and Angel Islands up close. Take the helm for a hands-on sailing experience and capture scenic views, encounter local wildlife, and create memories.

On this San Francisco bridge cruise, get an up-close look at the city’s two engineering marvels—the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge—as you travel across San Francisco Bay. See major city sights such as Alcatraz, Coit Tower, and the Ferry Building, and listen to recorded commentary about the city's legendary architecture while you glide under both bridges.

Experience the ultimate "past and present" prison journey with the only tour that connects two of America’s most legendary correctional facilities. Your adventure begins at the infamous Alcatraz Island, where you will use our premium self-guided app to walk the haunting cell blocks of "The Rock" and hear the chilling stories of its most notorious inmates at your own pace. After returning to the mainland, the journey continues with a narrated voyage north toward the imposing walls of San Quentin State Prison, California’s oldest and most notorious active facility. Accompanied by a live expert guide, you’ll cruise past the high-security fortress while hearing gripping commentary on modern prison life, famous inmates, and the evolution of American justice.

Go whale watching in San Francisco on this 2.5-hour cruise that departs from Pier 39. On an eco-friendly catamaran, glide through San Francisco Bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge to reach the open Pacific, where you’ll keep your eyes peeled for humpback and gray whales, as well as marine life like dolphins and seals. Learn about the history and geology of the area from an onboard naturalist, and admire the rugged California coast.

This lesson provides everything beginners need to learn how to stand-up paddleboard (SUP): board, paddle, leash, and dry bag. Explore the shoreline near Crane Cove Park and the Dogpatch Neighborhood with your instructor and small group. Cover basic techniques needed to get started, route planning, and how to interpret currents, tides, and winds.

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.

This convenient package gives you access to two separate essential San Francisco experiences—a visit to Alcatraz Island, and a sightseeing cruise. Instead of waiting in long ticket lines, this time-saving option helps you explore San Francisco more efficiently. Take a ferry to Alcatraz Island where you can go inside the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary and enjoy an audio guide. A San Francisco Bay cruise is also included with views of Pier 39's sea lions, the waterfront area, and the city's skyline. Please note, children 4 years old and younger do not need purchased tickets.

Cruise the San Francisco Bay in a fun and friendly setting that's more personalized than larger ships. See the Golden Gate Bridge from the water and around Alcatraz Island, taking in sunset views from a 360-degree walkway around the boat. During the voyage, chat with a captain and crew and enjoy a complimentary beverage with additional alcoholic drinks available for purchase.

Save time and money and combine a walking tour of North Beach with Alcatraz on this combo tour in San Francisco. Explore Washington Square Park, Saints Peter and Paul Church, and admire views of Lombard Street and the Golden Gate Bridge, then visit Pier 39 to view sea lions before boarding your Alcatraz cruise with an audio guide. Upgrade to include a bay cruise or SkyStar Wheel ride for panoramic city views.

Head out onto the San Francisco Bay for an approximately 2-hour sail, where you watch a beautiful sunset with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. This is an intimate group with a maximum of six, so you have plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the views. Sip on bottled water while you sail. The tour is offered in English and Spanish to accommodate more guests.

Tired of having to do expensive bus and boat combos just to visit and go inside Alcatraz? We trimmed the fat so you can get exactly what you need! IMPORTANT NOTE: WE WILL ASSIGN YOU A DEPARTURE TIME THAT RANGES WITHIN 830AM AND 4PM. WE GIVE YOU WHATEVER TIME WE CHOOSE TO FUFILL THE ORDER. WE WILL NOT REFUND YOU IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE TIME. When you let us assign the time you save! We do not take requests nor does anyone or any call center promise a time. With this package you get one Alcatraz Island admission, round trip island boat transportation; and a coupon sheet with over $30 in discounts to various Fisherman's Wharf attractions. Note: This package is for guests who want Alcatraz tickets. The discounts are not the focus of this attraction. The savings are subject to availability. We will not refund any package because you did not use or like the discounts offered.

Sail around the San Francisco Bay and view the city’s iconic sights while enjoying a buffet lunch on this yacht cruise from downtown. Only from the water can you see the city’s skyline and pass right under the Golden Gate Bridge. Load up on both meat and vegetarian entrees, salads, and sweets during your scenic cruise.

Glide across San Francisco Bay with unlimited mimosas and Champagne on this weekend brunch cruise. Perfect for both locals and visitors, this boat trip offers a new perspective on the city. Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, pass Alcatraz Island, and see the city skyline from the deck. As you float along, enjoy a generous, fresh buffet and onboard music to keep the mood festive.

We take you to jail! This official ticket is all you need to visit the famous Alcatraz Island Prison! You will get to experience the island with a 45-minutes award winning audio tour in the language of your choice, and enjoy the unique scene the Alcatraz Island has to offer. A 15-minutes short docent tour is also included once you are on the island. Round trip ferry rides to the Alcatraz Island are also included with no additional charge. As a bonus, a 1-hour free bike rental voucher is included with your package so you may explore biking to the Golden Gate Bridge at your own pace. The voucher can be used on the same day before or after the Alcatraz tour. Must buy at least 1-hour to redeem the 1-hour free bike rental.