Top San Francisco Sunset Cruises

San Francisco Bay Sunset & City Lights Cruise

Sail across San Francisco Bay at twilight to admire the skyline as it begins to light up for the night, and enjoy a perspective on the skyline that few other visitors get to see. With an experienced captain at the helm, you’ll glide past Alcatraz Island and cruise underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. As you go, you can also enjoy one complimentary beverage to accompany your sightseeing, or purchase additional drinks from the onboard bar.

4.5

(1,963)

from $58

The Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic photo motif in San Francisco and especially popular during sunset.

San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

1 hour 35 minutesFree Cancellation

4.8

(1,356)

from $88

2-Hour Sunset Sail on the San Francisco Bay

San Francisco Bay Cruise

1 hourFree Cancellation

Hop on a '70s-era VW bus and get to know the hippie past and hipster vibe that make up San Francisco today. Starting and ending at Fisherman's Wharf, this sightseeing tour takes you around the city, including Chinatown, North Beach, the Castro, the Mission, downtown and more. See the homes of The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, while listening to '60s classics. So settle into a neon-blue seat and dig your shoes into groovy shag carpet. Each bus accommodates up to just six people.

4.8

(404)

from $129

San Francisco Love Tour

4.9

(2,975)

from $85

San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes)

On a sunny day travelers take panorama photos of Alcatraz Island during the Golden Gate Bay Cruise.

1 hourFree Cancellation

This 90-minute cruise set to music will take you from PIER 39 and past two San Francisco icons, 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. Don’t miss this breathtaking experience from the best seats on the Bay!

San Francisco Sunset Cruise

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Muir Woods and Sausalito Morning Tour Small-Group Half Day

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.6

(583)

from $99

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.

Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

Ride a double-decker sightseeing bus to San Francisco's most famous landmarks with a hop-on hop-off bus pass valid for 24 or 48 hours. Visit big-name attractions such as Pier 39, the Palace of Fine Arts, and Union Square. Explore at your own pace, hopping off at any of 17 stops. Add-on options include Aquarium by the Bay admission, a digital Chinatown walking tour, a panoramic sunset tour, and a half-day wine tour

SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour with Optional Sunset Tour

San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise

4.1

(4,618)

from $56

No better way than to experience San Francisco Bay from a sailing catamaran.

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.9

(638)

from $72

Learn the stories behind the Bay Area's most notorious former federal penitentiary on a fascinating “Escape from the Rock” cruise around Alcatraz. Listen to audio recordings via your own device, with stories from ex-prisoners and guards about daily life on “The Rock.” Admire views of other San Francisco Bay highlights—including the Golden Gate Bridge—en route. This admission ticket allows you to skip the line and go straight to the gate.

Escape from the Rock! Cruise around Alcatraz

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Escape the crowds, and discover the highlights of San Francisco in just one trip, on this small-group driving tour. Enjoy convenient hotel pickup, and see the city unfold in air-conditioned comfort, with a guide to provide commentary. Highlights include neighborhoods such as Chinatown, North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf, and Haight-Ashbury, and landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, and the Presidio.

San Francisco Afternoon City Tour Small-Group Half-Day

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.6

(324)

from $79

Explore Sonoma Valley wine on a small-group tasting tour from San Francisco to boutique wineries, making sightseeing stops along the way. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge, enter Sonoma's rolling landscape of golden hills and vineyards, and enjoy a series of guided tastings, learning about Sonoma wine varietals and terroir as you sip. After your time in Sonoma, pause in the artists' colony of Sausalito, with the option to return to San Francisco by ferry for great views across the San Francisco Bay.

Small-Group Wine Country Tour from San Francisco with Tastings

9 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.9

(1,595)

from $179

Secure two top San Francisco activities with a single booking, combining an Alcatraz Island visit with a same-day Golden Gate Bridge boat cruise. If time is limited, coordinating the two experiences can be a challenge. This double ticket takes the hassle out of planning, featuring a self-guided audio tour of Alcatraz and a waterfront cruise with the chance to spot San Francisco Bay marine wildlife in a natural environment.

Inside Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge Bay Cruise

3 hours

4.0

(235)

from $130

A Champagne Brunch Cruise is a great way to soak up the sights of San Francisco in style.

City Cruises San Francisco: Premier Brunch Cruise

4.8

(349)

from $122

Savor the best of Napa and Sonoma wine country with ease on this full-day tour from San Francisco. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge, enjoy scenic photo stops, and visit renowned wineries in Napa and Sonoma. Taste award-winning wines, explore charming Sonoma Plaza, and discover gems that can include Artesa Winery and Madonna Estate. Enjoy guided commentary, round-trip transport, and tastings, making this tour a relaxing and memorable one.

Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco

8 to 9 hoursFree Cancellation

Top Attractions in San Francisco

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Attractions

What are people saying about San Francisco

San Francisco Bay Cruise

horse, May 2026

A must do in San Francisco

We had a great experience! We’ve never done this before although have been to San Francisco many times. The boat is just the right size and we had beautiful views the whole trip. Viator always comes through with memorable experiences for us all over the world.

Small-Group Wine Country Tour from San Francisco with Tastings

Rose_E, May 2026

Marc, our guide for the...

Marc, our guide for the day, added so much to the experience. He was attentive, funny, and so informative. From history of the San Francisco area to wine industry in Sonoma and Napa, we learned a lot. The small family wine makers spent time with us, allowing us to really learn about their wines, and enjoy them. The personal touch was something we haven’t gotten at some of the larger wineries. Shout out to the friends we made spending a fun day on this tour!

San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

Heather_G, Apr 2026

Great trip!

My first viator trip- and it was great! Sailing under the bridge and watching the sunset, as well as seeing a ton of other sailboats, wind surfers, and what I thought was a sea lion! It was quite chilly, but the boat had coats for everyone who wanted one. Thanks for a great experience!

San Francisco Bay Sunset & City Lights Cruise

Markeis_B, Apr 2026

Amazing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

10/10 I would recommend it was my first time in SF and the ride was amazing seen whales and dolphins and amazing sighting on the bridge for sunset and at night took us around Alcatraz which was also a bonus and even met some cool people along the way !!!!

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

Michael_M, Mar 2026

Whether Tourist or local, GO!

From the moment you arrive to get in line you are greeted by genuinely kind, happy people. This is consistent throughout your journey. Our server was incredibly helpful, attentive, and worked hard applying the same 5 Star service to all tables, while never looking frustrated or tired. Of course the food was fantastic. But then there was the actual bay cruise. I am truly a world traveler. I am fortunate enough to call San Francisco home, actually born there. If I get to go to heaven, I’ll look around and think, it’s pretty fantastic, almost as good as a Hornblower Saturday brunch cruise around the San Francisco Bay.

Muir Woods and Sausalito Morning Tour Small-Group Half Day

Valerie_R, Dec 2025

Best Guide & Great Trip!

Michael was patient and pleasant ∧ was full of history stories (which I love). You can tell he knows the area well. A most delightful trip! The photo op for the bridge was also excellent. The woods are something to behold & as others have said, the town is meh. But it’s a good place to eat lunch.

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