San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay

San Francisco Bay

Free admission
San Francisco, CA

The Basics

The area abounds with ways to enjoy the bay. Options range from sunset sails and brunch cruises to helicopter excursions—some tours provide overnight accommodation. Take a ferry to Angel Island State Park, Alcatraz Island, or the pretty town of Tiburon. Or, zip around San Francisco on a Segway, bike, or e-bike, stopping for bay photo ops. If you have time to spare, consider a regional tour to the redwoods, wine country, or Yosemite National Park.

Show all
San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out
San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise
$64.00 per adult
Traveler Favorite
Fantastic views under Golden Gate
Excellent trip. Very nice crew. Everything you need, an excellent bar, warm jackets…. And most important: fantastic views sailing to Gilden gate bridge and back.
Juergen_K, Sep 2023

Recent reviews from experiences in San Francisco

Needs to be on everyone's bucket list
star-5
Needs to be on everyone's bucket list
Lynette_F, Sep 2023
San Francisco Premier Brunch Cruise
The food was fantastic, the views were amazing, even got to see a whale in the bay. A must do when visiting the San Francisco Bay area.
Worth the money!
star-5
Worth the money!
Tyler_S, Sep 2023
Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco
Our driver, Greg was absolutely AMAZING! Firstly and foremost, this tour was worth the money. 1. Greg was very knowledgeable of the area and gave us some great insight from start to finish. 2. The coach bus was clean, comfortable, had a bathroom and good a/c. 3. All three wineries were great and worth the stop. 4. We also stopped off near the Golden Gate Bridge to take pictures. 5. Greg was extremely nice, and friendly.
Sunset cruise
star-5
Sunset cruise
Angela_A, Aug 2023
San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise
This sunset cruise is the best way to see the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz up close! The boat is super clean and spacious. The staff were all very friendly and accommodating.
Excellent experience, highly recommend
star-5
Excellent experience, highly recommend
Deborah_P, Aug 2023
Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco Bridge-to-Bridge Cruise
The boat was very clean and spacious. The staff was friendly and we had a wonderful tour of the bay! Highlight for me was certainly under the Golden Gate Bridge! Definitely recommend!
Unbelievable Trip
star-5
Unbelievable Trip
Hannah_B, Aug 2023
2-Day Yosemite National Park Tour from San Francisco
An incredible trip! Amazing tour guide James showed us the best spots! 1000% recommend! 2 days were perfect to see some key spots in Yosemite, the accommodation at Cedar Lodge was comfortable, clean and perfectly located!
Great catamaran ride
star-5
Great catamaran ride
Wilfredo_L, Aug 2023
San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise
Chilly and breezy but beautiful nonetheless. Staff very friendly. Ride was fun. Bathroom also was clean. Definitely an experience you don’t want to miss when you visit San Francisco. I won’t recommend for kids though.
Viator for the win
star-5
Viator for the win
Poulamee_C, Sep 2023
Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise
The Alcatraz audio tour was remarkable. The San Francisco Bay cruise was nice. Viator combined them and saved us a lot of time in our already-packed San Francisco tour. Viator does have the awesomest customer care system and they do work to resolve any issues we have with our booking. I would highly recommend booking tours via Viator to relax and enjoy your next vacation
Great Experience
star-5
Great Experience
Chevelta_T, Jul 2023
Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco Bay Twilight or Sunset Cruise
Nice romantic evening cruising the Bay! Great buy! Remember to dress in layers. Bathrooms are clean, plenty of space to sit indoor and out.
Take your Date here!
star-5
Take your Date here!
Linda_W, Jun 2023
Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco Bay Twilight or Sunset Cruise
Great experience! The restrooms were clean. There is a variety of drinks and snacks at the bar. The Staff were super friendly. This is a family friendly environment!
Just do it
star-5
Just do it
Damien_J, Jun 2023
Elite Airplane Flight Tour of San Francisco
It was a great time. We never did anything like this. Our pilot insured is of any safety concerns we had. Great knowledge of the area and overall very safe.
Being with family and...
star-5
Being with family and...
Erica_C, Jun 2023
Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco Bridge-to-Bridge Cruise
Being with family and friends and seeing the view. Everyone was very friendly and the boat was clean.
Kimmy ROCKS!!
star-5
Kimmy ROCKS!!
Chet_K, Apr 2023
San Francisco Super Saver: Muir Woods & Wine Country w/ optional Gourmet Lunch
Kimmy was the best tour guide!! She provided historic and current facts about landmarks, people, and places along with appropriate selections of music based on the topic of discussion. She was genuine about safety and enjoyment throughout the entire day. Kimmy obviously enjoys what she does and she should be commended on a job well done. Thanks Kimmy!!!! Tiffany :-)
We perform checks on reviews

Things to Know Before You Go

  • Many top San Francisco attractions offer views of the bay, including Fisherman’s Wharf, the Exploratorium, and Pier 39.

  • Don’t forget to take a jacket—and leave those shorts in your hotel room, even in summer—as it’s often chilly and windy on and near the water.

Show all

How to Get There

For the most immersive San Francisco Bay experience, get there by boat (private charter, or public ferry from various locations). The major airports serving the area are San Francisco International and Oakland International. Public transit is generally plentiful, as are taxis and rideshares. If you plan to drive in San Francisco, make sure you’re comfortable navigating steep hills, and be aware that parking can be difficult to find.

Show all

Trip ideas


When to Get There

Weather on the bay and in San Francisco is temperate year-round, but the warmest, sunniest months are usually September and October. Spring is a good time to beat the summer tourist rush. Expect more tour availability on weekdays.

Show all

Visiting Fisherman’s Wharf

For family fun with fabulous bay views, hop on a historic streetcar to Fisherman’s Wharf. Dine on fresh seafood, check out the Aquarium of the Bay, or explore the USSPampanito, a submarine and museum. Numerous bay cruises also depart from Fisherman’s Wharf.

Show all
EN
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the nearest attractions to San Francisco Bay?
Q:
What else should I know about attractions in San Francisco?
A: